Chapter 4 The fourth round of Longting Strange Beggar

This day is the first day of New Year's Eve.Jiang Fei got forty taels of silver. Because his mother was good at running the family, he hid thirty taels of silver and buried them in the ground, preparing to buy fields in the spring and cultivate them.The remaining twelve taels stayed outside, paid off some debts, and bought a few rough clothes.I also took one tael of silver as the capital, and set up a stall with others for a year, planning not to waste the silver, but to earn a little money in the new year to live, and to buy fields after making up the two or three taels of silver used.On the one hand, let the son go to school, and then he can settle down and start a career, and no longer live in that poor time.Although Jiang Fei didn't dress well, everything from head to toe was newly made, and he was refreshed.Braving the cold wind every day, I went to Longting to wait.I suffered from childhood, cherished material resources, and was afraid of getting my clothes dirty. When I went, I took a rag wrapped in a book and placed it on the stone steps, sitting there reading a book and waiting.Occasionally, I was anxious to wait, so I walked around the Dragon Pavilion and got used to it.

At this time, the dying years are coming to an end, and the lake is frozen (there is Panyang West Lake in front of the Dragon Pavilion, separated by a long dike, which is the remains of the Imperial Palace in the Northern Song Dynasty, and a scenic spot in Bianliang). On the ground, the frost has not yet melted, the weather is cold, there are very few tourists, there are not many monks in the temple, and no one pays attention to him.At noon, I felt hungry, so I took out the dry food I had brought, and when I was full, I wanted to go to the temple to find a monk to ask for some water.As soon as he stood up, he suddenly heard someone groaning on the steps of the hall.Going up and looking, there are two piles of straw stacks in the corner of the wall under the sun, one up and one down, and there is a person lying in the middle, who just poked his head out.The man had a long face, thin bones, a pair of strange eyes sparkling, and a face full of dust. He looked like a living ghost. He glanced at him and then retracted his head, as if he was afraid of the cold.It can be seen that what he is wearing is only a shabby unlined garment.Hidden payment, this person thinks he came here last night and was frozen all night, it is because the monks in the temple are afraid of the cold, so they didn't come out to see, otherwise they would have been blasted away.When I eavesdropped on my study twenty days ago, the wind: snowing, cold and hungry, is it the same as him if I don’t meet my teacher?At that time, the mother and son should be sold out, and it is not known whether they can be preserved by now.The more I thought about it, the colder my heart became, and I couldn't help feeling sympathetic, so I walked over and asked: "The place here is high and windy, the sun is good today, and the sun is shining better, the sun is westward, and the north wind is blowing, how can you bear it?" Live? Why don’t you eat something and sleep in another place.” Hearing this, Hanako groaned weakly and replied: “Stupid child, you put it nicely, I can’t even walk, and I haven’t eaten for three days, except in the Such a death, what can I do?"

Hearing this, Jiang Fei couldn't bear it anymore. It happened that he was hungry that day, and all the dry food he brought had been eaten up. The place where he bought food had to go back and forth for two or three miles, so he was afraid to walk away.Fang was in a dilemma, Hanako heard that he had nothing to say, and moaned, "I'm a dead man, you still make fun of me, you can't help me, and you make me sleepy. Are the rich people around you so heartless!" Jiang He hurriedly said: "You don't need to be angry, uncle. I am also a poor man. I have received a little help from a teacher in the past twenty days. My teacher asked me to meet here, and I have been waiting for many days. I am afraid to miss it and dare not leave. Yes. I have money with me. It would be great if you can buy food. Otherwise, this place is condescending, and people can see it from afar. It’s okay if I buy food for you. My schoolbag needs to be for me. Be optimistic, my benevolent teacher Tathagata must explain what he said. It is windy outside, please wait in the temple for a while, and I will buy food for you. Like Yu, although she is forty or fifty years old, she looks less than thirty. Her eyes are extremely bright, her eyebrows are slender, and her left eyebrow has a red mole the size of a bean. You can see it if you pay attention. I will buy food for you. But you want to watch over Mr. for me, but you can’t hide your head inside." Huazi smiled and said: "You wait for that man, he won't come, I won't miss your business, you go." Jiang Fei wholeheartedly hoped When I met my mentor, I was moved by the words and asked: "My mentor is the most sincere person. He promised me that he will come sooner or later. How do you know he won't come?" Huazi smiled and said: "If he can come, he will come today .If I really want to see you, won't I go to your house? You can find him if you want, but you must treat me to a good meal, what do you think?" Jiang Fei felt that there was a reason in his words, so he wanted to ask, but Hua Zimo The two sentences diverged, and he replied: "You only helped me find my mentor, and Hugh said that I would treat you to a meal, or a few more meals. How do you know where he lives?" Huazi laughed and said, "Didn't you say Does he have a mole on his left shield? This old man used to be friends with me, and we also begged for food. You are such a ghost, if you try to trick me without a treat, that won’t work. Anyway, I will see how you treat me. Let’s talk If you are not stingy, ask me to eat comfortably, and I will talk a little bit more if you want to eat a big meal, and I will only talk about half of it, fair trade, how about you?" Jiang Fei saw the teacher's enthusiasm , as if a person who was about to despair suddenly had a glimmer of life, he was very happy, he didn't think what he said was true or false, put down his schoolbag in a hurry, and ran to the market.

The former site of Longting Song Palace has dozens of steps from top to bottom, and there is a lake embankment that is more than one mile long.When Fang went to the street, Jiang Fei was afraid that things would be too coincidental, and Mr. Jia came just at this time, speeding all the way.When I arrived at the street, I wanted to buy some ordinary food, but then I thought about it, I have carried these two coins with me for many days, maybe this Huazi really knows his teacher and knows his whereabouts, even if he is cheated, he is so poor, he wants to have a good meal It's also a favor, but fortunately, the money to buy food alone can't be used up, and this person is still wearing unlined clothes, so it's better to buy him another pair of old cotton clothes and trousers, so as not to catch the cold at night.The remaining half of the two taels of silver is enough to meet the teacher.I made up my mind, took advantage of the cheapness of things at that time, bought a catty of beef, two roast chickens, some pancakes and steamed buns, and bought a set of old cotton clothes and trousers. The total cost was less than half a tael, and I hurried to run back.At first, I thought that I bought too much, and Hanako could be divided into two meals.Looking at the corner of the altar, Huazi still buried her head in the seat, and did not keep her promise, and finally went back and forth quickly, and did not meet anyone when she came and went to the lake embankment.I thought, Hanako might be afraid of the cold, so I couldn't blame him, so I went up.When I arrived later, I saw that the schoolbags left behind were also scattered aside. Hanako slept soundly, so she had to pack up her schoolbags, woke up and asked, "Why are you sound asleep? I don't know if my mentor has been here? I bought things and returned them to you." I bought a pair of cotton clothes and trousers, get up quickly, put on my clothes before eating." Huazi got up immediately, looked at it, and said angrily, "I have been frozen for several days, since you are treating me, why don't you buy a bottle of wine?" Jiang Fei saw that Huazi was making progress, although he was unhappy, but when he thought of asking about his teacher, he held back again, and said with a smile: "You didn't tell me just now, you will finish eating, as long as you tell me the whereabouts of your teacher, I can find him, please ask me again." You can eat wine, why don't you wear clothes?" Huazi said angrily, "I can't live without wine, no matter how much I eat, it's in vain, who told you to buy this clothes? That being said, this meal is only counted. Snacks, I don’t want to eat you for nothing, just half of what I said, wait until you buy me a drink, then I’ll talk about it later, don’t lose anyone.” Jiang Fei felt that Huazi was unreasonable and a bit bullying, especially when he was so poor, he was never willing to eat it I bought a lot of chicken dishes for him, but I am still not satisfied.Instead of wearing ready-made clothes, I prefer to eat wine.Just now, my sympathy has cooled down a bit.Afterwards, I thought, I have been waiting here for many days, my mentor is coming, I don’t know the truth or not, as long as I can find a mentor, it is worth spending all the money, so I hurriedly replied: "Tell me the other half first!" Huazi Angrily said: "You child, why are you unreasonable? I don't know if I'm hungry and eating! If I'm afraid of being fooled, I'll go to sleep and stop eating yours." Sai, the food was so ugly that he was afraid of offending him, so he didn't say anything, so he had to wait patiently, even three or four people couldn't finish the food he bought, who would have thought that the flowers would be swept away, and he would eat them all in a short time, and said with a smile: " The taste is not bad, just young master." Jiang Fei was surprised to see how delicious he ate.Taking a closer look, Hanako only ate with one hand. When she got up, she was wearing an old jacket. The other hand seemed to be afraid of the cold, and it was shrunk in front of her chest, and she never stretched it out.Although it is one-handed, the movements are extremely fast, without the slightest hint of hunger or cold.

At this time, although the sun was shining and the north wind was strong, I was wearing a thick padded jacket and trousers, but my hands and feet were still freezing, and the air-conditioning was pouring directly into my chest. I am not afraid of the cold, and the more I look at it, the more strange it becomes, so I pay attention.Huazi saw that his eyes were fixed on her, and asked angrily: "Why do you always look at me? It doesn't matter what people say, do you want to worship me as a master, a little beggar?" Jiang Fei's heart moved again when he heard that.I thought to myself, that day my mentor said in "Biography of Rangers" in his study that there are many strange people in the rivers and lakes, and they often hide among butchers and beggars.In the future, you must be humble and humble to others, and stop judging people by their wealth or poverty.Although what this person said before and after is suspicious, is it not strange to sleep in such a cold winter, sleep in a place where the wind is exposed, wear only one piece of clothing, have no cracks on hands and feet, and eat too much and quickly?At the same time, I thought that I had never seen it before, but when I came here this morning, it was just dawn and the sun had not yet risen. In order to listen to what my teacher said before, if I wanted to exercise my physical strength, I had to walk around the Dragon Pavilion a few times as usual. I walked past the altar three times, but I didn't find this person.I heard him claim to be freezing and starving here for three days and nights. Although it is a lie, it is impossible for ordinary people to be able to endure the cold like this.Don't miss it if it's the stranger that the master said, and wait to inquire about the whereabouts of the teacher and see what he said, then ask with a smile: "Uncle, it's not that I'm impatient. In fact, I really want to see the teacher's face." Hua Yu blocked the way : "You are really interesting, you have grown me up a generation after a while. I am embarrassed to be joking with you if you call me that. I really want to have two drinks. If this is the case, you and I will go to the street together. Let me have a good meal and explain it to you so that you don’t feel sad. I don’t need you to buy this dress. I can exchange it for wine, and if you add half a tael of silver around you, it’s enough for me. It's a meal." Jiang Fei felt that his mother usually lived frugally, set up a New Year's stall with only two taels of silver, and there were a lot of things, but this morning Huazi used all the money on her body, and he felt really sad.Helplessly, she was eager to know the whereabouts of her mentor, and when she heard Huazi tell her about the money she had left, her heart moved again.I thought to myself, I was fooled only once, this person is really strange, in order to find a mentor, he was deceived, so I had to admit my fate, I have promised him, why not be more generous, so I took out all the money around me, and said with a smile: " Uncle, to tell you the truth, I am a poor child. This money was given by my mentor. I kept it on me for many days, and I am not willing to use it. My original intention is to treat you to eat, dress you well, and send some money to make money with you. I make a living on a small business. If you want to eat wine, I can’t use it up. But my mentor is a sincere gentleman. When we parted, we agreed to meet here, and we must come sooner or later. Maybe someone is sick, so he didn’t come. The world is a coincidence, if you miss it, how can you be sorry for him? Please take the money, buy wine and eat yourself, I am still waiting here, you can tell me the truth first, naturally thank you, just go to eat first Wine, it’s all right to tell me again when you come back, what do you think?” Huazi laughed and said, “Second brother’s eyesight is really not bad, I didn’t expect you to have such ambition at such a young age, and you still take your money back. Even though I hide among the beggars and refuse to take the ill-gotten wealth, once I get drunk every day, I can still get it with my three fingers, but I don't have much money around me, so I can give it to you if I don't have much." , Pass the money over.

Jiang Fei had heard the other party's tone as if he knew his mentor, and he was willing to return the money to him. He clearly intended to try him out, and he was pleasantly surprised.Seeing that the silver was one or two more than the original one, he hurriedly asked: "I don't understand what uncle said, and this silver is also an extra ingot. I have given it to uncle to buy wine and eat. How can I get it back?" Huazi's face darkened and said: "Little baby, it's good to be able to sacrifice oneself and obey others, but it's too late to show off your cleverness in front of me. This extra point is limited, and it can't be regarded as a gift for you. Why do you care about it, let's talk about it." Fake, I won't say what your master said." Jiang Fei didn't dare to say any more.I thought, although this uncle is a stranger, his situation must be poor, how can I ask for his money, let's talk about it after listening to it, and take it quickly, and reply respectfully: "I didn't mean it, uncle, don't be offended, I How do you old people know about Master? Have you met recently?" Huazi smiled and said, "Not only did I meet him, but I even sent him away. I was in a hurry and had no time to meet you, and I was afraid that the enemy would see it through and not I also left you a letter. I should have given it to you a long time ago, because he said that you are so good at a young age, and I don’t believe it. I made a bet with him and visited your home several times. I also want to prevent good people from being hurt, and it is inconvenient to come here. I ordered another person to come here to take a peek, and go back and say that you have been waiting here for more than 20 days without any slack in the cold wind every day. I had to find it in person when I left the envelope. This letter was delivered to me when your master left. It was three or four days away from the day when you met and fell in the snow. Your master originally planned to come to the appointment on the fourth day when it was sunny. Unexpectedly, I got the information that night, my lord. He has come from Beijing. The matter would not have been leaked, but it happened that he wrote a birthday screen for the son of a local tyrant. His good handwriting is easy to be seen. He has disappeared for many years, and his enemies have not known his whereabouts. Since The year before last in Jining Prefecture, Shandong Province, because I had no money to spend, and people were honest, they refused to reach out to others. I was in a dilemma. It happened that the monk in the temple wanted to write a big plaque, and he only got four taels of silver. It almost caused trouble. I was just watched by my opponent. He was invited to teach by local tyrants when he wrote his handwriting. Relying on being careful in advance and having no luggage, he left as soon as he said, the host and guest got up at that time, and the monk in the temple didn't know where to go. He has an aloof personality and is always looked down upon by rich and powerful people. He never expected to teach at Shihao's home.

"It's planned to go into hiding for three years. I will come to Kaifeng this autumn, and I will practice medicine at the home of a local tyrant to get rid of a poisonous insect. He heard from his servants that he came out to look for me in the middle of the night, and only then came to Longting to meet him. As usual, he came every time in the dead of night, because The evil slave looked down on him, and went home as soon as the student left, and no one knew about it for several months. He came out a little early on the moonlight night the day before yesterday, and accidentally saved a poor man, so the enemy's subordinates saw the flaw. In the middle of the night, there was only one person on the other side. Although I stepped forward to tease him and lured him away, his face was not seen clearly, but he had already aroused suspicion. In the past one or two months, more and more enemies came. Luoxue came to Guanzhong the next day. Two friends I have also been looking for him for many years. I learned his whereabouts from my mouth. The rumors have become tighter. If you show your handwriting again, it will be easier for people to see through. After everyone urged him, Fang Yun stood up. It's okay to treat him well, I'm afraid there will be troubles, and there is still a letter when I leave. I don't know that the province's vassals and local tyrants are close friends, because he doesn't want to write that kind of social things, he has no intention when writing, and there are many mistakes, and his handwriting has not been recognized. Recognized. If he leaves a day or two late, he must go to Longting for an appointment. In the past few days, because of the local government's fawning over the factory guards, the opponents in this area enjoyed the snow and drank here three times in a row. , finally luck, since he left, we have set up a lot of doubts, and now nothing has happened. I know that although you are smart and upright, you are sincere and resolute, but your family is poor, and you are inevitably stingy. I don’t know how to measure it. Unexpectedly, you are so hardworking to yourself and so loyal to others. It is really rare. Although the letter left by your master when he left was only handed in today, it tired you from drinking the northwest wind for another 10 or 20 days. You have fully seen your human nature. It will be of great use to you. Wait until you have read the letter."

When Jiang Fei heard this, his teacher avoided disaster and went away, and he couldn't see each other for a while, so he felt very sad.As soon as I received the letter, I recognized the handwriting on it. It was the same as the eyebrows on the old books I picked up before. I couldn't help crying when I thought of the kindness of sending charcoal in the snow and getting rid of clothes and food.After opening the letter, I realized that Mr. Jiaodu is a chivalrous man with both civil and military skills. His real name was Zao Yin, and everyone called him Leyouzi.Because of his great reputation, he offended many relatives and nobles, and had too many enemies.The most powerful thing is that the court is so powerful and cunning. One misfortune will implicate many good people, so they have to avoid the evil front temporarily.In the past one or two years, she had to live in seclusion in the home of a local tyrant, and she had long wanted to go.We broke up in the snow that day, and suddenly received a warning from a good friend, and asked to live in seclusion in the deep mountains of the Qinling Mountains to avoid disaster.Seeing that Jiang Fei was young, smart, and ambitious, he wanted to accept him as a disciple, but things went against his will, and he didn't even have time to say goodbye, so he entrusted his best friend, Fourth Master Xi Si, to deliver this letter on behalf of him to convey his heart.He also said: "At present, the officials are corrupt and the people are in dire straits. Every province and county must have several well-known evil gentry colluding with the government and oppressing the good people. The court trusts the eunuchs and commits all kinds of evil, so that the people are full of resentment and thieves are rampant. The people's suffering has reached the extreme. Soon the world will be in chaos, and reading alone will not be practical, and I will go to Qinling, and no one will teach you, and your mother is old and sick, and it will be difficult to stay away. After reading the letter, you can first ask your uncle to teach you some martial arts. Find a good teacher to read more characters, according to the few practical books you have listened to me in the past few months, study hard, as long as you work hard, you will learn it over time. You are still young, so don’t be too eager to improve, there are many other words , I’m in a hurry before I leave, and I can’t finish talking, but I can ask my uncle for advice, and I will give advice. Your fourth uncle is a strange man, a talented man in both civil and military affairs. In order to save the people, he united with his fellows. Begging for a living; medical skills are good, if you study as you wish, you can save people by learning his medical skills. But your fourth uncle is born with special characteristics, and despite my repeated begging, I promise to accept you as a famous student and pass on a little martial arts foundation. It all depends on your own humility to ask for advice, and being able to show your thoughts to him before you are willing to teach him. He is at home all over the world, and his whereabouts are uncertain. After I go, he may not be able to delay. At most, it will be three or two months, but he will go next spring. In this short period of time, you must work hard. You are young, don’t miss the opportunity, and you don’t need to go to the Qinling Mountains to find me in the future. My place is hidden in the chaotic mountains. There are many dangers and obstacles, and it is not easy to go there. I found it. Although the master is my old friend for many years, he is an outsider with different aspirations from mine. I have to go to the southwestern provinces from time to time. I may not be able to grow up in the mountains. When you are a little older and have learned a lot, you will arrive I will look for you from time to time. It is convenient for me not to specify in the letter because of this."

After watching the mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, Jiang Fei hurriedly bowed to Huazi, calling "Master".Huazi smiled and said: "Get up quickly, your family lives here, and the thieves in the temple saw it and shocked the eyes and ears of ordinary people. You can go home and wait for me first, and make an agreement with your mother. Fortunately, your mother and son share only two small rooms. No one lives together. I’ll come to see you tonight, and we’ll have a long talk. I’ll take this padded jacket and trousers to the poor.” Seeing his bright eyes, Jiang Fei spoke straightforwardly without anger. , not to be violated, I know that I don't want outsiders to listen to it.As soon as he promised, Xi Si suddenly urged him away in a low voice, and deliberately smiled: "I have already eaten the things you brought, what's the use of arguing with me, who told you to go away, I will treat it as a good intention to send me away." No matter how nagging, I won’t even return these broken books to you.” Jiang Fei looked back and saw two wine and meat monks coming out of the temple. Knowing his intentions, he deliberately replied: “You are good Be reasonable, return the schoolbag to me, and I don’t want the things I bought for the New Year.” After speaking, he pretended to be angry, took the schoolbag and walked back.When we arrived at the lake embankment below, looking back, Xi Si was arguing with the monk.The monk said that Xi Si had polluted his temple wall, and there must be lice left behind, so he forced Xi Si to clean it up, otherwise he would be sent to the county government.Xi Si laughed and said: "You thieves and bald donkeys don't abide by the rules and are lazy, because there are no pilgrims and tourists at this time, and the ice and snow are filthy from top to bottom, and they don't clean up. Do you want me to clean up these dozens of steps and the lake embankment for you? You are blind and dreaming!" Hearing him swearing back, the monks yelled angrily at the same time, and many monks drove out one after another.The monk said: "This flower pollutes the quiet place of the Zen forest, and steals the child's New Year's fruit cake. He is a wicked beggar and bandit." He ordered the monks to be tied up and sent to the government to be beaten and starved to death, and ordered the child to be forced back to testify.When he was speaking, two strong and savage monks had already stepped forward.As soon as he stretched out his hand, he screamed in shock, retreated, and shook his hand crying for pain.The other monks didn't know how powerful they were, so they rushed forward, and some took out sticks from the temple and went forward to beat them.Xi Si didn't pay any attention, she still kept laughing and cursing, and didn't fight back.In a blink of an eye, all the beating people were injured.

The evil monk at the head saw that something was wrong, and shouted repeatedly, "It's the other way around, this thief is called Huahui. Hurry up and ask the local security officer to send him to investigate!" The other monk chased him down and said to Jiang Fei: "This beggar is a thief, he is a thief. Steal your things, I will report to the officials, don't leave." Jiang Fei was already angry when he saw all the evil monks besieging Xisi, and said angrily: "He didn't steal you, how many of you beat one, I I don't have that much work." The evil monk shouted angrily: "You child, you don't know what is good or bad. As long as you dare to leave, you will be his fellow gangster, and you will be sent to the Yamen to make you feel guilty. Go up and wait obediently. Return the stolen things, and you will suffer when you leave." After saying that, he stretched out his hand and pulled.Jiang Fei was caught. He was young and weak, and he couldn't break free. He was so angry that he jumped up and said, "If you don't let go, send someone to tell you how many of you beat him for no reason." The evil monk was furious and stretched out his hand. With a slap, Jiang Fei just hid to the side, suddenly felt the gust of wind, and with a sound of yah, the evil monk opposite him had loosened his hand and stood in place, unable to turn.It turns out that Xi Si has fallen from the top, and I don't know how to stop the evil monk, and he remains silent.Seeing that a large area of ​​monks had fallen on the top, I was very pleasantly surprised. Just as I was about to speak, Xi Si stopped her eyes and shouted angrily: "You little devil, want to testify on behalf of the bald donkey, saying that I am a thief? Regardless of your young age , I’ll catch you to death, and get out of here! It’s so easy to have a night of wine, and you hate it here, so you can’t live.” Before he finished speaking, there was another man with a fat head and big ears, dressed very well. The middle-aged monk shook his hands all the way and shouted: "Don't do anything, you have something to say!" Panting and ran down.Jiang Fei recognized Faguang, the abbot in the temple, and knew that he usually colluded with officials and gentry and was quite powerful.Seeing Xi Si scolding sharply and pretending to be aggressive, she understood what she said, so she mumbled on purpose: "Even monks and flowers are unreasonable, bullying my child, I will find someone to judge." As he spoke, he walked back , listening to Faguang shouting behind his ears: "The child is back, go to the street to find the martial artist Xing who specializes in trauma, and ask him to bring some medicine, and give you money when you are young." Jiang Fei pretended not to hear, and went to the hospital Walking forward, I heard Xi Si laughing and said: "Do you want that kid to find Xiao Xing, who sells plasters, to take revenge? I have something to say, no need to bother, I will wait in your temple, and there are two others who haven't done anything yet." If you can still run away, just look for someone." Fa Guang argued again and again in a hurry, and then shouted loudly again, saying: "The kid should stop looking for Martial Master Xing, and save this poor man from being careless!" Jiang Fei looked back, Fa Guang He has gone with Xi Si.The monk who fell first was able to move around, and looked like he was about to follow, but was stopped by Faguang, and they walked up together: because it was the end of winter, although there were a few residents by the lake below, they were still far apart, and the matter was over quickly There was no alarm at all, only three or four people saw it from a distance and came to inquire. They met Jiang Fei and told him that there was a poor man basking in the sun in front of the temple. , has been forced to agree.Everyone knew that the monks in the temple were tyrannical. When they heard the injustice, they cursed a few times and then retreated.