Chapter 6 The sixth round of exploring the tiger's mouth and breaking through the encirclement
Escorts Chu Zhanxiong and Shen Mingyi were surrounded in the cottage of Laolongkou Cemetery, and they were in critical condition; suddenly a person sprang out from the shadows, and with a single gesture, the white wax pole in the palm of the female thief Fen Yasha flew out of the ground. Two or three feet.Fen Yasha let out a "yo" and almost fell down.The red-faced tiger was taken aback, and rushed over in a panic, covering Fen Yasha's face, shaking the white wax pole, and was about to advance and attack.Just listen to the person on the opposite side speaking loudly: "Master Fan Duo, wait a moment, please listen to me!"
The red-faced tiger Fan Jinkui stopped in astonishment, sealed the door tightly, and stared at the visitor in the shadow of the light.I saw that the person who came was five feet four or five feet tall, wearing a short blue silk jacket, not a night jacket; his head was covered with green silk, and a sharp sword was slung across his back. The front is tied into a butterfly buckle, and the sword handle is doubled with apricot yellow lantern tassels; the waist is tightened, and the feet are on cloud shoes, white cloth high-waist socks, and high knee pads;Distinguished face, long cheeks, wide eyes, plump complexion, long beard, bright eyes, and heroic brows; only a slight horizontal wave on the forehead, it is obvious that the journey has been traveled, the years have invaded, and old age is approaching. (Ye Pi: A glimpse into Yu Jianping's true face of Mount Lu through the eyes of the characters.)
The red-faced tiger looked at it, and was about to ask questions; the fanyasha Ma Sanniang behind her had already shown her flying claws, grabbed it in front of her, and scolded angrily: "You old killer, if you give me a sudden attack, you must be a walking dog. Don't hide, let me catch you!" Fen Yacha just flew to catch him, when he saw the person's eyes flicker, his whole body stood still, he tilted his head slightly, and suddenly raised his hand and said: "This must be Master Fan .I, Yu Jianping with twelve coins, have long admired my reputation, and I am here to pay a special visit today. This lady, I think it is..." At this point, he stopped abruptly.
When Red Faced Tiger and Fen Yacha heard the words "Twelve Coins", they couldn't help stepping sideways, and said to themselves, "I've heard for a long time that the Jiangning bodyguard Twelve Coins, Yu Sansheng, is the number one expert in the Jiangnan martial arts. So this is him?" Right now, look at the look of the person coming.Sure enough, this man's personality is dignified and energetic, and he doesn't seem to be waiting for nothing.Fen Yasha was cut in the face by him, immediately let go of the white wax pole, and deeply felt that the old man's physical strength was abnormal.
Fen Yasha looked at the red-faced tiger.The red-faced tiger frowned, shook his head slightly, and said, "So it's old escort Yu! What's the business of old escort Yu coming here at night? Could it be that he came here to help those surnamed Chu and Shen, and came here to explore the mountains?" Yu Jianping said apologetically, "Master Fan, I'm wandering around in the world, relying on escorts to make ends meet, relying on the help of friends in the green forests on the rivers and lakes, how dare you come to disturb me for no reason. I'm doing it for Chu Zhanxiong and Shen Mingyi. A security guard, visiting the security guards, accidentally offended Lord Fan Duo due to carelessness. I came here specially to resolve the dispute between the two families. Please Master Fan Tuo and inform his subordinates to withdraw troops and stop fighting for the time being. Listen to the next sentence .”
At this time Chu Zhanxiong was standing beside Yu Jianping.Shen Mingyi taught several people to besiege him on the low house to the west, and he was forced to jump to the flat ground, struggling endlessly.At this time, another person sprang out from the shadows and rushed to the core; Wu Wu held a short iron spear, relying on a galloping spirit, united with Shen Mingyi, and killed the surrounding people to death.This person is Iron Spear Zhao Hualong's younger brother, Iron Spear Zhou Jilong.
It turned out that Zhou Jilong hurried back to Yancheng, invited Yu Jianping, who had twelve coins, and immediately rode his horse to Chaijiaji.When I went to the reserved inn and saw the staff of the bodyguard company, I realized that Chu and Shen went to Laolongkou to visit the mountains together to visit the bodyguards, and their words were at odds.Chu and Shen have already taken a night dive to explore the mountains.Fearing that the two of them might make mistakes, Yu Jianping hurriedly chased Zhou Jilong to the old dragon's mouth, only one time later than Chu and Shen.Yu Jianping and Zhou Jilong used the night movement technique and broke into the trap set by the red-faced tiger. They didn't care about exploring the way calmly, so they had to catch a night watchman first and threaten him to tell the truth.Then Yu Jianping tapped his dumb acupoint, tied him in the grass, and together with Zhou Jilong, attacked from the side of the graveyard.Zhou Jilong patrolled the wind, and Yu Jianping explored the road; seeing the situation of the cemetery clearly, he rushed up to a watchtower.There were exactly four night watchmen on guard inside.
Yu Jianping knocked down the four of them in a lightning-fast way, and interrogated them one by one; only then did he find out that the red-faced tiger did not rob two hundred thousand dart silver, and the words of the night watchman were not false.Yu Jianping asked again and again: "Ten days ago, where did you Fan Tuozhu commit crimes?" The soldier said: "It was on the waterway, and a cargo ship was robbed." The soldiers were also tied up.Inform Zhou Jilong, while looking for Chu and Shen, while spying on the location of the red-faced tiger kiln.The black shadow that Chu and Shen saw when they first entered the mountain was Yu Jianping.
Afterwards, Chu and Shen fought against the gang of thieves, and Zhou Jilong wanted to go down to help.Yu Jianping waved his hands to stop, and whispered: "We can take this opportunity to check around." After the check, there really wasn't any sign of escorts.
At this time, Chu and Shen's two bodyguards were gradually losing ground, Yu Jianping taught Zhou Jilong to meet Chu Zhanxiong.Zhou Jilong saw that Chu Zhanxiong was fighting a woman; Zhou Jilong didn't want to fight, he didn't show his face if he won, but it was really embarrassing if he lost.Zhou Jilong frowned, thoughtfully, shook his hand and said, "I can't deal with this woman, she is a famous dominatrix, let me be an old man." As he said this, he wiped his body and ran away, and ran to Shen Mingyi's side went.
Yu Jianping couldn't help laughing, and said to himself: "He's very slippery!" He had no choice but to sneak over and wait and see.Later, seeing that Chu Zhanxiong was entangled with Fen Yasha and his wife, Yu Jianping hurriedly stepped forward, and knocked Fen Yasha's white wax pole away with just one move with his bare hands.After meeting and talking with the red-faced tiger, Yu Jianping was gentle and courteous, pointed to Shen Mingyi's side and said: "Master Fan Duo, please order your subordinates to stop fighting." stop!"
The red-faced tiger frowned and thought for a while, then told his subordinates to stop, and stared at the surroundings from a distance.The red-faced tiger eyes looked at Fen Yasha.Fen Yacha held the flying claw, stared at Yu Jianping with twelve coins, and said nothing.The red-faced tiger said: "Boss Yu, I have admired your reputation for a long time. I have set up a mountain and set up a cabinet here, and I have never had any problems with your noble escort. This person surnamed Chu and Shen came to disturb us. We have to do it. Yu Escort, I advise you to come back! This is because they came to the door to look for it, not because of my surname Fan's rudeness."
Yu Jianping stroked his long beard and said, "Master Fan, you don't know the truth, so you naturally blame them for coming here for no reason; but they have their own reasons. I have heard that they worshiped the mountain according to their rites, and they have explained to Master Qin of Guiyao " Speaking of this, he turned to Chu Zhanxiong and Shen Mingyi and said: "Chu and Shen, two bodyguards, I have already visited Ming, and the lost bodyguard silver is not here. Why do you two have a quarrel with them?"
Chu and Shen said in astonishment: "Isn't the dart here? Brother Yu, how do you know that the dart is not here, but has it been tracked down? They obviously committed crimes more than ten days ago. Let's pay homage to the mountain. They He falters in every possible way, and wants to intercept and kill us." Yu Jianping said: "That's just a misunderstanding, let's take it easy!" He clasped his fists at Fan Jinkui and said, "These two friends are really anxious to find a bodyguard because of their heavy burdens. It disturbed Gui Kiln, and two mistakes happened. I also ask Master Fan Duo to relax a step, look at my thin face, and resolve the dispute with a smile from now on, we will come back another day to make a sincere apology."
Hearing this, Fan Jinkui groaned and said nothing; he thought to himself: "Twelve Qianqian Yu Jianping is not someone to be provoked. Since they came to explore the mountain, I am afraid that these few people will come; why don't I just let them go back as a favor?" After thinking about it, Peng Senlin interjected: "We are injured, so why not let him go?" Fen Yasha also had a pair of pretty eyes beside him, and said nothing.
Fan Jinkui felt embarrassed and decided not to give up.Suddenly looking up, I saw red, green and blue lanterns hanging on the upper floor in the south.Fan Jinkui understood in his heart, so he said bluntly: "Old Escort Yu's words must be obeyed. But the matter has come to this point, and several of us have been injured. If I let Ting Chu and Shen go out, the kiln will laugh at me." Cowardly and unrighteous, why would I use them? Besides, the two of you have been messing around with us for half a night. Once it gets out, the people on the green forest road will definitely look down on me, Fan, and say that I am a red-faced tiger who turns out to be a paper tiger. But since the old bodyguard Yu said it, if I refuse, it will appear that my surname Fan is unreasonable..."
Yu Jianping listened quietly, knowing that Fan Jinkui was looking for a scene, he hurriedly said: "This is easy, I will teach Fan Duozhu how to live. I want to have martial arts friends nearby, and I can invite them to accompany me..."
The red-faced tiger shook his head and did not answer, suddenly raised his eyebrows and said: "Let's do this, please tell the two of you to leave me the weapon; I will naturally let them both, and I will never touch a single hair of him." Yu Jianping returned before it was too late. He said, Chu Zhanxiong was already furious, he held the two knives in his left hand, patted his neck with his right hand and said: "It's easy for you to keep my two knives, please cut off the head on my neck first."
Peng Senlin jumped angrily and said: "It's nothing to keep your head! Brother Fan, we brothers can't be planted in vain! Please look, brother, the lantern upstairs has been raised, don't let them go." Jin Jiliang also said: "Second brother Qin is seriously injured. He told the eldest brother to give him some relief. Our village is like a dragon's pond and a tiger's den. It's too unreasonable for them to come and leave as soon as they say it." Fan Jinkui was still hesitating. One step at a time, he said, "My surname is Yu, I have admired you for a long time, and your reputation is world-renowned. Why don't you leave it for us to see?"
Yu Jianping raised his eyebrows, with a murderous look on his face, but he suppressed it and said, "I'm only gaining a false name, how dare I show my strength in front of you! Since this person has said it, I can't refuse." With one side of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the south face. Looking upstairs, pick out three-color lights.Yu Jianping leaped forward with a few zhangs, and immediately stood still, pointing with his left hand and raising his right hand three times.In the dark shadows, I heard the sound of breaking through the sky, and looked at the sound of "popping" upstairs, and the three lights went out; suddenly there was a scream from upstairs, and three more lights were picked out.
The red-faced tiger Fan Jinkui was taken aback, and Fen Yasha said angrily: "I said we are not afraid of this trick, whoever wants to let him go, I will settle the score with him!"
Yu Jianping turned around and came back, looked at Fan Jinkui and said: "Show shame, show shame! The family has a lot of people, and the master is one person. What about Fan Tuozhu, please decide with one word." Fan Jinkui said: "Leave the weapon, and I will let him go. "
Yu Jianping's face changed suddenly, and he said coldly: "This is difficult, forgive me for being difficult! I have a sword here, and I am willing to offer it to you." Turning around, he drew out the sheath and held it with both hands. The sword is three feet eight inches long, green Shark scabbard, a piece of gold, is a sharp knife.Fan Jinkui took a step back before he was about to speak; Peng Senlin snatched it up, stretched out his hand and said, "Take it here..." Before he could say a word, "Oops", his body suddenly fell, and Fan Jinkui hurriedly leaned forward to support him; Slipping away underground, he was hit by the Ruanma acupoint.Yu Jianping stepped forward and stretched out his palm, aiming at Peng Senlin's "Qiyu Point", pushed it, and then abruptly said: "My friend, wait a minute, this sword can only be received by Master Fan Duo."
The red-faced tiger Fan Jinkui suddenly revealed his smiling face, raised his thumb and said: "Hahahaha, I admire, I admire! This shows that the old escort is very skilled in martial arts! Please four please! Brothers, make way quickly." With his hands behind his back, he shook shook.
Yu Jianping smiled slightly, turned around and inserted his sword, arched his fists and said: "I've accepted it, thank you for your kindness, I'll make up the report another day."
Fan Jinkui yelled: "Close the team!" The group of thieves gave way.Yu Jianping looked back and forth, and then walked slowly with Chu Zhanxiong and Zhou Jilong in front, and Yu Jianping and Shen Mingyi in the back.This time, he didn't climb over the wall and went straight to the main entrance.After walking dozens of steps, Fen Yacha rushed up to the red-faced tiger and whispered: "That's not allowed!..." Fan Jinkui waved his hands and said: "Don't talk."
The two whispered, Yu Jianping had already noticed; pretended not to hear, but still walked slowly.Suddenly watching the lights flicker upstairs, little Chen Ping and Qin Wenxiu came out, ordered a leader, and shouted: "Master Fan! Master Qin said: The blue light can be blown out."
This is a cryptic phrase, Fan Jinkui, Fen Yasha, Peng, Mo, Jin and others all understood it, and immediately fell behind.Following the sound of gongs, the ambushes were launched from all sides.More than a hundred soldiers each scratched their hooks with their bows and arrows, blocked the main intersection, and shot arrows "shua, shua, shua".Zhou Jilong, Chu Zhanxiong, and Shen Mingyi yelled together: "No, it's hard to evade random arrows. Brother Yu, hurry up and go to the room!"
Yu Jianping let out a long laugh, and shouted: "Mouse dare you!" Turning around, the swallow swooped into the air and rushed back.Jin Jiliang, Mo Hai, and Peng Senlin all joined forces to intercept.Yu Jianping used the kung fu of entering the sword with his bare hands, and rushed forward.Jin Jiliang swung his hook and sickle to stop him; suddenly with a sound of "oops", he turned over and fell down.Fen Yasha rushed to grab it.Yu Jianping leaned down suddenly, and swept his legs with a "slap", Fen Yasha staggered and fell a few steps away.Peng Senlin injured the bow bird and backed away in shock.
The red-faced tiger Fan Jinkui was stunned behind him, raised his whip and yelled: "Wait!" Yu Jianping rushed away from the crowd like a wind and he was in front of the red-faced tiger.The red-faced tiger was caught off guard, and only then did he unfurl his double whips. Yu Jianping made a slanted split of his palm, and suddenly turned his fist, paralleling his two fingers, he went straight to the "Tanzhong acupoint".The red-faced tiger snorted, and fell to the ground with both whips. Yu Jianping lifted his whole body up and shouted: "Who dares to shoot an arrow!"
All the soldiers were disturbed in an uproar, and some of them released some arrows indiscriminately.Yu Jianping was furious, he held the red-faced tiger upside down, and rushed to meet him.Fen Yasha and his wife were very affectionate, and when they saw the red-faced tiger being caught, their eyes turned red, and with a scream, they grabbed a pair of whips and risked their lives to save them.Yu Jianping has lifted the red-faced tiger up.Fen Yacha backed away in shock, pointed at Yu Jianping and shouted: "I love you, you love me! Let go of our leader, and I will let you go. If not, all the arrows will shoot you to death!"
Yu Jianping smiled and did not answer, turned to Chu Zhanxiong, Shen Mingyi, and Zhou Jilong and said, "Let's go!"
Fen Yasha was anxious and helpless, so he took out a hidden weapon from his bag.Mo Hai hurriedly said: "Sister-in-law, don't be reckless, I'm afraid you may accidentally hurt Brother Fan!" After Mo Hai said, he threw the Sangmen Sword in his palm on the ground, raised his hands high, and shouted: "Boss Yu, you are no longer a bachelor!" Although our subordinates are reckless, our Master Fan is not rude, why do you manipulate our Master Fan like this? You can't escape if you hurt him. You can't escape if you hurt him! Here we are The traps have already been set up, even if you are superb in martial arts, you will not be able to stop flying locusts; even if you are outstanding in lightness, you will not be able to overcome the trap. According to me, if you let our helmsman go, I will let you out. "
Yu Jianping said: "It's a deal, man?" Mo Hai said: "It's a deal." Yu Jianping said: "Okay, I will never hurt him, as long as he walks out of the garden with me. You want me to let him go now , I'm not a fool." Fen Yacha was so angry that his face was burnt yellow, and he watched Yu Jianping hold the red-faced tiger as a shield, manipulating him like a dead man, without making a sound.Fen Yasha's temper was like a raging fire, and he couldn't help shouting sharply: "Shoot the arrow! Our masters can't survive, and you four killers can't survive!"
Mo Hai turned around and stopped him, saying: "Brother Fan is not injured, he just got hit on Ya acupoint, don't worry, sister-in-law." Then he said to Yu Jianping: "Boss Yu, look at me, treat Brother Fan first; let him Speak, let's settle it peacefully."
Yu Jianping said: "It's easy to talk!" Pushing Fan Jinkui's "Qiyu point", Fan Jinkui snorted.Fen Yacha mournfully said: "He is in charge, his elder brother!" Fan Jinkui responded with a very low voice.Fen Yacha burst into tears and said: "What a Yu Jianping, you are so vicious!" She gritted her teeth in hatred and said: "I will fight with you!" Mo Hai stopped again and again: "This is not the time to be angry, Sister-in-law, don't panic." He said to Yu Jianping again: "Leader Yu, please be merciful. We admit defeat."
Yu Jianping held the red-faced tiger lightly, and gave it a little massage. Fan Jinkui, the red-faced tiger, heaved a sigh of relief, and shouted: "Oh, good you, you..." With a struggle, he was almost freed.Yu Jianping rushed to his ribs, Fan Jinkui's whole body was numb and he couldn't move, but he was still able to speak.The red-faced tiger said in a low voice: "Yu, if you have a sword, just kill me, don't trample me, you trample me, you are not a good man!"
Yu Jianping said: "Master Fan, please feel wronged for now. We have already entered the tiger's den, so we have to stroke the tiger's beard. Look, your subordinates are going to shoot us to death with random arrows!" Holding the red-faced tiger in his arms, he said to Mo Hai: "Pray Master Mo Tuo to lead the way, as long as you get out of your trap, I will definitely let him go, and I will never do any harm."
With his bare hands, Mo Hai told the crowd repeatedly: "Don't act rashly, brother's life is at stake. It's not too late for a gentleman to take revenge. No matter what today, you have to calm down." Qin Wenxiu was on the watchtower and had already received the alarm.He is very wise, knowing that the leader has been kidnapped, he never dared to fight recklessly.He immediately ordered the lights to be extinguished.All the red, green and blue lights went out immediately.As soon as the archers and the hook scratchers got the order, they all gave up.
Mo Hai led the way and sent the old kiln outside.Fen Yasha and his party of three or five people followed with their heads downcast, as expected, they did not dare to fire the hidden weapon in their sleeves again.Yu Jianping carried Fan Jinkui, Chu Zhanxiong gave Shen Mingyi a pair of sabers, and the two swords compared to Fan Jinkui, guarding left and right, and walked out of the grave for more than half a mile.Mo Hai asked to let the helmsman back again: "It's been a long time, I'm afraid he might get hurt."
Yu Jianping shook his head and said, "I will never teach him to be injured. I have not left the tiger's den at this time, but I cannot let the tiger go back to the mountain."
Mo Haidun said: "Forget it, let's see if there is any loyalty in our green forest!" Jiao Jin Jiliang and Fen Yasha threw down their weapons together, pulled a few horses, and said to Yu Jianping: "Head Yu, please look, we are inch Tiebudai, please get on the horse together, how about we send you straight to Chaijiaji? You can’t always hold our helmsman, you have to save face for us.” Then he said to Chu and Shen: “The surname Chu, the surname Friends of Shen, please come over and search to see if we have concealed weapons?"
Chu Zhanxiong and Zhou Jilong stretched out their hands.Yu Jianping hurriedly said: "Don't be rude! A man depends on faith first. Thank you Mo Tuozhu, and please lead the way." At that moment Yu Jianping put down the red-faced tiger, revived his body, and walked through the Narcissus Temple hand in hand. It has come to the head of the thief.Jin Jiliang issued a loud order to close the team and withdraw from the siege.After walking for a while, Yu Jianping looked around, and then let go of his hand, and the four bodyguards got on their horses one after another.Mo Hai, Ma Sanniang, Red-faced Tiger, and Jin Jiliang, silently accompanied them, and got on their horses. A group of eight people rode their horses and rode forward for more than twenty li. The sky was getting brighter.Meeting Kazi along the way, Mo Hai retreated with all his might.Near the Sanguan Temple, Yu Jianping saw that the future was stable and he had already left the tiger's mouth.Then he got off his horse and whistled; the escort man pulled the horse and came out from the hiding place.The red-faced tiger got off his horse with shame and anger on his face, and stood silently by the side.Fen Yasha Ma Sanniang secretly asked the red-faced tiger: "Have you ever been injured?" The red-faced tiger shook his head.On the escort's side, there was room for his own horse to arrive, Zhou Jilong, Chu Zhanxiong, and Shen Mingyi got on their horses one after another.Twelve Qianqian Yu Jianping said: "Wait a minute, let me thank Master Fan Duo." Then he clasped his fists together, and apologized to Fan Jinkui, Mo Hai, Jin Jiliang, Fen Yacha and others: "There was a misunderstanding and I offended Hu Wei. , I feel very sorry for you all, please forgive me for having to do this. In the future, whenever Fan Tuozhu and you pass by our place for something, I will make up for it. Now that the card has been issued, I will send it away without trouble. Please come back at dawn Let’s make amends some other day!” Then he gave a deep bow, took a step back, turned around and led the horse, retreated a few steps, and was about to put the saddle on the horse; but stopped again, looking at the red-faced tigers with both eyes.
Mo Hai came to his senses immediately, and said to the red-faced tiger: "Brother, tell me a few words, let's go first!" In the hand, I was worth it. But it was Yu Biaotou who was merciful. Naturally, I knew in my heart that I was always not good at learning skills! Now I am not far away, we have to go one step ahead. We... will meet later!" Said "There will be a period later", the voice trembled.Immediately, he waved his hand to greet Fen Yacha, Mo Hai, and Jin Jiliang, led the horse back a few feet, then flew on the horse; then turned to face Yu Jianping and cupped his hands: "Please! Goodbye!" The four of them patted their horses and rushed back.
Yu Jianping let the red-faced tiger couple go far away, and immediately wiped away the heroic and heroic demeanor, and his face was full of sadness.He looked at the black shadow and sighed, "I can't find the darts, and I have made a grudge here!" Chu Zhanxiong and Shen Mingyi nodded silently.The four bodyguards rode their horses and returned to Chaijiaji in no time.As soon as they arrived at the shop, the four guards all fell down on the bed at the same time.Shen Mingyi said: "Bai has been busy all night, and the whereabouts of the darts are still unknown. Just now Brother Yu said that the darts are not in the old dragon's mouth, but how did they get out?"
Yu Jianping said: "You just spy on their living room, but Zhou Xiandi and I stormed into their watchtower, arrested a few people who were on duty at night, and asked the truth. This red-faced tiger did go out with the whole group more than ten days ago. I have robbed; but the robbery was a group of cargo ships, not related to the escort. I also questioned them, why did you two worship the mountain, and turned him indifferent? It is said that it is Xiao Chen Ping and the red-faced tiger, who mistakenly suspect you two People have something to do with the owner of the cargo ship, thinking that the cargo owner came out to claim the stolen goods. They haven't got a lot of money for a long time, and when they heard that you two worshiped the mountain for no reason, they suddenly became suspicious, which led to this misunderstanding." Zhou Jilong said: "It's over. In the past, there is no need to talk about it. Should we take a break for a while, should we go back to Yancheng to wait for the letter, or visit other places?"
Yu Jianping pondered for a while and said, "One-armed Zhu Dachun advised me to invite fellow martial artists from the north and south of the Yangtze River to help find darts. I sent a lot of letters a few days ago, so I was eager to go back to Yancheng and listen to the letter. If there is no more news, I plan to pay for the darts first, and then continue to look for darts. Although the amount of 200,000 yuan is huge, it will be easy if we can raise tens of thousands first, and then ask for an extension." Everyone said yes, and after breakfast, they turned back together Yancheng.
At this time, Hu Menggang and Zhu Dachun visited Bao Zehui by mistake, and they also came back disappointed.Sad people meet, more worrying.The Wynn Escort suddenly became lively.As soon as Yu Jianping entered the door, two big men with bushy eyebrows greeted him.
The appearance of these two people is very similar, and it is obvious at a glance that they are brothers.One on each side, they took Yu Jianping's hand, and shouted: "My old brother, I have been away for more than half a year. I never expected you to go out again, but why did you lose the dart money? As soon as my brother picked up his nephew Zuo The letter arrived, I can't wait to come here immediately. I want to find the escort bank, it depends on the number of people, eyes and ears, so my elder brother sent the two of us here. We share the blessings, the sufferings, and the anxiety; brother Don't worry, let's think about it." These two are the second and third of the three outstanding Ma clans in Jiangning Prefecture, named Ma Zanyuan and Ma Zanchao.The three brothers jointly opened the bodyguard shop, the boss is Ma Zanbo, and the three brothers are famous for being good at using double maces.Yu Jianping hurriedly bowed to thank him, and then asked about Ma Zanbo's daily life.
Yu Jianping looked at other people, and there was one who was black and skinny, and that was Wei Lian from Gaoyou County.This person is from the younger generation of Yu Jianping, only in his thirties, he is very good at flying, and he is a man in the green forest.I had received benefits from Yu Jianping before, so I rushed here after hearing the news, and came here to share my worries.At this time, I hurriedly stepped forward to salute, and shouted: "Uncle Yu, I will follow your letter from Lao Shang, and immediately follow your instructions and rush to the Yongli Escort Bureau. I heard that Escort Silver has a plan, and your old man has gone to Laolongkou The investigation has been carried on, is the investigation really done? You always have something to do, just tell me; my nephew can't do big things, if you run errands, spy on the letter, you just leave it to me."
In addition, Ou Liankui, a martial artist from Dongtai, was also present in person.Jia Guannan, the famous Baguazhang master who set up an apprenticeship in Shuyang, did not come in person; instead, he sent his senior disciple Min Chengliang to come to accept the invitation.There are even a few bodyguards who rushed to Haizhou first after hearing the news, and Haizhou, along with Cheng Yue, the eldest disciple of the Yu family, and Dai Yongqing, the bodyguard of Zhentong, got up and rushed to Yancheng together.Iron Palm Black Eagle Cheng Yue and Bodyguard Dai Yongqing have recovered from their wounds for half a month; only Double Whip Song Haipeng was seriously injured and has not yet come.
In this Wynn Escort, more than a dozen grassland heroes, tall and short, all came to chat with Yu Jianping about the old days.Yu Jianping thanked them one by one, and asked about the injuries of Dai Yongqing and Cheng Yue; then he and the iron player Hu Menggang exchanged accounts of the two visits to the darts, each of which failed.Then he checked the replies from various places one by one.A total of more than 40 letters have been received, but more than half of them are not even aware of the case of Fan Gongdi's missing bodyguard.The letter just said: "It's too much to hear about the consumption, and Rong Dai will do his best to investigate and visit. Once he is convinced, he will report it."Among these letters, there are also one or two letters, which report that there are lurking robbers nearby, and they are currently trying to find out.There were a few more letters, reporting some movement in the green forest that was suspected to be affecting.All in all, no one knew for sure the origin of the winged leopard and the whereabouts of the missing dart silver.
Xue Zhao, a red-bearded tycoon in the waterway of Hongze Lake, complained even more, saying: "When we were in the rivers and lakes, we never did such unreasonable things. This winged leopard must be a junior, arrogant and ignorant I don’t know that there are two flowers blooming on the Green Forest Road and the Biaoxing, and they are a family.” (Ye Pi: Red Beard. Gong Note: Red Beard is also another name for bandits; Ye Jun’s batch is a person who attracts attention. Ye Pi : Please pay attention to the foreshadowing of this article.)
After Yu Jianping and Hu Menggang finished reading the letters from various places, they called the bodyguard staff who delivered the letters and asked them one by one.Zuo Mengyun, Yu Jianping's second disciple, once visited Huai'an Mansion.That place was originally a place where robbers haunted, and whenever the green gauze tents were erected, there would be a lot of robbers.According to the message from Xinyi Bodyguard Shop in Huai'an Prefecture, it was said that a group of erratic thieves had appeared there.The leader of the bandits is Ling Yunyan, who has committed crimes several times in recent months, with a vicious heart and astonishing martial arts skills.I've already been asked by others, but this Ling Yunyan refused to admit that he had robbed the salt dart.Hu Menggang asked the guys again about the delivery of the letter, but he didn't get any clues.
Yu and Hu were helpless, and they couldn't help sighing: "Two hundred thousand salt money is no small matter, why is it like a stone sinking into the sea, without even a shadow? Isn't this a strange thing?" Dai Yongqing said: "It's especially strange. Yes, fifty mule drivers were all taken away, and they have not been found so far. When we came from Haizhou, we went to the mules and horses to inquire about it, and now we are in trouble. They are looking for important people from the mules and horses. The mules and horses came to us again to revive the Escort Bureau. Thanks to Zhao Hualong, the old Escort was able to subdue him, so there was no lawsuit. I once thought: the rules of the green forest road have never hurt the driver's feet; Why don't you kill all the mule drivers and silence them?" Shen Mingyi responded, "Maybe they force the mule drivers to transport the stolen goods out of the country for him." Hu Menggang said calmly: "This move is not without worry. I'm afraid that these powerful people will openly transport the stolen goods out of the country after robbing the darts, and once they leave Suzhou Province, they will be even more difficult to investigate."
Yu Jianping twirled his beard and murmured: "That's not easy. There are about two hundred people, no matter whether they travel by night or by day, they must not show their signs. We have checked everywhere, and no one said that they have seen a large number of unfamiliar people. People crossing the border; it shows that the thieves are still lurking somewhere nearby, and they may not leave the country openly." Chu Zhanxiong said: "I'm afraid they pretend to be officers and soldiers, or pretend to be bodyguards, and go out in the daytime openly, then it will be difficult to investigate." Yu Jianping frowned. Liao thought: "This is impossible. People in the green forest did not bring a large amount of stolen goods. They dared to take such a risk. They robbed the darts, chose to hide them in the cellar, and then modified them to hide elsewhere. This is true. It's just that we have already I have asked people everywhere, and I have visited several times, but there is no clue at all? This is really unpredictable!"
Zhou Jilong said: "There are still strange things! That Lu Jinbiao Lu Siye originally said that ten days later, we will meet in Yancheng, and it is still in the future. Could it be that something went wrong?" Shen Mingyi also remembered, and said to Hu Menggang Said: "There are also Zhang Yong, the traveler we sent out, and Yu Lianshan and Ma Dayong, the three of them have disappeared without a trace. Our nine-share smoker Qiao Maoqiao disappeared on the spot when the accident happened, and he has never been seen until now." See whereabouts."
The more they talked, the more anxious Yu Jianping and Hu Menggang thought about the Haizhou Yangang Office; they had called Dai Yongqing and Cheng Yue to inquire.Dai Yongqing said: "In the past few days, the Yan Gang Office has sent people to urge people to ask questions every day, and the state government has also urged them twice. Thanks to Zhao Hualong and Zhao Biaotou's handling of it well, there is nothing wrong with it. Here is a story about Zhao Biaotou. A letter, teach me to take it to the two of you."
Yu and Hu opened it and read it, and the letter said nothing more than: "Haizhou has not investigated the details of the security guards, nor has it received any confirmation from other places." Ask Yu and Hu, the results of the recent investigations how?If you have an idea, no matter whether you want to please or not, send a letter as soon as possible, so that you can use this to deal with the government office and the state government.This tone clearly shows that in Haizhou, Pan Xin is very eager.The letter also signaled Yu Jianping to send a happy letter first, so as to suppress Yan Gang's suspicions.Dai Yongqing added: "Yan Gang's office is very suspicious of its words. I'm always afraid that we won't be able to visit the darts, so we will go far away." After hearing this, Yu and Hu became anxious again.
In the evening, the Wynn Escort Shop held a banquet.With Yu Jianping, Hu Menggang, and Zhu Dachun as the masters, all the heroes present are invited to sit down and have a drink together.While drinking and eating, everyone talked about missing and searching for darts.Before and after the banquet, people talked a lot, some came up with this idea, some thought of that way.Yu Jianping and Hu Menggang listened to them one by one, secretly participated in the discussions of the public, and elaborated on their opinions.Coincidentally, Wei Lian, who was missing, asked Yu and Hu about the age of the robber, and Yu Jianping said to everyone: "This chief robber is about sixty years old, uses an iron pipe pole as a weapon, and is good at punching acupuncture points. He has about one or two hundred people under his command, probably newcomers from other places, but they only want to find a gap with my twelve-dollar dart flag." Then four people, Hu Menggang, Shen Mingyi, Dai Yongqing, and Cheng Yue, reported the situation before and after. , I explained it to everyone in detail, please refer to it together.Hu Menggang asked: "Friends, what advice do you have? Have you ever heard of such a person in Jianghu?"
The people present speculated one after another.Ou Liankui, a martial artist in Dongtai, heard that the robbers were good at acupuncture points. At that time, he raised his eyebrows and thought about it for a while, and asked Min Chengliang, the eldest disciple of Jia Guannan, a famous Baguazhang master in Shuyang: "There are not many people who are good at acupuncture points in the world today. , can be counted on the fingers of your fingers. Let me say Brother Min Xian, do you know of the existing masters of acupoints, and who else is there?"
Min Chengliang thought for a while and said: "I heard from my master that there are different techniques for acupoint acupuncture and acupressure. Naturally, the famous acupoint acupuncture experts should be recommended to senior Yu. As for the acupoint acupuncture and judge pen, only Jiang Yuchong from Xuzhou and Hao Yingxian from Hanyang. If it comes to using equipment from outside sects for acupressure, it must be a martial arts proficient; I have never heard from my master, so I don't know which sect the person who made the pipe rod is from, maybe this person is from far away. When the disciple came, the teacher also said that he taught me to tell Senior Yu that if the time limit is enough, I can ask someone to go to Tongjiaba, Caozhou Prefecture, Shandong Province, to find Tong Qinglin and Tong Erye, and ask about it. Tong The father and son of the family have passed down generations and are good at acupuncture. Perhaps his excellent art has been passed down to other families. Tong Qinglin is weak and his martial arts cannot reach the peak, but the disciples taught by the elder and younger generations of his family have a deep connection. Boss, his family has the secret map of acupuncture points handed down by the ancestors. If we have time, we can visit Caozhou and ask the Tong family's previous generation of disciples, is there such a one named Leopard with Wings?"
Yu Jianping listened and nodded secretly.Brothers Ma Zanyuan and Ma Zanchao, the three masters of the Ma family, said to Yu and Hu: "To search for the root of the robber robbers, I must find them. The trace of the location is a shortcut. Anyway, since the crash site is near Fangong Dike, the place where the thieves hid and settled is never within a radius of a hundred miles of Fan Gongdi. Why don't we gather fellow martial artists and go to the Fangong Dike area to search carefully?" Hu Menggang also said. Said: "last time we visited the darts and banks, but we just picked the main roads of the town post station to find out from our colleagues. Brother Ma's advice is to investigate on the spot one by one. This method can be tried. Instead of sitting and waiting for the news It’s better to go to Fangong Dike and Dazong Lake area, search for the root and pick teeth, and investigate carefully, maybe you can find the trace of the thief.” Yu Jianping nodded in agreement, and everyone was eager to go.
After the discussion was settled, Yu Jianping was recommended to re-separate routes, and asked the friends who were present to take the guy who missed the dart at the time, as an eyeliner, and set off; from Yancheng to various places, carefully searched.
Shen Mingyi, Dai Yongqing, and Iron Palm Black Eagle Cheng Yue also set off one after another.Because Yu Jianping, Hu Menggang, Chu Zhanxiong, Zhao Hualong, Zhu Dachun and other friends who were invited by the bodyguard chiefs, most of them did not reply to the letter, so Yu and Hu are temporarily waiting for the letter in Yancheng to listen to the situation of all parties.After waiting for three or four days, as expected, I received many replies from special messengers one after another; and four or five escorts from the same industry, as well as a few friends from the rivers and lakes, were called to come to help.
As a result, fellow martial artists from all walks of life coaxed the transmission.There is that unfamous young warrior who wants to use this to find darts and create a reputation so that he can gain a foothold in the world in the future.There is also the famous hero, Gu Nianyu, Hu Zhuren's friendship, and the loyalty of the Jianghu. They say that they are busy and can't rush to help, but secretly visit them.This is nothing more than finding out the darts, so as to stir up the world; if you can't find the darts, it will not affect your reputation.
During this period, there were several bodyguard shops, and special bodyguards came to help.Among them are: Wanfu Bodyguard Shop in Taicang and Yongshun Bodyguard Shop in Zhenjiang.这几家也是最近曾经保镖被劫，始终没有原回案来；虽然赔偿了事，却恨气不出。一闻俞剑平普请江南豪杰，访问匪踪，不由动了同仇敌忾之心，故此派人到场。一者助人就是自助，二者俞剑平如果访出匪踪，自己已失的镖银，也许同出一手，便可设法协力寻找回来；这也是他们的一片私心。
数日以来，武林朋友越到越多，却都是闻信来助拳的，并非得耗来送信的。这永利镖局渐渐住不开，便在客栈另开了房间。俞、胡二人一面设宴酬谢，一面将劫镖人的情形说出，请他们陆续分道出发。
到第五天头上，差不多近处各方面，都有回信和来人。俞剑平、胡孟刚心想：这一来总可以探出一些线索来了。
不料派出去的人没有送来消息，可是海州忽然派了人来。缘因讨限寻镖，原定一个月，如今一晃，已经二十天了，仍如水中捞月，杳无音耗。盐纲公所在半月头上，见出去的人一去无踪，便已有些不耐烦，连催州衙签牌督促。州衙也因查镖久无回报，便派官人发一角文书，急如星火似的，赶到盐城。赵化龙也担架不住，秘发一信，暗暗通知俞、胡二人。俞剑平、胡孟刚一面打点差人，一面应付官事。无奈日限已迫，百口莫解。盐纲公所更不能再事通融，立逼保人务于一个月限满之时，将二十万赔款，如数缴齐。这几个官人便是奉命前来，催促他们几个人，作速折回海州，不得借口寻镖，在外支吾。
俞剑平怫然不悦，却又无法，与胡孟刚商量着，唯恐赵化龙一人在海州为难受挤，两人决计先翻回海州。同时俞剑平打定主意，先筹划一笔款项，押给盐纲公所，好教他们安心放宽一步。胡孟刚也要赶紧预备折变家产。于是俞、胡即日由盐城动身，留下周季龙、左梦云，随着朱大椿，在盐城候信。
到了海州，俞、胡先和赵化龙见面，几个人密议一回。赵化龙具说：“官私两面连日催问，愈逼愈紧。我们一点音耗没有得着，如今再说展限的话，真有些难于措辞。”三个人搔首筹议，只好再烦海州绅士马敬轩，代求宽限。果然马敬轩那里，问知杳无下落，便已面露难色。俞剑平对胡孟刚说：“我们现在，是没有钱不好说话了。”
当下几个人赶紧筹措款项。且喜这几位镖头都有一些资产，在地面上又呼应得动，只几天工夫，便凑出两万现银来。存在一家银号，开了庄票；然后烦马敬轩和几位绅董，出面托情展限。这些绅士们见有了钱，倒肯代为进言；无奈盐纲公所那面，口风很紧，定要先交五万，马敬轩便说：“镖行现在能够变产赔镖，已经很难得的了。若太挤兑紧了，他们一伙武夫穷途末路，倒许弄出别的差错来。”
这时节，多亏海州衙门派去相随寻镖的捕役，受俞、胡暗嘱，对州官报告了镖局方面大举托人寻镖，和他们拚命筹款的实况，其中并无规避的情形，因此州衙方面倒很体谅。又经几番斡旋，盐纲公所方才答应。即将这二万两庄票，作为抵押，允许他们展限半个月。并且说，如果逾限仍找不出镖来，就须于一个月内再交三万。在公事上，把这宽限的话抛开不提，只说容限变产赔偿。
俞、胡二人将这展期的事办妥，已经耽搁了三四天，一个月的限期只余下六七天了，连这续讨的限，不过还有二十来天，这不能不加紧办了。这一次打定主意，要到失镖地点附近的庄村，加细搜访。俞剑平、胡孟刚遂辞别了赵化龙，留下了期会的地址；带领镖行伙计，二次出发，展转查访。
这一日又访到湖垛地方，忽与铁掌黑鹰程岳、东台武师欧联奎一拨人相遇。他们一面访着，一面都须留下落脚地名，以便遇事好传信。这两拨人会到一起，互问起查访的结果，仍然是杳如黄鹤。黑鹰程岳在湖垛迤北，遇见几个举动异样的外乡人，也曾下意跟踪探查过，后来竟不见这几个人了；虽看出那几人决非农民，可也难以断定必与失镖有关。
俞剑平命程岳随着欧联奎再访下去，随后分途。俞、胡二人转到淮安一带，果然打听得淮安以北，西坝一带，出了个名叫雄娘子凌云燕的剧贼。他手下率领着若干飞贼，也不知他的确数；专劫过往绅商，来去飘忽，出没无常。官人几番缉捕他不得，就是他潜身之所，也无法访实。
原来凌云燕并没有老巢，说他是路劫，果然不错；就说他是夜行飞贼，却也不假。俞剑平不觉动疑，正要下意探访；恰巧马氏三杰的马赞源、马赞潮弟兄二人，由戴永清相伴，也查勘到此；在淮安府镖局，已经留下了话。俞剑平、胡孟刚忙跟踪追下去，在西坝地方一家客店内，与二马相遇。两拨人会在一处，便开始扫听。恰巧附近地方有一家大户，忽传失窃。家藏的碧玉簪、乌金鼎和赵子昂的墨迹，跟几件貂裘珍物，藏在秘室，忽然不见。在室中墙上，竟留有飞燕的暗记，此事已哄动一时。
俞剑平、胡孟刚一听见这个消息，不禁爽然若失；料想这劫镖的大盗，一定不是凌云燕了。他断不能在劫取二十万盐镖之后，更做他案。（叶批：雄娘子。宫注：在此否定凌云燕做案，乃白羽欲擒故纵的小说手法。）
俞剑平、胡孟刚、戴永清和二马返回淮安，住在店内，计议着要往南访下去，却又打不定主意。二马便要依着闵成梁的主意，直赴铜山，转往鲁南，再到曹州府，访问那打穴世家佟庆麟，究问用铁烟袋杆打穴的，可有这样一个年约六旬豹头虎目的人没有？俞、胡二人因日限不足，不便舍近求远，打算转到滨海之区去。这北上访镖的事，就拜托二马办理。几个人商计着，便要饭后分途。正在这时，忽听店房外，一个店伙计叫道：“九号姓胡的胡老达官在屋么？外面有人找。”
胡孟刚愕然道：“是谁找我？”刚站起身来，听院中有一个破锣似的声音，又闷又哑又涩的叫道：“是振通镖局的胡老镖头么？”语音很耳熟，却又不类。
胡孟刚迎出去，俞剑平也站起来道：“大概是咱们派出去查镖的人。”才待举步跟出去，只听胡孟刚叫道：“哎呀，原来是你！”门帘一掀，胡孟刚侧身退步，那人已然跟了进来。（叶批：据白羽《当年我是怎样写武侠小说》一文，谓自郑证因别后，颇感英雄无用“武”之地。以此推之，寻镖事陷于胶着状态，在原地大兜其圈，正为作者“困思”所在。而今于“山穷水尽疑无路”中，忽然乔茂复出，“瞧不见”变而为“瞧得见”！此一突破性进展，不但有柳暗花明、拨云见日之妙；更是起死回生之笔。以下写乔茂独探盗窟之种种可笑经历，又无殊于《魔侠传》中梦幻骑士唐·吉诃德之小人物狂想曲也。）
俞剑平抬头看时，竟认不得此人。但见此人高仅四尺余，尖头瘦腮，相貌猥琐，形容憔悴，死灰色的面皮，两只醉眼暗淡无光，唇上唇下生着短短的胡碴。那神情颓丧，就像大病了半个月，又挨了几天饿似的。脸上额上还有几块创伤；浑身上下，更是污秽不堪。两只青缎靴已变成黄色，上面满渍着尘垢；背后拖着一条小辫，也好像多日不曾梳洗；却穿着崭新一件新大衫，反衬得全身更为不洁。
马氏兄弟也不认得此人，都注意看他。镖师戴永清立即认出此人，就是那失踪已将一个月的振通镖局镖师九股烟乔茂。
乔茂自在范公堤遇盗失镖，当场便已不见。此时忽在这淮安府地方冒出来。又见他衣冠不整，形容憔悴；想必是当时一见事败，撤身遁走。这时候想必是混不上饭碗，不知怎么得信，又找来了，却难为他怎么摸来的。
胡孟刚眼望着乔茂这种神气，唉了一声道：“乔师傅，你这一个月，到底跑到哪里去了？”
戴永清和几个镖行伙计互相顾盼着，未容乔茂张嘴，就先嘲笑道：“咳，乔师傅，一个月没见，穿上新大褂了。你老人家上哪里露脸去了？教我们这实心眼的胡老镖头急死急活，还当是你老人家当场拒盗，负伤殉难了呢，可又找不到你老的尸首，想好好发送你，也办不到。想不到一个月不见面，你老倒发了福了。只有我们这伙呆鸟，当场挂彩还不算；如今照旧陪着老镖头，像海底捞月似的，查访镖银，你说我们浑不浑？”
这些人素与乔茂不睦，还没容他坐下，便七言八语攻讪上来。戴永清还好些，那些镖行伙计更赶尽杀绝，丝毫不留余地的挖苦乔茂。胡孟刚也是怏怏不乐。再看乔茂，木在那里，两只眼直勾勾的瞪着，一言不发；面色由枯黄而红，由红而白，嘴唇上下的颤动，眼珠一转，黄豆大的眼泪从眼角直流下来；双手也抖抖的，张了张嘴，一时竟说不出话来。
胡孟刚看着不忍，忙说道：“诸位少说几句吧。老乔，你从哪里来？你可坐下呀！”
九股烟乔茂依然呆呆的立住不动，忽然伸出那污秽不堪的手来，恨恨的把眼角抹了一抹；一把抓住胡孟刚，说道：“老镖头，你听听！……我知道他们素来拿我不当人，不问青红皂白，劈头就给我这一套！……老镖头，咱们哥们可是没什么说的，我九死一生，老远的奔来，一路苦找，我就为听他们挖苦来的么？你们就准知道我是溜了么？”一面说，一面一屁股坐在椅子上，脸上神气十分难看。
乔茂说着说着，突然“嘎”的一声，把长衫扯开，露出前胸来。两手扯着衣襟，对众人转了一个半圈，一面跳，一面嚷道：“你们瞧，你们瞧！你们受伤，我姓乔的也没有含糊呀！你们找镖，我姓乔的也没有闲着呀！”又转脸对胡孟刚说：“老镖头，我姓乔的小子，吃振通镖局的饭，……我姓乔的小子，没白吃饭！我……”说到这里，声音塞哽，竟张口结舌的重坐在椅子上，如瘫了一般。
众人看乔茂像疯魔似的，把一件新大衫扯破，露出那肮脏的前身来。在左肋上留着很深重的一道伤痕，胸口上也划着几道似乎是刀划的血斑。镖行伙计们互使眼色道：“这小子不知往哪里钻躲，划了这些棘刺！”说着，还在那里讥笑。
俞剑平、戴永清已经听出乔茂话中有话，尤其是看出神色间，恚忿过于羞惭。俞剑平忙说：“这位想必就是乔茂乔师傅了，我们胡二弟自你遇险失踪，天天都悬念你，恐你遭遇不测。如今你回来了，胡二弟自然放宽了心。乔师傅不要着急，有话慢慢讲。”
戴永清一阵机灵，也忙端过一碗茶来，道：“我说乔师傅，一路辛苦！好容易咱们又聚在一块，咱们还得想法子，给胡老镖头分忧。咱们相处日久，都是玩笑惯了的，你千万别着恼，别计较。”铁牌手胡孟刚也拦阻众伙计道：“你们先别胡闹，让老乔歇歇。我说老乔，你这些日子流转到哪里去了？莫非教匪人裹去了？却是你又如何得以脱身，追寻到这里来？”
乔茂歇过一口气来，渐渐神色略定，叹了一口气道：“我么？这一个来月，简直是死里逃生，好容易才挣出一条命来。没有别的，我素来无能，还得胡老镖头赏碗饭吃。诸位寻访镖银，可有下落么？”
胡孟刚闻言嗒然沮丧，伙计们又要嘲笑他。戴永清摇手止住，急向胡孟刚一使眼色，对乔茂说：“说到访镖，这一个月，我们奔波道路，着急受累，镖银下落固然没探出；就连劫镖的插翅豹子的实底，也没摸着。乔师傅远道赶来，想必访着一些音耗。倘得明路，何不说出来，也省得老镖头心焦？”
乔茂把嘴一撇道：“找我要明路？就凭我姓乔的，在镖局不过是个废物。咱们振通镖局人才济济，都没有寻着镖银，我姓乔的更扑不着影了！”说着，面容上不觉露出得意的神气来。（叶批：反讽得妙绝！）
戴永清笑道：“乔师傅，不要找补了。乔师傅不行，还有谁行？况且你素来朋友多，人缘好，绿林道中又多熟人，你又忙了这一个来月；想必得着线索，大远的跑来送信了。你何不指出一条明路来，好供大家参详？”
这“绿林道中熟人多”一句，却又搔着痛痒处。九股烟乔茂瘦颜上不禁泛红，扭着脸说道：“我哪有什么明路？我大远的跑来，不过冲着胡老镖头待我不错，我想发个赖，找人家借个十两八两的，我好做盘川，另奔他乡，别谋生计。这镖行刀尖子上的生涯，我可吃怕了，没的教人把我宰了！”
戴永清再三追问，乔茂只是不答；扯着大襟做扇子，忽扇忽扇的扇着。戴永清拍着乔茂的肩膀说：“乔师傅，你怎么差点教人宰了？”
乔茂翻翻眼珠道：“我么？没什么说头！”
戴永清道：“好一个'瞧不见'。我知道你肚子里有宝，趁早憋出来吧，不要装腔了！”
铁牌手胡孟刚生性豪爽，不由激出火气来，一拂袖子，对俞剑平说道：“俞大哥，你瞧瞧，这就是朋友！”站起来，走到乔茂面前道：“我说老乔，你在镖局，无人不逗，无人不吵。你们犯口舌，我姓胡的可没错待你呀！你这是冲着他们，还是冲着我？你要是访着贼踪呢，你就说说。你若是没访着呢，我也不能赖给你。你要是瞧着我姓胡的正在难中，不够朋友了，你就不用说，我也不会逼你。你要是想要盘川回家，我这里就有。你肚子里有什么玩艺，趁早抖露出来！你别拿捏人了。你再拿捏人，那就是我姓胡的不是人生父母养的，不配交朋友！”胡孟刚一面说，一面吹胡子瞪眼。
俞剑平连忙把他扯过来说：“胡贤弟，这是干什么？人家乔师傅身负重伤，老远的奔来，为的是什么？不是为跟你交情不错么！你忙什么？乔师傅歇一歇，自然要对你说的。……乔师傅，我素闻你刀子嘴，菩萨心，我们胡二弟素常称道过。你别看他着急，他跟你还有什么说的？实在因为限期已迫，访不着镖银，心里太吃不住了。现在好了，有了乔师傅赶来送信，只要一得着贼人下落，咱们一切愁云都散开了。这都是乔师傅的功劳，他还能忘得了么？”
九股烟乔茂当日护镖负伤以后，竟趁黑夜，拚命暗缀下去；被劫镖强人追捕，拷讯，幽囚，几乎丧命。好容易脱出虎口，又加倍倒霉，路上遇见波折；连夜奔命似的赶来，特给胡孟刚送信，以报数年来相待之情。
乔茂本来饱受了偌大困苦挫辱，不想又被众人鄙薄，所以负气发了些个牢骚。却也想问明众人，这一个月来访镖缉盗的经过，他才好述出自己亲身所经所见的情形；也未免有点较劲炫功的意思。不期倒把胡孟刚招急了，这才将怄气的话收拾起。又有俞剑平给他圆面子，他方才滔滔的讲出一番话来，使在座的人听了，又惊，又喜，又是诧异；料不到乔茂这个人，素来不理于众口的，此次却有这番热心肠，舍命犯险，急友之难，真是人不可以貌相了。
原来当日在范公堤遇盗的时候，九股烟乔茂和双鞭宋海鹏，奉命留后，保护押镖盐商的轿车，兼照顾镖驮。铁牌手胡孟刚、黑鹰程岳，被群盗围攻；一声呼哨，从竹林后窜出一伙贼党，硬过来劫夺镖驮。双鞭宋海鹏、九股烟乔茂在近处看得真切。乔茂对宋海鹏说：“宋爷，你瞧见了没有？我没说错吧，我原说这票镖是蜜里红矾，吃不消的，现在果然遇上事了。养兵千日，用在一朝！咱哥们吃镖局的饭，可不能临事含糊了。咱们俩是你先上，是我先上？”双鞭宋海鹏暗想：“瞧不见乔茂这人，原来还有这番骨气，我岂能落后，教人耻笑？”遂“唔”了一声道：“我先上。”双鞭一挥，抢步上前，拒盗护镖，立刻被群贼阻住，杀在一起。
那九股烟瞧不见乔茂手握着短刀，瞪大了一双醉眼盯着。忽见他背后盐商的轿车已逃；贼人漫散过来，已动手威逼骡夫，起运镖驮子。乔茂不顾一切，怪嚷一声，抡刀挺身飞跃上前。他明知自己武技平常，事到其间，也唯有舍命护镖。却幸盗帮劲敌都在围困胡孟刚、程岳和沈明谊、戴永清诸人，前来劫镖的乃是副手。九股烟乔茂冲到镖驮之前，正有几个强徒，持刀催逼骡夫，把打圈伏在堤旁的五十匹镖驮子，逐个驱赶起来。
乔茂且不顾援助宋海鹏，仗他身轻如叶，落地无声，如一阵飘风似的，赶到贼人背后，手起刀落，便被他砍倒两个。群贼大怒，立刻窜过来两个好手，挥刀迎斗；力猛刀沉，只几个回合，便将九股烟乔茂杀得手忙脚乱。其中一个敌人，一朴刀猛砍过来，乔茂挺刀招架，“铮”的一声响，火星乱迸，把乔茂震得虎口发麻，险些短刀撒手。
乔茂慌不迭的一跃丈余，闪过一边。那另一贼人又已挥刀斜扫，从侧面截杀过来，将乔茂的手臂划破一道。乔茂瞪眼骂道：“好贼，我跟你拚了吧！”复抡刀拒战，又杀了片刻。
忽然间，那包围双鞭宋海鹏的群贼，阵势一散，宋海鹏已负伤倒地，血溅堤边。群盗又合拢了，直向乔茂这边包抄过来。
乔茂大吃一惊，本已双拳不敌四手，何况贼人又复增援！乔茂急虚砍一刀，变计退身，嗖地一跃，从敌人头顶上直窜过去，伏腰用力，转身便跑。群贼中一个使剑的，探身旁鹿皮囊，一捏甩手箭的箭尾，嗖嗖嗖，直甩出去。乔茂且逃且回头，黑影中闪避不及，“噗”的一下，臀部上被打中一箭，入肉四分，疼不可忍。乔茂一回手拔下箭来，奋步亡命狂奔；又被黑影中一个贼人，迎面剁来一刀。乔茂急侧身旁窜，让过刀刃，竟被刀尖划了一下；且顾不得疼痛，展转夺路逃去。
乔茂一面跑，一面暗将周围形势看好，知道前面后面，必有强人把风，决闯不出去。西面又是大纵湖，也不能跑。只有东面麦畦竹塘，可以潜身，便一鼓气钻过去。
这时镖行败势已见，镖驮业被劫走。夜影沉沉，一片人声喧呼，夹着兵刃叮当乱响。人影闪闪绰绰，乱窜乱奔；有败逃的镖行