Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven What is more important than money

The bad news Lawyer Wang brought back to Meimei for the second time also did not surprise her.Xiangchuan refused to sell the villa for money, which was already in her expectation, even if she was as thoughtful as Lawyer Wang wishful thinking for him, because Li Xiangchuan is an old-fashioned intellectual who is completely hopeless, just like Li Dazhao , Chen Duxiu. A young man has an old head from a hundred years ago, which makes Meimei feel the excitement of being challenged. Before dinner, Zhu-kun hadn't come back from school yet, Meimei changed into old jeans and a loose T-shirt, and followed Kagawa into the kitchen.She didn't need to observe Kagawa's expression, she could tell from her back that Kagawa was quite nervous when she appeared in the kitchen.He should indeed be nervous, the promise he made to her a year ago, and now the action of getting her into the kitchen has the effect of "forced marriage".

"For many years, I have always been alone in the kitchen, lonely, but I am used to it." Kagawa was using a small brush to brush honey seasoning on the half-baked chicken wings, and drove her out of the kitchen with a chattering tone. "It's easier for two people to do it together, and you can also talk." Meimei picked pieces of wild mint and basil that Kagawa cultivated in the flowerpot, washed them in water, and firmly stuck to the sink. "In the past, most of my girlfriends were unwilling to help in the kitchen; occasionally, someone would be too enthusiastic, claiming to be good at cooking, and insisted on rushing in, and the result was more and more chaos." Kagawa pushed the baking tray into the oven, After closing the oven door and reaching into the sink to wash her hands, Meimei had to take a step back towards the door.

"I don't mean to help, I just want to cook two dishes that I like to eat. I have been away for more than a year, and I have to cook at least three or five meals for myself every week." Meimei took another step forward to recover the lost ground, and put A lot of vegetables and fruits are put into the sink. "It's great to learn this craft. I can take care of myself, and I have more freedom than others can eat." Xiangchuan took the thawed silver cod pieces, deboned them and changed them into knives. "And you can show the most sincere sincerity to maintain the appetite of your beloved one." Meimei also pulled out a bamboo chopping board specially used for processing fruits, and cut vegetables and fruits into small pieces.

"I hope everyone in the world has a good appetite." Xiangchuan's voice was as melodious as reciting poetry. "But I only hope that the person I love has a good appetite." Meimei's voice was sonorous like an editorial. Kagawa Xu Shi finally gave up the idea of ​​driving her out of the kitchen, and changed to another topic: "How is your law firm getting ready?" This topic exactly corresponds to Meimei's purpose of following up with the kitchen, and said: "The rental contract has been signed, a two-year full lease contract. After paying this large amount of rent, there is not much money left."

"Why don't you pay the rent in installments?" Kagawa was puzzled. "The whole lease contract can waive two months' rent every year, which is enough for the salaries of two secretaries." Meimei is seeking truth from facts. Xiangchuan put down the silver cod in his hand, turned around and said to her: "A few days ago I helped you figure out the budget, and you didn't intend to take up a lot of money on the rent. Now you have paid all the funds for the rent, and there is still the rest There are so many things left to do!" Meimei also put down the tomato in her hand, and met his gaze and said, "Now you finally realize how stupid I am? I rented an empty building greedy for cheap, but decoration, buying office equipment, hiring employees, etc., will be done later. There are countless things that cost money, but all I have left is food money."

"You don't have any money?" Xiangchuan obviously suppressed his surprised expression. "Yes, it's gone." The closer she got to success, the more Meimei's heart clenched in one place.She didn't dare to say any more, and could only answer in short phrases. "Why are you so confused?" "I'm stupid." "How far is it now, I will give it to you tomorrow." "About 1 million or so." "I don't have so many. Do you have a place to borrow?" "The current fashion outside is that borrowing money for medical treatment is okay, but borrowing money for business is tantamount to publicly declaring that you have broken up with your friends." Meimei's heart finally calmed down, and her speech became smoother.

"So, what about getting a loan from the bank?" "I have no collateral." "I mean I will take the loan, and I can mortgage the house." Xiangchuan turned around again, focusing on the fish bone. This is the man I love!Meimei admired in her heart.He only showed a little excitement when he was worried that my job was not going well, but when he wanted to use the house as a loan to give me a risky business, he didn't even care about my business prospects and whether I had the ability to help him. The bank then redeems the house.Meimei clenched her fists and pressed hard against her heart, while biting her lips with her teeth, for fear of being so moved that she would cry out.

After a long time, she finally calmed herself down.Judging the matter calmly, she believes that Kagawa's promise is completely trustworthy, but there is a big gap between this and her process of advancing the whole incident. Moreover, it is not her goal to have the villa be auctioned by the bank in the end. Too long, maybe a few years.What she needs is a quick solution. The house must be brought into her hands in a short time. This time limit is so short that Xiangchuan has no time to discuss marriage with Mr. Zhu. So she said again: "I'm afraid I can't wait for the bank loan. It will take at least three months to complete all the loan procedures."

The olive oil in the pan was hot, and Kagawa put the cod strips wrapped in egg liquid and custard powder into frying without looking back, and said, "How about 10 days? I won't delay your use, right?" "Where are you going to get such a large amount of money in 10 days?" "There are many ways, the simplest one is that you lend me a pair of pantyhose, and I put them on my head to rob the bank." Xiangchuan began to use his usual nonsense to relieve her.Meimei couldn't help but hate herself for being ruthless in this matter. At this time, Mr. Zhu came back.She changed her clothes and walked into the kitchen, but Meimei and Kagawa were entrenched next to the stove and the operating table, leaving no place for her to intervene.

Early the next morning, William received a call from Meimei, telling him last night that Kagawa decided to raise funds for her to open an office. She said that after much deliberation, the only place Kagawa could lend money to was him.He could hear that Meimei's voice on the phone made him hesitate, so he said: "Are you regretting it? Or are you worried about him? If you want to give up, now is the time. If it is later, it may be too late." .” Meimei said: "I have great confidence in Kagawa. It is you who I am worried about." William made his laughter very sweet: "If I mistakenly think that you are really reassuring me, then it's my turn to worry. We are reliable partners only when we are suspicious of each other and wary of each other, because We are all 'human beings'."

Meimei asked: "If Kagawa borrows money from you, would you please lend it to him?" William said: "Of course I won't lend it to him. According to your old man's instructions, he has been cut off from his financial resources and has lost the ability to repay. Lending him money at this time is not 'meat buns beat dogs' ?" Meimei said: "However, you can let him mortgage the villa to you, and then you resell the mortgage contract to me, so you don't have any risk." William shook his head like a drum on the phone, and said, "That's not it. If I do as you want, I'm at great risk." "You won't lose a penny, and I can even add a few cents to your interest." Meimei became anxious. "It's not a question of money, it's a question of morality. Anyway, Mr. Xiangchuan is my husband after all, and I am his student, 'a teacher for one day and a father for life'. Helping outsiders to deceive the teacher A house? It’s going to be struck by lightning in China.” He ignored Meimei's yelling on the phone and hung up the phone.Up to now, all the links are in one place, and they are all developing according to his ideas. Now it is only waiting for Mr. Xiangchuan, an old man, to come to the door in person. If everything goes well, he can take advantage of Meimei's restlessness and "passion for adultery" to squeeze Xiangchuan into the square pot business.In fact, Fanghu's business is just a relatively important item in his daily business, and it doesn't have too much special significance. However, if Xiangchuan is connected with it, the significance will be extraordinary.Once Kagawa Ken comes forward and invests money to cooperate with him, he will have the foundation to be invincible in the antique business—buying real goods and selling real goods, and doing business in major museums all over the world, such an antique business There is only money left. It is William's major life wish to be able to be a partner with Li Xiangchuan, a well-known expert in cultural relic appraisal, and jointly run Moxiangtang.Of course, if Mr. Zhu is married again and set up a family in China in a serious manner, it can be regarded as the realization of two blessings in his life.At that time, he must look down on his "braised sheep's head in a casserole-the meat is rotten and the mouth is not rotten". His sinologist father brought him from England to attend the wedding. That is the time when he will really feel proud in his life. However, behind all these good things, there is one thing he can't make up his mind-every big business he does is definitely, outright illegal business, I don't know if Kagawa is willing to join hands with him to make a pair "Outlaws". A few days ago, the square pot he asked Xiangchuan to appraise was the information sent by one of his long-term customers.That person never met him, only contacted him by phone and a few intermediaries, and all the important cultural relics of the country were bought and sold.However, from the middleman who comes and goes and the landline phone number that the other party occasionally uses, William believes that he already knows the person, and the other party must be a civil servant in an important position. He has further evidence for this-every time a transaction or cultural relic is sent for appraisal, the person in charge of escorting is a guy with kung fu and a weapon tucked in his waist.This also means that if he makes a mistake in business and makes other people's business "false and true, it is also false", I am afraid that it is impossible for him to eat a meal in a Chinese prison. Therefore, he more and more urgently needs a real cultural relic appraisal expert to be his accomplice in illegal business, so as to improve the safety in the appraisal and transaction process.After several years of investigation, only his lazy and greedy gentleman reassures him the most.Now, God has the eyes to send him this great opportunity, and it is indeed time to confess to my husband and "talk to my heart". At nearly 11 o'clock in the morning, Xiangchuan walked into the gate of Moxiangtang.Before that, William had visited the door hundreds of times. "Sir, is your old man here? It's great to go out for a walk, and you can also replenish calcium by basking in the sun." William was still talking nonsense with excessive enthusiasm, hospitality, and kicking in the sky. Xiangchuan hesitated to speak, rubbed the little gourd nervously in his hands, and sat in the shop drinking tea blindly. Seeing all of this clearly, William's heart suddenly settled down.When someone asks for something, even my own mother and father must feel uncomfortable in my heart, not to mention that my husband has probably never formally asked anyone in his life.So, he stopped the gushing gossip in his mouth, and quietly waited for Xiangchuan to speak. Finally, Xiangchuan said: "William, do you have any money?" "Yes, yes, yes, yes. I'll take it to you, old man." He said as he walked towards the office inside. Xiangchuan reached out to stop his footsteps: "I used it a lot this time...." "That's easy to handle. If you want cash, let's go to the bank right away. If you want a check, it will be issued in a few minutes. To be honest, if your old man doesn't come to me for money, I will blame you when I find out." William said very Quick came out of the office again, checkbook and stamp in hand. "I'll give you 100,000 cash first, and if it's not enough, we'll take it later." He suddenly found that he didn't take out the ink pad, so he said to his subordinates: "Go into the house and get my eight treasure ink pad, and take out the car keys by the way, I will take my husband to the bank in a while, and you will take care of my house. " Xiangchuan said at this time: "I want to use 1 million." "Ah?" William opened his mouth wide and his eyes wide open, and he only breathed out but not breathed in for a long time. "One million! You, how many days will your old man use?" "Three months." "It's troublesome, there's mud and creases, and the food is broken now." William really seemed to be worried for the teacher. "It's fine if you don't have one, what are you making a fuss about?" Like any old-fashioned Chinese intellectual, Xiangchuan would immediately get angry when he was rejected, all because they had never been beaten in social life.William wasn't angry with him at all, he just kept sighing: "Oh, I do have 1 million in my hand now, but, but..." "You can take my house. That villa is worth more than 1 million. If I don't have it, you still have to make money." Xiangchuan obviously calmed down his anger quickly, leaned his body on the back of the chair, and carefully Sip your tea carefully and don't look at him again. William couldn't help admiring in his heart, an old nation like China must have some well-tempered sophistication, and the free and easy spirit shown by Kagawa after being rejected now is simply impossible to find in the bones of any Western nation. He got up and walked to the teacher, half bent over, and said with a smile, "Sir, it's not that I don't want to lend it to you, it's just that you came at the wrong time. I have a business to do!" "Forget it then!" Xiangchuan got up and walked out. This was beyond William's expectation. He quickly stopped Xiang Chuan and said, "Old man, please calm down and listen to my thoughts to see if it makes sense." He looked at Xiangchuan's expression with his eyes, and said: "I know, you old man must use money not for profit, but for saving people in need. I have also learned a little about your noble character, and I can figure it out. Thank you for your kindness. I think so, if we do a small business together, of course, I will do all the legwork and talking. I mean, if the business is done, maybe it will be possible. Earn the money you want, and use it to save people when the time comes, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds!" "What kind of business?" Xiangchuan didn't even glance at him. "You've seen this deal before. It's the square pot. Because it's not very reliable, the other party's asking price won't be too high. Once we change hands, we will get two or three times the interest." "That's an illegal business." Xiangchuan was finally willing to put his gaze on his face, but the coldness of his gaze surprised him. "As long as you are willing to do it, there will be a way to turn it into a legal business. Now only you can save that square pot, otherwise, within a month, this treasure may be shipped to a certain place in South America." Going to a small country!" William panicked and came up with a bad idea.Of course, he also understands that in this matter, as long as it is done as a business, there is no legal possibility. "Then..." Kagawa only spoke half a sentence. Seeing Xiangchuan's gaze trying to read the thoughts behind his eyes, William blinked his eyelids like a bird's wings, and said: "I only have more than three million yuan in my hand now. If you want to partner, you have to find another way to get it." Come to 1 million." Xiangchuan said: "In such a short period of time, I can only find a private high-interest loan." William stared at one sentence: "I can pay you interest." "Let's take a look at the things first, don't let me cause you to lose everything. However, you must find out where the things came from." Xiangchuan said goodbye. "Don't worry, you old man. With you and my student as partners, our father and son will be invincible in the world." William's joy at this moment is indeed from the bottom of his heart. Finally got his wish, William stood by the store door and watched Kagawa go away, feeling that the chaotic city in front of him suddenly opened up a lot. A gentleman can be deceived.Mr. Kagawa is a gentleman. He only knows how to enjoy life, but he doesn't know that there are so many people around him who are calculating his feelings, body, wisdom and talents.In today's fight with Kagawa, William couldn't help but admire himself. The sentence "As long as you are willing to do it, there will be a way to make it a legal business." Learn from haste. If you know it's illegal, but force Xiangchuan to do it, you will definitely not succeed.It's all right now, everything is on the right track, and he only needs to slightly adjust the original plan to suit Kagawa's participation.Even if Kagawa finds out that he has participated in illegal activities afterwards, he has already committed a major crime and lost his retreat, and everything will be under his control. Excuse me, my venerable sir! He specially came to a local restaurant to celebrate his achievements that night, and ordered the famous "Eight Big Bowls" to eat alone. Mr. Zhu calculated clearly, ever since Meimei moved into the bedroom sandwiched between her and Xiangchuan, Xiangchuan has never stayed in her room for the night, of course, he has never entered Meimei's bedroom, at this point she trust him. Losing the "sex" of ordinary people is not a major harm to her. With the "white lotus flower" as the foundation of her world view, everything in the world is just the "surface" revealed before she won supernatural power.However, "White Lotus" couldn't control her emotions. Her lack of confidence and loss in love forced her to separate another person from the bottom of her heart, a self-sufficient person who was opposite to "White Lotus". emotional self.This kind of uncontrollable tearing and fighting in the depths of her heart made her want to throw away all the shackles of politeness and self-esteem, to fight and possess Kagawa without any scruples, and also wanted to cut off everything in front of her with a ruthless heart, retreating back. In the old silence and coldness, licking the wound alone, guarding the "white lotus" that will never betray her for the rest of her life.However, both options were intimidating to her, and neither was an outcome she was willing to accept. Just as her emotions and thoughts gradually lost control, her body also challenged her to betray her.The self-consciousness that she thought had been cured stirred up in her body again, and it was only a matter of time before she had a violent attack. Therefore, she had to find a third way, to find a way that would allow her to be self-sufficient, happy physically and mentally, at least not so painful. s Choice. Kagawa came back, and the exhausted and bewildered expression on her face was an expression she had never seen before. "What happened?" she asked.She is willing to transfer all the pain and troubles on Xiangchuan's body to her, even if she dies. "I have to make a choice." Xiangchuan fell on the short couch, as if every bone in his limbs was falling apart. "Between me and Meimei?" Mr. Zhu was at a loss. "No, it's between me and life." Mr. Zhu felt a little more at ease, so he made a cup of tea for Xiang Chuan, sat down opposite him, and asked, "Is there something in your heart that makes you difficult?" "Oh, it's too difficult! I really can't get rid of it, and I can't get rid of it. I can only find a way to solve it." Zhu Jun said: "If possible, you might as well tell me, two people share the burden, it's better than one person suffering alone." Kagawa smiled wryly: "Rather than making both of us suffer, it's better for me to suffer. A man should bear the pain alone and solve the problem. Besides, there are no things in the world that cannot be resolved, only resolutions that cannot be made." "Have you made up your mind?" Mr. Zhu felt that it was the problem between her and Meimei that made Xiangchuan difficult. "It's a difficult decision." "In your resolution, if anyone needs to make sacrifices, I hope you choose me." Zhu Jun was heartbroken, but she thought her choice was very correct. "I'm not going to let anyone get hurt, let alone you. You've suffered enough." After saying these words, Kagawa gently took Zhukun's hand, so Zhukun made up his mind, and she thought she had found the third way. That night, she came to Meimei's room.Two boudoir close friends sitting on the bed talking, this kind of thing has been the most normal content of their lives in the past years, however, since Kagawa appeared among them, this is the first time. "What do you think we should do?" Meimei, as always, quickly dug out Mr. Zhu's true intention hidden deep in her heart. "I really want to talk to you about this matter, and it's not an option to continue like this." Mr. Zhu carefully confirmed his purpose. "Giving up is a painful thing, but it's also painful to hold on to it. I don't know what to do, I just know that Kagawa is a jerk." Meimei gnashed her teeth too much, but her attitude was unclear. "Let's not talk about Xiangchuan's matter for the time being, let's find out about you and me first." Mr. Zhu tried his best to keep the content of the conversation within a reasonable range.She was not afraid that Meimei would get angry or lose her composure, but she was deeply afraid that she would get sick or go crazy. "So, what is your plan?" Meimei preemptively strikes as usual. "I already have an idea, which is close to maturity, but I still want to hear your idea first." Mr. Zhu didn't want the conversation to progress so fast that it would get out of control. Meimei thought for a while, then moved her body to her side, took her hand, and used the fingers of the other hand to draw on the palm of her hand, saying: "I love you so much, this makes me helpless." Speak your true thoughts." "But we have to face the reality." Mr. Zhu patiently comforted him. "When I was living with Xiangchuan, I often had the idea of ​​leaving him, and many things about him made me angry." In Meimei's case, the lawyer's aura was disappearing, and her tone was low. Mr. Zhu felt that Meimei was not confessing, but rather trying to persuade herself. Meimei continued: "At that time, I felt that he was just such a lazy bug, and he was still looking down on you from the bottom of his heart, so I couldn't figure out why I followed him willingly, like a lover and like a mother, just like that. Doting him so much and loving him and being afraid of him made me completely dizzy. Then I found out that the more I love him, the farther he is from me, so far away that I sleep next to him, but it seems that the world is far apart. Suddenly one day, I made up my mind I left him, patted my ass and left, and I didn't realize how painful it was..." "Then..." Mr. Zhu wanted to hear the unspoken words. "However, when I went abroad, the situation was different. The pain let me know that I would not live after leaving Xiangchuan. The only thing that can support me to persevere is only one belief, I want Xiangchuan to realize my love. promise to marry me if he learns to cook; I also want to fulfill my promise to him - never turn back until I get rich. At that time, no matter which goblin he is living with, even if he is married , gave birth to seven or eight children, and I want to take him back. But what I never thought was that the person living with him was actually you, so I was in a mess all of a sudden, and I didn't know what to do .” Mr. Zhu hugged Meimei's arm tightly, already weeping uncontrollably.After a while, Meimei asked her: "Now, tell me what you think." Mr. Zhu said: "I heard that you were coming back, and I wanted to leave, but you know, I have no choice. During the days you came back, I have been praying for the 'White Lotus' to give me strength so that I can leave, But I can't do it, I'm stupid, I just can't break through this relationship, even the 'White Lotus' can't help me." "So, what should we do?" Meimei also shed tears. "After much deliberation, I finally came up with a solution. Although it is a stupid solution, it can solve the problem." Mr. Zhu said in a mournful voice. "Say it, even if you let me go now." Meimei's body hardened, like a righteous man. "I don't think it's going to work, so let's go on like this." "This is not a human life, it's too painful." Meimei objected. "I mean, live like a couple." "Three people?" Meimei stretched out her hand to hold Mr. Zhu's face, staring into hers. "Yes." Mr. Zhu took great courage. "No, that's illegal, and it's a crime." Meimei let go of her hands and shouted. "Who would commit a crime?" Mr. Zhu was puzzled. "Xiangchuan will commit crimes, bigamy." Meimei's body relaxed again, from a righteous man back to a woman. Back in his room, Mr. Zhu sighed to himself: I am just a naive and foolish bastard, how can I be as clear as Meimei?It seems that these things can only be left to them to figure out a way, and they are resigned to their fate. In William's own words, he was "a bald man holding an umbrella—lawless," because, indeed, he had brought that bronze square jug. When things came to an end, Kagawa couldn't help but regret it, but there was nothing he could do about it. One penny was hard for a hero, let alone 1 million? Those who came to deliver the goods were two middle-aged men with the same eyes like eagles and the same quick hands and feet.William and a rat-headed man walked in front of the two men, like two thieves who had been caught by mistake. One of the middle-aged men said to William: "The things and people have been handed over to you. It doesn't matter if you leave, you can't do anything without things." William clapped his hands and watched the two of them get into the car and went away like a breeze, and then he turned around and greeted the wretched man to enter the door.The man was carrying a woven bag with red and blue stripes in his hand. "This is Lao Jia." William waved casually at the man, but did not introduce Kagawa to him. "Hello, teacher." Old Jia bowed deeply to Xiangchuan, and the corner of his eyes scanned all over the front hall. "Have you brought something?" Kagawa asked angrily.William brought the cultural relics dealer directly to his home, which made him very unhappy. If it was really illegal this time, he would definitely be involved in the incident once it happened. "I've brought you here, I've brought you here." Lao Jia looked around for a place to put the woven bag. William reached out to take the woven bag, pointed to the living room and said to Lao Jia, "You just wait there." Lao Jia went obediently. After entering the study, Kagawa asked: "Who is the owner of the goods? The two people who sent you here are not good friends." "It's nothing, they are in charge of depositing goods." While speaking, William took out the items in the woven bag one by one. Seeing the fragments of bronze ware that William took out, Kagawa was immediately attracted, and his full of doubts were suppressed by the exquisiteness of the bronze ware. He reached out and picked up the lid first, which is where his doubts lie, and where the value of the whole utensil lies.Standing on the lid is a cruel-looking owl bird, with a short beak bent down powerfully, its wings folded steadily by its side, a pair of thick and terrifying claws grabbing the lid, no welding repairs are visible. Mark of. He found the fragments of the mouth of the pot and compared them with the lid, and the two matched very closely; comparing the copper and rust colors, there was no difference, obviously unearthed in the same pit.There are a few lines of small gold characters on the inner side of the lid, but due to serious corrosion, it cannot be deciphered without cleaning and repairing. "How could there be such a thing?" Xiangchuan was puzzled.Looking at the other fragments, there is no doubt about it, and when they are put together, the shape of the vessel is complete and there is no defect.He couldn't help saying to himself: "If the thing is right, it must cause a sensation." William quickly asked: "You still see things the same way, right?" But Xiang Chuan said: "I have to ask the person surnamed Jia." Now all the signs show that this is definitely an illegal business, but to understand the specific situation, he still has to ask the person concerned. When they came to the living room, they saw Lao Jia lying comfortably on the short couch, sleeping soundly.William stepped forward to push him awake, and said, "Don't worry, you're not afraid that we'll get away with something?" Old Jia smiled and said, "I've got the things in your hands, so I have nothing to worry about. If you lose something, someone will come to you to settle the score." Kagawa asked: "You mean those two people just now?" Old Jia said: "They are running errands, and I have never met the big boss." Kagawa asked again: "Then who will pay you for the goods?" Lao Jia laughed and said, "Sometimes it's those two comrades, and sometimes it's this foreign friend. Why, you always inquire so carefully, don't you want to buy it too? No one will let go of such a good thing. I am I am timid and dare not do anything big, or I will sell it myself, and I will earn more than ten times the money." Seeing that Lao Jia was very talkative, Xiangchuan felt relieved.He made tea for the two of them and brought cigarettes, and then asked, "Where did this thing come from?" This is jargon, asking Lao Jia where the thing was unearthed. Lao Jia replied, "South of Xinzheng." Xiangchuan asked again: "Did someone build the pit, or did you do it yourself?" Xiangchuan concluded from Lao Jia's wandering eyes that this person is not like a dealer in cultural relics, he must be a tomb robber. Lao Jia smiled and said, "You are an old man, so I won't hide it from you. I did it myself." Xiangchuan shook his head and said, "You are not telling the truth. I have been to Xinzheng several times. Since the tomb of Duke Zheng was excavated, people have dug it for hundreds of miles around that place countless times in the past 80 years. It is impossible that there is anything left." Old Jia cheered up and said: "Well said, you are really good at it, old man. But, there is progress in everything, right? Now that science is flourishing, things that were not found in the past can be found now. " Xiang Chuan couldn't believe his words. According to the information he had, the State Administration of Cultural Relics, together with the Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau and the Museum, conducted an in-depth field survey of the Xinzheng area a few years ago, and no new tombs of the State of Zheng were found. The workmanship and artistic style of the piece owl head square pot is strikingly similar to that of the lotus crane square pot, so it must have been a funeral vessel for a certain king of the state of Zheng. Lao Jia patiently explained to Xiangchuan: "I know what's going on with the fieldwork of the Bureau of Cultural Relics. My eldest nephew is a graduate of archeology from a prestigious university. In 2010, I figured out all the tricks in it, and then I returned home and followed me. You old man understands that if you want to do great things, you have to spend money. Now our industry is also advancing with the times, sending our children and grandchildren into For further studies in university, and those with greater ambitions, send their children to learn archeology from foreigners. Think about it, if you guard a piece of heaven-sent treasure, you can’t dig it out in a few lifetimes, so can you not cultivate talents?” William became interested and interjected, "How can you find treasures that others can't find?" Lao Jia held the cigarette between his fingertips, and the ash was long burning. He lowered his voice and said, "Because we are benevolent. Think about it, the officials are stingy. If they find a treasure in someone's field, they will dig it up. Give the landlord thousands of dollars for young crops, and sometimes don’t even give this. We are different, whoever uses the land to give money, ten thousand dollars, you think, can the common people not welcome us?” Kagawa asked, "How did you find out the exact location?" "There are several ways. One is that the common people find something in their own land, and most of them will come to us. No matter whether it is really in stock or not, we will give some money to settle the land first. If they really find something below If there is a treasure, we will rent land and pay a high price. Another one, don’t we have talents in our family? What kind of network do they go to? They buy photos from the United States and Europe on the Internet, which are photos taken by satellites exploring mineral deposits. Theirs is advanced, and I don’t know how they fiddled with it. They can get a general idea of ​​the underground, and then we find suspicious places from the photos, and then use Luoyang shovels to dig holes. What is the name of the Japanese one? , Call the prospecting robot, put it down, people on the top can see the situation below with the TV, if there is a treasure, the little Japanese devil's thing will call. The rest is simple, dig it!" Xiangchuan was surprised: "Where did you get these devices?" Lao Jia proudly said: "Imported from foreign countries cost over one hundred thousand U.S. dollars. As far as I heard, there are probably seven or eight companies in our area that have this equipment." "Who sold it to you?" Xiangchuan was frightened by what Lao Jia said, and couldn't help but be terrified. Lao Jia smiled, drank a cup of tea, and omitted the topic. "So, you dug this square pot specially for the big boss in Beijing?" William was concerned about another question. Old Jia said: "Originally, I cooperated very well with the big boss. I searched for treasures, and he covered the pits. No matter how many goods came out, he calculated a total price in advance and gave it to me. That would be convenient. But, this The boss is not kind. He dug a blind hole twice and didn’t get any decent goods. He felt that the money for the bag was wasted, and he didn’t look good to me. Your old man gave a review, and the bag is fat and thin. Well, it’s not my fault that nothing can be dug out. When digging the pit, he obviously felt that there was something to invest in, but in the end he blamed me for lying to him, saying that I stole the goods in private. Conscience in heaven and earth, there are rules in every line of work, if I leave the goods in private, the patriarch will not spare me in the sky! It must be thundered!" "Where is this square pot?" Xiangchuan asked. "I came to him this time to anger his old boy. Did you see that, even if we have good goods in our hands, it is useless for him to find others. Now you don't want to pay for it? Well, come here at a big price buy it." "How much is it for a pit?" William looked very interested. “花不了多少钱，小坑也不过百十来万。要真是碰上个肥猪拱门，我们这些卖力气的到时候还得额外跟您讨酒钱啊。”老贾说到得意处，不禁放声大笑。“我说，我看你们二位是牢靠人，咱们倒是可以合伙，不用多了，两三个坑下来，保证你们二位发大财。” 话说到此处，香川已经完全明白了这桩生意的情形，这是大大的违犯生意，罪过之大，已经超出了他的想象。 他想到了报警，然而，不是他不信任人民警察，而是这一行中有许多不便明言的苦衷，万一警察将他们人赃并获，正义确实是得到了伸张，而这一行中的潜规则却不会放过他。别的不用说，方才送货来的那两个壮汉和他们的后台大老板，便不是好相与的。 想到此处，他问老贾：“这么说，这件东西是北京的那位大老板要买了？” 老贾道：“还没说定，但那家伙霸道，买也不会出大价钱。” “如果我看这东西没错，他会给你多少钱？” “也就几百万吧，刚够个零头。谁让咱没他那么有权有势的，可以三鼓捣两鼓捣，把东西弄到拍卖会上去。私底下买卖，也就这个意思啦，干哪行挣哪行的那份钱，贪多只能招祸。”老贾边说边将目光在他们二人脸上逡巡。 威廉问：“把东西卖给我，你说个价。” 老贾道：“这个价钱不好说，那边只说让我来验货，我要是半道上把东西卖了，一来对不住朋友，二来那边也饶不了我。” 威廉把嘴撇到一边：“他们还杀了你不成？” 老贾笑道：“我还没拿他一分钱，所以，杀人到不至于，但是危险还是有的，除非……。” “接着说。”香川知道事情到了关键之处。 “除非我能立刻拿到现钱。”老贾道。 一切事实都已经明朗了，只等着香川给自己拿主意，但他知道，这个主意并不好拿。现在报警的主意干脆想也别想，警察是按程序办事，案子破了之后，他这个报信人也许能得个三两千元的奖金，但后边有什么磨难在等着他可就不好说了。他知道自己胆小，惧怕危险，更惧怕提心吊胆地吃什么都不香。 然而，这件珍贵的青铜器既然让他见到了，他就不能任由它被走私出国或是在非法交易中被转卖，这是他作为一个文物工作者的责任，是伦理学所说的义务，接近于“至善”。 威廉将老贾送走安顿好住处，便又回来了，见面就问：“先生，您看这单生意做得做不得？” 香川道：“先别说生意，你先告诉我，如果那位大老板买下了这只方壶，他会怎么做？” 威廉眨巴着眼睛想了想，道：“我这也是头一回替他做活。像这路活，有一个通常的做法，就是把残片分成许多份，藏在咱们往非洲或南美洲运旧电器的集装箱里。您想想，那箱子里全是旧洗衣机、旧电视和旧冰箱，金属的玩意多，铜制的零件也多，所以，别说放上一件青铜器，就是往里边放上十件八件的，海关的透视成像仪也发现不了。” "and then?" “难处还是在国外，必须得花钱找当地的拍卖商或博物馆给这件东西伪造一套身份和交易历史，前几年最流行的办法，都是说这东西叫八国联军给抢去了，现在他们的后人拿出来卖，被咱买了回来。今年不成了，国家看出这里边有毛病，所以还得另想由头。” “你是说买回来？” “对呀。现在全世界中国文物价钱最高的地方不是国外，而是国内。我们在国外给文物弄一套像样的身份，再让它重新过海关回到大陆，只要上边一打上海关的火漆印，这东西就算合法了，不管是私人交易还是拿出来拍卖，就再也不会跟警察有什么干系。” “这种活你干了多少次？”香川知道不会听到实话。 “您老人家别冤我，真的是头一次，况且这不还没办成吗？”威廉叫起了撞天屈。 “如果我们把这只方壶买下来，也能这么办么？”香川故意投下诱饵。 威廉高兴起来：“您这话才说到我心坎里啦。只要咱爷俩合伙，您老人家就瞧好吧。” “可我怕让你小子把我鼓捣进监狱里去。”香川故意用反话表示赞同。 威廉嘿嘿地一个劲儿地发笑，他显然看出来香川表露的意思。 送走威廉，香川开始重新检视自己方才突然冒出来的想法。要留住这件文物而又不至于生出祸事来，只有一个办法，就是将它买下来。这样做会不会给他带来好处他没有考虑，他现在关心的是，怎样才能既保证自己不受到伤害，又保住那件珍贵的青铜方壶不被走私出国。 按常理说，那些文物走私贩将文物运到国外转上一圈，最终还是要卖到国内来，国宝并没有像早些年那样流失到国外。然而，这一圈转回来，文物就从国家财产变成了私人财产，使地下文物全部归国家所有这条法令遭到了亵渎，同时，它也给正当的文物收藏与交易开了一个恶例。 当然，他也可以视而不见，只当没有这回事，但是他不能，他一向自认为是一个旧式的文人，是一个具有传统道德的爱国者。有道德的人就得多受苦，再加上有爱国心，那也就只能不怕牺牲了，当然了，在这件事上，国家和民族并不会当真要求他牺牲生命，只不过是要求他稍稍花上一点心思冒一点险而已。 香川对自己笑道：如果你连这点事情都不肯做，那可真成了“拔一毛以利天下而不为”的浑蛋了。 下午在银行尚未关门之前，美美就接到了王律师的电话，他的声音兴奋得有些失真：“您那位李先生要卖房子啦！他给我打电话，明天先要100万的预付款，拿产权证抵押。他要现钱。” 听到这个消息，美美反而冷静了下来，问：“既然是押款，你跟他谈利息了么？” “对不起，我以为……。”王律师一时语塞。 “告诉对方，月息5分，押期1个月。到期不还，就把房子作价165万卖给咱们。”美美强迫自己狠下心来，因为，这样一定能试得出香川对她的爱到底有多深。 不一会儿王律师又来电话，说香川要求明天中午必须得拿到钱。 他干什么这么着急，我可没催他呀。美美有些不解，但还是答应了，并与银行安排好了明天上午提取现款的事。 晚上她回到家中，见香川正在厨房中擀莜麦面条，天气热，想必是做凉面。她便也换了衣服进厨房，抢上手来帮着擦黄瓜丝。 “莜麦是当下最时髦的健康食品，好像前两年你就开始吃了吧？”她没话找话，等着香川跟她谈借款的事。 “莜麦和荞麦情况差不多，只是口味上有点差别。”香川口上搭话，将切好的面条下在锅里，便开始准备佐料。 “我一直也闹不懂，莜麦到底是什么粮食？” “就是燕麦，欧洲人用来喂马，中国西北地区早年就是用它作为主食，但多数时间吃不饱。” “你说也真怪，我怎么觉得莜麦比小麦好吃呢？” “那是因为白面吃得太多了，而且，现在的白面添加剂也多，不好吃。” 美美觉得，他们就这样边做边聊，倒像是一对老年夫妇。她希望自己年老时也能有这样的平和与安祥。 “听说威廉近来的生意做得挺大？怎么老没见他来了？”这仍是闲话，她想借着威廉引出与钱有关的话题来。 “那小子不知深浅，以为学了点儿中国花活，便成'人精'了，其实肤浅得很。”香川倒依旧是当先生的口吻。 “他借着你的由头挣了不少钱吧？也不知道来孝敬老师。”看来，只有挑动起香川的怒气，才能引出他对威廉拒绝借钱给他的不满。 “那是他的机缘，但未必是福分。”香川炸的花椒油香气袭人，让美美立刻便饿了。 “可他总不能忘了是谁把他引进这一行的吧。”她还在努力。 “按照眼下的文物交易来看，他若是不跟着我，也许发财更快，更早。”香川将过水后的面条浸泡在冰水中。 就这样，一直到第二天晚上，美美等到香川很晚才见他回来，但仍然没与她谈起那笔借款的事。这让她感到很迷惑，又很生气，也很担心。他倒不是担心香川不肯借给她这笔钱，她担心香川为了弄钱闹出事来——他是个大少爷脾气，一辈子没为钱发过愁，如今让他在短时间内找来这么一大笔钱，这件事本身就像个犯罪的陷阱。 这天中午，由王律师出面，已经与香川将抵押借款的事办好了，100万元现金也已经交到了香川手里，而香川这所小楼的房产证与借款合同现在就锁在楼上她的公文箱里，但是，钱到哪去了？ 于是，她破例来到了香川的卧室。为了竹君，她住进来之后一步也未曾踏进过这个熟习的房间。竹君是个脆弱的孩子，她必须得先保护好竹君的安全，才能真正朝香川下手。 见她进门，香川显然很诧异，但他很快便平静下来。两个人隔着床坐下，比在楼下见面要生分许多。 “我要跟你谈的事不想让竹君听见，所以……。”她向房中摆了摆手，表示无可奈何。香川点了点头，表示理解。她接着道：“就是那笔钱的事，你那里有眉目了吗？” 对这场谈话，她考虑了许多，设计了许多种方案，然而，让她没有想到的是，香川张口便道：“钱我已经借到了，但是得晚几天再给你。” “出了什么事？是不是威廉引诱你干什么违法的事了？”她心下一沉，话语冲口而出。 “威廉怎么能引诱得了我呢？是我自己要干的。”香川把声音压得极低，但怒气却很大。 Oops!美美心下叫苦。像香川这样的人，自认为天下事没有一件可以让他动心，天下事没有一件看不明白的，只有在他干没有丝毫把握的事情，或是干坏事的时候，才会如此易于激动。如今她点破了他的症结，他现在的表现属于恼羞变成了怒。 “到底是什么事？”她感到害怕，觉得不论香川这次发生了什么事情，肯定都是因她而起的。 “这些事你不用问，知道了反而担心。”香川摇头。 “你若不告诉我，我会更担心。”她发觉有些控制不住自己了。香川这种貌似关心，实则疏远的态度，让她心中冰冷。 香川沉吟了一会儿，换了个讲道理的语气，道：“我很希望你能够开创自己的事业，所以，我想帮你一把。这样你来，你也就有了大好的前程，换言之，我这个人对于你也就无关紧要了。” “你是说，你弄钱给我是为了抛弃我？”美美不由自主地逼近香川。 “不能这么说，你知道我爱你，其实，现在你仍然非常可爱。但是，事情已然起了变化，我不能只因为对你的一句诺言，便把竹君弃若弊履。” “可你要把我弃若弊覆。” “你是个坚强的女人，没有任何困难和打击可以让你受到伤害。” “但只有你能伤害我。” “我这也是两害相权取其轻，毕竟你的承受能力要强些。” “可我的拳头更强些。” 美美不由自主地扑向香川。在以往的历次交手过程中，香川永远是她的手下败将，这倒不完全是因为香川只是防守而不反击，主要是因为香川只是个书生，而她是个运动员，既是划船运动员，也是柔道运动员。 她先伸手搭住香川的胳膊，给他来了一个中国式摔跤的“德和乐”，又拦腰将他抱起来了个柔道中的背摔，将他抑面朝天狠狠地丢在床上，然后腾空跃起，也不管睡袍飞散，便猛地用身体压住他的胸口，用膝盖压住他的双臂，腾出手来……。 她无法用手去打他的脸。她即使是在下意识里也非常清楚，她的拳头一旦落在他的脸上，便是在他们的关系之中开创了一个无法控制的恶例。 于是，她的双手不由自住地蒙在自己的脸上，泪水流了下来，无法扼止，她也不想扼止。 这时，门上剥啄一声，竹君推门走进来。 竹君虽然没有亲眼得见，但本能地便知道美美走进了香川的房间。她听到美美的脚步声并没有下楼，而是从二楼开始，又在二楼消失。 她打开房门，发现只在香川的房门下有灯光透出来，美美的房间和卫生间里并没有灯光。她又关上房门，回到床上，蜷缩起身体，开始等待。她不知道自己在等什么，也许是在等待一个结果？或许今晚就能有一个结果。 昨晚吃过凉面，她见美美的神色不善，早早上楼去了，便问香川：“美美有什么不开心的事？” 他笑了笑：“现在大家都不开心。这也是没有办法的事，我们有个无法解决的难题。” “不知道时间能不能解决这一切？”她继续着已经开始的试探。 几天前她原本是打算听天由命的，然而，她又发现自己根本就没有听天由命的定力，疾病的烧灼与担忧的烧灼让她白日精神恍惚，夜里难以成寐，只觉得这个行动的皮囊与她的理智明显地分离在两处，理智带着挑剔甚至略显厌憎的眼神从旁打量皮囊，而皮囊却顾自听从本能与情感的操纵，无知而无畏地，甚至不顾羞耻心与自尊自爱，一味地要去接近香川，哪怕是在他的身边将自己消磨掉，融化掉，焚烧掉，她也绝无愧悔，因为，那毕竟是与香川联系在一处的消磨、融化与焚烧。 香川叹了口气，但依旧表情温润，道：“时间能解决很多问题，但解决不了我们的问题。我们之间出现的是结构问题。” “假如，我离开这里，回到以往的生活当中，而让你和美美留下来，是不是就可以把问题解决掉？”她咬紧牙关，用绝大的毅力讲出这几句话来。尽管这不是真心话，但它却带有极大的危险性，是那种弄假成真的危险。 “那只能使问题更复杂。”香川摇头，温润的表情变薄变韧，像一层保鲜膜。“分离的结果只能让我们连沟通的机会也丧失掉，问题更没有解决的希望了。” “那么，你有没有更好的办法？”这才是她想要问的话，她相信香川一定会有办法，而且一定是那种出乎她意料之外的圆满。 香川拉住她的手，引她坐在尚未收拾的餐桌旁。花椒油的浓香、芝麻酱的腻香、黄瓜丝的清香与莜麦真实可靠的面香混合在一起，让她恍然产生了类似于勤俭持家，相夫教子的幸福感。 “我已经有了一个想法，或者说是一个主意，”香川的手干爽细腻，摩挲之中让竹君感觉到了切实的可靠。“其实这个主意很简单，就是让我离开，把你们的生活交还给你们。我在你们之间是个多余人。” 这是竹君未曾预料得到的打击。无论她如何设计他们三人的关系，总要与香川联系在一起，如果失去了香川，这种三人的关系也就不成其为关系，而且也无法退回到他们未曾相识的阶段。不论怎样，香川的离去对于她自己来讲，只能意味着灾难，因为她失去的不单单是爱情，失去的还有让她表达忠贞、义、友谊、同情、愤怒或憎恨的机会，她便会从一个恋人、可能的妻子，哪怕是讨厌的第三者，蜕化成为一个符号，一个干瘪的，没有内容的，“曾经沧海难为水”的中性的人，即使是“白莲花”怕是也难以挽救她。 “不行，你不能离开。”她知道自己难得这么有主见。 “那又能怎么办呢？”香川脸上薄薄的温润被揭去，露出下边的痛苦。“难道当真要三个人一起过吗？即使我甘冒重婚罪的危险，但你们的心中又能安稳吗？这样复杂的生活真会幸福吗？至少我不幸福。” “你的不幸就是我的不幸，你的痛苦就是我的痛苦。”她适时地表明态度。 “是啊，你的痛苦就是我的痛苦。” 香川的回应让竹君感动得险些臆症发作，她道：“但是，我又不能让美美离开，在遇到你之前，她一直是我的依靠。” “现在我是你的依靠，除非你自己想要离开。”香川再次表明态度。 竹君沉默了许久，突然伸手给自己又拌了一碗凉面，道：“我必须得再吃一碗，尽管我已经吃撑了。如果我离开，就再也吃不到你做的饭了。”她要以退为进，这种方法可以让她向香川表明，她绝不会离开。 “不论什么时候，只要你想吃，我都会为你亲自下厨。”香川的回答是个中性的态度。 “哪怕我不住在这所房子里？” “哪怕如此。”香川诚恳得像个犯了过错的好学生。 竹君突然之间明白了，却原来，今天是香川在以退为进，为的是劝说她离开这里。这也就说明了香川为什么会对她表白那么多让人感动的爱意。用爱来表示拒绝，是香川的一大发明。 听到美美走进香川的房间，她蜷缩在床上静静地计算着时间。美美进门后，两个人坐下来谈话，开始必定不顺利，因为她不相信美美是他的同谋，一定是香川在分头给她们两个人做工作，看谁更软弱，谁更没有信心也没有决心坚持到底，看看谁将在分手后受到的伤害更少。 现在他们应该开始谈分手的事了。香川对待美美与对待她不同，美美更有勇气，但这种勇气却很有可能成为她崩溃的理由；美美更有前途和谋生的能力，但那些东西并不是做妻子的必要条件，尤其是对于香川；美美的反抗更激烈，然而，即使是强权尚且不能剥夺有知识者的意志，况且这是有知识，有谋略，有勇气，有耐心，有道德的香川的爱情。 从时间上看，如果顺利的话，他们应该谈得差不多了；如果不顺利的话，再等下去也毫无意义。于是，竹君起身来到香川房间。 她不会认为自己看错了什么，美美方才一定是狠狠地殴打了可怜的香川一顿，就如同美美殴打她以往的每一个情人。 她双腿一软，坐在了门边的地板上。她只能哭泣，连上前劝解的力气也没有。在美美的拳头之下，没有一个男人未曾心甘情愿地屈服的。 美美跳下床来，也不遮掩一下散乱的睡袍，一把将她从地上拉起来，丢在床上。她就这样任凭美美摆布，有人摆布她总比没人理睬要好。 只听得美美恶狠狠对她道：“别嚎啦，再哭我把你丢到窗外去。” 竹君立刻便听到自己的哭声仿佛被剪刀剪断了一样，留在喉咙里的噎得她难受，但唇外却再没有了她的声音。 美美去拿了条浸湿的热毛巾给她，道：“把脸擦干净，好好听着，香川有话要说。” 三个人都坐在床上，离得好远。 “我刚刚介入了一桩古董生意。”香川的声音单调，隐含着一种执拗的不快。“是威廉介绍过来的，而且违法……。” 竹君静静地听着。香川讲述的一切她并不感到吃惊，这才是一个有情有义的男人该做的事，即使这是为了美美而不是为她，也仍然让她受到了感动。她相信，假如她有了类似的困难，香川一定会用同样的方法帮助她，甚至可能会做得更多，因为她比美美软弱，缺乏解决问题的能力。 让她感到奇怪的是，美美似乎并没有受到感动，在她的脸色中正在渗入一种暗示着怨恨的惨白，但是，美美仍然有耐心，没有像往日那般多言，而是等到香川将全部事实交待清楚之后，这才发问。她道：“把那只方壶买下来之后，你打算怎么处理？” 香川道：“我还没想好，也许暂时先存在我这里，也许是捐献给博物馆。” 美美问：“威廉会同意吗？他可是想在这笔生意上赚钱的。” “他也许不会同意，但他至少还尊敬我，所以我才要暂时存在手里，好有时间来说服他。” “你当真相信他的那套'天地君亲师'的假话吗？他一直都在骗你，利用你。”美美又开始发火了。 香川倒是不急不躁：“大义当前，威廉应该能理解我的做法。日后我会想办法替他做几笔生意，把损失补回来。” “那么你的损失呢？” “我逍遥了这么多年，已经是非分之福了，日后也应该去干点正经事。至于说这所房子么，便宜给那位土大款就算了。” “但是，你答应给我开事务所的资金怎么办？”美美声色俱厉。 香川摆摆手，道：“这个你不用担心，博物馆会给我一笔捐献奖金，大约够你用的。” “如果博物馆不给奖金，或是中间出了什么变故，比如说威廉瞒着你把青铜器偷运到了国外，你又怎么办？”美美步步紧逼，将竹