Chapter 25 Chapter 4 On the Road Converging into a Torrent

Longquanyi is not a rush day today, and the streets are not very lively.But the Tea House Hotel was not indifferent. The new army in yellow khaki still went in and out together freely. The East Road Garrison Department, which was recently appointed by the Department of Military Preparations, arrived at Longquan Station from Chengdu on the first day of September.There are three platoons of infantry, one platoon of cavalry, one platoon of engineering soldiers, and one platoon of heavy soldiers. Although there are only more than 230 officers and soldiers in total, there are more than 100 officers and soldiers, and the team is not small; The three temples on the field were full, and an infantry platoon was stationed on the outer hatchback of Gaoshengguan Station.Commander Wei Chufan and platoon leader Xia Zhishi were both stationed in the east official room in the hall.

When the sun was westward, the temporary officer meeting in Wei Chufan's room was still going on. Speaking of the meeting, Wei Chufan was almost singing a one-man show alone.He is used to only listening but not talking in front of his superiors, and only talking but not listening in front of his subordinates.He believes that people's ability to see has been proportional to the size of the official rank since ancient times. The greater the official, the greater the ability to see.Even if what your boss says doesn't sound right at times, you just obey; if it's wrong, you're not responsible.He disciplined himself with this, and he also took responsibility for others.Therefore, every time he convened a meeting of his subordinates, he always asked others to speak less.For example, at this time of year, Rick, the leader of the third platoon of the infantry, just started to report to the teams stationed at the Fire God Temple and the Wenzu Temple, which also seemed to be a sign of trouble.He, Wei Chufan, also did the same to Sui Shijie, the cavalry platoon leader. Impatiently, he waved a thick, bear-like hand into the air, then clenched it into a fist, and landed it heavily on the coffee table beside him. A pair of thick eyebrows were tied in a big knot at Yintang, and two big enough eye sockets were made round and round, making the two protruding eyeballs even more unsightly, completely exposing the white eyes around the pupils.Pursing his lips, he roared in a rustling voice, "Stop talking! I know it all!"

Wei Chufan was tall and tall, and his yellow woolen military uniform was extremely tight.He didn't wear a military cap, and a neatly combed black braid stretched from the back of his head to his hips, and the end of the braid was pulled upside down and stuck in the cowhide belt.On the feet are a pair of knee-length cooked cowhide riding boots with spurs, which step on the floor vigorously.The appearance is indeed mighty, indeed like a commanding commander!Zhao Erfeng and Wang Yanzhi appreciated him and promoted him not only because of his loyalty, but also because of his appearance. He hurriedly stood up from the chair, with his hands behind his back, squinting his eyes, and hooking his head, he walked back and forth twice in this small room with only a few seats, which was used for receiving guests and working.The floor, which was full of dust and phlegm marks, was not well padded, but when his powerful riding boots stepped on it, the seats in the whole room shook.

"All in all, the first point of a soldier is to obey orders. If you don't obey orders, you will lose your military qualifications. Remember..." Cavalry platoon leader Sui Shijie glanced at Xia Zhishi who was sitting across from him, and couldn't help but twitched and almost laughed. Xia Zhishi kept his face blank and didn't show anything.He just elbowed Jia Xiong, the engineering platoon leader sitting beside him. The other three platoon leaders and several team supervisors each made a knowing action. They fully understood that Wei Chufan's speech would not end until the sun went down. It seemed that today's emergency meeting was a waste of time!However, the brothers have become more and more free in their actions. If they don't discuss a solution in time, I'm afraid something will happen at any time.

About the time when there was a bag of leaf cigarettes, Wei Chufan's long speech had just finished. Song Zhenya, the commander of the second platoon of the infantry, blushed, took the opportunity to stand up, slapped the heels of his leather shoes, and shouted: "Report to the commander!" This unusual interruption surprised Wei Chufan.His eyebrows were knotted again, his eyes protruded again, and he stood majestically in front of Song Zhenya. Although he didn't look like a mountain, but in contrast, this young platoon leader really looked very wretched. "Do you have something to say?" A bit of discomfort could be heard in the hoarse voice, "What is the important thing, can't wait for me to finish talking?"

Song Zhenya felt relieved.There is no timidity in the eyes, the chest is raised and the belly is sunken, and there is actually a courage that is beyond the reach of a man.It's just that the face is getting redder, from the temples to the neck, it seems to be covered with a layer of cinnabar. "Why didn't you say it again?" Engineer platoon leader Jia Xiong then stood up and said, "On behalf of Song platoon leader..." Another ignorant young man!Wei Chufan turned around. "Can you represent him?" "Yes! Because the soldiers in his row are the same as the soldiers in my row, until today, it's hard to greet..."

Wei Chufan almost opened his voice and shouted: "I fully understand!" Jia Xiong, Song Zhenya, and Sui Shijie, the cavalry platoon leader, said at the same time, "Then, what should we do?" "Easy to handle! Tell the soldiers what I said, and tell them to maintain their military qualifications, strictly observe order, and obey absolutely. Don't listen to rumors, and don't act rashly!" "In this case, we have already said it, but it will not take effect." "Since that's the case, go down and investigate. Anyone with bad intentions will be locked up and will not be forgiven!"

"There are a lot of people, and the confinement can't be finished." "Then, tell them to disarm, take them back to the provincial capital, and hand them over to the Military Law Bureau!" Wei Chufan waved his bear-like hand into the air again, making a decisive gesture. Sui Shijie winked at Xia Zhishi again.Xia Zhishi stood up slowly, and said to Wei Chufan: "If you tell the commander's words directly to the soldiers, it will be much more effective than the indirect words from the platoon leaders." Several platoon leaders echoed and said: "Of course it is much more effective!"

Wei Chufan glanced at Xia Zhishi.Xia Zhishi's bony face was the same as usual, there was no abnormality, but it was a little paler than usual.A pair of triangular eyes are still lifeless, as if they haven't had enough sleep.Under the cruel command of the commander, his heavy eyelids drooped even more. Wei Chufan looked back at Ding Yangwu, the supply platoon leader who had never spoken before, and said, "Do you agree with what they said?" "Agreed!" Ding Yangwu was older than all the platoon leaders, about thirty-two or three years old, and was an old colleague of Commander Wei. If Commander Wei hadn't been promoted quickly, the two of them would have almost sworn in.In the Donglu Garrison Department, the qualifications are not as high as Xia Zhishi: Xia Zhishi lived in Dongbin Academy in Japan at his own expense, while Ding Yangwu graduated from the Accelerated Armed Forces Academy; but Ding Yangwu is older and has more things to do. The time of summer is still steady.Commander Wei almost regarded him as his confidant.Therefore, he further suggested: "There is no time to delay the matter, and there may be changes in the future. Please order the commander to summon the soldiers of all platoons immediately and talk to them earnestly."

"What are you busy with? I have to wait for me to think about it!" He turned around and looked at the upper official's room through the open lattice window, "At this time, I think Coach Lin has washed up. He I just left the province today, so I must have met Marshal Zhao. Talk to him, and you can get some real news. At that time, it will be easier for me to address the soldiers.” Wu Fengwu came to Longquan Station yesterday evening, and settled in a dry station house that didn't care about food.I found Rui Kegang that night.In order to avoid people's eyes and ears, Rick just changed into ordinary clothes, and specially invited him to a relatively cold tea shop at the end of the entrance, and chose a place where the weak light of the vegetable oil tile lamp could only reach.

The two whispered to each other, lowering their voices to a level lower than the mosquitoes flying around in front of and behind them. After the gong rang, the Mao Mao tea turned into plain water, and all the tea drinkers left. Rick just leaned up and got up. Said: "Wait for me to take a step first, and then you go back to the station room." "When will we meet tomorrow?" "Not flat." "Should I still go to Wenzu Temple to find you?" "No! No! Don't come here again! In the past two days, when everyone is suspicious, especially the brothers, they are watching us very closely. I advise you not to talk to them. Not only is it useless, but it will annoy you. Something unexpected happened. It’s best to wait in the station room. If there is a chance, I will find you easily.” Therefore, by the next morning, all the passengers in the station room had left, and the red sun descended from the eaves to the never-closed white paper panes. Master Yao opened the door and came in to pack the bedding on the two beds. Wu Fengwu Only then did he stretch and forcefully get out of bed.He originally knew the rules of the wandering station, but when he was buttoning his shirt, he deliberately said: "Leave one bed for the bedding, I will come to rest tonight." While making the bedding, Master Yao said: "When it's time to rest, your guest will write the number on the cabinet, and then hug the bedding." This shows that during the day, the guests are not allowed to use this place.The flow station is different from the government and business station, except that it doesn't care about food and tea, which is also a kind. Wu Fengwu fastened his belt, picked up the big blue cloth umbrella, and still ran to the small tea shop where he had tea last night, washed his face with a wooden basin, ate tea, and went to a nearby shop that specially recruited carts to carry people to go to the tea shop. I ate one and a half hats, a bowl of tofu, and two plates of pickles at the Douhua Rice Shop. Although there was no oil or meat, I was finally full. Rick was sure he wouldn't be looking for him before lunch.Since it is inconvenient to go for a walk on the street, and there is no place to stay alone, how can I pass the long day?Why don't you go to have tea again? "Hey, hey, don't they turn into water hyacinths!" After hesitating for a while, he decided: "It's better to go up the mountain to see. If you don't go to Longquan Mountain for a few years, you can see if its appearance has changed!" As soon as you exit the arena, there is a winding stone ladder road that stretches up the mountain.The stone slabs on the road are about five feet long and one foot wide. Some of the steps are more than three inches high, and some are more than four inches high. strenuous.Not far from the first hillside, just as the stone ladder was about to turn, a patch of soil flashed out, the size of one or two acres.There is a small temple built on the bank of the mountain rock, with three large gold-painted characters on the forehead, which are the Temple of Earth.Along the road was a big yellow jue tree, the body of which was bent and bloated, and four people couldn't hold it together.Part of the roots are exposed on the ground and arched high, forming a natural bench.The trunk is not very high, no more than two feet from the root to the top, but its horizontal branches are like a big umbrella, almost covering the entire land. The Jue tree is said to be a banyan tree from Fujian, and it was transplanted to Sichuan at some point.After transplanting, due to the difference in climate and soil, the wood became hard, and the branches no longer hung down to the ground. Not only did it have another name, but it also became a special product of Sichuan just like the alder tree.The wood of this tree is both pine and messy, and it cannot be used as any material, even as firewood.However, it also has its own characteristics: First, the branches grow horizontally, and the leaves are large and dense. Planted on tea pavilions, ferries and some waist shops, it is a natural big umbrella for travel, and it goes without saying that it can shelter from the rain, especially in summer. In summer, when you are sweating profusely from walking, walking under the Jue tree will immediately make you feel refreshed, and your armpits will feel cool; secondly, its roots spread far away and are very numerous. Where it is mixed, its roots are like countless large and small snakes, piercing back and forth, forming a living scorpion to a great extent, and firmly grasping the sand, gravel and soil that is easily washed away by rainwater. Inside the sieve, it can protect the embankment.Because it has these two characteristics, although it is not a material, people like it very much.In parts of eastern Sichuan, southern Sichuan and western Sichuan where the weather is warmer, it is no wonder that there are rhubarb jujube trees that have been around for decades or even hundreds of years everywhere. The stone ladder road turns a few times along the stream that is sometimes big and sometimes small, with gurgling water, and the road goes upwards.The hills and valleys become deeper and deeper.The shrubs and weeds that can't be cut or hoed are still luxuriantly growing on the hillside in clumps and patches.The hillside on the sunny side has been developed into dry fields over the years.Dry field, commonly called soil, is a kind of mountain field that depends entirely on the sky, so it is also called Wangtian field.If it doesn't rain, it will be dry, the loess is so dry that the loess is frozen, and the crops that have been planted are so dry that the long leaves are so scorched that they will burn when ignited. There is no way to get it up to water it; if there are more heavy rains, the crops will be washed away by the rain, and in some places that are too steep, even the shadows of the crops will be washed away.People don't admit defeat, even if these places don't close for ten years, there will always be a good year.The crops are not only planted every year, but even more and more slopes are opened, which is to say that there is a lot of money.Therefore, the entire Longquan Mountain, 30 miles deep and hundreds of miles wide, was full of trees in the past. It is miscellaneous trees such as Qingguo, Masson pine, Mali, and Yehe that can only be chopped down and sold as firewood. Wu Fengwu climbed to a higher place.Looking back, the land temple is covered by the mountain mouth, and only the round crown of the big yellow jue tree can be seen.Because there is a distance of several miles, and looking down from the top, the big yellow jue tree has lost its majestic appearance that blocks the sky and the sun, and has become a small shack built with weeds.Looking around, the Chi Yumai in the hillside fields have been harvested.Some of the soil for planting wheat and beans has been dug out, and some are still full of jade and wheat piles. Wu Fengwu thought that if it were not for the ban on opium smoking, poppies must be planted here.Longquan Mountain is also a place rich in opium smoke. Two years ago, when the rape blossoms on the dam were as yellow as gold, the poppy flowers on the slopes of Longquan Mountain were also colorful and beautiful. The weather was unusually sunny.A blue sky overhead.The hot sun was shining straight down.The mountain is very quiet, except for a sound of ding-duk ding-duk coming from the valley in the distance, all of which are stones being hammered in the quarry.The red sandstone in Longquan Mountain is rough and rough, which is far inferior to the foundation stone in Guanxian County and the bluestone in Pingqiang Gorge in Qingshen County.But Longquan Mountain is too close to the provincial capital of Chengdu, only a short 50 miles, and it is a flat road where a wheelbarrow can be used. The masonry is cheap and the transportation is cheap. Stone, bluestone, it is better to use the red sandstone here.The provincial capital of Chengdu consumes a lot of large stone slabs used to pave streets and cover ditches throughout the year.More and more quarries were opened on Longquan Mountain, and the more they were drilled, the more prosperous they were.However, they are all small businesses. Each quarry seldom supports more than 20 masons, and the masons seldom get enough food and clothing from childhood to old age. Like Lifu who pushed it to Chengdu Province, more than half of their hard-earned money was legally and reasonably taken away by the shopkeepers who used the capital to open the shop and the owner of the quarry. The prohibition of opium planting in Longquan Mountain and the exploitation of stone workers in the quarry, these two extremely important things, of course, are not something Wu Fengwu wants to think about.What is currently lingering in his mind is just where to find a place to rest, to avoid the smoldering autumn sun, and to find a bag of cigarettes to smoke, whether it is hookah or leaf tobacco. There is no one house on the nearby hillsides.Looking out towards the mountains to the east, there seems to be a shack under a distant pass.And the sound of ding dong ding dong hitting stones just came from there. "Hey! Find those yellow mud legs to wash the shell, it's going to mess with him for a long time!" However, it is not easy to go around from one side of the hillside to the other side of the pass. Not only are there two ravines separated in the middle, but also there is no path to find thatch.After careful observation, it seems that there are only two ways to go: one is a dirt road, which is easier, and has to descend straight from this high slope to the bottom of a ravine, then climb straight up another steep slope, and then cross a ravine ; Although the dirt road is covered by bushes, it is estimated that it can be passed.Such a dirt road, in the eyes of people who are used to walking on mountain roads, is really nothing, and they can even walk with one or two hundred catties on their backs.Wu Fengwu has seen a lot in Qingxi County and Yingjing County. The mountains are steeper than here, the roads are more dangerous than here, and there are still women with big feet on their backs!But Wu Fengwu was asked to walk by himself, but he was thinking in his heart: "If you don't fight for credit, why bother to practice your leg strength! If you slip and fall somewhere, then Heitian will be wronged!" Had to choose another path. The other road is farther, and you have to follow the stone ladder road, turn back and walk through the Land Temple, and after twenty or thirty feet, there is a fork that goes around the side of the ditch. Although it is also a dirt road, it is much flatter than that shortcut. Also much wider.Apparently it was the opening of the quarry that opened up the road for transporting stone materials. "Quan is traveling in mountains and rivers. I don't care if I walk more than two miles, as long as I can find cigarettes!" Unexpectedly, as soon as he turned down the slope, he suddenly found three people walking down the high steps of the gate of the Earth Shrine step by step.There was a short-bodied young man wearing glasses, holding a cigarette in his hand, and a wisp of gray-white smoke just spewed out from his mouth. Wu Fengwu looked at the smoke in the air, and thought to himself: "What is it for?..." The three of them walked slowly down the stone ladder road while talking. Wu Fengwu was taken aback.After walking a few steps, I rushed to the big yellow jue tree, and after a closer look, I recognized the young man smoking cigarettes and wearing glasses unambiguously. It turned out that he had been introduced to the Baolu Comrade Association, and introduced him to the Luo Ziqing Association. Wang Wenbing, whom I have met for a long time.The man in military uniform walking in front of the two of them also saw clearly that it was the platoon leader Xia Zhishi whom he met in Rui Kegang's room at dusk yesterday. Just when he was about to call Wang Wenbing, he suddenly heard Xia Zhishi say loudly: "I'll take a step first!..." It was exactly the same words and the same tone as what Rick said in the small tea shop last night! "Ha! Could it be that Wang Wenbing also came here to find a business?" After thinking about it, "No. The seedlings grow from the ground, and the trees branch to the branches. These students have never tasted the pain of dressing and eating, so how could they think of doing business to make money? What's more, it's not common to buy and sell guns and bullets for a living, except for me..." He shook his head again, "But he recognizes Xia Zhishi... Why do he have to be so sneaky when he doesn't say anything on the court? Of course , there are articles in it!" He deeply understands that breaking other people's secrets is a disgusting thing.But what can be done?Wu Fengwu is not bad at suppressing his curiosity; his ability to suppress his craving for smoking is not good. He still hesitated for a while, almost until he couldn't see Xia Zhishi's back clearly, then made up his mind, strode forward with big strides, took advantage of the downhill road, made a small turn, and immediately came behind Wang Wenbing. "Huh! The man walking in front seems to be Mr. Wang?" He pretended to see Wang Wenbing, and when Wang Wenbing turned his head, "As expected, it is you, Mr. Wang! Hey, hey, I never expected to meet him in this place You! I will visit you, sir, as soon as I return to the province, and I intend to talk to you about Xinjin..." Wang Wenbing shook his sweaty hand very enthusiastically and said with a smile: "Commander Zhou Hongxun told me about the Xinjin incident a long time ago. He praised you very much, saying that you Wu Guandai helped him a lot..." "Where is Lao Zhou now?" Wu Fengwu did not forget his purpose of catching up.Therefore, without waiting for Wang Wenbing to answer, he said with a smile: "Mr. Wang, give me one of your cigarettes. Alas! It's really bad to say. There are leaf cigarettes and hookahs on the Shanquan shop, so I just look for No more cigarettes... Thank you! Thank you..." "Are you from Shanquanpu?" Wu Fengwu took a sip of the lighted cigarette, held it between two fingers, and then nodded and said, "That's right, I'm looking for a relative... Why is your husband here? Is he from Chengdu?" "No! I came from the East Road. To be more precise, I came from the south of Sichuan, from the artesian well in the south of Sichuan." "Artesian well..." Wu Fengwu seemed inconvenient to ask further, he shushed the cigarette twice. "Zhou Hongxun is also there. Let me tell you, we are fighting against the salt patrol army in Ziliujing. I came here specifically for the purpose of moving troops." The person who was standing with Wang Wenbing quickly turned Wang Wenbing with his elbow. Wang Wenbing said with a chuckle: "It's irrelevant! Although this Wu Guandai is not a revolutionary party, he is Zhao Erfeng's enemy. He also led a comrade-in-arms army in Xinjin and fought against Zhao Erfeng's army. I plan to invite him to join us. Go to Ziliujing... come, come, let me introduce to you: this is Mr. Chu Xiaotian Chu, an out-and-out revolutionary, he came from Chongqing..." Before the introduction, Wu Fengwu had already seen clearly this out-and-out revolutionary. (This is where Wu Fengwu is better than anyone else: he only needs to observe a person for a moment inadvertently. What's more special is that since then, this person has taken root in his mind, even after three to five years. Zai, as long as someone mentions the name of this person, he can immediately tell his appearance, or mention the appearance, he can immediately tell his name.) The figure is taller than Wang Wenbing.Heifei has a rectangular face shape, high nose, protruding eyes, large cheekbones, square teeth and cheeks, raised eyebrows, and downturned corners of the mouth.The appearance is rough, even though he is wearing a gray twill jacket with a green satin vest with a high collar splayed over it, but his appearance is not refined. It is obvious at a glance that he was honed in the martial arts school. Unfamiliar with life, it is naturally inconvenient to ask people about their details.Therefore, after a few long-awaited and long-awaited conversations, Wu Fengwu invited the two of them to the venue for tea. Wang Wenbing hadn't commented yet, but Chu Xiaotian, the out-and-out revolutionary, spoke first: "Old Wang, you forgot that we still have to travel dozens of miles!" "Where are you two going?" "To Chengdu Province." "Then, it's still early, and there won't be much delay in eating a bowl of tea." Wang Wenbing shook his head wearing a green velvet cap and said, "No! Our luggage has already been packed, and the sedan chair has been hired. There is no further delay. I just want to ask you a question, are you going back to the province today?" "There are also my relatives here, I'm going to play with him for two days..." "Then make an appointment, and I will go to your house to find you." "It's better if I find you." "But I haven't thought about where I will settle down in Chengdu." After thinking for a while, Wang Wenbing said again, "Well, I will definitely go to Mr. Huang Lansheng's place on Xiyu Street. You go to him and ask Chu Yong to find out. Make sure you know where I live." "Mr. Chu, he's gone back to Xinjin to beg for a marriage. You won't be able to find him in Huangfu." Wang Wenbing rolled his eyes behind the glass, and asked, "Is he not going back to the province anymore?" "This, but I don't know." "Regardless of whether Chu Yong will go back to the province or not, in short, after I settle down, I will definitely go to Huang's house. I hope you will go to his house to inquire as soon as you return to the province. The sooner the better. Because I don't feel at ease in the province. If you live here for a long time, you can stay for ten days at most... Well! I'm afraid I won't be able to live for ten days." Wu Fengwu smiled and said, "Are you in such a hurry?" "How can you not be in a hurry? The military situation changes every day. You have fought in wars, so of course you understand." "You haven't told me the military situation in Ziliujing yet." "Of course I want to tell you. But it's too late now, let's talk about it in the provincial capital..." They're about to enter the gate. "Does Lingqin live on the field?" "No! His home is nearby, about one or two miles away." Wu Fengwu suddenly thought of the lie he had uttered.Quickly stopped, and casually pointed to a small road leading to the dam outside the gate, "I want to go from here." And put the big umbrella under his arm, moved out his hand to hug the boxer, "Excuse me I won’t accompany you any more! I will bid farewell to you, and I wish you two to rest early!” When it was time to break up, Wang Wenbing suddenly slapped his protruding big forehead and said, "Look at my brain! Why did I forget to ask you..." "What's the matter, you want to ask me?" Wu Fengwu was surprised. "Are you familiar with the new troops stationed on the field? In other words, do you know anyone?" "You ask this, do you have any plans?" "Uh……" At the entrance of the field, a few unarmed soldiers just stepped out, leading a few bare-backed and thin horses to the ditch beside the road to drink water.On the one hand, that out-and-out revolutionary Chu Xiaotian urged him to leave again and again.Wang Wenbing didn't say anything else, he just took out a cardboard box with a few bandit cigarettes left in his pocket, handed it to Wu Fengwu and said, "Send it to you." Wu Fengwu quickly took it in his hand, put it in his arms, and said with a smile on his face: "Don't you keep two to smoke yourself?" The sun in the west is about to touch the top of the towering nanmu forest around the courtyards on the dam.Empty carts that pushed slabs of stone and stone ladles, delivered goods at the Chengdu bull market, and turned around and came back, resounding through the fields, also approached the entrance in twos and threes from the dusty road.Some people on the street are just arranging dinner, some are about to touch the bowls and chopsticks, and the undisciplined recruits who are wandering around the streets are also rare for the time being. Mr. Accountant of Hongfa Station took away the leaf tobacco stem from his mouth, straightened his long gray beard hanging under his chin, and sighed: "What a good business! There are only a dozen or so customers scattered in the sky. It’s not enough to just pay and pay for the income, if it drags on, I think we have to close the business!” A middle-aged master clapped his hands, leaned against the counter, and continued, "Jiantian has more than a dozen customers, and it's something that only happened after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The days before the Mid-Autumn Festival are just miserable! Don't Not to mention, the few of us who are masters are so miserable that we don't even get a dime for shaving our hair!" Wu Fengwu crossed his legs, sat on a black lacquered high chair with a lot of mud armor, flicked the cigarette ash, and said with a smile: "It's so miserable!" "Call that bastard for speaking vernacular! Don't you guys know that we as masters only have food to eat, and our monthly income depends entirely on the guest's drink money?" Mr. Accountant supported Yao Shi’s words quite a bit. While blowing the leaf smoke, he nodded and kowtowed and said, “It’s true! At that time, from the mountain spring shop on the top of the mountain to the other side of the big noodle shop, either the Comrade Army pushed past, or It was the patrolmen and the new army who came over. The road was crowded and the crowds were sparse, and several sessions were empty. We opened a station, how can there be business? I have been in charge of this station for more than 30 years. I have never met that kind of bleak sun and moon. Originally, Longquanyi is a throat, and there are so many pedestrians coming and going every day! In the past year, there were always such days in a year. No matter if it is an official business station like ours that operates a stove and supplies tea and water, which one does not become full? What’s more, there is no prohibition on the cultivation of opium. There is no end to the excitement of the new soil coming into the market. Naturally, people are not happy for a thousand days, and flowers are not red for a hundred days. In the following years, I will never imagine that prosperous days! But I have never met a road like that before the Mid-Autumn Festival. A desolate scene with few people!" Mr. Accountant paused, suddenly became angry, and said loudly: "The roads are sparsely populated, business is not easy to do, and the second is. During the two years of the Red Lantern Church, there was a time when the business was very cold. But at that time, there was no store number to donate, 80 yuan a day, regardless of whether you had business or not. In short, you paid 400 yuan in five days, and you can’t lose one. If you miss one day, you will be fined 100 yuan; if you miss two days, you will be doubled. Punishment, what kind of trick is this!" Wu Fengwu asked: "You are also collecting shop number donations on the field? Who is collecting?" "The police station!" the old man said angrily, "This is the government's new policy! Are you saying that they only accept donations from the store number? No... no... there are many tricks!" The old man put his hand on the counter There was a big, thick book with a red stamp on it, and he patted it hard and said: "It's okay! The name of the guest who is staying here, he is very old, where is the people, what is he doing? Where are you going, how many people are with you, you have to write down one by one, just write down the three generations of other people's ancestors. After closing the store, the father came to check the number, and called the customer from the bunk, Like interrogating a prisoner, not to mention causing trouble to others. Afterwards, I will deliberately pick and choose what is not written correctly in the number book. For example, if I ask a client that his name is Zhang Daxin, of course I will write Zhang Daxin. Check. After the number, I said that I made a mistake. The surname of Kehuo is not Gongchangzhang, but Lizaozhang. It is not called Daxin, but Daxing. Originally, the pronunciation is the same as the word, but I blame Kehuo himself for not explaining clearly. Zuoxing wrote Wrong, it’s a trivial matter! But they insisted that I cheated intentionally, and they would scold me and punish me at every turn. I can’t finish talking about things like this. In the past, when the inspector at Longquan Station was in charge, where did There are these things? Since the inspection was abolished and the police were sent, our place is out of order!" Wu Fengwu asked: "You called the police so fierce, why didn't they come to check the number last night, and there is no sign of them on the street today?" That Yao Shi who was leaning against the counter quickly interjected, "They still dare to come, are they really not afraid of pouring shit?" "Why don't you dare?" Yao Shi pursed his long mouth and said: "Deputy Xinjun is here, they have to be like turtles. If they dare to stick their heads out, Deputy Xinjun will grab and pour shit." The old accountant blew out a few mouthfuls of choking smoke, calmed down, and then explained: "This is what happened two days ago. The new army in the garrison has not been withdrawn since lunch. Some sat in tea shops, and some went into other people's houses to find someone to set up a dragon gate array. Several officers blew whistles and greeted along the street, but no one paid any attention. Some people became frightened, saying that the new army was free and free from control, and worried that something might happen. .Because the police here have always been lenient. They even have to take care of people's shit, urination, eating and sleeping. So someone went to the police and said that two new soldiers had sneaked into Widow He's house. I'm afraid it's not a good thing, so please ask them to interfere. Bastards! Relying on their prestige of oppressing the common people, they don't even think about what the new army does. Besides, even their immediate platoon leader can't greet them at this time, how dare you A policeman ran to interfere regardless of gain or loss. Why did nothing happen? At first it was a quarrel, and then a fight broke out. There are only a dozen or so policemen in total. How can they ban seventy or eighty spindles, plus bench feet, green bars and firewood? From Widow He's house to the inspection office. Bastards! No one was beaten until his mouth was bruised and his face was swollen. He lay on the ground and kowtowed, and called my father to beg for mercy. He swore that he would never cause trouble again, If he commits a crime, let the new army catch him and fill him with shit. People on the field are afraid of murder, and the mothers-in-law and aunts all go to persuade them, so the new army will stop. Bastards! After this meal, of course, they have learned the tortoise method recently. When you have to shrink your head, then shrink your head!" Master Yao said with a smile on his face: "It's so uncomfortable! When I saw those crooked people lying on the ground calling Lao Tzu, crying and begging for mercy, I felt as comfortable as drinking a bowl of cold water!" But Mr. Account Manager shook his head and sighed: "Easy is more comfortable. However, according to the book "Zengguang", refreshing food is more likely to cause illness, and worrying too much may lead to disaster. I am afraid that after the new army disbands and leaves, the bastards will not be able to avoid it." We want to make money from us ordinary people. At that time, the dumb people were asked to eat coptis, and it was hard to tell!" Wu Fengwu hurriedly asked: "Do you know that the new army is disbanding?" Yao Shi said: "Everyone in the audience knows it, not just us!" The old man in charge said: "Especially in the past two days, the new army has become more and more unattended, and they are rushing on the streets all day long. Everyone tells everyone that Zhao Zhitai has transferred patrol troops from eight provinces to Sichuan. It is not The purpose of beating the Comrade Army is to disarm their new army. How can they open their eyes and suffer? Rather than wait until they are smeared by the patrol soldiers from other provinces, it would be better for them to break up first, and it would be more decent." "Did you really say that, brother?" The old man continued: "I'm afraid it's not easy to talk about disbanding. I heard that the officers didn't agree, especially the garrison commander, Mr. Wei. Appoint someone to investigate. Find out who the leader advocated, set up the front of the army to rectify the law, and those who played harmony, pierced the ears and shot through the streets, and didn't give a single loan. Just now, according to the staff of the Gaoshengguan station, there is Mr. Lin from the military preparation department, He brought a few guards, came down in a sedan chair, and landed in their station to go to the official room. Before Lord Lin finished washing his face, Lord Wei went to greet Ann. The two of them immediately closed the door for a meeting. Master Yao went in to ask for instructions for dinner Han Zicai, with the guards standing outside the door, said that the two adults were discussing a confidential matter, no matter who they were, they were not even allowed to get close to the window base. It seems that this Lord Lin must have been appointed to investigate the matter..." Wu Fengwu jumped up and asked, "Is there a Master Lin here?" "It's what the guy at Gaosheng Station said." Wu Fengwu didn't say anything more, threw the cigarette butt away, walked out of the station door. Master Yao asked loudly, "Guys, don't you write your number?" "Turn around and write again." Yao Shi turned around to the old accountant and said, "Which road is this person from? Look." "I see," the old man stroked his long beard, pondering for a while, "he looks like he's flowing, most likely he's a beach runner." "I see, but it doesn't look like it. Why? The clothes are still neatly dressed, but there is no bag, just an umbrella... Oh! I was so flustered, I forgot the umbrella, and I didn't explain it. ...Old man, let him be checked in. This kind of guy is reluctant to throw away even a needle." Wu Fengwu rushed out of Hongfa Station, determined to tell Rui Kegang the news that Mr. Lin had arrived at Longquan Station.Since Mr. Accountant said that the brothers are not stable, since he heard what Yu Rui Kegang said, it must not be a lie that Mr. Lin and Wei Chufan closed the door to discuss secrets.设若芮克剐他们不知道这事，还是那样瞻前虑后地犹豫不决，待到魏楚藩计定，真个斫下几颗脑袋，弟兄伙一害怕，谁还敢再闹散伙？这样一来，一条枪、一颗子弹都无法弄走。他这一趟，岂不白白地掏了腰包？白白地费了心计？莫非命中注定，硬要他到自流井，再跟周鸿勋他们去卖命才算他的前程不成？自与王文炳分手，这半天，他脑子不止翻腾一百遍，即令命中注定，非走那条路不可，他也要同命拗一拗，实在拗不过了，到时候再说！ 到了街上，他不由一愣：“咋个的？一个弟兄伙的影子没有，都到哪里去了？” 四面一望，太阳落入西边天际的云层，已是黄昏时候。场外暮霭四合。懒蝉子、纺织娘的晚唱会，开得很起劲。还流连不忍南去的燕子，穿梭般在澄碧得和秋水差不多的天空，在矮矮的已带夜色的屋檐边飞来飞去，几只老燕已经伏在檐下窝里，啾啾叽叽，似乎叫那些小东西休息得了。街中间做老鹰叼鸡儿的娃娃们，跳呀闹呀，比那些混在小燕子丛中，闪着小肉翅，找飞虫，找蚊子吃的夜蝙蝠还活泼。 大人们大多聚在上了铺板的门外谈家常，摆龙门阵。几头长毛黄狗懒洋洋地在人脚边溜达。 “是队伍吃晚饭的时候啦！” 走到瘟祖庙，正待迈步前进。“咦！不对，布了岗位了！”岂止布了岗位，而且是双岗。两对面像石人似的站岗兵士，除了手上快枪，腰间刺刀、水壶之外，每个人的身上还斜挂十字地掮了两带子弹，背上并且背着牛皮囊。照那时的规矩说，是行军作战的全副装备。 十几二十个闲人站在对街屋檐下，好似看西湖景一般，倒憨不痴地朝庙里呆望。 吴凤梧估计了一下。假装是过路人，放慢脚步，擦着岗位走了过去。虽然已经看得分明：庙里空坝上，正有一大群全武装队伍整整齐齐、面朝内、背向外地站在那里，大殿台阶上也正有一个高身材汉子，两手比画着在说什么。但是到底有几丈远的距离，而暮色也越来越深，无法看清楚说话的人，也无法听清楚说的什么。 走过庙门十多步，他狐疑起来，心想：“在开演说呢？还是在训话？”不管是前者或后者，总之全武装列队，倒很特别！他猛然想到林大人身上，“该不是这个人在搞啥子鬼名堂？唔！多半是的。不然的话，就算魏楚藩要集合队伍训话，也不会有这样严重的场面。”想到这上头，他更要把庙里情形弄个清楚。 就这一瞬间，瘟祖庙里突地迸发出一片呼啸，是上百数人放开喉咙的呼啸，声浪大得惊人，仿佛乍响的春雷，又有点像新津河岸上放出的开花炮；并且很清楚地听得出呼喊的是：“赞成！赞成！全体赞成！” “赞成啥？难道事情变到这步田地，大家竟赞成把为首倡议的人立地正法，随声附和的人插耳箭游街不成？……” 接着人声嘈杂，好些角落都在吹口哨。 吴凤梧回身便走，自言自语说：“离远点的好！” 面街石板被几十双有力的脚蹴踏得噔噔噔乱响。 一小队提枪在手的全武装步兵从迷迷蒙蒙的夜色中冲了过去。 每个人的脸色是那样难看。 在前头闪避不及的行人，一掌，被攘得老远。狗，一脚头，汪汪汪朝人家屋里窜。 队伍过后，人们也跟着跑。莫名其妙地互问着：“啥子事呀？出了啥子事呀……” 高升官站门前拥挤了那么多人，甚至有老太婆，有中年大娘，顶多的是十岁上下的小娃娃。站房大门没有关闭，可是已经有全武装兵把守，横起眼睛看人，连檐阶边都不准挨拢。 人堆里头有人在问：“那队新军副爷奔进去，搞些啥名堂？” 也有人在答说：“想必是关饷银。” “今天九月十五。作兴半月关一回，也该明天呀。” “你在跟别个当账房师爷吗？难道早一天，迟一天，都不行？” “随你咋说，硬不像是关饷银。” "why?" “你不记得初二那天发饷，只是排起队子点名应声，并没有看见这样刀刀枪枪活像打仗一般。” “那么，你说他们到里头去，干些啥事呢？” “我若是晓得，还跟你舅子一样，在这里猜灯谜吗？” 站在旁边听人说话的吴凤梧，喉咙痒得活像有蚂蚁在爬，好几次都想插嘴表白一下他的真知灼见：他认定里面多半在清查那些为首倡议和随声附和的人们；或者已经清查出来，正在审讯。他之所以有点迟疑，是还没有把瘟祖庙的场面和这里联系得起，因为只有一位林大人，断不能忽而在瘟祖庙训话，又忽而在高升站审案。要说林大人才由瘟祖庙回来，可是那一小队武装兵气势汹汹地奔过之际，他曾看见，只管在夜影里未能把所有人的面目服色看清，但像林大人那种与众不同的大官，怎么会混在普通步兵中间看不出来？ 就这时，一种震耳欲聋的枪声：砰砰砰砰……从高升站里面爆响起来。 “啊哟！打起来啦！”挤在门外猜灯谜的人，先是呆了呆，接着噼里啪啦像雪崩样，大人娃娃跑了个干净。 吴凤梧没有吓跑。但他非常惊疑，猜不透这枪声的原由。“莫非立地正法，就在高升站里把犯人枪毙了？……怎么会呢？再说军法厉害，即令赵大帅亲自问案，到行刑时，也应明讯口供，叠成文卷，而后才绑赴刑场……并且也不会打了这么多枪？唔！我向来料事都有几成，这回，该不会走了样？……” 好像答复他这句话似的，好几个地方都响起枪声。而且骑兵的马蹄也在石板地上跑震了。口哨之外，还有嘹亮的军号，不知在什么高处，滴答！滴滴答！吹出紧急集合号音。一刹那，人喊马嘶，鸡鸣犬吠，还陆续打了几十枪。 “变啰！”吴凤梧非常惊喜地喊了声。 已经完全进入夜晚。碧油油的天空上，星光不怎么繁。月亮被龙泉山挡住，仅仅照明了半个平原。场街上并不很暗，仍然像在黄昏时候。人家的门户全关完了。龙泉驿场上的居民尚未经过这种事变，枪声一响，大家都躲进屋里。有些顶着铺盖睡在床上，有些直接蹲在灶房的柴堆背后，只有胆大包天的人才敢扒着门缝张望。 看来兵是哗变了，吴凤梧的生意大有希望。但是若不趁机会找着芮克刚，这群满天飞的鸽子，却如何逗得到手呢？ “对！找芮克刚要紧！” 又一小队队伍急急忙忙打从身边走过。除了沉重的脚步和喘息外，还听得见刺刀鞘和水壶碰击的声音。微光中看见走在小队后面的一个人，很像芮克刚。 吴凤梧跳过去冒叫了声：“芮排长！” Sure enough, it was him. 芮克刚停了一下，嘻起嘴巴说道：“你可晓得我们拉起了革命旗，敲响了自由钟？” “咹！革命旗？……” “一点不错，魏楚藩不肯革命，弟兄伙已经把他枪毙了。我们公推林绍泉林教练官当我们的总指挥。队伍已经集合了，立刻就要开拔，你横顺没事，跟我们一起走吧！” “走往哪里去？” “刻下还不晓得。总之，税捐局打了，警察局打了，死伤一大坝，不赶快走不行。今天夜里，必须要赶到简州。” 因为吴凤梧还在犹豫。 “你这家伙太没出息了！光明正大的革命道路，还有啥子迟疑的！”芮克刚看见队伍已进了高升站，连忙压低声气，急急忙忙地说，“林绍泉腿上挨了一枪才答应当总指挥。有些人心里也还是活甩甩的。有啥子话，路上商量，跟着走，有好处……”没等说完。就朝高升站跑了。 在灰扑扑的倒明不暗的夜色中，百多条牵藤火把，加上无数只军用折叠亮纱灯笼，从土地祠大黄桷树底，蜿蜒到龙泉山的高丘曲涧之间。刚从潜藏地方纷纷跑到场外来看夜行军的人们，忘记了不久前所遭遇的恐怖，齐声叹赏说：“好景致！元宵夜的龙灯还没有这么好看哩！” 从石板桥越过一道深谷。接着是一条约莫一里上下、相当险峻的石梯路。到这里，灯笼火把更其参差起来。担行李、担军需的长夫们，倒还首尾相接，走得很匀称。兵士们却看各人的腿劲，腿劲好的，一味向上冲；腿劲差的，紧三步，慢五步，越走越喘气，越喘气越掉后。 芮克刚胆子小，眼睛又有点蒙，才走得十多级，便翻身下马，把马缰交给马夫，叫把空马牵到上面较平坦处去等。自己招呼着吴凤梧，随在长夫后面，一步一停地走。 吴凤梧为了走路方便，把夹袄的前后摆都提起来卡在腰带上。行走之际，看见前后的人隔得稍远，因就悄悄问道：“既然是夏之时、隋世杰几个人煽动起来，为啥你们不就公推夏之时当总指挥，却偏偏要推林绍泉？何况林绍泉又是过路客人，与你们毫不相干。我想了老半天，实实不懂你们耍的啥子把戏！” “不难懂啊！因为林绍泉到底是协里的教练官，又在督练公所听差，资格比我们这一伙都高。” “嘿，嘿，闹革命还讲资格吗？我听人讲过，闹革命连皇帝的命都要革哩！” “我们并没想到这些。只凭夏之时说，革了命，军队里的秩序仍然照旧，不能破坏。我们原本商量好了，要叫魏楚藩当总指挥的。他娘的老顽固，不受抬举！不等宋振亚把话讲完，他就跳起脚骂开了。煞果，弟兄伙毛了，只好送他到阎王那里当忠臣。林绍泉到这时还在向弟兄伙卖狗皮膏药，劝弟兄伙不要听信谣言，各自归队，他担保到内江接到端大臣时候，一定为大家说好话，不使队里一个人受责罚。直到弟兄伙开枪，把他大腿打了个对穿对过的大洞，他才住了口。隋世杰主张不管他，等他自去理落的，偏偏夏之时不肯，再三说，魏楚藩既然死了，林绍泉的资格更高，我们只好推他当总指挥。隋世杰、贾雄都没话说，这事当然通过了。” “弟兄伙答应吗？” “弟兄伙全是听夏、隋两个人的话，咋说咋好，岂有不答应之理？” “林绍泉难道也答应了？” “敢不答应！你默倒他当真不怕死吗？” “我看你们这尊在尿缸里泡过的菩萨，未必灵验！” 在梯路猛地向东一转，冷清清一个溜圆月轮恰从垭口中爬上来。一派清光洒下，仿佛把四周山峦都浸在水里。不过光度还不够强，稍远地方尚有些朦胧。 吴凤梧昂头把月光一看道：“好天气！今夜这九十里路程，算是天老爷帮了忙！到了简州，还走不走？” “恐怕要走。离省并不远，赵大帅得了信，岂有不发追兵急追的？” “朝哪里走呢？” “看夏之时的主意。” “咋个不说看总指挥的主意呢？” 芮克刚哼着鼻子笑了声：“你想想看，总指挥会出主意不会？即使出了主意，你愿不愿服从？正如你说的，在尿缸里泡过的菩萨，谁还肯向它磕头礼拜？” “那么，何必要这个有名无实的总指挥呢？” “我们这些人怎么知道？你去问夏之时、隋世杰他们。” “正想问你，这两个人是不是革命党人？” “现在当然是啰，平日在队伍里却看不出。就是一句激烈话也没听见他们说过，并且没有看见同别的人来往……” “没有看见同别的人来往？”吴凤梧不由格格笑了起来。接着就把今天上午他在土地祠无意中碰见的那件事摆谈出来道，“王文炳在同志会里干过事，并且是罗会长的红人，自然是革命党人无疑。那个褚啸天，就不特别介绍，光看样子便是一个革命党人。夏之时和他们那么亲密，若说平日没有来往，那才见鬼哩……哈！说到这里，我又想起了，王文炳、褚啸天两个人恰恰今天在这里露面，你们的弟兄伙恰恰今夜拉起了革命旗，敲响了自由钟，这其间，该不是……” 不等吴凤梧说完，芮克刚已把他的肩膊重重地捶了一下道：“吴哥，这下我才恍然了，为什么老夏他们到今天忽然胆大起来？原来有人在背后打气啊！” 吴凤梧哈哈一笑，也学着他的口吻道：“芮哥，这下我也恍然了，你们急行军的目的地，十分之九是在川南，准定要由资州转富顺县，到自流井去的。” “你如何晓得？” “告诉你，因为王文炳说过，他到这里是为了搬兵求将。当时听了没注意，现在想来，自然是求你们这些将，因为那里正在打仗呀！” “还要打仗吗？原说闹革命就是为了不再替人卖命打仗……哼，哼，还要打仗……” 他们已经把这段陡坡上完。芮克刚的马夫正牵着那匹小花马在几株老榆树下等着。 月亮升到半天，月色更其清明。遥望前前后后的灯笼火把，几乎熄灭了一大半。 吴凤梧接过一碗旋从铜瓢中倾出的滚热的醪糟，拿调羹捞了下，糯米糍粑果然不少。尝了一口，味道也甜。遂说：“对！照样再来一碗。糍粑老实多加一些。” 走了一个通宵，没有歇过一口气，累算不得太累，只是未曾提防到会夜行军，吃晚饭时，没有多吃一口；并且太阳刚偏西就吃了，以致黎明以前，距离简州还有一长段路，他的肚子便饿得咕咕叫。看见有些兵士一路走，一路嘴里在嚼东西。趁着照得如同白昼的月光，留心一侦察，有几个好像啃的是白面锅块，有的拿在手上的似乎是芝麻饼、云片糕之类的点心。都吃得那么香，活像故意在向他示威。他非常生气，咽着清口水，冲到芮克刚身边，把他踏着马镫的腿杆拍了拍道：“有句话，要向你谈。” “啥子要紧话哟！一会儿再讲不好吗？” 比及芮克刚从马背上俯下半截身子，脑壳几乎挨着马鬃，问他要说什么话时，他又感到有些话实在不便出口。他能责怪革了命的弟兄伙不应该旋走路旋吃东西吗？他脑子一动，毕竟找到另外几句确是该说的话。 “我想，到了简州，我还是离开你们远一点的好！现在商量一下，免得临时来不及。” “非常赞成！我也想到这上头，你这时候露面，很不方便。因为到了简州，还不晓得起不起冲突……” “咋会说到起冲突？” “我没向你说过吗？嗯！不错，我忘记说了。简州驻有一个支队，是孙和浦孙队官在指挥。有一个步兵排，一个炮兵排，如其孙和浦那面尚没有得到龙泉驿消息，趁着拂晓，我们开进他的驻地，给他个防而不备，那便没话说。孙和浦若不同我们一道，就缴他的械，把人押起走。怕的是消息漏了过去，或者赵大帅打了电报去，孙和浦有了准备，两下的话说不好，当然要以兵戎相见啦。” “煞果，还是会叫他缴械的！” “这么有把握吗？” “咋个不哩！你们足足六个大排，他才两个排嘛！” “他有一个炮兵排，炮弹也充足。” “几门啥子炮？” “一门过山炮，两尊小磅炮。” “那算啥，步兵一个冲锋！” “可是，老哥，”芮克刚把马一勒，凑着吴凤梧耳朵，悄悄说道，“我们的军心并不稳固，交不得锋的！” “一碰便垮，那才是你我的运气哩！” 因此，过了石桥井，明月看看要坠入西方云层，东边天际还没有显现鱼肚白色。这时，吴凤梧和芮克刚密谈几句，趁着四下昏黑，闪到道旁一所在雪白墙上写着“东池”两个大字的茅房里，一半真尿，一半假尿，直溺到听不见队伍的行动声，而四野的犬吠更其此起彼应，他方走出茅房。 一出石桥井，右边是矮矮山丘。竹、木、人家全灰蒙蒙的一片，看不十分清楚。可是已经听得见叽叽喳喳有人在说话。一定是队伍经过，把人吵醒，习惯早起的人也就不再赖在床上。左边是静静的沱江，水流舒徐，江面宽到半里上下。阵阵晓风从江上吹来，身上顿时起了鸡皮疙瘩。吴凤梧打了个寒噤，觉得肚子在解溲后更饿了，饿得几乎瘪了。他把腰带收了一下，循着时上时下、忽宽忽窄的江边山路，向前直奔，一心想快快赶到简州，先找东西吃个饱。 黎明时节走进城门。城门大启，街道上看不见几个行人。走了半条街，方碰见十来个背包掮伞、腰缠褡裢、头戴大草帽的上路旅客，一路说话，一路挨肩走过。西街快走完了，不见一家铺子开门，也没有一乘轿子、一根挑子向西门走的。 肚子饿得难过，看光景，在这时候找东西吃，还太早了点！ “嗨！谢天谢地，前头不正有个卖东西的担子吗？” 但是奔到跟前一看，才是卖醪糟的。 “这只能暖肚皮，清汤寡水的……” 一眼看见放碗与调羹的平盘上有三块糯米糍粑重叠放在那里。 “好！有这顶事儿的东西，还差不多。” 卖醪糟的老汉叭嗒叭嗒拉着风箱催火，给他煮第二碗加重糍粑的醪糟时，吴凤梧把手上空碗放下，方有了心思问道：“才不久有一大队新军走过，你可看见？” “咋没有看见？真是饥荒哟，有好多副爷要照顾我一碗醪糟，都着同路的人拉走了！” “打哪条街走的？” “北街。他们打头走的人尽都在问原先开到这里的一队人马驻扎在哪里？还是我告诉他们，在北街长发站。嘿，嘿，不是夸口的话，要不碰见我，够他们找哩！” “你又怎么晓得的？” “我怎么不晓得？我家就住在离长发站不远的一根巷子里。我屋里人同隔壁邻居几家大娘都在长发站领衣裳洗。自从这队新军副爷开来，天天都有衣裳洗，我屋里人天天都要跑几趟……” 火太旺，醪糟开滚得几乎漫到铜瓢外面。 吴凤梧拿调羹舀着醪糟糍粑之际，心里忽然起了个念头。定睛把老头子审度了一下：约莫五十岁光景，脸上很善静，一双随时含笑、却不算呼灵的眼睛。最稀奇的是嘴唇上的胡子，并不像一般人的八字胡垂在口辅两边，也不像社会上才在流行的翘胡子，把胡子尖理来向上翘。而是一顺风地歪在右边。不久，他就看出了这是什么道理。原来老头子揩鼻涕也同小娃儿们一样，老是用他那打了许多补丁的青布短袄袖子，顺手在鼻子底下一揩，久而久之，胡子自然要揩成一顺风了。 “你大爷贵姓？”他装得不在意地问。 “贱姓先……先后的先，不是针线的线。” “你这姓倒少有。” “是啊，我们眉州才有。你老师走过眉州，便晓得有个地名叫线滩。其实就是贱姓先字。我们姓先的，那里顶多了。” “你好像念过书的？”