Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty-One

As soon as he heard the sound of the gong, Master Xiaolian felt that something was wrong.He first asked the servants at home to look outside the door because there was a fire somewhere.The servant came back with a pale face, as if he had encountered a ghost. "Old...Master, no...it's bad! On the street,...there are many people on the street, many...a lot of people!" "What are so many people doing on the street so early in the morning? Bite!" "Response...to the master's words, then...those people ran to the Dragon King Temple when they heard the sound of the gong. The younger ones greeted them, but they also... ignored them!"

Master Xiaolian was startled, his face immediately changed color: "Could it be that they want to plot rebellion!" "Exactly...exactly! Later...later, the young one met a friend whom he knew very well, and that friend was called Kuai Sheng. The young one,... asked him: 'Why...what's the matter when rushing to the Dragon King Temple? ’ Na Kuai Sheng said: ‘It’s reversed! It’s reversed! Damn, County Lord Chen has corrupted 60,000 taels of silver, and we’re going to kill that old dog!’” Master Xiaolian was stunned, he suddenly fell down on the chair behind him, and he didn't speak for a while.The master's face turned pale, his eyes were red, his lips were blue and purple, and he was trembling all over. After a while, he said flatly: "Fake! Fake! County Lord Chen has been an official for many years, and he is honest and upright. How could he be greedy for money? Hidden silver dealers are going to be beheaded! No, he dare not! He must have dealt harshly with those rogues for no reason, and accumulated old grudges, so these desperadoes took advantage of the tide to provoke and rebel !"

But the servant said: "My lord, I'm afraid I can't tell the truth about this! Yesterday... Last night, I saw a post on the street saying that County Lord Chen was greedy for 60,000 yuan! Well... a lot That's what the posts say! And poetry!" Master Xiaolian said angrily: "Bold! I said there is no such thing, so there is no such thing! I have known the Lord Chen and the master for many years, and I know his character! Don't talk nonsense here!" "Yes! Yes! The little one dare not!" Master Xiao Lian thought for a while, and said: "The government will not let these gangsters commit troubles! They will definitely end up being killed! However, at the moment, we must guard against their troubles coming to the house! Hurry up! Tell me all the courts, regardless of master and servant, all males are ready to deal with me with swords and sticks! Put double bars on the top of the gate, outsiders are not allowed to enter the house, and family members are not allowed to go out!"

"yes!" "Also, send a few family members out through the back door, one rushes to the Jinkou county government office to report the letter, and the others split up to find people with the surname Lu outside the mansion, and pass on my words, my lord, that anyone with the surname Lu must not participate in the chaos! Don't listen! Those who dissuade them, I will punish them severely in accordance with the family law and family rules in the future!" "Yes Yes!" "go Go!" Master Xiaolian waved his hand distractedly, as if chasing away an annoying fly.

The servant took a few steps back, turned around and went away. After the servants left, Master Xiaolian leaned on the grand teacher's chair, and then he began to meditate alone again, and gradually a little bit of doubts arose in his heart.Looking back, he felt that it was not impossible for County Lord Chen to hide the relief money.It is true that the old county respects people as decent, but he also shows some extraordinary respect and love for money and property.Earlier, he had heard that the old parents were so sophisticated, they didn't eat small profits, and they were only greedy for big money. Every year, the filial silver from the seven or eight big companies in Nansipo was more than ten thousand. When he went to court with foreign hairy Jackson and John Lee, the confiscated more than two hundred and seventy taels of silver also went into his own private pocket.He didn't believe these things at all in the past, but now, with the mention of greed and hiding money for relief, he can't help but become suspicious.There is a saying that there is no wind without waves, and if there is a storm, if there is no excuse, no matter how stubborn the gang is, they will not dare to make such a scene.

Thinking about it this way, he broke out in a cold sweat. If Chen Xianzun really hid the 60,000 taels of relief money, then even if he is not killed by the rioters this time, he will be charged with treason by the court in the future!But he has a close relationship with such corrupt officials, if he does not do well, he will be involved! Thinking of this, Master Xiaolian let out a long sigh: "Brother, wow, you really shouldn't, you really shouldn't!" Two lines of turbid old tears fell down, along the loose skin and flesh of the face, and dripped to the ground. In the past two years, Master Xiaolian has aged visibly, the braids on the back of his head have become grayer and thinner day by day, and many dark brown spots have appeared on his face.My physical strength is not as good as it was a few years ago. As long as I take a few steps less, I will open my mouth and pant for breath. even out.

Master Xiaolian is old, old. Master Xiaolian is getting closer to that World Day, it's getting closer. However, Mr. Xiaolian has been loyal to the emperor and filial piety all his life, perfect, and must not make a big mistake at the end of his life!He could not allow any member of the Lu family to participate in the rebellion, and he could not be implicated because of the embezzlement and concealment of the relief money by the county official Chen, so that he would be innocently wronged.He thought that in the future, if someone asked about Mr. Chen Lao Xianzun again, he would not be able to guarantee it no matter what. The heart of a tiger is separated by a sweater, and the heart of a man is separated by his belly; who knows who!These days!This world!

Thinking of Mr. Chen's greed, and naturally thinking of his integrity in presiding over Tongling County, he couldn't help but have a sincere respect for himself. "Oh! These days! This world..." Master Xiaolian couldn't help but sighed to himself again. Yes, these days, the world is becoming more and more outrageous!Those who are officials only respect money and do not respect the saints; those who are subordinates only care about their stomachs and disregard the rules and regulations of the court!Not to mention the foreign medicine and foreign teaching foreign hair!How can this world go on like this!

Thinking, thinking, the circles of his eyes turned red again—half of being moved by his perfect character, and half of it being caused by his loyalty to the Qing Dynasty and his sense of urgency. Depressed, he ate breakfast and was rinsing his mouth with tea when two grandchildren and a distant nephew came to report, saying that a hundred or so people from the clan scattered outside Lu's mansion had been caught in the chaos , I looked around and couldn't find it. Master Xiaolian was furious, lost his composure for the first time, raised his hand and smashed a teacup: "Animals! Animals! They are all...all animals! ...The emperor's kindness is great, and our Lu family is today. How can these disobedient and unfilial things...how dare they not remember the emperor's kindness and commit chaos? Even if Chen Zhixian is greedy and conceals money, he can't do it like this! Chen Zhixian Greedy money and perverting the law, Your Majesty... Your Majesty will ask you! These disobedient and unfilial things, this... this... these disobedient and unfilial things... wow..."

Master Xiaolian suddenly fainted from anger. When Master Xiaolian woke up, commotion had already come to the gate of Lu's residence, but the sound of shouting and killing could be heard across the high courtyard wall and into the inner house of Lu's residence. At this critical moment, regardless of his own weakness, Master Xiaolian, with the support of two family members, walked through the two yards and came to the gate.At this time, the gate with the parallel bars was already trembling amidst the noise.Holding knives and guns, many of the men of the Lu Mansion guarding the gate turned pale with fright and sweated profusely.

Master Xiaolian was still calm, he stood at the door and listened for a while, first he called a few family members to climb up the wooden ladder and look out of the courtyard to observe the movement, and at the same time he told the people around him: as long as the door is broken, the whole family will go out and fight the rebel. Life and death! As soon as the order was finished, the onlookers on the wooden ladder passed on the information one by one. First, about twenty county government officials were guarding the gate of the Lu Mansion, fighting with the many rebels.Then he continued: "Three tolerances were knocked to the ground by the rebels, and the rest jumped onto the bluestone steps in front of the Lu Mansion's gate. While fighting with the rebels, they knocked on the door hurriedly, looking at the situation and wanting to come in to escape." Only then did Master Xiaolian heaved a sigh of relief, thinking in his heart that the commotion outside the door probably did not come for Lu's mansion, so there was no need for him to be so terrified.But the frequent knocking on the door disturbed the old man, he was not sure whether he should let those desperate government servants into Lu's mansion! Just thinking about it, another word came down the wall, saying that two more tolerances had been cut down. Master Xiaolian was stunned, feeling that he couldn't hesitate any longer, so he waved his trembling arms and ordered: "Open the gate and let those tolerances come in!" After hearing this, a grandson hurriedly persuaded his grandfather, "Grandpa, you can't open the door. Once the door is opened, if you let in the yamen servants, you will also let in the gang of rebels! We... we can't take care of it right now." They!" Master Xiaolian said disdainfully: "Don't be so long-winded! Open the door for me quickly, our Lu family has been blessed with the mighty grace of the emperor for generations, and we can't just watch the royal princes die! If the rebels dare to come in, I will fight them to the death! Even if you die at the hands of the rebels, you can't be dishonest!" The grandson didn't dare to argue any more, he obeyed Master Xiaolian's order and opened the door.As soon as the gate opened, a dozen of tolerances covered in sweat and blood slumped in like chaotic rocks. After entering the gate, they crawled and ran like mad dogs, and went straight to hide behind the Lu family man. The rebels who were chasing down the steps also rushed up. More than a dozen family members were divided into two groups, and they were firmly against the door to prevent them from entering, but the door could not be closed. A few big knives dripping blood were brought in. Master Xiaolian saw that the situation was not good, stepped forward, threw off the support of his family, and walked to the door facing the blade.The rebel outside the door saw the respected and respected Master Xiaolian through the crack of the door, and immediately calmed down a bit, and stopped screaming at the top of his voice. The gate was opened wide again, and Master Dayi walked out through the opened gate in awe-inspiring manner, forcing the gang of rebels to retreat more than a dozen steps, all the way to the bottom of the steps. Standing on the steps, Master Xiaolian said: "You...you are going to rebel? Do you know that the killing of government officials will not be tolerated by the king? You... If you are really rebellious, I can't hold you down, old man. ...you should kill the old man first, and then it will not be too late to fight against the government!" Among the crowd, someone immediately said: "Master Xiaolian, this matter has nothing to do with your old man. Mr. Chen, the magistrate of Chen County, hid 60,000 taels of relief money, and sent officials to kill us, so we..." The master sternly shouted: "Covetousness and hiding of relief money is not tolerated by heaven. The imperial court will punish crimes according to the law. If you rebel in groups, you will be executed all over the house!" What the master said aroused dissatisfaction, and someone in the crowd shouted: "Don't listen to this old guy talking nonsense! This old guy has a close relationship with that old dog, and he was wearing pants! Brothers, rush in! Gate, kill those vicious dogs from the government!" "Yes! Go! Go through the gate!" "Kill those vicious dogs who specialize in taking people!" ... Many crowds responded. Master Xiaolian panicked and was ready to retreat into the door anytime.Seeing that the people under the steps yelled for a while, but no one rushed to the door, they calmed down again. At this time, Master Xiaolian saw Lu Niupi and several other Lu clan members among the crowd. Master Xiaolian spoke again: "It is true that the old man has contacts with the magistrate Chen! But whether the old man and the magistrate Chen are wearing pants, you will understand in your heart! How am I, old man? Have your own opinion!" When the master said this, he turned sideways, raised a hand, and pointed high at the four golden characters "Practice benevolence and perform righteousness" on the gate tower, and said proudly: "I don't respect money all my life, but only respect this 'benevolence and righteousness'." ' Two words, old man, if I am rich and unkind, and do many unrighteous actions, my Lu family will never be able to survive today! Just the spitting of everyone will flood this Lu manor!" Everyone was in awe at once—to the four gold characters of "benevolence and righteousness", and to the respected and respected Master Xiaolian. Master Xiaolian then called the roll call: "Lu Huatian, Lu Huayu, Lu Fuqin, Lu Guipin, you are all descendants of my Lu family, and you are all descendants of our ancestors' old servants. Today, you are also armed with swords and swords, and killed in front of your own house. Do you feel ashamed in your heart? The family has never been thin, you don't think of the emperor's kindness, but you actually make trouble, aren't you afraid of the punishment from the sky, and the sky is thundering?" The Lu family members in the crowd hid behind others one after another, as if they saw Master Xiaolian's family law.Only Lu Niupi didn't hide, salivated, looked at the master with a smile, and didn't say a word—in fact, Lu Niupi wanted to talk, Master Xiaolian had the principles of Master Xiaolian, and Lu Niupi also had the principles of Lu Niupi.Yes, Master Xiaolian and Lu Niupi are both descendants of the old servants, but Master Xiaolian and Lu Niupi are not the same thing at all.Master Xiaolian lived in a deep house compound in Lu’s mansion, but Lu Niupi lived in a low thatched hut; after the flood, Master Xiaolian ate fish and meat as usual, but Lu Niupi could only eat porridge with a face; Master Xiaolian felt the greatness of the emperor’s grace But Lu Niupi didn't feel it at all.Therefore, it is reasonable for Master Xiaolian not to rebel, and it is also reasonable for him to be rebellious. Lu Niupi felt that he was beyond reproach. Master Xiaolian is still saying: "I can't control other people and old men, but I can control you descendants of the Lu family. You all listen to me: from now on, you all get out of the chaotic tide for me. Come to the Lu Mansion! If you don’t enter the Lu Mansion today, no one will be able to enter the gate of the Lu Mansion again in the future!" As soon as Master Xiaolian finished speaking, several men surnamed Lu dropped their knives and sticks, shrank their heads and walked into the gate behind the master in embarrassment. Lu Niupi stood still.He still has the pair of trousers that are going to be used to hold money in his arms!If the legs of these trousers were filled with silver, he might listen to Master Xiaolian's advice! Master Xiaolian called his name again in a low-puffed voice: "Lu Huatian, why didn't you hear it? Do you really want to be beheaded in the future, so that I can't collect the body with you, old man? Hurry up and give it to me." Get in!" Shocked by the majesty of the master, Lu Niupi involuntarily took two steps forward... At this time, the little bean sprouts behind him grabbed his lapel: "Brother, Brother Lu, you can't believe the master's words! Once you enter the Lu residence, will the master give you a lot of money? Brother, don't go! Don't go! " Little Bean Sprout reminded him in time, Lu Niupi immediately remembered the hateful gruel, stopped his steps resolutely, and yelled at Master Xiaolian bravely: "This...it's not my fault, this is an official coercion!" Master Xiaolian twisted his mouth angrily, pointed at Lu Niuhide with trembling fingers, and cursed: "An unfilial animal! Go against it! Go against it! Even if you were beheaded by the government, no one in our Lu family will collect your body !" Master Xiaolian's bad behavior aroused public anger, and those who were originally angry shouted again: "Slaughter this bastard! Go to the Lu Mansion!" "Yes! Kill the old man! Kill him!" "Come on! Brothers, go up!" ... The people behind began to squeeze forward, and the people in front were forced by the compelling force behind them, holding their knives and pressing towards the gate. At this time, many men from the Lu family armed with knives and guns poured out of the gate, and a confrontation immediately formed. Master Xiaolian was really terrified at the moment, his legs were weak, his hands were shaking, and his face and forehead were covered with beads of sweat.He knew that as long as he really killed the general, he would most likely end his brilliant life under this gatehouse with the plaque of "Practice benevolence and fulfill righteousness". Therefore, the master sincerely hopes that the two sides will cease fighting... It was unexpected, at this moment, Zhu Renfu from the Longwei Escort arrived, and he first scolded the rebels who were ready to move, and then made a long bow to Master Xiaolian, saying in his mouth: "Master Xiaolian was disturbed! Master Xiaolian was disturbed! I'm really sorry!" Master Xiaolian ignored him. Uncle Zhu was not surprised, waved his hand, and said to the rebels: "Listen everyone, Marshal Ruan has an order, don't delay here, hurry to Jinkou! At this moment, Ruanjiaji and Xinshiji four The brothers from Xiangbazhai have split up and rushed to Jinkou County!" After hearing this, Master Xiaolian knew: Ruan Dacheng was the leader of this rebellion!It was actually the nephew of the Ruan family who lived in his Lu residence five years ago! There was darkness in front of the master's eyes, and countless gold stars spun instantly, and his body couldn't help shaking.The family members behind couldn't see it well, and stepped forward to support the master... Under the orders of Zhu Renfu, the rebels gathered in front of the gate began to surge eastward along the street. It was a day of shocking unrest.On this day, although Master Xiaolian suffered a lot of frights and exhausted his mental strength, he once again maintained the dignity of the Lu family and the justice in the world.Just like in the eighteenth year of Jiaqing kneeling in front of the Futai masters, begging them not to massacre the city, he has accumulated a great merit.That time, he tried his best to turn the tide and saved the 130,000 court children in Tongling; this time, he stepped forward and saved the lives of more than ten government servants. Master Xiaolian has a clear conscience! However-- However, Master Xiaolian failed to stop the chaos that took place on the ground in Qingpu. After all, he felt somewhat sorry for the court, sorry for the Holy Majesty...