Chapter 27 Chapter 6 Indecisive

Hao Yousan hurriedly raised his right hand and said, "It's not just about letting go! To be honest, Zhao Jihe just made a 'however' U-turn this time." Huang Lansheng was booing a hookah, and asked casually, "What kind of 'however' is it?" Wang Wenbing narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "I have a language problem." "Ah... ah! Wrong! I meant to ask..." "I understand Mr. Lansheng's meaning. The so-called big turn is Zhao Jihe's words, and he can release Mr. Pu, Luo, Yan, and Deng..." Hao Yousan hurriedly gestured to Huang Lansheng, Tell him not to move, "But there are conditions. It is said that if the conditions are not met, he will not let him go."

A host and a guest sitting across from each other asked in unison, "What are the conditions?" "It's easy to say. In addition to the guarantee of the nine chain shops proposed by the General Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Zhou Ziting and Uncle Shao Ming should write a letter of guarantee to guarantee that the four gentlemen will not oppose him after they come out..." "Of course!" Huang Lansheng nodded. "We must also ensure that the people who are now fighting against him will listen to his consolation, or he will be incorporated into an army, or they will be scattered back to their hometowns, selling knives and buying calves. After one sentence, the people of Sichuan must obey him from now on. He, you can't embarrass him anymore."

Wang Wenbing stood up abruptly from his seat and shouted excitedly: "It's so light..." Huang Lansheng asked: "Which word came out? Could it be someone's proposed words again?" "It's definitely not a proposed word! It was Zhou Xiaohuaite who called Ge Shibo and asked him to come out and discuss with everyone." "It can also be studied," Huang Lansheng said in a deep voice, "people in the yamen are saying that Master Zhou has never entered Ji Shuai's signing room since he resigned from the Tifa Division, and Ji Shuai has not specially passed on him. It seems that between Mr. Zhou and Ji Shuai, it seems..."

Wang Wenbing interjected, "But there have been rumors outside the province that Zhou Shanpei has always been Zhao Erfeng's adviser and strategist." "No, no, no. This is completely a statement of the road, and it is not reliable. Just look at the few people who were reported by the minister, except for the counselor of our department, Rao Jian, who took a few days of sick leave. Fan, when he was still on official errands, he was like Tian Mengqing and Wang Yinbo, who didn't even make this cutscene. Mr. Zhou was the only one who approved his resignation on the spot. Not to mention anything else, just in terms of this point, It can be proved that Mr. Zhou is not only Zhao Jishuai's counselor and strategist, but it can even be seen that there are some unspeakable secrets between the two of them..."

Suddenly, Huang Lansheng slapped himself on the forehead and said, "Oh! I am a man! ... I don't know where the words I want to say went wrong?" The other two couldn't help laughing. "Yes! I remembered. What I want to say is that Zhao Jishuai is a man who has always been self-willed. Whatever he considers to be right - of course, from the perspective of us bystanders, it is not right, but he doesn't know how to turn around. For example, Pu Mr. Luo and Mr. Duan, since Minister Duan has been approved to be released and a notice has been posted, it has spread all over the provincial capital. Those who can see the opportunity should have turned the rudder because of the wind. No one thought that Zhao Jishuai would bite like that. Hold on to the iron nails and don't let go. Now it is suspicious to say that he suddenly made a big turn, not to mention saying again that it was Master Zhou's words..."

Hao Yousan didn't wait for him to finish, and hurriedly said, "But Mr. Lansheng, you haven't heard the following yet!" "Anything to follow?" "Of course! First, the questions you raised just now, according to what Ge Shibo said, Zhou Xiaohuai also said. However, he said that Lao Zhao seems to be headstrong on the surface, but he is not headstrong, but a person without his own opinions. He will listen to whoever speaks well. Before the 15th of July, he only listens to Yin Xingwu, and after the 15th, he only listens to Yang Yanru. As for the two bastards Zhao Laosi and Zhao Laojiu, they are even more He listened to his words. The reason why things have evolved to the present and the situation is getting more and more rigid is because no one is willing to speak to him. Of course, those who trick him are happy to see him fall off the cliff; people who are not trusted by him are even more unable to speak at this time Zhao Jihe has become a loner, relying on the fourth and ninth bastards alone, how can he think that he can take advantage of the opportunity and act according to the opportunity?"

As soon as Hao Yousan stopped talking, Wang Wenbing praised him greatly: "Zhou Shanpei's words really hit the nail on the head! We always thought that Zhao Erfeng was just self-willed, but now after his dissection, it turns out that Zhao Erfeng is a fool!" Huang Lansheng shook his head and said, "It's not unreasonable to underestimate Zhao Jishuai! I thought that if he could climb from a state and county team to the governor's department, he would still have his strengths... But let's put it aside for now. What I want to know , His current 'however' turn is neither proposed by so-and-so, where did it come from?"

"Of course it was advised." "Didn't you say that Master Zhou said that no one would speak?" "However, there are such kind-hearted people." "which one?" "It is said that it is a person surnamed Wu from the supervisor's office..." "Oh! But Wu Zhongrong, the Chief of Staff Office, belongs to Bihua?" "It seems to be this person." "Then, this matter is not false." Huang Lansheng said excitedly, "You don't know that he is the only one among the aides of the entire Taiwan Yamen who can talk to Zhao Jishuai, because he is directly appointed by the Beijing Military Advisory Office. The governor can only dispatch him, not advance or retreat. He rarely goes to the bonded house on weekdays, but once in a while, Ji Shuai always keeps a snack; It's his advice, and Ji Shuai listens to everything." He hesitated for a moment, looked at Hao Yousan and said, "You haven't made it clear yet. What is Master Zhou's words to Ge Huanzhong? Who entrusted him? I think it's definitely not Zhao Jishuai himself."

"Of course not. It is said that it is Wu Bihua." "It can also be studied. Why didn't Mr. Wu go directly to Mr. Yan's nephew, Yin's eldest son, instead of Mr. Zhou?" Wang Wenbing interrupted again: "There's no need to study it any more. I guess it's because Zhou Shanpei is closer to the world of gentry." Huang Lansheng said: "The reason is also correct. Then, Pu Boying and others are considered to be full of disasters!" "Hmm! Not necessarily," Hao Yousan shook his head and said, "Because Mr. Zhou Ziting and Uncle Shao Ming refused to write that guarantee letter."

"Oh!" "Don't blame the two gentlemen for not writing. The responsibility is too heavy. It is said that it can be done just to guarantee that Mr. Pu and the others will not oppose him after he comes out. Just put your head like a rattle... Of course, Mr. Zhou has never participated in a comrade meeting, and has nothing to do with the comrades..." Wang Wenbing's short-sighted eyes blinked a few times behind the thick glass, and said with a smile, "Even if you have a relationship with the Comrade Army, you can't do it!" "Of course, there are also the Revolutionary Party and the League. The current situation is no longer just against Zhao Jihe alone. Everyone's goal is to suppress the revolution and to be independent anyway. Mr. Zhou Ziting has also seen this. So Zhou Mr. Zhao said that when Zhao Jihe proposed such a condition, it was no different from a person who would grab at random when he fell into the water. Even if it was a small grass, as long as he caught it, he would not let it go. We can't say that we are wise and safe. But if we want to drown with it for no reason, then why bother!"

Huang Lansheng sighed and said: "In this way, Boying and the others have no hope of being released from prison. Ji Shuai's big turn is tantamount to paying lip service to nothing!" "That's not the case. Mr. Zhou said, this is a turning point. After all, it can be seen that Zhao Jihe has nowhere to go, so he listened to Wu Bihua's persuasion. The reason why he asked us to guarantee by name is not only to drag us into the water, but also It's a bit perfunctory. The matter has come to this point, even if we don't let him go, he will let him go sooner or later." Huang Lansheng nodded repeatedly and said: "Mr. Zhou has been an official in the capital, so his reasoning is higher than others. What does Uncle Shao Ming say? This person is not too sophisticated." "Mr. Shao thinks whether to let people go or not, and it is no longer up to Zhao Jihe to make the decision. Mr. Shao was very angry and said that he refused to listen to his previous advice, and now he came out to make amends—Mr. Shao didn't believe it was Wu Bihua's advice. It can be seen that he also understands that if he doesn't hurry up to be a good person now, what will happen to him when the Dragon Boat Bridge arrives in the province. That's why Mr. Shao criticized Zhao Jihe in eight words: he is as stubborn as a cow, and as stupid as a pig! " Even the speaker, all three of them burst out laughing. At this time, the ear door on the sedan hall creaked.Then Gao Jinshan came in and said, "Wang Lu and Teacher Wang are here." "Please sit in the main room, I will follow." Hao Yousan got up and said, "What? Has your young master not fully healed yet?" Wang Wenbing also got up and said: "I don't know there are patients in the house..." "Greetings from Duocheng, my son has a rash, all of them have come out and passed the customs. Are you at home tomorrow? I'll come to you." Then he turned to Wang Wenbing and said, "If he doesn't leave for a while, I hope to come and talk about it at any time. Forget it Come on, Zicai is about to go back to the province..." Wan Gu hadn't come to the screen outside the main room door, she had already yelled in a shrill voice, as if whistling: "Mom!——Daddy!——Is brother alright?" "Keep your voice down!" Miss Long Yao who drove away behind her—that is, Mrs. Zhou whom Wan Gu called Yao Niang—hastily greeted her.In fact, her voice is not weaker than Wan Gu's, but it is still delicate. But Zhenbang had already shouted in the main room on the left: "Sister is back! Come in, I'm still in danger!" Then came the voice of Mrs. Huang, who sternly reprimanded her son: "I jumped out of the bed with bare feet without socks." At the same time, she was teasing her daughter: "I'm so panicked, I can't even invite Ann... ..." Mr. Longzhu opened the door curtain and asked inside, "Is Zhenbang really healed?" Mrs. Huang said: "Sit in the study over there, it's a mess..." Knowing that her second sister's temper has always been like this: she doesn't comb her hair, doesn't put on makeup, and never sees strangers; she doesn't let anyone in if the room is not cleaned up.Mr. Long Zhu had no choice but to look at Zhenbang from a distance, asked a few questions that should be asked, and walked to the opposite study with Mrs. Huang. Mrs. Huang asked Chrysanthemum, who had just brought in Wangu's little dress and was not out of breath, to make tea with cigarettes; at the same time, she apologized to her third sister and said, "I have disturbed you for a few days for no reason. I knew that Bang Wazi was a The rash is not annoying, and I am not in a hurry to send Aunt Wan to you." "Why bother! You can't even cut the meat. After a few days of rough food, you will treat the guests." "Hey, hey, you are being polite as an aunt! You are a big little girl, and her yellow hair has not faded, so she is called a guest! These days, I have tried to annoy you enough, Hongdao didn't gossip, did he?" At the mention of Zhou Hongdao's name, Mr. Longzhu's eyes flashed a very unusual brilliance, and his rouge-smeared cheeks were filled with an unstoppable smile.Obviously, this bride who has been married for a month and twenty days is still living a warm life, as long as she touches the name of "that person", she will feel a kind of joy in her heart. Mrs. Huang glanced at her, and couldn't help but pursed her lips and said with a smile: "I think you only have a new bed. Although the bed is wide, it's not very convenient to put a little girl in the middle. Besides..." "Hey! The second sister is too!" Miss Long Yao said with a smile, "What's the inconvenience?" She covered her mouth with a handkerchief again, "He and he have already slept on the same side, each covering their own. The bedding is covered. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Aunt Wan.” "Yes! Both of you are decent people, one is male Liu Xiahui and the other is female Liu Xiahui!" Mrs. Huang suddenly tapped her younger sister's stomach lightly with her finger and said, "I have long wanted to torture you, a decent person. ...From the factual confession! How many months have the goods in your stomach been?" Mr. Long Zhu sat on the beauty couch with rattan heart red sandalwood frame, holding his face in his hands and just smiling.And deliberately tucked her waist, so that her second sister would not see the slightly protruding belly again. "You bastard, you have the guts to do weird things, why do you want to lie to others? You want to lie to others, why do you only lie to me, who is an ice matchmaker? And you have opened Zhang Hongfa for so long, and you still don't tell me To be honest, you bastard, you are really brave! If you want to do something strange, you should ask these experienced old ladies for advice beforehand! In case Zhou Hongdao is a bad person, after picking your head, I don’t want you ? See what you can do..." The more Mrs. Huang scolded aggressively, the more Mr. Longzhu laughed so hard that he couldn't stretch his waist. "...still laughing, what a silly girl!" Then, she sat down next to her youngest sister, put one arm around her round waist, and touched her feverish face with the other, and put her mouth next to her ear, chirping without knowing what to say.Miss Long Yao sometimes laughed, sometimes nodded, sometimes turned her head to look at her second sister, and chirped and answered some unknown words. Mrs. He stomped her cucumber feet like she was pounding chaff (this is what her mistress often scolded her) walked into the study, and asked Mrs. Huang where the canned fish was kept, and she said that the cook Lao Zhang wanted it.Of course, before speaking to the hostess, according to the rules, please greet grandma Yaogu of the Long family first.Mrs. Huang stood up and said, "The canned food is in the closet in my back room. Wait for me to get the key to unlock it. But tell Lao Zhang, don't rush to open it, and then open it after the master and the others come back... Can brother-in-law Hongdao come first?" Mr. Long Zhu lifted up the high collar of his clothes, and said with a smile, "I don't know. When he was leaving with Brother Huang, he just asked me to take Wan Gu'er and come first in a sedan chair." "Just sit here for a while. I'll go over and take a medicine from Youbang." "Since it's cured, why don't you take medicine?" "Yes! Take it. Although the rash is not as solid as pockmarks, the aftercare medicine is indispensable. Originally, Wang Luhe only asked to take two doses, but I advocated taking one more dose." After Mrs. Huang took Mrs. He out, Mr. Long Zhu got up to fetch the tea bowl, and he saw a letter on the desk. It was an earthen paper envelope with a red paper stick in the middle. Although Mr. Longzhu had never been to a women's school, under the guidance of his older brothers and sisters, he was able not only to finish reading "Tianyuhua", "Anbangzhi", "Dingguozhi" and "Phoenix Mountain", but even later he was able to read two books. The "New Novel", "Novel Forest" and "Dream of Prosperity on the Sea" lent by my brother-in-law can all be read, and I can also feel the fun in the book.Therefore, I picked up the envelope and read it out without any effort: the main points, mailed to the Huang Mansion, No. 27, Xiyu Street, side of Huangchengba, Chengdu, the provincial capital, and delivered to Mr. Huang Taifu Lansheng Shengsheng.Chuji, Xinjin County, this province. "Oh! It's a letter written by that young man from the Chu family!" The envelope had already been put down.Inadvertently found that the seal had been opened, and the letterhead inside was slightly exposed.Yin took out the letter paper, there were two in total, and they were ordinary eight-line letter paper with red grids printed on them.The pea-sized characters on the letter paper are written more neatly than the characters on the envelope, just like my brother used to practice writing on lined paper, with meticulous care.At the beginning, there are two lines written: "The two adults, uncle and aunt, are here to read. Your respect..." It turned out that it was not like the kind of letters written by the eldest brother-in-law and the others who only talked about the battle and didn't know what to say. They were always in the style of letters with the first four characters and the last six characters. The words are the so-called vernacular at present—the vernacular that is easier to understand than passing on children's books.So after reading the two letters, she already understood what the letter said. In fact, the letter didn't say anything, it just told my uncle and aunt that he had already married his sister after marrying off his sister one day.Then he said that his parents asked him to thank his uncles and aunts in particular, and thank the two elders for their generous gifts.Then he said that he really wanted to go back to Chengdu to do his homework so that he could finish the graduation exam.His tenet is that studies are the most important thing, and family is the least important.So he only wanted to marry in Xinjin, but in fact, his heart still stayed in the provincial capital, and he didn't take it home.If it wasn't for his parents' strict orders, he would have rushed back to the provincial capital the day after he planned to get married.Due to the strict orders of his parents and the entanglement of relatives, he no longer has the freedom of movement. It seems that it is difficult for him to return to reflection after the full vacation.That's why he said: "Those who don't know think how happy my nephew is in his new marriage. Those who know must understand that my nephew is worried since he left the province. After getting married, it will increase his pain." These few sentences The words are written in extra large, very eye-catching. Girl Long Yao folded the letter paper and shook her head with a smile. Mrs. Huang came in from the back room and saw that she was inserting the letterhead back into the envelope, she smiled and said, "That's a letter written by Chu Zi, and I just received it this morning. Have you read it? It's written well." It’s clear, there’s no fluff, is there?” "He went home to get married?" "Ok!" "Why do you say that you are worried when you leave the provincial capital? Also, after you get married, you will feel even more miserable?" "Oh! You don't know! Zicai's marriage was suggested by his mother and father, and he himself is not willing. If I hadn't tried to persuade him, he would have fallen out with his father!" Mr. Longzhu still shook his head and said with a smile: "I'm already married, and I still say I don't like it, and I say it's painful, I don't believe it." "Of course you don't believe it. It's because you and Hongdao are happily married. Besides, you met each other before you got married, and we have contacts," Mrs. Huang even raised the corners of her mouth, making a fake smile, and continued, "Let's trade first, haha!" Mr. Long Zhu raised his eyebrows and said: "Here it is again, it's hard... Let me tell you the truth, Second Sister, when I did that thing with him, I didn't want to do it, most of it was his seduction, and the other half was him. Persecution. It was only after we got married that I finally settled down. I don’t know how happy our marriage is. But I feel that getting married is a big deal. I can feel the kind of happiness mentioned in the biography and novels, but I can’t think of the troubled situation like the young man of the Chu family. From my point of view, marriage is always a happy event. What the young man of the Chu family said is absolutely It’s not the truth. You see, he wrote the last few sentences in extra large size, I think it’s a deliberate pretense to deceive you!” Mrs. Huang's smile slowly subsided.She pondered for a moment, but then laughed again and said, "You ghost girl, you just got married, and you learned so badly! Why did Chu Zi lie to me? What do I have to do with him begging for a wife?  … ... Uh! You can see clearly that he didn't write this letter to me alone, and my master. It was Huang Lansheng who said he deliberately deceived others, not my second aunt from the Long family..." A porcelain plate on the table was suggested by the guest Zhou Hongdao. The owner (referring to the male host of course) not only kept picking up the fish fillets with mustard and sesame sauce, but also spun them around and praised: "Good! Excellent! Excellent! Compared with eating fish in clear soup, it is considered "a step up"! After eating Japanese canned fish for a long time, I thought it would be unique to add some cabbage to the original soup. I don’t think there is such a kind Better way! Hey, hey, I didn't expect that our Hongdao brother-in-law is also a fastidious person!" Mrs. Zhou sitting opposite couldn't help covering her mouth (in order to cover up the problem that her lips are too big when she smiles, thanks to her mother's instruction, she learned this movement of covering her mouth with a small handkerchief since she was a child) and said with a smile: "Take more Brother-in-law praise! People just don’t know what is spicy chicken? What is Kung Pao chicken?” Everyone at the table burst into laughter. Zhou Hongdao blushed and said with a smile: "Sister Yao is really hateful, she's trying to set me on fire everywhere!" Huang Lansheng shook his chopsticks, took a big sip of Yunfengzheng imitation Shaoxing wine, coughed twice and said, "It's a lot of people who can't tell the difference between these two dishes! I don't blame Hongdao brother alone. I said, there are many people who don't know The origin of Kung Pao Chicken." His wife immediately said: "We don't know! But I'm sorry! Not only can we tell the difference between these two dishes, we can cook them!" "Sisters like your Long family, how many people can there be?" Huang Lansheng didn't dare to confront his wife, and when everyone stopped laughing, he quickly changed his subject and said, "Hongdao, today's incident is really unusual. I'm afraid Zhuge Liang's clever plan , it’s definitely not worth it!” Zhou Hongdao was picking up the last piece of flatfish in his mouth.Then he chewed and said, "It's a trivial matter that is supposed to be reasonable. If you explain it clearly, you can clear up your doubts. But I don't understand why Zhao Jihe is so timid, and he regards ants as elephants?" "It can also be said that after being bitten by a snake, I was afraid of the rope." "It's called nervousness!" Huang Lansheng took another sip of wine, wiped his mouth and said, "But it wasn't Ji Shuai's original intention. Didn't Pu Zugeng say that the fourth and ninth fools forced the old man to do it?" Zhou Hongdao blinked his drunk single eyelid eyes and said, "Well! Even so, from a legal point of view, the responsibility still lies with Zhao Erfeng!" Mrs. Huang asked: "What are you talking about? No brains!" "That's what happened this afternoon... didn't I tell you?" "You still have time to talk to me! As soon as you enter the door, there are sons and daughters, so don't worry about it. Especially women, it seems that they have been separated for a year or so, and they yell at a troublemaker so much that even a real troublemaker can do it." Frightened..." "I didn't scare me away!" It was Wan Gu's whistle-like voice, "It's just Daddy's short beard, it hurts my face so much!" Everyone followed the prestige and saw that the two dolls were standing by the door of the back half of the living room leading to the bedroom, Wan Gu's half body was outside the curtain of the concubine-colored cloth, Zhen Bang only showed his disheveled head.Both dolls smiled. Mrs. Huang shouted loudly: "Boy Bang is causing death, stand in the limelight in the aisle!" The two dolls ran back to the bedroom like frightened mice, only to hear giggling laughter and the sound of running. Everyone laughed for a while.Mrs. Huang interrupted the conversation and said to her master, "Tell me! What's the matter?" It turned out that Wu Zhongrong and Zhou Shanpei, the General Office of the General Staff Office of the Governor’s Yamen Supervising Office, were the matchmaker. The officials and the gentry negotiated well, and no longer need the serial shop guarantee of the Chamber of Commerce. Zhou Fengxiang, the Prime Minister of the Higher School, and the Prime Minister of the Sichuan-Han Railway Corporation are only needed. Zeng Pei, as a representative of all walks of life in the gentry and business circles, went to Wufutang in person and promised in person: from July 15th, the chairman of the Sichuan Consultative Council, Pu Dianjun, and the vice-chairman of the Consultative Council, the chairman of the Sichuan Baolu Comrade Association, were detained in Laixixuan. Luo Lun, Chairman of the Sichuan-Han Railway Sichuan Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Yan Kai, Editor of the Consultative Bureau "Shu News" Deng Xiaoke, etc., after Enshi was released, they absolutely cooperated with the government to put down the chaos in Sichuan and stabilize the local people. Although Shao Cong'en, supervisor of the School of Law and Politics of the Shenban, refused to write a letter of guarantee for a while, he also agreed to accompany Zhou Fengxiang and Zeng Pei to Wufutang to give circumstantial evidence.I heard that those who are willing to provide circumstantial evidence include Liao Zhi, the Prime Minister of the Sichuan General Chamber of Commerce, and Fan Qihong, a former assistant director who is now only serving as a business director.It is said that several leaders who were not allowed to leave the province were released one after another, such as Zhang Lan, a member of the Advisory Bureau, the vice chairman of the Sichuan-Han Railway Sichuan Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting, Hu Rong, the former chief executive of the Telegraph Bureau, Wang Mingxin, the supervisor of the Railway Academy, and Wang Mingxin, a member of the Advisory Bureau. Councilors Jiang Xulun, Ye Maolin, Chengdu Fuxue professor Meng Caicheng, and director of the Sichuan-Han Railway Corporation Peng Fen also expressed their willingness to visit Wufutang.Only Yan Yishi, who came forward and turned himself in and insisted that he wrote the "Discussion on Self-protection of Sichuan People" and wanted to alleviate the crimes of Luo Lun and others, but was uglyly slandered by Little Fatty Lin as a shit-grabbing face, although he also released from the patrol road yamen Although it can be counted as the first one, after all, since he is only a student of a higher school who has not graduated, he is not qualified to deal with these high-ranking officials and gentry, so no one in the group who went to Wufutang heard of it. he. Although there is no documentation to prove the people who went to Wufutang, did all these people go?Or besides these people, are there any other famous gentlemen?For example, Wu Songsheng, an old scholar who is known as "all the descendants of the Hanlin in the world, and a half-student of famous scholars in Sichuan". He has attended all of them, he has taken the lead in every petition, and he has taken the lead in every telegram and even the war with Zhao Erfeng.But this time, he was not included in the list for going to Wufutang.There is no way to investigate why, so I have to wonder. In a word, the meeting of Wufutang was very lively, there were several people from the gentry side, and there were also some people from the official side; there were also results, the representative of the gentry side said something very respectful and decent, and Zhao Erfeng also changed his old ways. He put on an extremely kind and sincere appearance, and promised to invite Mr. Pu, Mr. Luo, Mr. Deng and his nephew Yan Hanlin to come out tomorrow.And in order to show his determination, he immediately ordered Zhang Mazi, the captain of the guard, nicknamed Caoshangfei, to withdraw the guards stationed around Laixixuan for protection; Zhou Fengxiang and Zeng Pei were asked to visit Laixixuan in person , are you gentlemen receiving preferential treatment? As soon as the news came out, the joys of the family members, relatives and friends of each family are beyond description.Here we can only take Yan Kai's family as a representative. Yan Jihu, named Boqin, was an old eunuch. When he was the county magistrate in Henan, he and Xiliang, who was once the governor of Sichuan, and the present Zhao Erfeng were called colleagues; old enough.What's more, the son is a young Hanlin, and the son-in-law is a young military officer.People complimented him on his good fortune, and he said humbly: "It's caused by the shackles of our ancestors!" In terms of human sophistication, he is deep enough.I haven't read the "Song and Yuan Xuean" well, and I think that the study of body, mind, and life is beyond the reach of the ancients; especially when it comes to the tricks of tempting and forbearance, he is indeed good at it.For example, when his son Yan Kai was arrested by the governor's military inspector on July 15th, he was invited to the Zhitai Yamen with a strong gift, but he never returned; when the news of the murder came, the whole family cried out in fright.He was able to sit alone with his eyes closed, and silently recited the "Taishang Induction Chapter", which is a good word.After dusk, the Zhitai Yamen sent staff to pick up the bedding and clothes, and reported that the Hanlin was fine, but was treated preferentially in Laixixuan, and was not allowed to return to the province for the time being.The family turned from grief to joy.But he was able to sit alone with his eyes closed, and he didn't listen to it, but he stopped reciting the "Taishang Induction Chapter" silently.Such a person, no one would have thought that someone would report that his Hanlin son, who had been detained for two months and nine days, would be released and go home tomorrow afternoon.He could no longer sit alone with his eyes closed, but opened his mouth wide open for joy, unable to close it.She couldn't help wiping her tears and said: "Ah! There is also today... Alas! There is also today..." And no longer silently recited "Tai Shang Induction Chapter", but called his daughter-in-law Mrs. Zhang, and lit a few pairs of big candles brightly red.He put on robes, gowns, boots and hats according to the grades, and the men and women in the family also put on formal dresses according to the grades.Led by him, kneel three times and kowtow respectfully in front of the gods, the earth, and the ancestors of the past generations, in order to thank the gods, the earth, and the ancestors of the past generations for their secret blessings! As soon as the trick was done, Daoxi's relatives and friends had already arrived one after another.A large mansion that entered the house twice, smiling faces were everywhere, and cheers were heard everywhere. Zhang's family took the long-leaf tobacco stem from Yushizui from their daughter, and while puffing on the pungent green smoke, they said to Old Mrs. Yan: "My family, Yongqi will come out tomorrow, how do you arrange to pick him up?" The old man Yan said with his white beard, "There is no arrangement. I just asked my family to take the empty sedan chair and gown with me, so that he can come back fully dressed, kowtow to the ancestors of heaven and earth, and thank the emperor for his kindness to Bei Que Yao." "Thank you too?" "I want it. Because it wasn't the emperor who sent the order, how did Zhao Jihe release him?" "Isn't it widely rumored that the regent has taken Emperor Xuantong with him and fled back to his hometown in the three eastern provinces?" "Maybe it's a rumor. Right now there's talk of independence everywhere, people are panicking, there are all sorts of rumors!" "Let's ignore that. Let me tell you, although Yong Qi has not been in a prison for more than two months, Laixixuan, the yamen of Taitai, can be regarded as a prison after all. After living for so many days, even if he doesn't meet evil spirits, It's also unavoidable. When he comes out, we should follow the old custom and have a good time with him. In-laws, don't you think so?" "How to rejoice? I don't know about this custom. Hey, hey, in-laws, don't take offense! Because I have abandoned the Qingde of the past dynasties, I have never had a lawsuit against anyone, and no child has ever been rebellious; of course! I am in the province. I have been an official for many years, and I only sit in court to investigate cases and handle lawsuits for the people. I have never been in prison, I have never been in prison, and I have no such experience. How to reconcile the law? I really want to ask my in-laws to teach me!" Zhang's family smoked leaf cigarettes, pondered for a while, and said, "Well, let's go get some more people to pick him up. You have a small manpower in your house. When I come out, invite more relatives and friends. The neighbors should invite all of them." One is to get the matter started, and the other is to shut down the dignity of the family. On Yongqi's blue cloth four-person sedan chair, there should be two red ribbons...red ribbons and hot flames...yes! Hot flames must be. One is to announce the good news, The second is to exorcise evil spirits. It should have been released in the lobby of Zaotai Yamen... Naturally, of course, it is inconvenient, and I am afraid that Zhao Zhitai will not allow it. We have to wait for his sedan chair to go out to the gate before releasing... ...Naturally, naturally, I don’t put too much fire. Outside the gate, two strings of Qianzixiang are necessary. Then, put two strings at the exit of the street, and when the sedan chair enters your street, put two strings. Finally Okay, let’s put it in the hall of the mansion from the street corner... The red color and the hotness should be sent by our relatives, friends, neighbors, neighbors... No, no, you can’t ask your in-laws to spend a penny. If your in-laws must If you want to reciprocate your affection, then wait until Yongqi’s virtuous son-in-law pays respects to his ancestors and express his gratitude to everyone, then let everyone have a cup of tea and some desserts, that’s enough!" Mrs. Yan fully agreed.Zhang's family immediately began to arrange.So around three o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, just the relatives and friends of Yan's mansion, neighbors, husbands, sedan chairs and horses crowded outside the front gate of Zhitai Yamen.With the addition of the wives, sedan horses, relatives and friends of the other three families, and a group of idlers who came here just to join in the fun and watch the spectacle, the pile of people became bigger and bigger.When there are too many people, it will inevitably be noisy.Moreover, the patrolling soldiers guarding inside and outside the yamen at this time were much more docile than they were on July 15th. No matter how loud and loud the noise was, they always watched with a smile on their face, and did not intend to interfere. No one expected that because so many people gathered outside the head gate, from a distance, it looked a bit like the scene when the crowd first came to petition on July 15th.Zhang Mazi ran to the lobby to have a look, and then went to report to Master Ninth Young Master.Ninth Young Master hurriedly found his elder brother Fourth Young Master to discuss.Then, they all came to the old man, and said with all their teeth and claws: "There are so many people gathered, how can we find out that they are all the leaders (although Zhao Erfeng himself has changed his words, even though he has ordered Yu Zong, who is also the patrol officer, to be appointed in the first day or two) Tong sent many policemen to tear up and wash all the stabbing notices posted all over the street, but the two young adults have never changed their purpose, and there is a trend of "the sky does not change, and the way does not change") What if the chiefs are let go, and these gangsters rush into the yamen without any scruples? There are only these two camps in our yamen, how can we resist? Let's see, these four chiefs, it's better not to let go .” Zhao Erfeng sat slumped on the grand teacher's chair, silent, just looked at the two treasures with a pair of deep and sad eyes. Zhao Laojiu shouted: "Dad! I said, Wu Zhongrong's words may be a bit wrong! Don't you intend to make us admit defeat if we release people now?" His father shook his head—the head with even more gray hair, and said with a long sigh: "I've lost to the end, so what if I don't admit defeat?" Seeing the two babies move their mouths, he quickly raised his hand and waved: "Listen to me! The current situation is aggressive. Even if Wu Bihua doesn't come to persuade me, these four people will still be released. I would like to thank Wu Bihua for reminding me. It's too late to release them today, and you still want to stop me. No. Do you want me to make mistakes again and again until I can't catch my navel?" The fourth child raised his face and said, "I don't want your old man to complain about us instead..." Lao Jiu took the lead and said: "Dad! Don't be discouraged. With my two brothers by your side, and Tian Mengqing and Wang Yinbo, we will always turn this situation around. Just try to hold Fourth Master Duan back and not let him He came to the province—I think that Yu Dahong has already set off for eastern Sichuan, and when he passes through Zizhou, he will surely pass the word to the provincial capital and keep it safe. Now, in retrospect, even if these four chiefs must be released, But this afternoon is definitely not allowed! Dad! You old man should listen to our persuasion again!" "Why can't it be released today? I want to hear your reasons." "Because there are so many people gathered outside the yamen—it is said that there are no more than a few hundred people. Not only do they have no intentions, but they also feel threatened. It is similar to July 15. If we release people at this time, we will not only show weakness, but also lose face. .After today's release, firstly suppress the arrogance of this group of people, and then express that whether to let people go or not, it is still up to you, the old man, and your authority has not been lowered!" Therefore, the detainees in Laixixuan had already packed up their blankets, but suddenly Zhang Mazi said, "There are a lot of idlers outside the yamen. The commander is afraid that the adults will be frightened when they go out, so he begs the adults to stay." Let’s stay one more day. When the order outside is completely stable, I will send the adults and gentlemen back to the residence.” But the people outside the inner house didn't know these reasons in detail, they only said that Zhao Erfeng changed his mind for no reason, and suspected that something must have happened. 黄太太问她的老爷：“你们咋个晓得这么清楚？莫非你们跑进内宅门去过不成？” 黄澜生一面泡汤扒饭，一面用筷子比画着笑道：“噢！进制台的内宅门去，谈何容易！现在连那位宝贝太尊路广钟都得不到这种优待，像我区区一个州县班子的小幕僚，哪里会有这种资格？” 龙竹君插嘴说道：“啊哟！黄大哥说得那么深沉！一个制台嘛，他总没有皇帝大。现在皇帝还着人吆跑了。皇宫内院想必变得跟你们隔墙的菜园子门一样，啥子人都可以随便进出的了。一道制台的内宅门，那算啥子哟！” 周宏道眯眼瞧着他的这位新娘子，还不住地点头。 黄澜生哈哈大笑道：“幺妹以前是最沉静的一个人，想不到经我们这位宏道襟弟个多月的磋磨，一下便伶牙俐齿起来。宏道襟弟真不愧是个教育大家……” 不等他的话说完，他的太太已经哼哼地冷笑了两声道：“倒是哟！我们龙家女子，出嫁前，都是笨嘴笨舌的，只会啖饭。出嫁后，得亏你们先生老爷们的教诲，才学会了说话。不过我们还是说得不好，往往一开口就得罪了人。有些时候，把人得罪了还不觉得。说起来，自然由于我们生得蠢，可是一半也怪先生老爷们太瘟，常言说得好：师高弟子强嘛……” 她幺妹连忙接口道：“我们周先生就说过，中国女子教育没有日本好，日本女子程度硬要高些。” “……那还消说！我们亲眼看见的。你们结婚那天，那个日本婆子张细小露多能干！多会说！所以葛大哥才指名要她出来代表我们中国女界致词。可惜人家才行结婚礼，晓得人家有没有生育？她就咋个经佑幼儿呀，咋个教育幼儿呀，说了一长篇打屁不粘大胯的话……啊呀呀，这程度才高哩……” 周宏道窘得连耳根都红了，只是尴尬地念着：“幺妹子！幺妹子！” 黄澜生泰然笑道：“久矣夫，不曾听见太太的高论了！” 已经擦黑了。高金山突然出现在通往堂屋的门限边，假咳了一声。 “什么事？”黄澜生立即正颜厉色地问。 “督院上的蒲老爷来了。” “有什么要紧事吗？” “没有。说是顺路过来拜会一下，歇一歇脚。” “是生客，请到大花厅升炕！把洋灯点燃拿去！泡茶！” 倒座厅里饭已吃完，主客相让着仍旧到书房里起居。书房里的菜油灯盏已点亮了。 周宏道用自己带的竹牙签一面剔牙缝，一面说道：“就是这位武巡捕蒲祖庚向我们讲的。他说：'今天不放人了，没有热闹可看，二位请回府吧。'当时，全幕僚处恐只有我们先晓得……呸！呸！呸！我们从督练公所出来……呸！……看见辕门内还聚集着一堆人没散……咳！人夫轿马的确不少，还有两抬盒的火爆……咳呸！大约大堂里头的话尚没有传出。” 黄太太从菊花捧来的卤漆茶盘里，把末一杯热茶取到手上，问道：“这个武巡捕，咋又晓得那么详细？” “据说，四少大人吩咐他打电话给周孝怀，他又在内宅门进出，当然清楚。” 龙竹君道：“黄大哥刚才说得内宅门那么森严，咋个一个武巡捕又能够进出？” 她二姐道：“你不晓得，武巡捕虽说是个武官，可是身份并不高，跟在制台身边传话跑腿，和跟班差不多的。” 接着，话头又搭在颜楷的岳父张亲家搞的这种冲喜的故事上。三个人都批评他实在做得过分了一些，无怪赵老九等人不高兴。 黄太太总结一句说：“这叫作欢喜老鸹打破蛋！” 半小时后，黄澜生送走了蒲祖庚进来。 黄太太迎着问道：“这个人打哪里来？平日并无来往，怎说要进来歇脚？” 黄澜生笑道：“歇脚是借口话，真意是在夸耀他今天一桩很不寻常的遭遇。当然联络情感，烧烧冷灶，也是有之的。” “他从制台衙门来的吗？” “不！他是进满城给将军送信去的。据说，是赵季和一封亲笔信，很重要，特别派到他。现在回督院去，顺路拜会一下。不过从他口中听来，天下大事委实有些不妙……” 原来蒲祖庚当送信专使，这次已是第三次。前两次，都是在差官房里吃一杯便茶，等差官把批了字的回片交下，便算差事办竣。独今天不同了。差官捧信上去后，不久就满面是笑地跑下来说，将军在花园船房里要面见他。他非常惊异地跟差官走进花园。Whoa!真是名符其实的一所好花园：有假山，有池塘，有高台，有圆亭；树木又多又古老。他记得一株古老玉兰树，从三堂旁边伸来，越过两重屋脊，弯曲盘结在船房檐口。根干有好粗？have no idea.光看树梢头的丫枝，就比他膀膊还大。他早听说将军衙门里的古木很多，有一些是清朝初年的，有一些更古，不知古到什么年代，眼面前这株玉兰，想来便有好几百年！ 船房很陈旧，不惟金漆业已剥落，栏杆和嵌了玻璃的雕花窗棂，都有了残缺。不过从四周看来，却颇雅致，比起藩台衙门花园里的船房，不知好到哪里去了！（制台衙门的花园原也不错，因为开办新政，就割出来修建了许多房舍，幕僚处就是其中之一。到蒲祖庚当差时候，已经有名无实了，所以他才未拿制台衙门的花园来作比拟。） 将军玉昆年龄并不大，看来不到五十岁。可是又黄又瘦，两撇八字须垂在下巴两边，和闰六月到制台衙门来回拜大帅时那种肥头胖耳、白净无须的模样，简直是两个人。不过神气还安详，举止还从容，不像大帅有时是火神菩萨，有时是丧门吊客，总之使人望而生畏，那就有所不同了。 当他跪一只腿打千子时，将军居然站起来，打拱笑道：“免了吧！免了吧！”并且要他坐在对面那张铺有红哔叽垫子的交椅上，说：“坐了好说话。” 一个比芝麻差不多远的小官，居然同头品大官平起平坐起来。何况这位头品大官，还是最为讲究尊卑礼节的旗下人，在平常日子，错了一步，都得挨训、撤差，甚至摘去翎顶，在辕门罚跪。然而今天竟自拉平了，仿佛这颗芝麻顿然变得跟西瓜一样。“这是啷个搞起的？”这个大邑县人、武举出身、官阶爬到守备的蒲祖庚，几乎糊涂得连东南西北都分辨不出了。 当然，开始蒲祖庚还是不敢就座。亸着两只袖管，连连称说：“小的不敢！小的不敢！”经不住将军再三邀请，似乎不就座，大有对不住人之势。而后他才再打一个千谢座，而后他才挺起腰板，只拿屁股尖挨着那交椅的边。（这坐法，是他在制台花厅上，伺候大帅传见那些府厅州县班子人员时，看熟了，学会了的。） 不仅让了座，而且还送了茶（硬是旋泡的盖碗茶，并非便茶）；而且还一定不让他再称呼大人、小的，说：“朝廷早有谕旨，在官厅中，只可以官职相称；在私下里，尔汝相称。什么大人、小的这些陈腐称谓，理应废止勿用。何况目前又将步入平等时代，官职有高低，人则无大小。”说到这里，将军更诙谐地笑道：“以汉仗言，像你这样的大个儿，才配称大人，我比你瘦小，我才应该称小人哩，你说对不对？哈哈……哈哈……” 将军尽管这样洒脱，这样亲热，几乎像对待一个换了庚帖的老朋友似的在同他周旋。但蒲祖庚仍然不敢放肆。半个钟头之久，那种危坐的姿态丝毫没有懈意；还一直眼观鼻，鼻观心，任凭将军说什么，他总是“喳！……喳！……”地答应着。由于他矜持过了头，反而没把将军说的话听清楚。及至告辞出到差官房，那个差官头儿绞了一把热水葛巾递给他揩脸上的汗，同时笑着说：“玉帅托你老哥的事情，可别忘了呀！”他才恍恍惚惚觉得玉昆将军确曾讲过一些什么满人汉人原本都是黄帝子孙，完全是一家弟兄，为什么要你踢我一脚，我揍你一拳呢？又说什么外面那些传说，都是匪人捏造的谣言，居心挑拨；他已经三令五申，不准他部下的旗兵擅出营门一步；甚至连二五八的操期都取消了。将军似乎叫他把这些话多多讲跟人听。后来说到来喜轩里那几位先生快出来时，将军确曾慨叹了一番说，早应该礼请人家回家的。因而嘱咐蒲祖庚代他问候蒲先生、罗先生、邓先生，尤其是颜翰林。并且说：“我本来要亲去给他们道喜的。因为有些不便，也不好专派我这里人去，恰巧有你这个人来了……” 黄澜生接着向大家说道：“照玉将军这种纾尊降贵、极力拉拢的举动看来，革命党打到京城，摄政王逃回老家，并不全是谣言。说不定清朝江山，硬是要被革命党夺去。革命党头子孙文，难道真要位登九五，戴几天平天冠吗？” 周宏道摇头道：“孙逸仙不会做皇帝的……” 他太太一口接过说：“我也是这个意思。起先我就跟二姐摆谈过。二姐，该是哈？” 黄太太点头道：“是的，幺妹说过。” 黄澜生、周宏道都诧异地问是怎么说的。 “幺妹她说，这个孙什么人，因为他不姓朱嘛！” 周宏道呵呵笑道：“幺姑娘的意思，我明白。她以为清朝江山，得自明朝崇祯皇帝，明朝皇帝姓朱。现在清朝垮了台，它的江山该由明朝后人来坐，别的人就不行。可是这样的？是这样，我就要说……幺妹子不要生气呀！……我要说，我给你买的那本《中国历史教科书》，毕竟应该翻一翻。虽然不及什么弹词、不及什么小说好看，但是却可增长一些学识，免得……” 龙竹君早已噘起厚嘴唇说道：“你挖苦我没有学识吗？告诉你，我并不晓得明朝皇帝到底姓猪哩姓狗，我只是听见孙大哥同妈妈说过……这话早啰，是宣统即位那个时候吧，孙大哥向妈妈说：'丈母，你老人家该记得？清朝才得天下时候，是一个摄政王、一个皇太后带一个娃娃皇帝，现在又是一个摄政王、一个皇太后带一个娃娃皇帝。照循环道理讲来，清朝气数恐怕要走完啦！'妈妈拍起巴掌说：'巴不得它的气数快点完。可怜崇祯皇帝，吊死煤山，好惨哟！你留心打听一下，看看造反的人里头有没有姓朱的，若是姓朱的出来了，那就好啰！'这番话大家都忘记了。今天同二姐摆到这上头，我才忽然想起。孙大哥的话既已十验八九，那么，到金銮宝殿上去登基的人，咋个不是姓朱的人呢？我的话该没错吧？红不说白不说就教训人……” 周宏道连忙说道：“原来如此！的确是我的不对，没有先请教幺妹子何所据而云然……” 黄澜生只顾点头磕脑叹说：“我也和孙雅堂议论过这种巧合。当时只觉奇怪。谁也没料到，不过三年光景，江山果然易主！可见改朝换代，天意是早定了的。”他顿了顿，又向周宏道问道：“你老弟说孙文不做皇帝，却是什么意思？难道真如丈母所说，要找个姓朱的来恢复明朝的统绪不成？” “非也！非也！我说孙逸仙不做皇帝，因为他要废除专制政体，实行共和政体。孙逸仙曾经宣言过，革命之后，要建立一个民国，实行像法兰西那样的共和，立法、行政、司法三权鼎立，成立上下议院，由议院选举一个人出来当伯理玺天德……” 黄太太抢着问道：“当啥子？百里奚？……怎会搞出一个古人名字来了！” 她老爷笑道：“你听差了，是伯理玺天德五个字音。我记得几种新书上都提到过这名字，翻成中国字的意思是大统领。” 周宏道说道：“是大总统，不是大统领。” 龙竹君把一只新的金壳怀表摸出来看了看，说道：“时候晏了，改天再来讲这些改朝换代的事，好不好？” 黄太太遂也高声问道：“轿子喊来了没有？” 高金山、何嫂都在窗外应声说，早已喊到，连灯笼里的蜡烛都点好了。 临到要走时候，周宏道重又拜托黄澜生，一定代他找两听日本鳆鱼。 “我明天就去托邓乾元。我也还要买几听。这种珍品，一定到得不多，不趁早买几听，以后便难买到了。” 黄太太道：“怪啰说是路途不通，连柴炭都运不来，咋个这种海味，又能运来呢？” 周宏道说：“从上海到宜昌，是外国轮船。从宜昌到重庆，现在也有轮船。从重庆来省城，有大帮麻乡约。当然，只要能够在上海买到的东西，都能运来！” 黄太太道：“轮船，我晓得没人敢挡。但是这个麻乡约呢？一个麻子乡约，便有恁大本事，连同志大王都不挡他？” “二姐，不是麻子乡约，是多少年前，一个姓麻的乡约。他起初帮人顺带点东西。后来就组织起号头，专门代人运这运那。因而便成为全省信帮，又叫作大帮。从此以后，它有自己的运力，又有通袍哥大爷的夫头，随你再烦地方，它都保险通得过。我回来的时候，有几箱子洋书，自己不爱带，我就找到麻乡约。只是打了个招呼说，我到省城便要用的，请他们早点发放。果然，我到省的第四天，麻乡约便把我的书箱挑到。我后来一打听，才晓得麻乡约神通广大，只要是他号上的挑杠，就是火焰山也过得去。像这种海味罐头，何消说；再贵重的东西，他也会平平安安跟你运到的！” 黄太太不由长叹一声道：“我看，等不到几天，我们的柴米油盐，都要请麻乡约来帮忙了！”