Chapter 17 Chapter 5 Between Urban and Rural Areas

As soon as the news of Xinfan County was spread, every village and town was shaken.The pao brothers who were lurking on weekdays all came out, and a public port was set up here, and a dock was built there.In a larger place, a rebel army was also organized—a purely armed force that is different from the comrade army and does not have contact with the comrade army—as large as two or three hundred people, as small as forty or fifty people, and the helmsmen were uniform. Self-proclaimed captain.As soon as the captain took the stage, all the local officials would resign, deprived of power, and was called by a certain uncle and captain to ask for rice and money, saying that it was for public welfare, so he couldn't leave.The uncle and the captain's influence immediately changed: gambling, needless to say, is open; look at opium smoking that is about to be banned, and restore the red light smokehouse; Enchanting and enchanting, swaggering through the market.The associated tea houses, hotels, restaurants, and business are all good.

Young lads, especially those from families with money and fields, who are accustomed to eating and drinking, almost all ran out of the house, followed behind the ass of a certain uncle and a certain captain, and played in the street day and night.Sometimes when I am happy, I have to fight with knives and sticks. Either I hurt someone and ask my mother to pay for people to apply soup, or I am injured by someone and take it home and ask my mother to find a doctor for me.As for estimating food and bullying credit, trying to be strong and suppress good, that's not a problem.Therefore, in just a few days, many peaceful and quiet towns have been transformed into a lively and terrifying world.

Of course, this wind also blows to the town where Gu Tiancheng organized the mission. This day, Chu Yong is better.Although the face is so thin that only the bones are visible, the eyes are deeply sunken in the eye sockets, the nose looks taller and more pointed, and the ears are as thin as a piece of paper, the trauma to the left shoulder is not as painful as it was a few days ago hot.He tied his left arm around his chest with a belt, and leaned on a stick in his right hand. He didn't need anyone to help him, and he could walk slowly outside the door of the main room, half lying and half sitting on a red bamboo couch that had been used for many years.

Like the courtyard dams of many grain households, the Gujiayuanba has many uses.Among them, the biggest use is to use it as a drying yard after harvesting wheat and rice.Recently, Gu Tiancheng harvested more than 200 picks of wet millet from the 30-acre paddy field that Gu Tiancheng employed for many years, and dried them in the warehouse here.Therefore, there is no tree in the courtyard dam, and no grass can grow in the gaps between the red sand and stone slabs facing the ground. It was still a cloudy day.But the strong shadow of the sun was forced down from the thin gray clouds, and because there was no shade, and because of the reflection of the red sandstone slabs, it was still hot on the steps outside the hall door.

Third Grandma Gu is also much more leisurely than when Jingyou was harvesting the previous afternoon.Sitting on a low wooden chair to make a living—it was a pair of bleached bamboo socks owned by her son Jin Sheng—he was chatting with Chu Yong about the situation in the Chengdu school. "I also know that the school in the province is better than that in the township. My brother told me about it a long time ago. I also thought that it would be better to send Jinwazi to study in the province." "Why didn't you send it away?" "It's his old man, he is always worried about telling the baby to leave."

"Jin Sheng is in his teens this year?" "Fourteen in five months." "It's not small, what else is there to worry about?" Third Grandma Gu put down her way of life, looked up at the interrogator, and said, "There is a reason. He had a daughter in the front room. He took her to the province and disappeared. I don't know why she disappeared. After so many years, I couldn't find it. He was so frightened that he was afraid to send the baby. Every time I went to the province to see my brother, or went to Yaobo's house, he was the only one who took the baby with me all the way. If you don't have him all the way, you can say what you want, make a noise, he insists on holding on to the baby, as if Jin Wazi is his own son..."

Before the words came to an end, Third Grandma Gu's cheeks suddenly turned red, reddening to the base of her ears.She was busy covering her lips with the back of her hand.I probably also understood that I couldn't cover up those words, so I buried my head and laughed. In this way, it caught Chu Yong's attention.Thinking about her unfinished sentence, it was indeed a bit strange.He couldn't help squinting his eyes and asked, "Is Jin Sheng the baby you brought here?" "Where did you bring it here? It's my own son who was conceived in October!... But, it's not his Gu family's flesh and blood...."

This is even more strange.Chu Yong thought in his heart: "Could it be that she also stole people when she was young, and raised a man?" Then pay attention to this middle-aged woman, although she was eroded by the wind and frost in the village, her skin is not like the wives and grandmothers in the city They are so delicate and tender, but they are not black, yellow, rough, and rough like ordinary rural women.In addition to the two hands, due to the heavy labor every day, not only have the joints become thick, the palms are wide, and there are many calluses on the hands.But the charm of the eyebrows and eyes is still there, and the long neck, slender waist and slender waist are still the same, "Hmm! I probably guessed it right. Didn't Aunt Huang's family say that when a woman is born beautiful, she is not very quiet?"

It was Mrs. Gu who broke the mystery by herself. She said: "Mr. Chu, don't laugh. I am a second-married wife, and my first wife is named Cai. The golden baby was born by his old man in the Cai family." "Ah! That's how it is." Chu Yong had no choice but to explain seriously, "Women remarry after their husbands die, and men remarry after their wives die. It's extremely normal, not to mention that the fashion has been opened now. You don't know, Many people in the provincial capital who talk about new learning are advocating equality between men and women. What is equality between men and women? That is to say, men and women are the same people. Why should men be taller and women should be lower? Should a woman be a widow after her husband dies? Now only some old corrupt people still oppose it. They still advocate the old Taoism that men are superior to women, and they still advocate women's chastity and widows' chastity. They also insist that the world is not good now because of the It’s because new learners have corrupted the customs. However, these old corrupt people are out of fashion, and the customs have finally been enlightened. Apart from other things, such as the remarriage of widows, no one is surprised.”

"Oh! The atmosphere in the provincial capital is so open?" "Isn't it? Girls are already able to go to school." "This, I already knew." "Women are already able to go to the theater to watch plays." "I know that too." "Women can still hold meetings and give speeches. During this time of fighting for roads, there have been women's road protection comrades' meetings." "Is there such a thing?" "There's more than one Ladies Club." "It seems that we women are really going to be in the early days!..."

Before he could finish a sentence, Gu Tiancheng and his son Jin Sheng suddenly opened the door and came in.A tall, big, very mighty watchdog, Xiao Hua, and the old bitch Hei Bao, who has been raised for more than ten years and is half blind and whose fur has already been felted, followed behind, whimpering and whimpering to him. Jump on the master. Gu Tiancheng seemed to have a bad temper today, not only did he not reach out to caress Xiaohua's ears and nose like in the past, but instead kicked her away.Both dogs barked and ran out the door with their tails between their legs. Grandma Gu called Jin Sheng and asked, "Did you leave school so early?" Gu Tiancheng said loudly, "I told him to come back!" He stepped up the steps and saw two people outside the main room looking at him inexplicably.He took off his straw hat and said, "Something happened in the county town!" Third Grandma Gu pointed her lips and said with a smile: "Something happened in the county, what happened to it, why did you call the baby back?" "Ah! You are such an old fire! The whole scene made King Wen uneasy, and King Wu uneasy. The teacher squatted in the tea shop playing and telling books, and the students ran all over the street, but no one yelled; I won't bring him back, wait. Is he going to rebel with those bastards?" Chu Yong waited for him to pull a bench and sit down before asking, "What happened in the county?" Gu Tiancheng fanned his two-foot-long black paper folding fan, and made a generalization of the news in the city that he heard on the field. His wife didn't wait for him to finish, and she shouted: "It's really out of the world, should an official be so vicious? An eleven or twelve-year-old boy knows what is good, thanks to him, he is so cruel. Such a He really deserves to be beaten! I'm in the city, and I'm going to beat him twice." "Yes! You are capable and capable," Gu Tiancheng glanced at his wife, "It's a pity you weren't on the field today..." "I was going to ask you. It is about an accident in the county seat. Why is it that King Wen and King Wu are restless in this field?" After Jin Sheng took the schoolbag into the room, without waiting for his father's order, he brought out a brass hookah for him, and lit the paper twister, and handed them to his father together. Gu Tiancheng immediately smiled.Said to Chu Yong: "Look at how sensible this kid is! How clever! His mother always complains that I dote on him. How come I don't like a sensible kid like this?" Third Grandma Gu tsk-tsk said: "Enough! Enough! If you really like the baby, you should send him to the province to study earlier. He always stays in the village, it's not because the reversal delays him ? When I say you dote on me, I mean you love so much that you are not on the right path. Just now, you were talking about it with Mr. Chu." "yes?" Chu Yong nodded and said: "I have said it before, I will study it later." He stretched out his right hand: "Where are the cigarettes I entrusted you to buy?" "Ah! Cigarettes. The market has already sold out. I asked Ah San to find them for you at Chongyi Bridge. If Chongyi Bridge doesn't have them, then there is no place to buy them." Jin Sheng interjected, "There's nowhere to buy it? Didn't Shopkeeper Shen say it's available in the province?" "I'm afraid I don't know there are in the province! But who dares to sell them? Not to mention that the road is not clean, but the law is so chaotic in this field, who has the heart to do business?" Grandma Gu San said: "There are really no cigarettes, Mr. Chu will eat your hookah. Otherwise, it will be the same if you eat the leaf cigarettes of Ah San and the others. Now tell me about what happened on the field, okay?" "What happened on the field, nothing else, just a mess. Damn, everyone is out there, everyone is giving ideas. ... Some people plan to get Huang Wading back and set up a public on the field. To communicate with Duan Xiaoge in the county town. Some people are in favor of Huang Wading’s return, but they don’t advocate the establishment of a public mouth. They advocate the establishment of a rebel army, so they push Huang Wading to be the captain. Damn it, it’s a nine-headed worm It's none of my business to be in charge of the house and make troubles." Third Grandma Gu quickly asked: "Could it be that you don't want you to be the head of the regiment?" "I didn't say it verbally, but the meaning is obvious. What do you think, I'm not Brother Pao, so I can't squeeze in. To set up a rebel army, the regiment defense is just a mouthful, rich and talented, and I am The president of the regiment who is now dignified does not mention that he recommended me to be the captain, but he pushed himself another man, another brother Pao. Needless to say, if there is a rebel army, there is no need for regiment defense. Once the rebel army is established, my regiment will collapse The pole rests!" "Maybe you don't agree, it's over!" "You're right! If you agree or disagree, someone has to come to discuss with you, so that you can nod your head and say yes, or shake your head and say no. I understand these scenes when discussing matters in the public office. Today they are always different. I discussed it. They just talked about their words in a lively manner, and I sat beside them stupidly. They ignored me, and I couldn't get in. Fuck, it looks like they are trying to make me dry. I have a belly I'm so angry, so let's go and wait for their father and son to go haunting!" "Oh! You shouldn't be going." "Why shouldn't I leave? Do I have to wait until Zhang Ming clearly yells out: 'Hey! Gu, we don't want you to run a group anymore.' Should I leave?" "I mean, that's it." Gu Tiancheng looked at her with eyes wide open and said: "Then I don't understand. You always say that I am ignorant. If I don't leave today, I really don't understand!" "It's just beyond words!" Third Grandma Gu couldn't help but raise her brows, "I usually say you don't know what's going on, but I mean you don't understand the seriousness of the matter. Today, they didn't make it clear that they don't want you, you go away Well, it’s just being confused, I’m ashamed to say it’s interesting!” Chu Yong saw Gu Tiancheng's embarrassing look with his head hooked and only focused on eating cigarettes, so he interjected and said, "According to me, it might be beneficial for Brother Gu to rush away." "I'd like to hear what you said about the benefits." Third Grandma Gu put down her hand again. "Yes, it's beneficial. Since those people didn't make it clear that they don't want Gu Gezi to be the head of the regiment, and Gu Gezi himself didn't mention that he wanted to change the regiment defense to a rebel army. If Brother Gu rushes away again, they might be embarrassed to talk about it again." "Not necessarily," Grandma Gu San shook her head and said, "You don't know that nine out of ten of those people on our field are trampled to the ground. If you are softer, you won't be able to take their losses. For example Talking about today's affairs, if he doesn't rush away, they dare not say that they don't want Gu to be the head of the regiment. But now that he's gone, Amitabha, what else do people have to worry about? I'm afraid that if he walks away, he will be on the back. Let's talk about it openly. In a word, if you leave, if you don't say anything else, the leader of the group must have escaped." Gu Tiancheng lowered his head even more. Chu Yong only appreciated and admired the third grandma Gu, but when he saw Gu Tiancheng being so cowardly in front of his wife, like a defeated bull, he laughed at him in his heart and felt a little bit aggrieved, so he said: "Brother Gu!" Maybe it's your luck that you really got rid of the group boss, I said, sister-in-law Gu should take it easy." When he said this, even Gu Tiancheng was surprised, he couldn't help but raised his head and asked, "What's the matter?" "What's the matter? I just want to ask you, you guys are making a fuss today about finding someone Huang Wading to come out to set up an official account, to find him out to form a rebel army. Is it because something happened in Xinfan County that they want to take the opportunity to respond? " "Of course it is. Didn't I already tell you?" "So, what if Xinfan County is calm?" Gu Tiancheng was slightly taken aback.His wife put down her way of life again, looked at Chu Yong and asked, "Why do you talk about tranquility?" "Don't you really think that Zhao Erfeng will send a team?" "People on the field said that Zhao Erfeng's soldiers have been transferred. There are tens of thousands of soldiers transferred to fight your Xinjin alone. To this day, Zhou Hongxun hasn't got a single soldier. How can we draw soldiers to fight our Xinjin? Fan? Even if he can draw soldiers, he may not be able to defeat Xin Fan, your Xinjin war is an example." "Our Xinjin is completely different from your Xinfan. Just talking about the Sanddushui is very dangerous! Anyone who has walked the South Road, who doesn't say: 'Traveling all the way in the world, it's sad to cross Xinjin!' What's more, you say However, what Zhou Hongxun led was the most capable troops in the patrol army, and they also used fast guns and cannons. In addition, there was also the comrade army of my grandfather Hou Baozhai. You don’t know my grandfather’s reputation! If you just take Qiong, Pu, and Dana prefectures and counties as an example, you don’t know how many people there are. You have a good location like this, and you are friendly. Of course, Zhao Erfeng’s little army is not that big. Useful. But it is said that he will not be able to spare soldiers to attack you Xinfan, but I don’t think it is inevitable. According to my thinking, no matter what, Xinfan, he will definitely defeat you. Because you Xinfan are so close to the provincial capital, and There is no danger to prove that the helmsman in the county town, let alone without the strength of Zhou Hongxun and my grandfather, I am afraid that even Zhang Zun, Zhang Jiexian, Sun Zepei, and Wu Qingxi on the West Road may not be able to catch up. Zhang Zun and the others are still guarding If you don’t live in Pixian County, the helm of your county can hold Xinfan County, isn’t this a case? Who can believe it?” For a while, everyone was speechless. In the end, it was Chu Yong who broke the silence. He propped himself up with his right hand, made his body more comfortable on the reclining chair, and said, "Also, after the county is taken down, maybe the army will split up and go to the countryside. At that time, Uncle Pao in the villages, do you think there are still people who don’t hurry up to pick up the hexagrams and wipe the soles of their feet? Once Uncle Pao runs away, the situation in the villages will no longer be as chaotic as it is now.” "Not bad at all." Gu Tiancheng nodded incessantly. "At that time, Uncle Pao ran away, what did you guys do when you were in charge of the regiment? The army didn't catch you when they came down, so it's inevitable that they didn't catch you like hats." Gu Tiancheng threw the hookah on the ground and said, "Yes! We are all well-to-do households with wealth and life, but what do we do? It's no different than those crabs without legs. We have to run and have nowhere to go." Third Grandma Gu thought for a while and said, "Tuanfang is no better than Uncle Pao's public opinion, nor is it like the Comrade Army in other places. When it was established, it filed a case, reported it to the county, and got a letter from the county magistrate. , has always been a local official. In my opinion, the army has gone to the countryside and has no background." Her husband gave her a blank look, and muttered: "Don't say that. Since the sixteenth year, which county's regiment defense has not fought with the army? They have long regarded our regiment defense as a comrade army. Unless there is no match , if you meet and close, you can never get rid of it." Chu Yong said: "That's why I said, if the people on the field really don't want you to be the head of the regiment, it's not a bad thing for you, why should you be angry?" There was another silence. Third Grandma Gu put her work in a needle basket woven of bamboo silk, and while she was picking up the brass thimble on her finger, she nodded and said, "Yes, but the boss is out, it's not the right place to go." It's official business, so that people won't be caught by it. But on another level, if we are the head of the family and lose the Tuan Zong, there will be many inconveniences, which you, Mr. Chu, have not thought of." "Does it mean that the beggar will be bitten by the dog if he loses the dog-beating stick?" Gu Tiancheng hurriedly said: "That's not the reason. What she meant was that since I joined the foreign religion, my relatives, friends and neighbors have hated me. If I don't wear the hat of a businessman, there may be something wrong with the local government." Things, the first thunderbolt will hit me on the head. In fact, this is unnecessary worry for her. I follow my foreign teaching, and I have never bullied others by teaching. The public welfare donations in the local area, as long as they are distributed to me In my head, I never said that I am a member of the church, so I will not come out. Really, I follow my foreign religion, and someone has nothing to do with it!" "Why is it irrelevant? Everyone's family is respecting ancestors and Bodhisattvas, but what are you offering in the main room of your family?" Grandma Gu San pointed at the back wall of the main room with a finger. The place where the third-generation God of the Xiaofang was placed, but now there is only a black wooden cross hanging on the handle, and a copper-cast crucifix is ​​embedded on it, "This thing is not pleasing to the eye! During the holidays, just in normal times, when the people who come to your house walk into the main room, which one doesn't shake their head? Who doesn't scold you for forgetting their roots behind their backs? If these people didn't lead the guests to the wing room, seeing that the memorial tablet of your Gu family's ancestors is still in good condition. On the divine case, there is still no shortage of incense, wax, money and horses in front of the shrines of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the God of Civil and Military Wealth, and the land of the house, so I'm afraid they won't smash your nest to pieces sooner?" After kicking her husband out, Grandma Gu San turned her head and said to Chu Yong: "I think, on the field today, everyone ignored him, Gu Sangong, not because he didn't manage the regiment defense well. The big reason is, It's because he is from the foreign sect. You, Mr. Chu, should know that Uncle Pao and the foreign sect don't get along at all." In less than two days, what Chu Yong had guessed came true. Xinfan County, because it is located on a plain dam, has no mountains and rivers, and is so close to the provincial capital.So as soon as Zhao Erfeng received the report, he immediately told the king to transfer the 65th Army Commander who was suppressing the bandits at Tangjia Temple in the new capital to Zhou Jun to recover the county and eliminate the bandits. Zhou Jun is a young military officer loyal to the Qing court and a native of Jintang County. He is very familiar with the situation in Chuanxiba.Under the order, he drew out two infantry teams and one cavalry team, led them personally, and killed them at the foot of Xinfan City.After three hours of intensive attacks, they killed and wounded dozens of comrades guarding the city with only a few front-loading guns, then took back the county town, and almost captured Brother Duan Ao alive. As soon as the news spread, some old paoges in the countryside were shocked. Although they didn't oil all the soles of their feet, they also managed to "shrink their heads when they had to"; Officials crawled out from every corner quietly again. Of course Gu Tiancheng was happy that his position as the head of the regiment was preserved, but he was not happy for long.Then came the county magistrate Yu Shen's official business, who wanted to transfer the powerful regiments in several towns into the city.The reason is to work with the army to strengthen the city defense. As soon as Gu Tiancheng came back from the field, he first went to the kitchen to talk to Grandma Gu San.The couple followed each other into the room to look for Chu Yong. Gu Tiancheng first scratched his newly shaved scalp and said: "Hey, one wave is not calm, and another wave rises again. This time, I really want to ask your god to look at the fire for me." Chu Yong propped up half of his body from the bamboo mat and leaned against the railing of the bed.Third Grandma Gu hurried over, pulled a thin cotton mattress—actually the quilt her son Jin Sheng used in his early years—and put it on his back, saying, “Isn’t it good to just lie down like this? Why do you have to sit up!" Gu Tiancheng faced Chu Yong and sat on the edge of the bed and said: "Master Yu will limit me to three days on official business, and must bring all the regiment members whose names are on the brochure to the city, no missing one person, and no violation of the limit for half a day. If there are fewer people, if the limit is violated, you will be asked as me..." Before her husband could finish speaking, Third Grandma Gu took her mouth and said, "I said this is Yu Shen's ghost gossip, do you believe it or not? She is obviously worried about our regiment defense, so she wants to transfer us to the city to avoid We had an accident with him in Sixiang..." "We studied it in the office," her husband also took the conversation away before she could finish. "Why should all the regiments be transferred into the city? The guarantee is that the regiments will be formed into an army and sent to Xindu or Hanzhou to help Zhao Tuhu fight comrades..." "This is even worse!..." Gu Tiancheng quickly cut her off and said, "Hey! Wait until I'm done, and you can talk again, okay? If you interrupt like this, Mr. Chu won't be able to figure out a clue. How can he make up his mind?" Chu Yong said: "I already know the general situation... What do you want me to do?" "That is to say, should I follow Master Yu's order and bring all the more than 200 regiments into the city?" Chu Yong stretched out his right hand to get cigarettes from the bedside cabinet table—the Peacock cigarettes that Ah San bought for him from Chongyi Bridge—while hesitantly said: “This is indeed an embarrassing matter. ...According to the logic, if the magistrate dispatches a regiment to defend, how can your regiment not be dispatched?...But from the perspective of the general situation, it is not good to obey the dispatch....Let’s not talk about what you have studied, You are going to form an army to fight comrades in other places... This may not be the case.... Mrs. Gu is right, she may not trust you.... But if you are caught in the middle of the army, you will be used There are clear townships in this county... However, we are not the roundworms in the stomach of that surnamed Yu, and these speculations are the same as betting on red and black treasures, and there are still no rules." Gu Tiancheng said: "It doesn't matter if you don't talk about these empty words. You only said that you should go or not?" "I have already researched all those problems, don't you understand?" "I just don't understand!" Third Grandma Gu continued: "I understand. What Mr. Chu means is that you don't want to go. I think so too. It's better not to go than to go and fall into a trap." "Then, if you don't go, it's over. Everyone in Hengshun doesn't want to go." Chu Yong took two puffs of cigarettes, thought for a while, and said, "It's not right to say nothing. You should have an excuse to use when he urges you. Otherwise, he can punish you. Send someone to ask you." "Send the poor dog to get me?" Gu Tiancheng laughed and said, "Then you don't want to touch a hair of my hair. Those poor dogs, who doesn't know that I, Gu Sangong, is a disciple? Hey, hey, third grandma Even though I hate the cross in the main room, it is still very useful!" "But he sent the army?" Gu Tiancheng stopped talking, and the smile on his face also disappeared. "So I said, it's better to prepare a few excuses." Third Grandma Gu also nodded and said, "There should be two excuses. But what are the excuses?" "Just say I've got a sudden illness." "No. You are sick. Could it be that more than 200 members of the regiment are also sick? Is it because you are the only one not going, and the regiments will find someone else to take them?" Gu Tiancheng shook his head and said, "It can't be done. If I don't go, who wants to go? Besides, Mr. Yu has explained it in his official business, so I'm asking." For a long time no one spoke.It was just that thick smoke was blown out of Chu Yong's mouth one by one. A few mosquitoes with mottled feet flew out from between the corners of the linen tent without making a sound.Grandma Gu San beat them with her hands, but she didn't hit any of them. Chu Yong suddenly remembered something, and asked Gu Tiancheng: "Since your county magistrate has transferred the regiment defenses in several places, have you ever sent people to inquire about those places to see what they mean? Don't you want to go, or is someone going?" Third Grandma Gu slapped her hand and said: "Yes! It's time to find out... Not only to find out, but I'm afraid it's best to make an appointment. If you don't go, everyone should not go." "Yes! Sister-in-law Gu is right. If you make an appointment and everyone refuses to follow orders, your county magistrate can't blame you alone." Gu Tiancheng nodded and said: "It is indeed a way to make an appointment with them. However, our county magistrate is full of tricks. If one plan fails, the second plan will come again. If we don't want a long-term peace and stability, we will always hide like this. It’s not good if you pass the fifth day and fail to escape the fifteenth day.” Chu Yongdao: "In this world, I don't know how many times a day it will change. Where can I find a way to achieve long-term stability? In my opinion, it's better to go to the province to find someone to talk to, and to study what this world will become. Thinking of a way to deal with it is much better than groping like this." Gu Tiancheng said: "It's just like this. Damn it, I haven't been in the province for half a month, it seems that I don't know anything about it." Third Grandma Gu said: "It's good to go to the province for a trip. But which one should I go to?" "I'm afraid there will be no one! Just look for your brother." "No," Third Grandma Gu said, shaking her head, "He is in business, so he doesn't understand these things." "Don't look at people through the cracks in the door, and look down on people. Since your brother joined the gay club, he has never been the same as before. When he made a speech, he was full of new terms, and many people still couldn't win him." Chu Yong smiled slightly and said: "Don't say that. People who are full of new terms may not necessarily understand the world's affairs. For example, among our classmates, there are quite a few who can speak well. But when it comes to knowing a little about the world's affairs, I think, There is only one Wang Wenbing..." Gu Tiancheng stood up from the bed at once and said: "Your classmate, I will meet him at the railway company anytime. Yes, he is a capable guy. Just ask him and talk to him, that's all." He stretched out his hand and patted his forehead : "I remembered that there is another Hao Yousan in the railway company. I am more familiar with him. I even went to his mansion to greet him personally, and also had a meeting with Mr. Hao.... Hehe, that's right! Let's figure it out , there are only a few people who can be asked and talked about.” "According to this reasoning, can't my uncle Huang Lansheng also ask to talk? Although he is an official, he doesn't approve of Zhao Erfeng. And he is working in the Taiwan Yamen. He has more news than anyone else. Well-informed. That Hao Yousan you know, you often go to him to inquire about news...” When mentioning Huang Lansheng, Chu Yong couldn't help thinking of Mrs. Huang.Ever since the trauma to his left shoulder didn't hurt much, the woman's voice and smile kept creeping into his mind from time to time.Whenever I close my eyelids, as long as I don't fall asleep, I always feel that this pretty shadow is by my side.He sometimes thinks how he can lie in her home and let her caress him like Grandma Gu. If nothing else, as long as he caresses her ten-pointed hands, maybe he will feel less. Misery!He never thought of home, let alone how his mother and sister would pity him and love him if they served him! Therefore, he made it very important to go to the city to find someone, as if Gu Tiancheng would not be able to live in the countryside for a while if he didn't go to the city.What he meant was that he wanted to know whether the Huang family was still the same as before since the fifteenth.Also let my aunt know how he bleeds like a hero. Take a trip into the city and decide.But who will go?I heard that the north gate was opened upside down, and people were allowed to enter.But I also heard that from a long way outside the city, there are check-in rooms, and the checks are made along the way, and the checks are even stricter on the countrymen who are empty-handed.If there is any suspicious appearance, they will be regarded as spies sent by the Comrade Army, the regiment defense, and the rebel army. They will either grab their heads to show the public, or throw them in prison to suffer.Gu Tiancheng is such an eye-catching person, and on the 16th day, he took one or two hundred people outside the city, if he is recognized by others, that's not bad!Of course Gu Tiancheng can't go, so, who will go? It's a long way to go for a trip, isn't it?Originally as experienced as Ah San and as simple as Aaron, he could be dismissed.There are also a few regiment members who often travel to the provincial capital, and they are all as reliable as the long-term employees hired by the family.But this is not something that can be clarified by sending a message. I dare not write a letter. If it is found out, no one can escape. The three looked at each other and were silent for a while. Third Grandma Gu suddenly sighed: "I have to go!" "Aaron, the road is still quiet, why is it so hard to walk?" Third Grandma Gu was sitting on a silent jiggoo cart, because some vegetable oil was specially applied to the wooden shaft; If it does not exceed the balance, it weighs ninety catties.That's why the Jigu car turned into a dumb car—although I looked around anxiously, I didn't see any army armed with knives and guns along the way, and it was said that they would violently attack anyone they encountered.And after bypassing the Chongyi Bridge, not even ordinary pedestrians met a single one.It was quiet all around, except for the lazy noise of cicadas coming from the shade of the trees. Today is also a rare sunny day.There was a misty mist in the morning, and before the mist cleared, a small sun the size of a bucket basket jumped out brightly red.Not long after, although clouds also formed in the sky, and although the cloud flowers were also as usual, they always wanted to squeeze together to form a gray mantle to envelop the sun.But today is the end of the day, there is wind in the sky.As soon as the cloud mantle opened, the wind tore many holes in it, and the sun's shining golden arrows shot out of the holes at once.After breakfast, by the time the pedestrians set off on the road, the veil of clouds that was riddled with holes had been blown into pieces by the breeze, like cotton, like something light.The sun has gained power, and it does not hesitate to release the heat that has been hidden above the clouds for half a month to the western Sichuan Plain as much as possible. Aaron was so irritated by the sun that he felt a bit redundant even the homemade sweater with a large collar on his body.Big beads of sweat hung from the sideburns under the straw hat to the chin.The Jigu car was no more strenuous than the elevated car carrying the excrement buckets. It was just because of the heat and because it was going too fast that it felt a little breathless. "Well! Because we are taking the path." Aaron raised his eyelids and looked around.The plain is still the same: there are peasant households in one place in the east and one place in the west, some have large tile-roofed courtyards, with a large green and lush forest; Then plant a few cages of bamboo and a few trees.In the golden rice field, there were shadows of a few straw hats squirming among them, but the twists and turns, like a path thrown casually among the fields, were indeed the only ones running on him in a jigsaw cart. "You're wrong," Gu San's grandma said in disapproval, "If it's really difficult to walk, what's the difference between big roads and small roads?" "It doesn't make any difference. You don't know, the army only chooses the road when it's on mission." "Why do you want to do this?" "Because the path is too narrow, the team can't spread out. There are also many forks in the road, and if you go wrong, you will suffer." "What do you think, or is there any evidence?" "Can you think of something without evidence?" Bang-bang-bang-bang.The sound of rice stalks hitting the mixing bucket echoed from a distant field. Only then did Grandma Gu notice the crops in the field: a large piece of overripe rice fell in the mud, and the grains that fell into the mud were already sprouting. "It's a pity! If you don't harvest such a good crop quickly, it will be rainy for a few days, and the harvest of this dam will be over!" "Hurry up and collect it, you have to have enough time! You are as quiet as we are. When you are busy with your life, you shout, and the tenants are here." "It's true. Without short-term laborers, it's impossible to earn a living in the fields." "This year, it's hard to hire short-term workers. I heard that Ziyang's short-term workers have never gone through the mountains." "It must be because Dongdalu is not quiet." "Isn't it!" "It's really good! It's just that the weather is good this year, and the world is not peaceful this year." Grandma Gu couldn't help but sighed, "It's only because Butcher Zhao shouldn't come to Sichuan to make Taiwan!" "It doesn't matter if his turtle comes next year, but he came here this year. We deserve to be back in Sichuan." "Why do you say that?" "Did you hear what Hu Tiezui said on the field? This year, Xinhai is a pig. When a pig bumps into a butcher, it won't recite it?" "I don't believe in these superstitions. . . . Ouch! What's wrong with you, a time-bearer? . . . " 拦路一道过水沟，不宽，只有几寸。叽咕车要过去，应该把车轮比得端端正正，推上一块非常之窄的木条。阿龙只顾说话去了，不当心车轮歪了一丝，一下就从木条上滑进了水沟，把顾三奶奶从车拱背上颠有几寸高。车拱背的木头光滑得仿佛上过推光漆，顾三奶奶一落下来，屁股没摆牢，向旁边一歪，势不由己地把一只右脚放下来，恰好踩在沟边，糊了半鞋帮的稀泥。 “哟！你这背时鬼，顿了我这一下！”顾三奶奶站稳后，把掌在头上遮太阳的纸壳扇，顺手向阿龙汗淋淋的粗膀膊上就是一敲。当然敲不出半点痛痒，只算是一种表示惩罚的象征，“争一点儿把肠子都跟我顿断了。你这背时鬼，老是这么恍兮惚兮的吗？还好一点嘛！” “莫吵，莫吵，你又不是怀身大肚的少娘，顿一下算个啥。”阿龙嘻开他那大得出奇的嘴，赔着笑脸，把空车子朝上一提，轻轻地提过水沟，“坐上来好走。” “还坐咧，你看我这只脚啊！”她已发现糊了半帮子稀泥的鞋。那是一双扎五彩花的雪青摹本缎文明鞋。说起来倒也寻常，在目前成都社会上，大约已不大时兴的了。不过总是自己一针一线做出来，又是今天才上脚的东西，顾三奶奶当然感到非常痛惜。不由眉头一扬，嘴唇一噘，两颗黑白分明的眼珠，在长睫毛当中，像流星一样滚动起来，“糊成这个鬼样子，叫我咋个进城去嘛！你这挨刀的背时鬼，真气人！” 十多年来同一屋顶底下相处的经验，阿龙已把顾三奶奶的脾气摸得一清二楚。要是出了大拐，那倒没甚要紧。比如有一次，在灶房里帮着做菜。一失手，锅铲碰在锅底上，“奇怪，油会钻到灶肚里去了！”登时满灶头都是火，几乎把灶门前一堆柴草引燃。阿龙吓得只差没有哭爹喊娘。三奶奶又利索，又沉着，把灶肚里火打熄，一头一身的灰全不在意，反而轻言细语向阿龙说：“打都打破了，再着急也没用。趁三贡爷没回来，快比个尺寸，到场上买口新锅。我这里拿钱去。”还有一次，他在屋后大林盘里斫柴。三贡爷、三奶奶、金生和一个煮饭洗衣的葛老娘都帮着在打柴捆。金生指着一株大皂角树上的一只喜鹊窝，悄悄向阿龙说：“阿龙哥，窝里有几个小喜鹊，多爱人的。”“想要吗？”“要。”“爬上去掏下来嘛。”“妈会骂我。”“我上去给你掏。”“好嘛。”等到顾天成夫妇刚刚抬起一大捆柴走开，阿龙向金生做了个鬼眼，把腰带一紧，果就很溜刷地爬上树去。看看攀到离喜鹊窝很近的那根横杈枝上了，不料脚下踏的是一段半朽树干，使劲一蹬，哗啦！折断下来，连枝带叶把后披屋瓦扫掉一大片不算，还打断几条瓦桷，屋内东西当然遭了一些损失。阿龙横担在杈枝上，幸而没有坠下。顾天成跑到树子跟前，暴跳如雷，一面日妈捣娘地浑骂，一面抄起根硬头黄竹竿，便要来挥打阿龙的下半截。金生吓得号啕大哭。葛老娘连忙躲进灶房。三奶奶赶来，把顾天成手臂拖住，吆喝道：“你要行凶么！”“我……要打死他……莫挡我！……你看……我的房子……我的家什，全着他婊子养的打烂了。”“这能怪阿龙吗？不是金娃子要他掏喜鹊窝，咋会有这些事……”结果，是金生挨了一顿臭骂。顾天成拿梯子把他接下来，到底挥了他两拳头了事。出了大拐，每每是这样下台，连重话都不会说一句；但是小拐却出不得，越是小地方，她反而越认真，一个钉子一个眼，非给她赔了不是，非等她吵闹够了，事情不会了结的。 阿龙这时站在路旁，把草帽揭下当扇子扇着。她咒骂时候，他只是傻笑。直到看见她变成倒八字的两条细眉慢慢还原到弯幽幽样子，红得像搽了胭脂的两颊也慢慢回复到本来米黄颜色，——她老早就没有搽过胭脂水粉了。只在过年过节打扮一下。今天连头都没梳，漆黑头发一齐拢在脑后，挽了个牛屎纂。耳朵上也只戴了对白银的韭菜叶耳环。其他首饰一件没戴。头上顶了幅白丝线挑花、白丝线锁狗牙的蓝布帕子，用一根长银针别在牛屎纂上，既可以遮太阳，又可以遮灰尘。——他暗暗舒了口气，明白三奶奶的气性已在平息。 “还是坐上车来，”阿龙把一条车绊向脖子上一搭，两手挽住车把，说道，“你把脚蹬在前头横杠子上，包你不到马家桥，鞋上的泥巴就干了。指甲一抠，啥都会抠脱的。” “碰你妈的鬼！你当真想把我送过万福桥去吗？” “啷个不呢？” “你硬是胆大啦！” “我才不信那头就是鬼门关！” “不要乱绷好汉。《增广》上说得好：'宁可信其有，不可信其无。'喊声遭着了，还不是就遭着了！” 顾三奶奶一手掌着纸壳扇，一手提了一只有盖子的竹篮，顶着红火大太阳，足足走了挨边十里，累倒不累，只是热得通身是汗；一件半新旧、滚有宽驼肩、窄腰袖的二蓝竹布衫的背心上，几乎浸透了巴掌大一片汗渍。 从城壕与府河岸边的一派高高矮矮的竹木之外，已可望得见城墙上面、排列得非常整齐的雉堞。有人说那样子像锯子齿。远远望去，的确像一张硕大无匹的锯子，这时，正静静地锯着碧蓝的天空。三三五五的茅草房，虽然散处在田野上，但已有一点街道的雏形。万福桥是一道跨在府河上面、不算长、却相当宽的木桥。两边有高栏杆，上面是扳鳌抓角的桥亭，已经多年没有修理，金碧彩画全着尘土糊得没眉没眼。过桥到南岸，房屋更多更密，空地还是不少。河边水也长有一丛丛的芦竹。芦竹近旁，是渣滓堆，是露天粪坑，经太阳烘烤后，什么臭气都蒸发出来，城内讲卫生的人们走过，难免不皱起眉毛呸一口，连忙掏出手巾来掩鼻子。所谓街道，还是跟桥北岸的大路一样，是“晴天一炉香，雨天一缸浆”的泥巴路，尚不似正经街道面有红沙石板。 顾三奶奶在马家桥那头很远便下了叽咕车，伫脚看着阿龙推起空车回头走得不见影子了，方理着路向城边走来。一路留着神，看有没有大家所说的卡子房？没有；看有没有大家所说的把守在路口上盘查过往行人的队伍？still none.一直走过万福桥，甚至连一个行人都未碰见。只有一群穿得破破烂烂、打着光脚的小娃娃，闹闹嚷嚷在阴凉地里玩蜘蛛抱蛋。还有几条长毛瘦狗，都半闭着眼睛卧伏在各家屋角边，长伸着舌头喘气。还有两头不很大的黑猪儿，一边哼着鼻子，一边摇头摆尾在渣滓堆上，和一群公鸡母鸡找什么吃的。 几家住家的小铺子，有的铺门虚掩着，有的铺门不但紧紧关闭，还在门扣子上落了一把牛尾铁锁。就中只有两家开了门，并下了一半多的铺板。一家是卖草鞋、麻绳、草纸、叶子烟、洋火以及纸糊的气不闷灯笼等等东西的杂货铺，一家是以做猪肉豆腐出了名的陈麻婆饭铺。 顾三奶奶看见这样清静荒凉，倒狐疑起来：“这是咋个的？该不会出啥子事情吧！”想打探一下，同时也要歇歇脚。因就走到饭铺跟前一张傍街安放的大方桌边，顺手拉了条高脚板凳坐下，并向铺子里一个将近三十年纪的女人打了个招呼：“掌柜娘，沾个光坐一会儿，要得不？” “没来头的，尽管坐。”掌柜娘坐在一把矮竹椅上纳鞋底，身畔一只竹摇篮中，仰枝爬杈睡了个又白又胖的男娃娃，看样子，还不到一周岁。 顾三奶奶把头上帕子揭下，抖落好多干灰。一边扇着扇子道：“秋分都快来了，晒上半天太阳，还热得像三伏天。” 掌柜娘抬头把她看了眼，唇角动了动，却没说什么。 “掌柜娘，你们这条街上没有卡子房吗？” “啥子卡子房？” “比方就像街公所，盘查过往行人的。” 掌柜娘把头两摇道：“那就没有。” “城外没有驻扎军队吗？” “咋个没有？凤凰山有新兵，接官厅有巡警。” “你们这一带呢？” “听说没有。” “那么，还清静啰。” “清静就说不上。讲比前几天夜里，就闹过一场虚惊，真吓人。” 原来凤凰山一队新兵奉命出来巡查。打从双林盘经过，月黑头里，恍恍惚惚见有好几个人影在树丛中间闪来闪去，问了两声，没人答应，巡查队向林盘里开了一排枪。不想惊动了青龙场的民团，当下嘡嘡嘡锣声一响，四面八方都打起啊嗬来了，四面八方都是土枪抬炮的轰鸣。驻在接官厅的一营武装巡警疑心同志军按拢了，赶快迎上去开火。三方面便在黑夜里头混打了半夜，大概没有死亡，只是把城内城外百姓吓得心惊胆战，一夜没有闭眼。 “……第二天，连城门都又关了半天才开。” “有人说，进城出城都要盘查，可是真的？” “大家都在说，恐怕不会假。我的掌柜随时进出，倒没遭过盘查。大约也是看人说话的。” 顾三奶奶因才完全放了心。停了一停，换个话头问道：“掌柜娘，你们的生意还好吗？” 掌柜娘把嘴一瘪道：“好啥子，冷秋泊淡的。” “咋个会呢？你们这地方又在气口上，你们做的豆腐又远近驰名的。” “你这大嫂倒说得好，就只不晓得那是去年的皇历，过了时的。” 据掌柜娘说起来，这条通崇义桥，又通郫县的要道，好多天来都路断人稀了。过去成天不断线的推油、推米、推猪的高架车，从关城第二天起，就绝了迹。最近几天才有油米车子经过，但是少得出奇，并且还多半有做生意的人押着，走过时，总是急急忙忙地，哪像从前太平世道，脚子大哥们打从这里经过，总要歇下来喝阵茶，吃顿饭。 掌柜娘一说到从前的好光景，话就像涌泉一样，沛然而出了：“你大嫂还不晓得我们铺子上的肉焯豆腐，就是那时节做出名。那时节，我妈在掌柜。她老人家是个好脾气人，那些推油车的脚子大哥来铺子吃饭，总喜欢带起肉来打牙祭。车上有的现成清油，我们铺子有的现成豆腐。我妈懂得那些大哥是出气力的人，吃得辣，吃得麻，吃得咸，也吃得烫。因此，做出豆腐来，总是红通通几大碗，又烫，又麻，又辣，味道又大。我妈并不在菜上赚钱，你有好多材料，就给你做好多东西。她只图多卖几升米的饭。这一来，我们的肉焯豆腐便做出了名。我妈脸上有几颗麻子，大家喊不出我们的招牌——我们本叫陈兴盛饭铺。——却口口声声叫陈麻婆豆腐，活像我们光卖豆腐，就不卖饭。直到眼前，我妈骨头都打得鼓响了，还有好多人——顶多是城里的一些斯文人——割起肉来，硬要找陈麻婆给他做肉焯豆腐，真是又笑人，又气人。” 顾三奶奶不禁笑得咯咯咯地道：“得亏你讲清楚了，起先，我真疑心陈麻婆就是你掌柜娘。记得去年，同我当家人照顾你肉焯豆腐时候，我当家人就奇怪你脸上没有麻子，悄悄问我说：'我们该不会把地方找错了？'我说：'不会的。陈麻婆是歪号，倒不一定当真就有麻子。'嘿嘿，原来才不是你哟！” 掌柜娘也笑道：“你们就不想想，陈麻婆会这样年轻，那她不是没出世，就在卖肉焯豆腐了？” “是呀，就是没想到这一层。记得我还是十四五岁当小姑娘的时候，就在文家场听说北门万福桥陈麻婆豆腐的名声了，如今算来，至少也有二十年啦！” “你这大嫂是从文家场来的吗？” “不是。从文家场进城，该走南门。我是从斑竹园那条路上来的。” “斑竹园归哪县管？” “新繁县。” “啊哟！好烦的地方哟！听说一路到头都在打仗，又是同志军，又是棒客。同志军还好一点，棒客顶歪了，有钱抢钱，没钱杀人。亏你胆子大，一个人就走了来。” “哪里有这些事情！还不是跟你们这里一样，清清静静的。” 掌柜娘睁起一双金鱼似的眼睛，诧异地问道：“难道没有同志军吗？” “同志军是有的，可不是遍地都有。前几天新繁县城里就有，还同军队打过仗。不过仗一打完，同志军就开走了，现在新繁地方就没听说有同志军。” “那么，棒客呢？” “我不晓得你说的是哪一种棒客。” “棒客还有好多种吗？” “咋个不是呢？有开花脸，点起火把抢人的；也有躲在沟边河边，拦路要劫的。” “不管哪一种棒客，你们新繁总该有。” “嘿嘿，掌柜娘，有没有我不敢说。不过我们住家那一带，并未听见哪家遭过抢。我今天走来，还是走的小路，就没有碰见一个人。我倒很稀奇，说是乱世道嘛，为啥比以前承平时候还清静？那些歪戴帽子斜穿衣的流氓痞子，都不晓得跑到哪里去了。你说怪不怪？” 两个人再将各人听来的话一对证，都不禁笑了起来道：“噢！真是远信难凭！” 顾三奶奶接着说道：“这么看起来，有人说城里饿死人，也是没有的事。那我又不犯着带这一篮子米同豆子来了。” “你大嫂是去走人户的？” “不是走人户，是回娘家。听说城里人没饭吃，没菜吃，进城的人都得捎点米粮，守城门的兵才放你进去。” “没饭吃，饿死人，没听见说。开仓发米，倒是真的。其实哩，打仓米吃的，都是那些买升升米，买把把柴，挣一天吃一天的穷苦人。这些人，就不关城，早已是有上顿没下顿的了。大户人家饿不到，哪一家不是几大缸米吃对年？你大嫂的娘家，总不是那些穷苦人吧？米不见得稀奇，他们稀奇的，是我们住在城外的人顶不稀奇的东西：小菜，河水。我的掌柜，近几天来，因为生意清淡，就改行卖小菜。硬是卖得，见天垒尖尖担一挑进城，不等吃晌午饭就卖完了。唉！就只累得很，天不见亮便得摸黑奔到石灰街去短菜贩子，稍为晏一点，就抢不到手。” “石灰街在哪里，要那么早去？” “在西门外，远啰！” “那么，来回两趟也够啦，还要进城转街？” “光是去，并不回来。在那里把菜称好了，挑到饮马河，把泥巴洗掉，打去边叶，洒上水，就进西门，从满城转到大城，省多少路哟！” “满城里走得吗？满巴儿不把我们汉人欺负死啦！” “过去硬是这样，卖葱卖蒜的人哪个敢进满城去？走不上两三条胡同，东西跟你拿完，不给钱，还要吐你口水，打你耳巴子。大人歪，娃娃更歪；男人歪，女人也歪；个个出来都是领爷、太太、少爷、小姐。只管穷得拖一片挂一片，架子总要绷够，动辄就夸口是皇帝家的人，是皇亲贵戚，我们惹不起。可是不晓得是咋个的，从今年起，都变了。满巴儿都不像过去那样歪了，大城里的汉人竟自有进去做生意的了。我掌柜说，近来还有好些人搬到满城去住家的。说玉将军这个人很开通，很文明，同志会的人个个都说他好。本来也好，光说西城门，就开得早，关得晏，随你进进出出，再没人管你……” 睡在摇篮中的胖娃娃大概着蚊子叮痛了，忽然呱呀呱呀地哭叫起来，小手在打，小脚在蹬。掌柜娘连忙丢下鞋底，把胖娃娃抱起来喂奶，拍着哐着，龙门阵当然就摆不下去。 顾三奶奶跟着几个担河水的挑夫走进北门。虽然瓮城门洞和大城门洞都有几个巡防兵同警察站在那里，也只因为她是个女人，看了她几眼，并没有盘问什么，就让她过去。 城里街道看来还是同平常一样。就只行人寥寥，一眼望去看不到几个人。 本来北门这一带，原就不如东南门热闹。好多街道，不但公馆多，大院多，——有些公馆、院子的围墙一扯便是十几二十丈。——纵然有些铺面，也是住家的多，做生意的少。生意也都是小生意。 热天搭的过街凉棚，今年拆得早一些。像今天这样大的太阳，从早晒到晌午，面街的红沙石板已经热得烫脚。街道都不宽，又没有一株树，顾三奶奶感到比城外热多了。 大约帘官公所这条街已走过了。街面上做生意和做手艺的铺子多了起来。来往行人已不那样稀疏，三丁拐轿子、对班轿子也渐渐出现。顾三奶奶又热、又渴、又累，很想找家茶铺吃碗茶，歇歇脚。 还没有走到街口，只见一垛风火砖墙的跟前，围了一大群人，几乎挤满了半边街；并且人声嘈杂，好像在议论什么。 “啥子事？”她一面加紧脚步，一面寻思，“难道在开演说会？”因为听顾天成说过，罢市以来，街上烦得很，到处都在开演说会。 但是不像。几十个人都站在一个方向，几十张脸都对着那垛砖墙，并且都昂着头，仰着面，在看什么。 “哦！原来在看告示。……一定是的……还有些人在念哩。” 只管围在告示跟前的尽是男子们，有穿长衫的，也有只穿一件汗褂、把发辫盘在额脑上的生意人、手艺人，但顾三奶奶还是走了过去，站在人堆后面把砖墙一看：嗨！硬是告示。一定刚刚贴出，糨糊还是湿的。一大张白纸上面印着酒杯大的黑字，老远都看得清楚，就只不认得。 好几个人都在念。尖起耳朵一听，念的是文章，却不明白说了些啥。 “多半是赵屠户的鬼话！” 她正待走开，忽然一片声从人丛中涌起：“前头那几位仁兄，你们光是念，也讲一讲嘛！”“对！我赞成讲一讲。”“有些话硬是深奥，比《聊斋》还难懂！” 顾三奶奶没有开口，心里非常同意。她不走了，并朝前挤了一步，躲在风火墙的阴影里等着。 前面一个苍老声音说：“这么长的东西，咋个讲得完？” 几个声音一齐说：“懂得的你就莫讲。” “哪些你们懂，哪些你们不懂，又咋个晓得呢？” “你只管念，懂得的我们不打岔你；不懂得的，我们说出来，再劳烦你讲一下。” 又是几个声音一齐喊了起来：“就这样！就这样！……” “那么，念，算我的。哪位来讲？” “请你一脚带了不好？” “不行！……” 另一个年轻声音说道：“我来献丑吧！你老兄就念下去。” 苍老声音刚念了一句：“苟不为耳目之所闻见……” 顾三奶奶忍不住喊了声：“咋个不从头念起呢？” 因为是女人声音，大家都回过头来，争着看她。 “是个乡下大嫂！”几个人似乎有点诧异。 “管人家是乡下大嫂，是城里大嫂，这样好的告示，多听一遍也安逸！”