Chapter 7 Chapter 7 A Little News

Peng Jiaqi came to the city to see off his elder brother Peng Jiazhen.He didn't know where he found out that Peng Jiazhen was going to leave Chengdu quietly and go to a distant place. This place might be Guangzhou, a little further away would be Japan, and a little closer would be Shanghai.What are you going to do?The person who sent the message didn't tell him, but based on his usual associations with this clan brother's words and his actions, he guessed that he went out this time, not just to avoid the style of investigating the revolutionary party in the new military camp in Fenghuang Mountain, he must do it. Something big and shocking.Because it was just to escape, there was no need to go out of the province at all. I heard that the investigation of the revolutionary party in the new military camp in Fenghuang Mountain had subsided.

I wonder if he missed the date due to some reason?Or did he not bring the message he entrusted?When he reached his brother's apartment in Luomashi, he saw that the door was locked upside down.People in the same large courtyard have different families and do not take care of each other. You have to ask the neighbors on the left and right. Others may not be able to tell him clearly when Peng Jiazhen left the house, when he can come back, or even whether Peng Jiazhen has traveled far.Their deeds are uncertain, and they never tell people in advance. How can the neighbors know? Peng Jiaqi turned over and walked out of the gate of the courtyard.Sweaty from the western sun.Where do you want to rest your feet?After calculation, the apartment that Wang Wenbing shared with his fellow countrymen on Dongyuhe Street was the closest.

"Whether he's here or not, go find Wang Wenbing!" It was beyond Peng Jiaqi's expectation that Wang Wenbing was not only in the apartment, but also sleeping naked on a bed covered with bamboo mats.Before Peng Jiaqi stepped into the door, he heard loud snoring.At first glance, among the three narrow rack beds, only one was empty.The mosquito net was not put down, and the person who slept on the next bed was their Ziyang fellow, Jiang Hualong, who was lucky enough to pass the screening test at the judge's training institute, and was still admitted to the training institute.This man is a fat man, and he is the one who is snoring.Wang Wenbing slept on the outer bed, just like Jiang Hualong, with his face upturned and his hands and feet spread out, like a big character.

Peng Jiaqi deliberately kicked a pair of big feet firmly on the dusty floor a few times.The whole room felt like an earthquake, the three beds, a large square table in the middle, a high chair with a pen holder, and two benches all shook together, and at the same time sound and dust filled the space. Wang Wenbing turned over and sat on the bed.The short-sighted eyes that took off the glasses squeezed into a slit, Zhang Zhang looked at Peng Jiaqi in panic and said, "Who is it?... Any news?" Peng Jiaqi laughed and shouted: "You good-for-nothing man, sleep in the clear light of day! Still not getting up? Zhao Erfeng has come to the city, and your railway company is going to be shut down!"

Wang Wenbing stretched out his hand and pulled down the wet towel on a short bamboo pole inside the mosquito net.While wiping the sweat from his head and face, he squinted his eyes and said, "You are the one who ran into the city! To tell the truth, have you ever stood in front of Zhao Erfeng in Shuangliu?" The white linen gown was taken off.Because the house was a bit hung to the west, and it was indeed hotter than the courtyard dam under the slanting blazing sun, so Peng Jiaqi also took off his white sweater.Putting her braids on her head and waving a big cattail fan: "It's so hot! I said, instead of going to bed naked, I'd rather find a cooler tea shop to drink tea!..."

Wang Wenbing had already walked to the square table with his shoes on, and touched his glasses to put them on.Pointing to a stack of pass-through papers on the table full of cursive characters, he said, "Look, there are so many things to write, and you still have time to have tea?" "I don't have time to eat tea, but I have time to sleep! Fat Mr. Jiang, what, did you fall asleep? I just believe that I haven't woken up after making such a fuss!" "Who's asleep!" Jiang Hualong was still lying down covered in sweat, his trousers were pulled up on his crotch, revealing two fat legs like pillars.With his eyes closed, he pouted his mouth and said, "I've been sitting for a long time, just lie down and feel better!"

Wang Wenbing picked up a large porcelain pot on the table, drank a few sips of cold tea mouth to mouth, wiped his mouth and said: "It's time to get up too! Hurry up and finish that article, so I can hand it over to the director." Go to the editor." Then he asked Peng Jiaqi, "Has Zhao Erfeng's former station arrived in Shuangliu?" "Shuangliu is twenty miles away from Cuqiao. I came from the other side of Cuqiao. How do I know? You are running the railway company and the newspaper office every day, and you still come to ask me!" "You don't know that you can't get real news in the provincial capital! It's been more chaotic these days. Some people even said that they saw Zhao Erfeng enter the city with Yin Liang and Zhou Shanpei with their own eyes, and some people said that they hadn't been to Xinjin yet. I don’t understand what this guy is doing, he said that he was scheduled to take over the job half a year ago, but now it’s almost the end of June, and it will be June in a blink of an eye.”

"Why do you expect him to come so much? I don't understand." "Of course you don't understand!..." Jiang Hualong opened his eyes, fanned his fan, and said with a phlegmatic smile: "I understand. They just plan to wait for him to come, and give him a big blow, so that Butcher Zhao will be as obedient as Wang Renwen, and tell them to mention If the root of the hat comes east, it will go east, and if it wants west, it will go west." Peng Jiaqi said to Wang Wenbing: "Really?" "That's not exactly the case. The most important thing is what kind of attitude does Lao Zhao hold towards our road struggle? Is he in favor or against? We still haven't figured it out yet, and it's just embarrassing."

"The last time I came to the city, didn't I hear that Deng Mulu and Ye Bingcheng were going to pick him up in Yazhou Mansion? The two presidents met and talked with Butcher Zhao. Could it be that they still can't figure out his attitude?" Wang Wenbing shrugged his glasses to the bridge of his nose, shook his head and said: "It's because there was no follow-up. The two of them only stayed in Xinjin for a few days and then came back. They said they sent telegrams several times, but they didn't reply. I don't know about Old Zhao. Did they start their journey from Dajianlu, where did they live, and when did they arrive at Yazhou Prefecture? I couldn’t find any news. It was not an option to stay in Xinjin, so I had to come back. And not only did the two of them fight The telegrams that went there were gone, and even the telegrams sent by Zhou Shanpei who went on the way, there was no response. Because of this, everyone became a little uneasy."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jiang Hualong yawned and said, "I said, it's Baldy Zhou who is at work here." Wang Wenbing said: "Here we go again, you stubborn people." "Are we stubborn? This is public opinion!" Peng Jiaqi said: "Whether it's prejudice or public opinion, what's going on? Jiang Fatty's nonsense is also news." "Everyone is saying that. Deng and Ye were going to go forward and wait in Yazhou Prefecture, but Zhou Baldzi refused to let them go and told them to stay in Xinjin to wait for an answer. He ran away and hasn't come back yet. He must go to catch up with Lao Zhao first, please him face to face, and deliberately leave Deng and Ye behind."

Peng Jiaqi said: "Old Wang, you always heard Deng and Ye say it, isn't that true?" "It's just that I have no chance to meet them. But from the conversations of several gentlemen nearby, it may not be Duke Zhou's idea for them to stay in Xinjin. Besides, Duke Zhou is in charge of being the introducer. Why do you want to keep the two of them and not call a meeting with Zhao Zhitai? It doesn't make sense logically." Peng Jiaqi smiled and said: "It's all right. In my humble opinion, I don't talk about these uncertain things. My stomach is hungry, and I think your stomachs may not be hungry. What are we going to do? important matter!" Wang Wenbing said: "We have to wait for Lao An to come back and urge him to prepare dinner." "The visitor is a guest. Don't you even treat me to a potluck?" "There are only a hundred pennies left with me, how dare I invite you?" "Then, please. Let's go! Fat Jiang, put on your clothes!" "Don't look for me, I can't thank you today." Peng Jiaqi was very surprised, since he met Jiang Hualong, it was the first time he refused someone's invitation, especially to go to Jingji Restaurant to eat fragrant pork, cherry meat, steamed pork, and honey wind pork. When Wang Wenbing put on his clothes, he also said, "Why don't you go?" "You are so old-fashioned! Didn't you see me eating stir-fried water spinach, stewed pumpkin, and a bowl of fried pork slices without chopsticks at lunch?" "I didn't pay attention to it. What is it for? Avoid oil? You're not sick." "Alas! Today is the twenty-ninth day, and it's the day I eat Guanyinzhai." Peng Jiaqi opened his mouth to laugh, the laughter was so loud that it could almost be heard from the street.Pointing at Jiang Hualong, he said, "You're still so corrupt! You're so superstitious!...Though you're a vegetarian!...It's your loss...it's your loss...hahaha!..." Jiang Hualong solemnly half-opened a pair of swollen eyes and said, "What's so funny! I'm just a vegetarian, and I don't burn incense and kowtow, so I'm not superstitious." "You are still teaching new learning!" "Teaching new learning is for the sake of fame, and being a vegetarian is to respect Bodhisattvas. What's the hindrance? Don't tell me you don't respect your own ancestors after you teach new learning. Doesn't that make you a follower of the foreign religion?" Wang Wenbing said with a smile: "The fat man is specialized in talking about the truth, don't mess with him, let's go!" As soon as he walked into the intersection of Yuefu Street, Wang Wenbing suggested that he might as well go to the railway company to see if there was any news.Wang Wenbing had already told Peng Jiaqi on the way that these few days were the busiest time for the company.One is that the shareholder representatives of the special general meeting have come to the province one after another. When everyone arrives, they must first come to the company to find the person in charge of the company, the person in charge of the board of directors, and the person in charge of the Baolu Comrades Association, and ask about the current situation. , I also want to talk about the situation in other states and counties, which is already busy enough.Second, the new governor of Sichuan, Zhao Erfeng, might be in the province within a day or two to take over the affairs. Since he didn't know Zhao Erfeng's attitude, a group of people who were engaged in the road struggle had to ask around and discuss what kind of strategy should be adopted at any time. Countermeasures; everyone has opinions, everyone has opinions, the railway company only sees people coming in and out during the day, talking about here, researching and discussing there, disturbing some writers in the secretarial department and have to hide Use your mind at home. Peng Jiaqi said: "Since it's so busy, it's fine if you don't go in." "Where is the reason for not entering through the door?" "Maybe there's something to hold you back. It's better to have a meal and fill your stomach before going." At this moment, Wu Fengwu hurried out from the second door. "Ah! Is it Mr. Wang? Fortunately, fortunately. I just found out that your residence is on Dongyuhe Street, and I am coming to meet you. Who is this..." After the introduction, it was another long-awaited, elegant and elegant. Wang Wenbing said: "Mr. Wu just returned to the province? Let's talk inside." "There's no need to go in. I searched around a lot, but I didn't find anyone." Wang Wenbing was surprised and said: "I didn't find anyone, could it be that the company is empty?" Wu Fengwu smiled and said: "No, there are still so many people, but Mr. Luo, Mr. Cheng, Mr. Deng, none of them are here." "Where did you go?" "I don't know. Some said that they went to a meeting elsewhere, and some said that someone invited them to dinner." "Do you have anything to say?" "Why not? First, it's about Xinjin. That's not too important. First, Lao Zhao is scheduled to go to the province in the past few days. I can detect who he met and what he said along the way. , I came back to report to Mr. Luo and the others." "Since this is the case, we must find one of them today!" Wang Wenbing thought for a while and asked Peng Jiaqi: "Peng Lancun, director of the board of directors, are you a family?" "It can be regarded as the same clan. He is from Pengjiachang, Shuangliu County, and I am from Huayang County. The big ancestral hall is the same, but the small ancestral hall is different. What do you ask?" "I want to take Wu Guandai to his house with you for a walk." "That doesn't work. We never met. I don't know him, and he doesn't know me." Wu Fengwu said: "There's no need to find Mr. Peng. People in the company said that he hasn't been to the company for several days. Either he's sick or he's gone. I can't find him at his house. I mean, go home." After finishing the meal, go to the Advisory Bureau to find Mr. Luo, I will get to know him a little better, and it will be easier to talk to him." Peng Jiaqi said: "We are going to eat at Jingji Restaurant in Beixin Street, why not go back and eat together?" Wu Fengwu said with a smile on his face: "No! What's wrong with this, it's the first time we meet, unless I come to be the host." Wang Wenbing stretched out his hand and pulled his arm: "Don't lie! Today is Xiao Peng's sincere treat. If you don't eat him, he will be angry instead." At this time, it was the time for Jingji restaurant to serve customers, and there was not a single empty table in the double-bay shop.And on the small round table that can only sit four people, there are always five or six people, and there are even eight people squeezed together. Every time Peng Jiaqi went to the city, he either had breakfast at the bamboo restaurant in Fuxing Street, or had lunch at Jingji Restaurant.He is a food householder and the only son. His purse is fuller than any of his classmates, and he also eats better than any of his classmates.He was a regular customer and he knew the way, so he immediately led the two of them from a convenient door in the kitchen at the back to the hall in the doorway of the next door.In this relatively hidden place that only regular customers can find, there are three square tables, and only one table can still squeeze the three of them. Wu Fengwu shook his head and sighed: "Chengdu's food and drink are really good! Last time, Gu Tuan always invited him to drink in Zhenjianglou, and the business was very prosperous. If it wasn't for Mr. Hao, there were only two people, and they would have almost split up. Don’t leave the seat and give it to us.” There are only ten varieties of chicken and duck meat, all of which have already been prepared and distilled in a big steamer, or the whole pot is simmered on a charcoal stove. When customers want it, they are folded in tin bowls and served immediately.When the heat is ready, the supply is fast.Especially outstanding are the kimchi and bean paste from Pixian County, the shopkeeper's hometown.Alcohol is also available, but customers are always unwilling to take up more time, and they eat with chopsticks whenever the dishes come.Although the hall is lively, it is not as noisy as other restaurants. The two teenagers Peng Jiaqi and Wang Wenbing seemed to be at ease with this Wu Guandai who is famous for his food. Once they sat down, they ignored the undressing and followed the reading method taught by the teacher when they were studying in the private school: eye to mouth Arrive, heart to outside, also added a hand to.In the end, although they had an advantage, that is to say, the two teenagers each ate four and a half bowls of snow-white rice, which was half a bowl more than Wu Fengwu's, but the three dishes, one soup, and three dishes of kimchi all let him eat. One person cleans cleanly, and at the same time, the sweat on his head and body makes him sweat more. When the bowls and chopsticks were put down and everyone was rinsing their mouths with a glass of cold water, Wang Wenbing remembered it and asked, "You said you met Mr. Hao in Zhenjiang Tower, but Hao Yousan, a teacher in his thirties? " Wu Fengwu was taking the hot face towel from the waiter, wiping his face and neck vigorously, but nodded. "Do you know where he lives?" "I've been, it's not very far from here." "Xiao Peng, I think we should go find Hao Yousan first." "Why did you go to him?" Peng Jiaqi asked inexplicably. "Well! Of course it makes sense. I've heard from Chu Yong that his father is in the same group as Pu Boying and Luo Ziqing, and he represents his father in meetings at the comrades' meeting. Treat it as just an ordinary teacher." When Wu Fengwu heard Chu's name, he couldn't help but slapped his thigh and said: "Speaking of this Mr. Chu, I also brought him a message. His father repeatedly asked me to tell him to go home no matter what... ..." Peng Jiaqi was surprised and said: "What? Chu Yong hasn't been back yet? Why did he lie to me today and only went to the province from Xinjin for two days? He also said that his grandfather Hou Baozhai also came out of the mountain, and it was his credit!" Wu Fengwu said with a smile: "Hou Baozhai really agreed to go out of the mountain. The gay association was established that day, and he even gave a speech at the meeting. But it is not the credit of Mr. Chu." "Chu Yong is really bad!" Wang Wenbing said: "It's not bad, it's just too lazy. The Huang family must live too comfortably. In my opinion, the only way to keep him from being lazy is to explain clearly to Huang Lansheng and drive him out. It's best to drive him back. Go to Xinjin." Wu Fengwu said with a smile: "I can tell our brother Lansheng about this. But brother Lansheng can't decide whether to push him away. He is good at everything else, except his ears are a little bit. If his wife wants to stay Guest, Brother Lansheng doesn't even dare to snort." "Is the Huang family so powerful?" Wang Wenbing also laughed and said, "I have never seen his wife, but I heard that she is capable and decent. You are old friends, you must know." "Is that his wife? Not only do I know, but in my hometown where I have lived in Chengdu for a long time, there are very few people who don't know the second girl of the Long family. My humble Jing is somewhat related to the Long family, but I haven't been in touch for many years. Or Brother Lansheng continued to marry this lady, and he only met when he went to Huang's house for a wedding because of his friendship. I was at that time, and I made a bet that our old man's ears must be. Why? Just Because Miss Long Er lived up to her reputation, she could inherit her mother's virtues. She doesn't look perfect, but when she gets angry, she raises her eyebrows and stares at her eyes, that's a shame!..." Peng Jiaqi said: "What is this, a shrew!" "You can't say that. Shrews can only be hated, but our sister-in-law Huang is not. When she gets angry, King Kong will bow her eyebrows." Wang Wenbing said: "Have you ever been taught?" "Naturally! The first time was on the day she became a bride, and everyone invited her to a new house..." The hall official reported the account: three dishes and one soup, 320 Wen; three servings of rice, 36 Wen; three dishes of kimchi, 6 Wen; a total of 362 Wen, and a basin of washing water.Peng Jiaqi took out forty ten copper coins in his belly pocket, put them on the table, and said: "Collect the money!" He got up and left. Wu Fengwu glanced at him and said, "Why did you give me an extra thirty-eight Wen!" "There's more than that for the small bills going back!" Peng Jiaqi looked nonchalant. Wu Fengwu walked a few steps, still shaking his head and sighing, "You guys! Students!...that's amazing! I've never seen that you have to give a tip when you eat....the rules in Chengdu, you're going to mess it up!" Walking to Dashizikou, Peng Jiaqi said that he was still going to find his elder brother Peng Jiazhen, and that he didn't plan to go with them to Hao Yousan's house, so he said goodbye to them. Wang Wenbing couldn't talk to Wu Fengwu because of the constant traffic of sedan chairs and pedestrians on the street, and he was eager to hear the news he brought, so he had to urge Wu Fengwu to leave quickly.One side asked: "Is it almost there?... Is there still a long way to go?..." Really not far.But there was a group of big classes at the gate, some of them were standing on the edge of the eaves in sweat clothes, watching the street view and chatting; some were squatting on the brick floor playing cards with their shirts off; There was a row of three-person sedan chairs on top, and there were also some large class members standing and sitting there. Wu Fengwu slowed down his pace and said, "It looks like I'm treating guests, so why not go in and disturb the master?" Wang Wenbing said, "What's the inconvenience? We're just talking to Hao Yousan, and we're leaving after the talk." But the old man Zhang, the gatekeeper, followed the old rules and refused to let them go in and report.He always shook his grey-haired head and said, "Master has a bad temper, and the banquet is not over yet, so how can we meet again? I dare not go in and report. You two should come tomorrow." "I've made it clear that I don't want to meet your master, but Hao Yousan. Is it your young master? We have something to talk to him." Wang Wenbing said loudly uncomfortable. Several big classes also gathered around to watch them talk. The old man Zhang turned his contemptuous eyes more and more, and said breathlessly: "Young master will not do, the young master is accompanying guests, they are all distinguished guests, so it is not good to take the time to offend!" "What kind of people are so important that you can't even take a spare time?" It was still Wang Wenbing who asked. "It's Mr. Ge, who will run the Machinery Bureau of the New Committee! Mr. Pu and Mr. Luo of the Consultative Bureau! It's Mr. Yan Hanlin and Yan! There is also Mr. Zhang of the Consultative Bureau, and..." Wu Fengwu couldn't help smiling at Wang Wenbing: "It turns out that they are all here, that's a coincidence! ... I'll trouble you to go in and pass it on. It's not necessary to meet your master, you just said that there is a person surnamed Wu." ——Ku Tianwu, just came back from Xinjin, I have something important to report, no matter if it's Mrs Pu or Mrs Luo, you can just invite anyone to come out." Old man Zhang still had the same old temper, he was soft and hard, and he became a little more amiable at the moment, but he was still evaluating the two people with his eyes. A big class cut in and said, "Let me tell you, you janitor, go in and answer! I know both of them, they are people who often walk around in the gay club." Wu Fengwu even said with a smile on his face: "Oh! I came to Master Luo and the others just for the important matters of the comrades' association. I think there is Master Deng, right?" Old man Zhang also changed his smiling face and said, "Why didn't you two say it was a comrades' meeting earlier? Please wait in the lobby, and I will go to Second Master Gao immediately." Wu Fengwu followed the old man Zhang, and turned his head to Wang Wenbing and said quietly: "What does the Hao family do? It's quite a show!" "The old man is a member of the Advisory Council. He was originally an official. People who are officials in Sichuan have scraped enough land, so of course they are happy to make trouble with these stinky factions. Isn't your old friend Huang Lansheng the same?" "That's true. One generation is an official and eunuch, and the third generation sleeps and eats. This is their fate, and they are born red!" "Why do you say that, dude? Is life good or bad? If the railway can't be fought back, the country is divided up by the big powers, and we are both subjugated slaves. What's the difference?" "I said there is a difference. It is also the same to change people in the world. They become officials and have money. After all, they have enough enjoyment of high houses and big houses, and slaves and servants. It is worthwhile to suffer a little bit when they are subjugated slaves. Only us, Since the ancestors pushed the squeaking carts to fill Sichuan, generations of people have not lived a day or two of trembling, and it is not worth it if they have to endure hardships in the future!" "You complain like that too? Anyway, you are not an official?..." Hao Yousan hurried out from the side door, looking very familiar, and said to Wu Fengwu, "Have you just come back? Great! Please go in!... Wang Jun is not an outsider, so let's go in together." As soon as the bamboo curtain of Concubine Xiang in the study was lifted, Luo Ziqing was already standing on the ground, a white linen gown that seemed to have just been put on, and the two buttons on the right panty hadn't been buttoned yet. "Report to the president, the subordinates have found some news about Marshal Zhao in Xinjin." Wu Fengwu managed to touch the chair, put his butt down, and when Luo Ziqing asked, he immediately stood up again, and shouted out such a sentence with his chest out . Luo Ziqing's eyes widened immediately, showing a little surprise, and said: "Oh! This is what you want to talk about! Then, wait a minute, I'll find some friends over here." Hao Yousan said: "I'll go over and invite you. Who should I invite?" "Mr. Pu Boying, Mr. Zhang Biaofang, and Mr. Peng Lancun, the three of them will do." Probably the three of them were also in the same mood as Luo Ziqing. They only heard Hao Yousan's footsteps before reaching the living room opposite. Pu Boying came in first, saw Wang Wenbing standing on the left, and said, "I recognize this one, it seems to be..." Luo Ziqing pointed to Wu Fengwu and said, "Wu Guantai is the one who wants to talk about important news. He came out from Chuanbian, and he was invited to work in Xinjin at the meeting, and he just rushed back to the province at noon today.... Let me introduce you. , Wang Wenbingjun is the editor at the meeting, and also the secretary....This is..." Just after the introduction, Pu Boying, who couldn't wait to give up his seat, only wore a silk sweater and held a folding fan in his hand, was not tall and had a black and yellow complexion. He began to ask about the news from Wu Fengwu. Wu Fengwu knew that Pu Boying was the chairman of the Advisory Bureau, and that he could even be on an equal footing with the Sichuan government, so of course his status was very high.He also heard that Chairman Luo Ziqing was still under him, so when he reported, he stood up straight, his voice was clear, and his language was concise, more energetic than when he was answering in front of Marshal Zhao. According to his report: Before Zhao Erfeng got up from Dajianlu, he sent his son Zhao Laojiu and his nephew Zhao Laosi to Chengdu.When he got up, he walked to Qingxi County, and Yin Liang, who was going to meet him from Chengdu, met him here. After talking for a day, Yin Fantai broke the station and went back to the province first.When we arrived in Yingjing County, the ones who rushed to meet us were the chief soldier of Songpan Town, the general office of the provincial battalion office, the alternate Daotian Zhengkui, the chief office of the military preparation department of the supervisory training office, and the alternate Dao Wang Suo. One day, go back to the province first.Zhou Jietai and Zhou Shanpei were greeted by Zhou Jietai at Yazhou Mansion, who also went back to the province first after seeing him.The ones who went to Qiongzhou the day before yesterday to meet him were Sir Zhao Sishao and Zhao Jiushao.Now rushing to Xinjin, there are still many high officials.It is estimated that Marshal Zhao can arrive in Xinjin today, if he stands up, he will arrive tomorrow.But if you want to come to Xinjin, maybe you have to stay for a while. The first battalion of the patrol army, the vanguard, just passed Xinjin yesterday, and you can go to the province today. Wu Fengwu acted like he was reciting a book. After reciting sentence by sentence, the short and fat Peng Lancun then asked, "Is that all?" It's like banning others from speaking on the chairman's platform.If everyone listened to his command, they would not speak. He pondered for a minute, then raised his radiant eyes, looked at Wu Fengwu who was standing straight in front of him, and said, "It's hard for you to find out so many important news for us. I'll ask you again. Where did you get it? Is it reliable?" "Speak to the Speaker, the news is reliable, and it was told to me by the leader of the leading team." Hao Yousan was shocked, and couldn't help but blurt out, "Is it Wu Ping?" "Report to Eldest Young Master, it's him!" Pu Boying turned around and looked at Hao Yousan and said, "Old nephew, do you recognize the people on the patrol team?" Hao Yousan blushed and nodded.Pu Boying didn't pay attention, and still asked about Wu Fengwu's words. "Wu Guandai probably came out with Marshal Zhao. Since he knows the people who went to meet him all the way, he must have heard something, right?" "Report to the Speaker, Wu Guandai doesn't know what the adults are talking about with Zhao Dashuai. From Zhang Pocky, a bodyguard next to Zhao Dashuai, Wu Guandai heard Zhao Dashuai talking with the two young adults. Can you let the subordinates talk to each other? Transfer it?" Tall, with two black mustaches, Zhang Biaofang with a long face that rarely smiles, and then said: "That's good! How about it, Wu Guandai, we all love... patriotic compatriots, please Don't be so polite, that is to say, don't talk about officialdom like that. I... I said, let's sit down and talk slowly, don't... make any more complaints, my subordinates. You are compatriots, friends... friends !" Pu Boying also smiled and said: "Really, I forgot! Please sit down so we can talk." At the same time, Gao Gui brought in two bowls of tea that had been swirled. After Wu Fengwu sat down, he took a closer look at the few people with his eyes, and felt that they were indeed a little different from those adults wearing big hats and official boots that he usually saw in the commander's gate.First of all, it makes people not feel restrained. Although they just met, they talk like old friends.Because of this, he relaxed a bit, organized what he had heard from Wu Ping, and started talking. It is said that the two young adults once said that they met Wang Nuyuan in the provincial capital and handed over the letter they brought. Wang Nuyuan told them to convey: "The gentlemen in Sichuan are not like before. They all raised their heads, and if there is any disagreement, they will argue. After Ji Shuai takes over the matter, he will deal with it easily." At that moment, Zhao Dashuai only sneered and said: "This is where Wang Caichen is cowardly. Are there any decent gentlemen in Sichuan? ?I used to work as a vassal nurse in the army, and I also encountered rebellion against the party. I have never seen any decent gentleman stand up for justice. At that time, only Hu Yulan looked like a gentleman, but he was not a decent gentleman. He only knows how to persuade me not to kill people, and not to listen to Wang Yinbo's words to create a big prison. He doesn't know the principle of killing to stop killing. I can't believe that I have only been away from Sichuan for three years, and there are so many gentlemen out of nowhere. Let me tell you, Yin Xing When I came to Qingxi County, I already told me about the trend in the provincial capital. What I said was right, the trend in Sichuan today was instigated by a group of young and happy new recruits from the Advisory Council, among them There is no one who deserves to be called a decent gentleman. If it were not for Wang Caichen's pursuit of fame and Qu Yu Yourong, how could the current trend have become unmanageable? Wang Yinbo also said the same thing later. Only Zhou Xiaohuai was a little different. Listening to his tone, it seems that Wang Caichen is echoing Such a newcomer is really out of necessity. I really don’t know what there is to do. Wang Caichen has been serving officials for decades and has quite a lot of experience. Doesn’t he understand the temper of Sichuan people? Submissive. In the past, Zhuge Liang ruled Shu with strictness. After his death for more than a thousand years, Sichuan people are still convinced. Liu Zhang ruled Shu leniently, but which Sichuan people don’t call him stupid and wrong? I will be scolded as worthless by this group of new recruits. Yin Xingwu persuaded me not to make the same mistakes as Wang Caichen again, and advised me to deal with those frivolous and impetuous good-for-nothing people severely. It can be calmed down. Do you think his method is okay?..." It can be seen that including Wang Wenbing, the six listeners were stabbed by these words.Pu Boying, Luo Ziqing, and Zhang Biaofang just kept their faces sullen. You look at me, and I look at you.Peng Lancun frowned and lowered his head, wondering what he was thinking.Hao Yousan raised his face and looked at the ceiling.Wang Wenbing kept touching the glasses with his hands, sometimes took them off to wipe them off, and sometimes put them on again, and his neck was red and swollen, as if he wanted to say something, but when Pu and Luo looked at them, they pouted again and remained silent. up. Wu Fengwu knew that he had done a lot for coming back this time, so he was very happy.After thinking about it, he continued.Of course, it's the same as what I said just now, it's just Wu Ping's initial creation, and he will polish it.Later, when he told others, he said: "If you ask Wu Ping to tell it yourself, people will definitely not get the clue." He also boasted, "Brothers have no other strengths. When it comes to eloquence, among our colleagues, Not number one, but number two.” He said, according to Wu Ping, Marshal Zhao also talked to the two young adults about what everyone said was popular sentiment.It is probably also because when Master Nineth Young Master conveyed the words of Wang Huyuan, he said that the people in Sichuan are full of enthusiasm. If we blindly suppress it, I am afraid it will be inconvenient.Marshal Zhao immediately got angry, stood up, and yelled at Master Ninth Young Master's thin, white face with blue in the middle: "People's spirit? What is people's spirit? How much is people's spirit worth? If there is any people's spirit, it is not there." Sichuan! When Ding Weinian rebelled against the party and created chaos, some people talked about people's support, people's will, people's hearts, and some people. It shows that these new terms were stolen from Japan by the rebels. I said If there is such a thing as the spirit of the people, it is also in Japan. Japan is a rich and powerful country in the East, and it is also a constitutional monarchy. It should have the so-called spirit of the people. China is a big empire, and it is extremely weak. At that time, how can people be so upset! For example, the nationalization of the railway this time was originally a good policy for the Holy Dynasty. It can not only facilitate transportation, but also reduce the burden on Sichuan people. People with a little conscience should only be grateful for the grace of heaven. How dare you come forward to oppose it? Fabricate some heresies about the subjugation of the road and the country to confuse the public. If this kind of nonsense is called popular sentiment, it is better to let it raise the flag of rebellion. The people rose up to rebel. Wang Caichen is the one who is about to step down, and if he wants to be a newcomer to the evil gentry, he can say such stupid things. I want to share the worries of the king, so I can't act like this..." There was another silence. Hao Yousan couldn't help coughing twice and said, "It looks like..." Zhang Biaofang stood up suddenly, wiped his mustache, stared, and said loudly: "This... this is all expected. Did I just say that? Zhao Zhitai, this... this person, is no better than Wang... Hu The court is lenient, not to mention... there are some corrupt officials in the middle....We don't have to be afraid. We have 70 million Sichuan compatriots as our backing....He doesn't recognize the people's support. When the people's anger is hard to calm, he will naturally will admit that we now..." Pu Boying also stood up and said: "Let's go over there to talk!...Zi Qing stays and discusses your serious meeting with Wu Jun and Wang Jun. But has the important news that Wu Jun wants to say, has he finished it? " Wu Fengwu stood up straight again and replied: "No more!" When the three of Pu Boying crossed the courtyard dam again and stepped into the big living room, the light meals had already been collected. Hao Dasan asked with a smile: "Today's light meal is really not good, I will invite you another day." Peng Lan village said: "It's very good. It's only your family who can make such delicious food in a short time. I don't know about others, but I am very full." Pu Boying looked around and said, "Where is Yongqi? Where is this Grand Historian?" Ge Huanzhong puffed on his cigar and said, "Walk for a while. His old man sent someone to tell him to go back immediately if there was something urgent. Did your guests leave too?" Hao Dasan looked at the three of them and asked: "It is said that there is important news, what kind of news is it, can I listen to it?" Zhang Biaofang sat down with the crowd and said, "It's exactly the same as Ge Taizun's research. Please Boying talk about it." Pu Boying sat on the top of the kang bed with one leg bent, smoking the hookah handed by the master, and said to Ge Huanzhong: "Yes, the attitude of Zhao Jihe reported by this surname Wu is exactly the same as what you had when you were eating.推测的大致相同。一则他在川边几年，不了解外面时局的变化；二则是受了尹惺吾等先入之盲，越发不明白我们这次反对盛宣怀，反对端方，并不是像革命党样是在反对朝廷，反对政府。我们其实还是爱戴朝廷的好臣子，我们只是不忍看见朝廷为权奸蒙蔽，把重要的路矿拱手让与外人，使瓜分之祸接踵而至。即使不至亡国，然而照现在朝廷的施为，亦足以引起革命党的造乱口实，更足以引起四万万国民的离心离德。到那时候，大家必然同归于尽。可惜这种道理，匹夫匹妇都晓得，而身居高位的疆吏偏不明白。我们好不容易才把王采臣说通了，而今又来一个冥顽不灵的赵季和。这却如何是好！寰翁，你是开明的一派，官场情形比我们通晓，你看今后我们该怎样办？” 葛寰中还正沉吟着没有开口。 张表方又高声说了起来：“依我的鄙见，就不管他赵季和对我们怎样，我们还是照……照起先商量的那么办，就是说一方面由私人先去禀见他，借……借贺喜为名，把道理先对他讲……讲清楚；一方面从速召开股东特别大会，请他亲临会场，看一看真正的民气是不是四川也是有的。……而后，我们再根据法律，来说明白我们争路原是奉行先朝德宗景皇帝的诏旨，并没有违犯国家法律，倒是现在把铁路收归国有政策，不先交由资政院和咨议局议决，那……那才是违背法律，破坏法律的行为。这样违背法律的诏旨，我们宁死也不能遵从的……” 接着他还说了一篇大道理，听的人都非常赞同，认为他的理由充足，很可以说服赵尔丰。 这时，罗梓青也别过吴凤梧、王文炳，走过这面。蒲伯英把张表方的话大略告诉了一遍，问道：“你看如何？” “当然，为今之计，义无反顾，管它前途有多么危险，只好埋着头向前冲了。现在，我们就商定一下，赵季和来后，谁先去会他。真可惜，上个月邓慕鲁、叶秉诚两人不曾一直迎接上去，那确是一个关键，设若赶在尹惺吾等之前，同他切实谈一谈，我看，他的态度断不会像目前所闻的这样顽固。起码，他对我们真意所在，是知道的。寰翁，我说句不客气的话，邓、叶两人之留住新津，以及等不得就回来，该不是这位周孝怀搞的什么诡计吧？” “决然不是的！”葛寰中登时不仅容色端肃得就像面对着他的这位恩上司，同时还从所坐的太师椅上挺起腰板，俨如坐在臬台衙门的官厅里一样，提起喉咙朗朗说道，“决然不是的！周大人为人磊落光明，表里如一，这已为诸公所知，不用说了。就以这回争路事情说吧，能够不顾自己前程，拿出全副力量来支拄诸公的，在目前官场中恐也难找第二个吧？周大人现在已经由劝业道升署陈臬，官不算小。如其他也像郑孝胥那样，稍稍附加一下朝廷上的权贵，他是很可以升到巡抚的。然而他不肯这样做，他还不顾同寅的指责，不管上司的疑忌，甚至没有想到将来得罪权贵，丢官罢职的那些后果，这是为的什么？难道周大人是傻子吗？是糊涂虫吗？唉！不是的！周大人还是同诸公一样，不光是一个朝廷的好命官，而且还是一个忠君爱国的维新人物。他曾经向我说过，朝廷既有图存求治诚意，几年来举办了多少新政，还准备把专制政体改为君主立宪，那么，我辈臣子便应该仰体圣意，多多做一些福国利民的事情，远之取法欧美，近之取法日本，日新又新，唯精唯一，庶几九年之后，宪政公布，纵然做不到既富且强，但也一定可以屹立东亚，不再招致瓜分之祸了。因此，对于这次盛大臣向四国借款，把铁路收归国有，他不但不赞成，说起来还很痛心。他认为像这样搞下去，内则必会激起民愤，大失全国喁喁望治之心，外则列强正在环伺，这一来恰好授与觊觎之机，内外交攻，上下相逼，国家前途，还有什么希望？所以他对于诸公仗义执言，奋起力争，因为合乎他的忠君爱国宗旨，他因此一开头就不计利害地替诸公行了多少方便。那时候我还没有回省，自然举不出例子，但诸公一定比我清楚。总之。周大人并不是翻手为云、覆手为雨的小人，也不是只顾自己升官、不计国家兴亡的官蠹，更不是两面讨好、敷衍应付的巧宦。罗先生所疑，兄弟我敢代周大人申辩说，决非事实！” 罗梓青挥着扇子笑道：“我只是一句笑话，寰翁倒认真了。” “是非所在，是不能含糊的。” 张表方道：“葛太尊倒也应该为周大人申辩。不过只向我们说，却不中……中用，我们根本就相信周大人并非普……普……普通官吏，但……但是外间谣言不少，甚至还……还说，到清溪县去欢迎赵大帅的，就是周臬台……” 蒲伯英将水烟袋放下，从炕床上一跃而起道：“这些道路之言，不说它也罢。我们还是书归正传，商量一下这次临时股东大会会长、副会长，到底谁来担任合适些。商定后，将来好在筹备会上提出，免得到那时愿意担任的不适宜，适宜的又要东推西推……” 郝又三把吴凤梧、王文炳送走后，刚好进来，一直走到罗梓青跟前低低说道：“吴管带说，设若伍管带来省，罗先生要不要会他一面？” “到那时再看吧。我想，你既是认得伍管带，不妨先去问问他，看吴管带所说的话确不确实；再则，除此之外，看还有别的什么消息没有。” “……我再说一句，这次股东会会长、副会长不比寻常，既是要和朝廷抗争，就一定要物色一个有声望的人，至低限度，北京方面认为是正派的人出来担任。副会长哩，也要一个有才能、有名声的人。他除了为会众心服外，还要能够和地方大吏短兵相接。大家想想看，眼面前哪几个人合适？” 郝达三道：“这何待说，会长，你就合适。” “不行！我已是议长，不能再兼会长。” 彭兰村道：“我也是这个意思。如其伯英兼任了，谁又代表民意？你们想，咨议局两位副议长，现在萧秋恕在北京，梓青又兼了同志会会长。伯英怎么再兼得？我的意思，先把股东会的副会长商定，正会长再想人吧。” 蒲伯英说：“副会长，请表方担任了吧，他最合适了！” “莫找我！莫……莫找我！……你们难道不知道我……我向来口吃，说起话来结结巴巴……那怎么好！” 罗梓青道：“毫不要紧。你虽然口吃，但说话有斤两。” 彭兰村也说：“我赞成表方来担任。这回这个副会长责任重大，差不多的人是不能胜任的。又要有才能，又要有气魄，顶要紧的在乎不畏难，说话还在其次。” 郝达三道：“说话也重要。表方不是不会讲演，也长于争论，口吃并不相干。我看不要再研究了。寰中意思怎样？” “我没有资格参加意见。” 郝达三抢着说道：“怎说没有资格？汉州、新都你还是有田有地的。” “那也只算一个租股股东，普普通通的，又不是什么代表。” 彭兰村插嘴道：“不然！只要是股东，就有资格。若从现在提倡的官绅联合会说来，你又是官，又是绅，资格还有多哩！” 蒲伯英道：“不能这样说。只要是四川人，便有资格。葛寰翁虽然用浙江原籍在四川做官，但是生长在四川，祖若父的坟墓在四川，只这一点，已够资格。何况还有田舍，而又赞成我们的宗旨，又襄助我们的所为。周法使是我辈一流人，因为是行政官，不能不略划界限。葛寰翁也是我辈一流人，恰好不是行政官，那又何分彼此？仅只为了嫌疑，不便把尊名拿出来罢了。因此，我说，葛寰翁倘有高见，是很可以发表的。要不然，那就见外了，还能说是我辈一流人吗？” 葛寰中把剩余的雪茄烟蒂向瓷痰盂里一掷，端起茶碗喝了两口，又从衣袋中捞出一张日本洋纱手巾，把新近又蓄起的很像日本中将汤广告上那员中将嘴上的八字须抹了抹，而后笑道：“蒲先生真正妙语若环，无怪周大人每一提说到蒲先生，简直钦佩得五体投地。蒲先生既要兄弟发表一点意见，那么，兄弟就说，以张表方先生来担任股东会副会长，那是再好没有。正会长哩，照蒲先生的说法，兄弟提出两个人来，看大家意思怎样。一个是伍崧生，一个是才离开此处不久的颜雍耆。两个人都是翰林院编修，都是侍讲学士，在北京都有清望。尤其是伍翰林，夙德耆年，几乎继踵吾川李西沤李老夫子，可算川中大绅。兄弟此次回川，一路上听人说起伍翰林两次领衔通电反对盛大臣，大家为之振奋，都有长厚者亦为之之感。不过听说伍翰林并非股东代表，这一点倒要斟酌了。颜翰林也不错，不特职任清华，而且究心经术，何况又是世家。听说他的太翁伯勤先生从前在河南做官时，和赵季帅谊属同寅，并且有过来往。两个人资格都高，而颜翰林恰又是股东代表，又和赵季帅世谊，似乎更为合适。兄弟另外还有点意见，就是这次争路事情，固然有报章在登载，诸公又时时在演说，知道这事情的人虽多，然而知其然而不知其所以然的仍然不少。就拿兄弟来说吧，我从北京起身，就微闻国有政策，川中有人反对。其后到汉口，到宜昌，听说群情愤激，已经成立了保路会了。及到重庆，知道得更多更详。但是大家的宗旨如何？目的如何？事情的关系如何？不反对可不可以？若是赞成，又有怎样的后果？尤其是这事情的由来。说真话，我初初回到成都，很有点莫名其妙。连我都不知诸公所为应不应该。直到禀见过周大人，又同许多朋友研究谈论，慢慢才把这件事的全貌弄清楚了。兄弟我且如此，其他的人可想而知，所以兄弟意见，好不好由诸公及时写篇浅近通俗的文字，广泛散布出来，趁着要开股东会，趁着赵季帅来省之时，叫大家知道事情全貌，或者对于诸公所为有所裨益吧。” 蒲伯英首先就拍了两下巴掌道：“好极了！葛寰翁后半段的话，我绝端赞成。那么，梓青来写一写。” “我正忙，哪有时候来写。邓慕鲁、叶秉诚、王又新都是能手，再不然就找高从龙写，也可以。” 彭兰村道：“我不赞成找高从龙写。此公写公事倒内行，这种东西却不行。” 郝达三道：“我也不赞成找邓慕鲁写。他那倒新不旧，新名词用得太多的文章，真不好懂。” 张表方道：“我说，与其找别人写，不……不如就找眼前的郝又三写，他……他……” “怎么提出我来？我又怎么写得出？”郝又三确乎有点不敢承当。 罗梓青点了点头道：“对的，表方提出他来，不为无见，他最近写的几篇东西很精辟。我想，这样好了，又三，你不要推辞，我们来合作。今夜，我先同邓慕鲁谈一谈，他的文章虽黑，思想却敏锐。等我们谈出一个条理之后，你明天来，我口述，你只动笔，这样可好？” 这事说好之后，又才说到正会长。大家意思，伍崧生到底年纪太大，不好劳烦他，还是决定了找颜雍耆来担任。 大家走时，已经掌灯时候。这天虽说是咄嗟之间的一顿便饭，却也把郝公馆闹了个人仰马翻。客走之后，郝达三从轿厅走回上房，气喘吁吁，两只腿觉到有千斤之重，好容易跨进卧房门，满头沁着豆大的汗，来不及脱去那件旧绸衫，便往铺有香牛皮的凉榻上一躺，连连呻唤道：“快点拿出来！……快点！……真要命！……” 十八岁的丫头春英正好在房间里的保险洋灯光下折二小姐香荃的衣裙。晓得老爷的急需，来不及去找专管这件事的李嫂，便赶快去开连三柜的抽屉。 老爷呻唤的声音越发微弱。但还提得起劲来骂人：“死东西，当真糊涂了！哪里还放在抽屉里？……快点，快点……在……在大衣柜的柜仓里……唉！蠢极了！还去关柜门做啥哟！……洋火！洋火！” 鸦片烟盘摆在老爷身边，烟灯也迅速点燃。但是老爷手颤，一根钢签在一只嵌花银盒内搅了好一阵，始终把那乌黑的、稠得像胶清的鸦片烟膏，裹不上签子。 老爷叹息了一声。拿眼睛把春英瞅着，同时把嘴一努道：“烧！” “我不会烧。”春英定睛盯着老爷，脸上摆出一种可怜他的样子，忽然念头一转道，“我试试看。” 接过钢签，挑了一点烟膏，在烟灯火尾上一烤，这烟膏立刻就发泡了；从那发泡的地方猛然射出一股香气。她高兴了，又拿这东西在银盒内一蘸，这下可就蘸得很多，三番两次，烤成了一个指拇大的泡。而后拿起一块小小的长方玉石，就着烟灯，把钢签尖上挑着的那个泡，在玉石上两搓、两揉、两卷，一枚不成名堂的烟泡居然烧成。 “烧倒烧好了，我上不来烟斗。”春英正自为难。 “春英！你跑到哪儿去了？我的算学本子呢？”是香荃的呼声，一面从后间房里喊着走来。 “快来，二小姐！老爷烟瘾发趸了！……” 香荃虽也十八岁，可是比起春英来几乎高出一个脑顶。因为腰身又长又细，虽然比春英壮一些，却还显得苗条。头上乌金似的头发，打了长长一条辫子，像男子样拖在颈脖上，所不同的是，男子发际周遭都要剃光，而女学生是满头头发。当年的女学生的资格限定了要未出嫁的女子，出嫁必须退学，所以女学生都不打拱刘海，而蓄着长鬓角；并且脸颊上、项脖上的汗毛也必须到出嫁那天，上头时候才剪光，因此，那时的女学生也不作兴搽铅粉、抹胭脂。 香荃开始进女学堂，比她姐姐香芸早，时间比她姐姐香芸长，也知道爱好，也知道打扮，却不像香芸在学堂时只管素净简朴，一回家就浓妆艳抹。不，香荃回家，仅只偶尔穿一两身有颜色的衣裳罢了。 这时，才洗了澡，发辫挽成一个大髻，用大妈遗留下来的一支包金贴翠凤头钗绾在脑顶上。光脚靸了双皮拖鞋，原是郝又三穿得半旧了，她要来的。一条青绸裤子、裤管又大又短，露出两股小腿，比光脚还白。上身是一件新缝的对门襟、罗汉领、短袖口的花洋纱汗衣。就这样，从后间跑来。手上还拿着她姐姐曾经用过的一块石板。 “该死，你敢烧烟！我要告诉娘母！” 自从刘姨太太扶了正后，媳妇和女儿应该改称呼，应该喊妈。但是都不好意思改口。刘姨太太很不高兴，老头子更不答应，首先逼着女儿要她改口，说：“你是亲生女，连你都不改口，你哥哥嫂嫂还能改吗？若不改口，就不算是我的孝顺女儿了！”而后，香荃才自己创了一个新名称：在喊惯了的娘字之下，再加一个母字。她刚刚学到，老师讲过母字古音读弥，今天广东嘉应州客家叫母亲作阿奶，阿奶即阿母，母音一转入六麻韵，遂变成今天大家所叫的妈字。她根据老师所讲，向她父亲申明：“叫娘母，比光叫一声妈还亲热，还尊重。因为娘也是妈，母也是妈，叫一声等于叫两声。”哥哥嫂嫂当然立刻响应。刘姨太太只求改了口，也喜欢了。 “我愿意烧吗？你看老爷成了啥子模样！快来，把这个烟泡帮我按上斗子去！” 郝家在几年前为了填补春兰、春秀（前者提拔做了三老爷郝尊三的姨太太，后者同高升逃走了）的缺额，而新买的三个小丫头现在都长大了。十八岁的春桃拨给大小姐香芸作了陪奁使女，跟随大小姐去了北京。小一岁的春喜仍在少奶奶跟前听使唤，其实是作了六岁大的心官的小保姆，而把带领心官的何奶妈挪来领带才出世八个月的孙小姐小婉。陈奶妈还是带领着四岁大的华官。吴嫂更老了些，还硬朗，专洗几个上人们的衣服，兼带服侍少奶奶。李嫂利落些，除了服侍太太外，带着照顾老爷的烟家具。就中只春英最幸运，专门照管香荃一个人。自从去年香荃改读通学以来，她更成为陪小姐攻书的侣伴，除了到学堂不能跟随以外，两个同年女子几乎是寸步不离。春英也学会了读书写字，也学会了手工编织，甚至香荃的好些算学题，还要她代做；就在家里，香荃也没有把她当作丫头，春英也习惯了，觉得她和香荃好像生来就平等，仅只在太太跟前，稍稍保存了一点分际。 因此，香荃才赶快跑去蹲下，一面帮着春英拿烟枪，上斗子，一面看她父亲不但汗出不止，并且呵欠连天，鼻涕眼泪满脸纵横，的确是烟瘾发趸了的样子。及至把一枚不成名堂的烟泡对付着嘘完之后，脸上颜色似乎稍好一点，但仍闭着眼睛比了个手式，叫赶快再烧。 春英说：“二小姐，赶快去请你娘母来才搞得好。靠我们两个，老爷过不了瘾的。” “娘母在哪儿呢？” “在厨房里经佑骆师洗细瓷碗盏，这阵儿恐已收拾好了。” 门帘钩一响，接着是太太的声音：“哪个人在找我？” “啊！娘母来了！”两个人如释重负地站起来，不等太太坐下，春英便拿着折好的衣裳，同香荃溜开了。 太太对老爷什么都好，唯有吃鸦片烟一层，一直是厌恶的。不过到老爷烟瘾发趸时，她又心软了，仍然拿出十分体贴的情意来给老爷烧灯盏窝过瘾。 郝达三烟瘾将次过足，一看太太的眼色，晓得照例的唠叨又要像阵雨似的迸发。他赶快抢先说道：“想不到今天这顿便饭，居然做得很不错，只是把你累了，也亏你搞得快。几个人临时说起到我家来吃顿便饭，好借我这里清清静静商量一些重要事，是伯英提出来的。你想，我怎好推辞呢？” 太太果然眉花眼笑地说道：“你们倒是临时动一下嘴，没来头，却不想少奶奶回娘家去了，厨房里差一把手，你们都是吃刁巧的老爷，骆师只能买，只能切，炖的煨的来不及，尽是炒哩，又会挖苦人是红锅饭馆……” “谁说过这样的挖苦话？家常菜，本来就是炒炒熬熬的。” “谁说过？有一次，大少爷的几个朋友来了，摆得高兴，留着吃饭，也是临时说起。少奶奶找我商量做啥子菜？那天，家里连罐头都没一筒，只好做了几样炒菜，也有一样油炸锅巴底的堂响滑肉片，少奶奶还很高兴说，娘母肚里记的菜真不少。哪晓得那个田伯行，拿筷子把桌上的菜碗一点，便笑了起来说，我们今天倒像进了红锅饭馆。当时把少奶奶气得啥样，几乎同大少爷吵了起来。” 郝达三坐了起来道：“田伯行向来不说正经话，何况是我们的常客，自然要遇事开开玩笑。这也值得生气？少奶奶的脾气未免太大了点！” “哼！你才晓得你这位少奶奶的脾气大吗？……” 郝达三明白这一理下去，不好听的话更多了，连忙打岔道：“你说到又三，客走后怎不见他进来？喊人去把他叫来，我有话问他。” 郝又三也走了。高贵说：“客走后，不到一袋叶子烟的时候，大少爷便穿上长衫走了。” “是不是到叶姑太太家去了？” "