Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Yin Marriage

Sun Laodao let people see his kung fu that day. From worshiping the high hall to worshiping the heaven and the earth, he made a pair of dead people look like living people. Instead of showing a trace of fear, on the contrary, it opened people's eyes.After the three firecrackers rang, the couple entered the bridal chamber again, and the Shui family compound was filled with joy. As soon as the medicine was planted, Master Wupai was summoned by the Shui family compound, and Erye Shui said straight to the point: "Wupai, I'm not busy now. I asked the three gods to look at it yesterday. May 16th is a day." Good day, tell me where you came from, let’s take someone on May 16th.”

"May 16th?" Even though he had been busy for more than half a year, he still felt suddenly that the date had been settled. "On May 16th, my side has already settled down. The cook will arrive in two days. You can just watch Zhang Luo on the side of Xigou. Get what you need, anyway, he is just such a girl, and she can't marry poorly." Master Wumu rushed to Xigou ignorantly, halfway through the conversation, he was too panicked to continue.On the contrary, he seemed to have an idea, and instead comforted Master Wu: "Whether rich or not, how can people like us think about it? The date, May 16th, May 16th, the date chosen by the second master must be the same. Good day. At that time, I will cook a meal here, and the family will have a meal. If you don’t mind, come too, and at least give me a testimony.

Speaking of this, there was fog in Lai Lu's throat, and his eyes were blurred by tears. Master Wu did not dare to stay longer, fearing that his heart would be disturbed by this family. On a cloudy day at the beginning of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Shiliang came back from Qingshiling with a bag on his back. Because he was afraid of rain, he didn't dare to rest on the way. When he entered the door, his clothes were soaked with sweat.When I saw picking up grain, I ran out of the cave, and asked while picking up the bag, "Son, what are you carrying?" "Two liters of millet, and three liters of beans."

He let out a groan, and asked again: "Give it to me?" Shiliang shook his head: "Liu Yaoshi gave it." "Where did he get this?" "I don't know, maybe I asked for it from my boss." Talking, has entered the cave.The cave dwelling in May was still very cool, and it was cloudy again, so I felt a chilly humidity as soon as I entered.Shiliangba glanced at the grass on the kang, wanted to ask something, but didn't ask, lowered his head, and fell silent.I know my son's mind from the way, and my son is sad for what is in front of me. Shiliang stood silently for a while, seeing that his father was silent, he asked, "Where's brother?"

"I went to your second aunt's house under the slope." I wanted to go to my second aunt's house to collect food, but my father stopped him: "Don't go, he has been sick again these two days, I'll let your second aunt watch over him." Shiliangku let out a bang and sat on the ground. How did this home become like this?A surge of sadness filled the cave dwelling, and also the heart of the fifteen-year-old boy. Outsiders may not have imagined that this home is actually not a home.More than 20 years ago, Lu Lu from Shahu Village on the edge of the desert followed the villagers to flee famine. When crossing the Gulang River, his mother died, Lu Lu cried a lot, and then walked forward.It was really a great famine that starved people to death. All the crops along the desert were wiped out, and there was no harvest in the area of ​​Liangzhou City.People walking on the road can see the green smoke in the field.The bark was so hot it would catch fire.From Dasha Lake to Qingfeng Gorge, the road is almost stepping on the bones of the dead.

The eldest son picked up sheep on the way to flee famine. That year, he was twenty-two years old and didn't have a daughter-in-law yet, but he picked a baby from the arms of a woman who was the same size as him.When they came to pick a way, the woman was dead, and the baby was so hungry that there was only one breath left.Originally, I thought that God let the baby meet him, maybe it was to save the baby's life, but after a few years of painstaking efforts, I found out that the baby is disabled, can't speak, and can't hear others. Forget it, what's terrible is that the baby can't even eat, drink, and lax.

There are many miserable people in the world, but there are few people who are as miserable as the one who came here. Lai Lu sighed for a while, straightened up and said, "Baby, don't worry, your sister, she should be content." Shiliang wiped away tears, contented or not, it doesn't matter now, what Shiliang thinks is that his sister is leaving, as a brother, he should at least spend a few days with her. In the next few days, Shiliang would accompany his younger sister every day. He washed Shicao's face and combed Shicao's hair. In the dead of night, he would hold his sister's hand.My younger sister's hands are as shriveled as purple, not at all as lubricated as my daughter's. When I pick up food and hold it, I will shed tears. Singing the peach blossoms taught to him by the Sheepman San Hanye over and over again, it made my heart break.

Contrary to the bleak scene of Lai Lu's house, just as the day was set, the courtyard of the Shui family immediately became lively.The first ones to arrive were the elder sister's family.When Damei and the man He Shuhuai led the two children to get on and off the carriage, Shui Yingying happened to be outside the door. She looked at the drying field in the distance. Today is the last batch of medicines. According to Adjutant Qiu Jiayuan According to the saying, after posting these, he will leave the Shui family compound and send the medicine to Xi'an.Yingying felt that the man was lying to his father.

Seeing the eldest sister, Yingying looked away, walked over with a smile, and picked up the ears of wheat in her arms.After not seeing her for a few days, Maisui jumped up to Lao Gao again, almost catching up with her.This girl, the longer she is, the more gratifying she is, and the longer she is, the more handsome she is.Yingying bit Maisui's face fiercely, and kissed her hard.The little Douzi on the ground was not happy anymore, and pouted his mouth and shouted: "My little lady is biased, my little lady hugs the ears of wheat and not Xiaodouzi." This sentence provoked everyone to laugh.

After entering the house, after exchanging pleasantries, Damei went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Wu cook, but the second master said no, the kitchen had already called two helpers.Damei is still worried, she is just such a person, it is like carrying the kitchen by heart wherever she goes.The second master didn't stop her, knowing that Da Mei was a restless person.Yingying quarreled with the two children for a while, and took them to play in the South Yard.After the room fell silent, the second master asked the eldest son-in-law Shuhuai: "How is the crop this year?" "Okay, okay, okay." Shuhuai is not good at words, especially in front of his father-in-law Shui Erye, his words are pitiful.After so many years, he still has one word for his old father-in-law, fear.Second Master Shui knew his problem, and tried his best to appear easy-going when he spoke, but the more he wanted to be easy-going, the more he couldn't be easy-going, and instead made the atmosphere in the room stiff.The Weng and the son-in-law talked about the crops for a while, but seeing that there was nothing to talk about, Second Master Shui asked again: "Your father, is he alright?"

"Okay, okay, okay." Shuhuai's head was covered with sweat.When he came, he told Damei repeatedly, go, don't let your father and I squat alone.Damei smiled and said: "What are you afraid of squatting alone, and he won't eat you?" Unexpectedly, the worries on the road turned into reality.Shuhuai also wanted to be natural in front of her father-in-law, but she couldn't. Just in embarrassment, Wuzi Shuan walked in in a hurry and muttered something into Second Master Shui's ear.Second Master Shui was startled: "Is this really the case?" "Yes." Wuzi Shuan replied heavily. "Go, take me to have a look." Second Master Shui left his son-in-law behind and ran out of the upper courtyard with Shuan Wuzi. Just as he was about to leave the gate, he was blocked by two security guards with guns.Passing over the heads of the two security guards and looking out, oh my god, there is a large row of people with guns standing on the grassy beach. The leader was a thin, black-looking man with a short stature who showed yellow teeth when he opened his mouth. He claimed to be the new deputy of the Gulang County Security Corps. Second Lord Shui didn't know this surname, but he didn't dare to be negligent. He hurriedly laughed and said, "Oh, it's the deputy of the waiting regiment. Look at me, I'm old and dim-sighted. Why can't I even recognize you?" The master comes out, the deputy of the regiment has something to say." Shuan Wuzi hurriedly imitated the tone of the second master, and said to the deputy waiting group: "This is my second master." "Second Master? How old is Second Master?" Second Master Shui said with a smile on his face: "It's not that big, it's not that big, I'm the second child, and the people in the yard praised me like that, screaming, screaming." "Huh?!" The deputy of the waiting regiment glared at the second master again, and said: "The deputy of the regiment was ordered to arrest the communist bandit. Someone saw that the communist bandit went to your courtyard." The second master buzzed in his head, and hurriedly said: "Master Bing, don't scare me. My Shui family has been gangsters for generations. In a radius of hundreds of miles, who doesn't know who doesn't? Look, my family There is still a plaque on the door with the county magistrate Kong Jiexi Lord Kong." The deputy of the waiting regiment said impatiently: "I don't care about the deputy of the regiment who is not inscribed. The deputy of the regiment specializes in arresting the Communist bandits. Brothers, search!" As he said that, he waved the handle of the gun in his hand, and he was about to take the lead in rushing in.Second Master Shui hurriedly stopped him: "I can't enter, Lord Bing, there are family children in the courtyard, once you enter, the courtyard will be in chaos." The deputy of the waiting regiment was already impatient. Seeing that Second Master Shui didn't know what to do, he dared to stop him and wanted to beat him with the handle of his gun.At this moment, I heard a crack of a whip coming from the grass beach, and it happened to be whipped on the deputy of the waiting group. The deputy of the waiting group dropped the gun, hugged the wolf and howled. The security guard with a gun clattered and looked at the whip thrower.The third daughter, Shui Yingying, had changed into her horse at some point and stood majestically behind the security guards. "Where did a group of beasts come from, dare to run wild on my grassy beach!" Shui Yingying was brave and heroic, with no fear in her eyes. Damei and the man Shuhuai, who ran out of the courtyard after hearing the sound of the beating, were holding a child each. Seeing this situation, they trembled with fright.The deputy of the waiting regiment howled for a while, seeing that it was a young woman, he shouted angrily, "Take it down!" Just as the security guards rushed towards Shui Yingying, there was another sound on the grass beach: "Slow down!" !" When the deputy of the waiting regiment led the security guards to rush towards the grass beach, the deputy, Qiu Jiayuan, was on the drying ground.The medicine on the drying yard had just been collected, and the setting sun had smeared the drying yard and the grass beach in the distance into a blur. He couldn't bear to miss this wonderful scenery, so he stood on the drying yard and didn't leave.At first, he thought that the gang of opium ghosts were just passing by, so he didn't take it seriously. When Second Master Shui blocked the door, he knew what the gang of people carrying guns and refusing to give the gunman their spirit were for.But he didn't come over in a hurry. On the one hand, he wanted to see Second Master Shui's ability to deal with this group of people; on the other hand, he believed that Shui Yingying would have a fit.When Shui Yingying jumped over the back wall with a whip in her hand, he smiled inwardly, at her wit, and at her being too brave.How can you take this group of people away with a whip? "Where are you from?" Adjutant Qiu Jiayuan went straight to the deputy of the waiting regiment and asked. "Who are you?" The deputy of the waiting regiment stepped back a few steps and asked in shock. "Who am I?" Adjutant Qiu Jiayuan asked sharply, glaring angrily at the slightly embarrassed deputy. Shuan Wuzi suddenly had the courage to stand up and said, "He is the adjutant of the Army Chief of Xi'an City." "Lu... Commander of the Army?" The deputy of the waiting regiment looked disbelieving, but his confidence was obviously not as strong as before. "The communist bandits are here in the Shui family compound, how courageous you have grown!" Qiu Jiayuan took a step forward, his voice becoming more and more shocking. "We followed all the way and saw that he... came this way." The deputy of the waiting group argued while being puzzled. "Ridiculous! In broad daylight, the Communists will let you see it?" The deputy of the waiting regiment still wanted to argue, but the adjutant Qiu Jiayuan ordered in a tone that could not be refuted: "I am in charge here, you go and catch it elsewhere." The deputy of the waiting regiment was completely shocked by Qiu Jiayuan's momentum. The man with the gun is indeed more imposing than the head of the security team in Gulang County.Unwillingly, he looked Qiu Jiayuan up and down for a while, thinking about how to deal with this man who claimed to be an adjutant, when he heard Qiu Jiayuan say angrily: "Still leaving?!" The security guard shouted: "What are you doing, retreat!" The false alarm subsided like this.When the deputy of the waiting regiment led the security guards and turned around towards the direction of Sister River, Second Master Shui was still apprehensive, regretting that they should not have let them go so fast, at least, they should have a meal before leaving.After thinking about it, how much would be enough for these birds to eat and take as soon as they entered the hospital.If you stay here for three to five days, you will be in big trouble. After waiting for the shadows of the regimental deputy and the security guard to disappear completely, Second Master Shui set his eyes on Qiu Jiayuan's face.He didn't expect that Qiu Jiayuan had such abilities.It was the first time that he discovered that the second son of the Chou family in Pingyang Chuan was actually not simple. He had been considered too small and inconspicuous before. When Second Master Shui was staring at Qiu Jiayuan in a daze, Shui Yingying's eyes were also in a daze.This day's Qiu Jiayuan gave Shui Yingying a brand new feeling, and for a long time afterwards, this feeling crawled on Shui Yingying's heart like a wisteria, making Shui Yingying both fresh and uncomfortable when scratched. The dinner was boring and tasteless, and everyone in the hospital was in shock, fearing that the security guards with guns would come back halfway. That night, the deputy waiting group and his security guards didn't come back again, but there were still people who shouldn't have come to the Shui family compound. When He Shuyang, the second son of the He family in Donggou, was brought into the house by the adjutant Qiu Jiayuan, his hearts were tightly together.It's over, if it hits this guy's hand, it's probably dead. He Shuyang, the second son of the He family in Donggou, was targeted by the security team while performing a mission.Two days ago, He Shuyang, who was studying at the Liangzhou Normal University, suddenly received an order to rush to Gulang immediately to prevent a secret meeting to be held there.It was his superior, a middle-aged man named Northwest Eagle, who conveyed the order.Xiongying said that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party have split again, and a new round of massacres by the Kuomintang has begun. Several revolutionary comrades have disappeared in Liangzhou City, and the situation is quite grim.When He Shuyang arrived in Gulang, the second secret meeting of the underground party organization in Gulang County had already been held.The focus of this meeting is to study and analyze the revolutionary situation in Gulang, develop key members as soon as possible, go deep into the homes of major merchants and rich people, and call and mobilize them to donate money and materials to the frontline soldiers, especially to take the medicinal materials stored at home. Come out and give emergency support to the front line.Since the organizers of the meeting were not notified in advance by the Liangzhou side, members of the underground party group in Gulang County and more than a dozen newly developed key elements all came.Under the leadership of the correspondent Lao Huang, He Shuyang rushed towards the meeting place. He just turned around the Gulang Bridge and was about to go to the people's house where the meeting was held. I passed the family hiding in the bushes.Seeing that the situation was not good, Lao Huang hurriedly dropped the salesman's burden on his shoulders, grabbed He Shuyang and ran away.When they ran across the Gulang Bridge and hid in the grass, they saw all the security teams in Gulang County were dispatched.A group of people with guns in black crowded around the small courtyard. He Shuyang thought it over, the underground organization in Gulang County was completely exposed, maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, these comrades will be taken to Liangzhou, or secretly executed in Gulang.He Shuyang's heart was burning with grief and indignation, and also burning with anger.This young student, who has just joined the underground party organization not long ago, is only full of yearning for revolution, has no personal experience of the cruel reality, the twists and turns and difficulties of the road. If it is not for Lao Huang, I am afraid of his impulsiveness and rash He had already been betrayed. When the two walked out of the grove, Lao Huang proposed to separate and ordered him to leave Gulang quickly, first go to his home for a few days, and then go to Liangzhou City.Unexpectedly, He Shuyang was thinking of a classmate who introduced him to join the underground party organization. He had to go to his house to see if he wanted to. The family is supported for the time being.As a result, as soon as he reached the alley where his classmate lived, the newly appointed deputy of the security team found him. The deputy of the waiting group was not originally from the security group. He was the ticket controller of the student cafeteria of the Liangzhou Normal University. He suddenly became the deputy of the security regiment.Of course the deputy of the waiting regiment knew He Shuyang, and he had memorized all the radical activities He Shuyang had done in the teacher's school.At the same time that He Shuyang also recognized the deputy of the waiting regiment, a rickshaw suddenly came up in the lane, and He Shuyang was dragged into the car without saying anything.The car flew out of the alleyway and ran towards Zilan Mountain. The deputy of the waiting group yelled and led six or seven people to chase after it.He Shuyang in the carriage hadn't seen clearly who was pulling him into the carriage, and was thrown into a carriage again.There was half a load of grass on the carriage, and the coachman threw a bamboo basket and ordered He Shuyang to get in.After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped, and He Shuyang, who crawled out of the bamboo basket, saw that the sky had darkened, and the night unfolded like a layer of fog.He Shuyang couldn't tell where he was, and he didn't know who saved him.I heard from the coachman that after turning over the mountain in front, it is Qingfeng Gorge.After finishing speaking, the coachman flicked his whip, yelled at the animals and left.He Shuyang was fortunate to have escaped a catastrophe. When he crossed the mountains under the misty moonlight, he felt a layer of fear in his heart.At the beginning, when he accepted the encouragement of his classmates to join this organization, he never thought about being afraid.He has read many progressive books and listened to some progressive people's speeches, and feels that the world they describe is too beautiful and full of idealism.Although He Shuyang grew up in a wealthy and loving family, he still has his own views on the world.He longs for those poor people to get better as soon as possible, and for those children who can't afford to go to school to go to school like him. Of course, the bigger wish in his heart is to fill the world with true love.This was a wish he had in Donggou. He even persuaded his father not to collect debts from people like him.It's a pity that his father couldn't listen and scolded him badly. "No debt, no wolf dung—" The night was cold, and the wind gushing into He Shuyang's heart was even colder.He never imagined that it would be so difficult to realize the ideal in his heart, how long he had joined the organization, what he saw, what he heard, and what he met today, why is it so scary!Thinking about what happened during the day, I couldn't help but shiver.When the next day was approaching dawn, He Shuyang climbed over the mountains, and in front of him was the boundless and endless Qingfeng Gorge. The Sisters River roared and howled, making a sound similar to dissatisfaction and sorrow.As soon as he heard the sound of the river and saw the river valley, He Shuyang immediately became motivated. He felt that the fear just now was ridiculous and funny. Isn't it just joining an organization? There is nothing scary about it. When He Shuyang felt fear for the second time, he had already reached the entrance of Xigou.Although there is only a small mountain range between the east ditch and the west ditch of Qingfeng Gorge, if you want to go out of the ditch, you must first go to the mouth of the ditch.When He Shuyang stood under the old bare tree at Xigoukou, his mood was still clear, similar to the color of the sun, no, similar to the earth reflected by the sun.He had the feeling of returning from victory, and a river of passion surged in his heart. He even thought that he would have a good talk with his father this time, and simply tell him about his participation in the revolutionary organization to win his support.As long as my father supports it, it will be much easier to raise funds and medicines.But this idea had just popped into his head, before he was allowed to think about it for a while, he suddenly found that Xigouguchi was no longer the same as when he left half a month ago.He Shuyang couldn't tell why it didn't look like it for a while, but there was indeed a strange smell in the ditch.While he was wondering, he suddenly saw the cave-cutter from Xigou running out from under a cliff at the entrance of the ditch with a shovel in his hand.Just as He Shuyang was about to step forward and ask Lai Lu what happened in the ditch, he saw Lai Lu pick up a shovel and swing it straight at him.He Shuyang didn't understand for a moment, thinking what was wrong with him, when he was in a daze, he saw several black shadows appearing from Donggou, and at first glance, it was the security team! When He Shuyang stretched his legs and ran towards the ditch, the deputy of the waiting regiment had already reached the Xigou Bridge.Standing on the Xigou Bridge, you can have a panoramic view of everything in the ditch. This bridge was built by He Daku, a big family in Donggou, who spent 30 stones of barley.Unexpectedly, what the deputy of the waiting group saw at a glance was He Shuyang, a member of the Communist Party who had been chasing him all night. If it wasn't for the familiarity of the terrain, He Shuyang would not be able to escape the palm of the deputy of the waiting group. Of course, it was also related to the fact that the deputy of the waiting group had just become the deputy of the regiment.Afterwards, Jiang Heizi, the head of the Gulang County Security Corps, scolded: "Fuck me, he runs as fast as the gun in your hand"?The deputy of the waiting regiment just woke up from his dream, my God, why don't he know how to use a gun, he is really stupid than a pig! When the deputy of the waiting group led the people to play awe-inspiring at the gate of the Shui family compound, He Shuyang was hiding not far away.The back of the Shui Family Courtyard is against Qingshi Ridge, and behind the courtyard wall is a Qingshi cliff cut down with a knife. In order to prevent the rainwater from the mountain from washing away the courtyard wall, Shui Erye built a trench more than two feet deep behind the courtyard wall. Cover it with bluestone.He Shuyang was hiding in the ditch at that time. He wanted to hide until dawn the next day, but his stomach was growling in the middle of the night, and he couldn't hold on anymore, so he crawled out and looked at the dark night. Deciding that Qingshiling had entered a safe state, he climbed the tree like a monkey and jumped to the top of the stable.Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the hospital, he was caught by Qiu Jiayuan before he could catch his breath. "Tell me, what do you want to do when you barge in in the middle of the night!" Adjutant Qiu Jiayuan stared at He Shuyang coldly. He Shuyang shuddered, he recognized Qiu Jiayuan, since the He Qiu family and the Qingshiling Shui family got married, the He Qiu family also moved around like relatives.He Shuyang's father, He Dakun, and Pingyangchuan Qiu Jiayuan's father, Qiu Dacheng, were particularly temperamental. During the New Year's Eve, the two had more chances to quarrel than with Qingshilingshui Erye.He Shuyang and Qiu Jiayuan also ran together on the big grassy beach of Shuijia in Qingshiling. In order to please the third lady Shui Yingying, the two even secretly fought each other.It's a pity that this was all in the past. Ever since Qiu's family left for Xi'an, He Shuyang hadn't seen him again.Some things about Qiu Jiayuan were heard from classmates or teachers.He Shuyang knew that Qiu Jiayuan was a real KMT, a popular figure beside the Army Commander of Xi'an City. This person has been active in Liangzhou for more than half a year, and his whereabouts are extremely mysterious. If he falls into his hands, the consequences can be imagined! "Are you He Shuyang?" Seeing that He Shuyang didn't speak, Qiu Jiayuan asked again. He Shuyang nodded passively, thinking urgently in his heart how to deal with this mysterious enemy member. "Why did they arrest you?" Qiu Jiayuan sat on a chair, took a lighter in his hand, flicked it on, shook it at He Shuyang's panicked face, and blew it out with a bang.He seemed to have forgotten the scenes of chasing and fighting together on the big grass beach in the early years, and the voice was very strange, as if they had never known each other.He Shuyang hated him at first, but then thought about it, he is now a senior intelligence officer of the Kuomintang, how could it be possible to reminisce with him? "I was walking home, but they suddenly started chasing me." He Shuyang replied tentatively. Qiu Jia watched He Shuyang condescendingly from afar, his eyes drew several question marks on his face.The Chou family knew the relatives of the Donggou He family well, but he was not in a hurry to expose him, so he snorted a sneer and said, "You still don't want to tell the truth, do you?" "I'm telling the truth." This time He Shuyang answered simply. "Well, when I wake up the second master, or even call the third lady Yingying, you tell them." "No—" He Shuyang became anxious when he heard this, and blocked the way out with his body Qiu Jiayuan.Qiu Jiayuan laughed secretly, he knew that He Shuyang was afraid of Shui Yingying, and even more afraid of Shui Erye. "Then be obedient and tell me about the organizations you joined and what you have done." Although what Qiu Jiayuan said was very relaxed, He Shuyang was deeply depressed when he heard it.He already knew that his participation in the organization and the tasks he was ordered to perform were all under the control of Qiu Jiayuan.That being the case, simply go all out.He Shuyang raised his neck and said grandly, "Yes, I am the Communist Party. How dare you arrest me and send me to the security team?!" Qiu Jiayuan's expression seemed to have moved in the dark night, but he didn't show it: "Okay, He Shuyang, you have the guts!" Qiu Jiayuan did not tie him up like He Shuyang was afraid of, and handed him over to Shui Erye.Before dawn, Qiu Jiayuan asked about He Shuyang's situation.This KMT major and adjutant from Xi'an was surprisingly calm tonight.After asking and reprimanding, he gave He Shuyang half a steamed bun. He Shuyang was really hungry, and when he was talking, his eyes were fixed on the steamed bun.The adjutant Qiu Jiayuan looked at his hunger, and sneered, "If it's not because you haven't eaten a bite of grain in two days, I'll hand you over to the deputy of the waiting regiment!" When He Shuyang finished eating, he suddenly Said: "I will let you off this time, but you have to do something for me. If this thing goes wrong, I will kill you!" He Shuyang wanted to refuse at first. He is the backbone of the revolutionary organization in Liangzhou City, how could he join forces with the Kuomintang executioners?After Qiu Jiayuan finished what he wanted to say, his mind changed, and he nodded at Qiu Jiayuan seriously: "Don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter well!" Waking up early the next day, He Shuhuai, the eldest son-in-law of the Shui family, went to the upper room to greet his old father-in-law, and met the adjutant Qiu Jiayuan at the gate of the backyard.Qiu Jiayuan had just finished his morning exercises, wearing a snow-white shirt and a pair of straight trousers, he looked very energetic and decent.In contrast, the young master of the He family, who only knows how to grow crops with his head down all year round, looks embarrassed and shabby.Qiu Jiayuan called He Shuhuai who was in a panic: "Brother-in-law, please take a step to speak." He Shuhuai looked at Qiu Jiayuan, feeling very puzzled.A month ago, the county magistrate Kong Jiexi took the Qiu family to Donggou, wanting to use the He family's yard to dry medicine, and asked the He family to give up 30 acres of hillside land to grow medicine.He Shuhuai was the first to object.What kind of medicine does a farmer grow?Besides, if the land is given up, it is hard to say whether it will be taken back at that time.He Shuhuai was afraid of dealing with people like the government, and he was even more afraid of people like Qiu Jiayuan who carried guns and ate food.For a while, the county magistrate, Kong Jiexi, named him as the security chief, saying that he was young and knew the rules, and it was convenient for him to run things up and down.Guess what he said: "Baochang? Instead of doing that work, it's better to pick up more dung. A farmer doesn't have to work on the crops, but can he be called a farmer?" Zeng said to Damei: "Just wait, sooner or later the Chou family will defeat this second-rate guy. It's a pity that the Chou family's money is for nothing for his education." In the end, the matter of planting the medicine could not be settled because of his strong opposition. Unexpectedly, the old father-in-law readily agreed.He doesn't care whether he agrees or not, that's the business of his Shui family, not the He family.In He Shuhuai's impression, apart from giving birth to three good daughters, his father-in-law has never done a serious thing in his life. If Damei didn't want to come here wholeheartedly, he would not want to go to this Mile. Although he was not happy in his heart, he still followed the enemy into the backyard. "Brother-in-law, I want to show you something." As soon as he entered the door, Qiu Jiayuan said. "what's that?" "Look at the kang." Qiu Jiayuan said, took out a cigarette, lit it, but didn't smoke it, just held it in his hand, and played with his very expensive lighter with the other hand. As soon as He Shuhuai turned his gaze to the past, he suddenly yelled: "My God, what about others? Tell me quickly, where did this thing come from!" Qiu Jiayuan's face turned cold: "Brother-in-law, please don't yell, it's not good for your family if you yell out." He Shuhuai didn't take Qiu Jiayuan seriously at first, and he treated such a guy who hangs his gun all day long and yells. People, he despises from the bottom of his heart.Not doing business, this is a sentence he sent to Qiu Jiayuan, including his younger brother He Shuyang, he often reprimanded him with such words.Unexpectedly, this morning, he suddenly changed his attitude towards Qiu Jiayuan. "I said relatives of the Chou family, this thing..." "You'd better call me adjutant. In this courtyard, I'm not related to anyone." Qiu Jiayuan was obviously mocking He Shuhuai. He Shuhuai didn't care about him, he was already confused by the clothes on the kang , looked at Qiu Jiayuan pitifully, and begged him to tell the answer quickly.Qiu Jiayuan was not in a hurry, his two eyebrows were cold, his eyes were almost like hiding a knife, and he watched He Shuhuai, a mature and prudent He family, fight several cold wars. What was placed on the kang was indeed the underwear of the second child, He Shuyang, an undershirt embellished with a heart.If it was changed to something else, He Shuhuai might be able to miss it, but it is absolutely impossible for He Shuhuai to miss this undershirt! One thing suddenly came to his mind. More than a month ago, the second child who was studying in Liangzhou City returned home and said to him mysteriously: "Brother, guess what I participated in?" "What did you participate in, you are a student, what can you participate in?" He Shuhuai didn't care at the time, he didn't look like his younger brother, who had drunk ink, spoke and acted like a scholar.He is an out-and-out farmer, except for the twenty-four solar terms in a year, he doesn't worry about anything else, and he doesn't bother to worry about it. "Guess what, you should know about this." "Let me guess what. If I have time to guess, I might as well give the ridge of the water land in Dongwa." As he said, he really took the shovel to the ridge.Younger brother He Shuyang grabbed him, looked around and said excitedly, "Brother, I joined the organization." "Organization?" He Shuhuai looked puzzled, not understanding how to explain the word organization. "Hey, I said you are backward in thinking."He Shuyang's enthusiasm faded by half, but he became excited again: "Brother, if I tell you, won't it scare you?" It's okay not to say this, but when he said it, He Shuhuai threw down the shovel and stared straight at his younger brother who was many years younger: "Shu Yang, you won't join the Qinghong Gang, will you?" The Qinghong gang is a gang that has only recently sprung up in Liangzhou City. It is said that burning, killing, looting and looting are all kinds of crimes. "Brother!" He Shuhuai sighed angrily, and when he heard his brother associate him with that rotten gangster, he suddenly felt dark in his heart.If my own brother is so enlightened, how can he expect others to support him and this organization? When He Shuyang told his elder brother about his joining the Communist Party in excitement and hesitation, his elder brother Shuhuai’s face froze for a while, and soon he jumped up and raised his fist: “I’ll kill you, you people If you don't do your best, you haven't caused enough trouble—" After a violent punch, He Shuhuai collapsed on the ground, no matter what his younger brother Shuyang explained, he just couldn't get up.This is an event bigger than the sky. Even though He Shuhuai lives in a ravine all year round, it does not mean that he has been completely thrown off by the world. Many new things in and out of the ditch still fly into him through various channels. Ears, especially the word "Communist Party", made him... No, I can't lie like this. If this matter gets to Dad's ears, won't he be scared to death?He Shuhuai turned over on the ground and hurried home in panic.Entering the courtyard, I saw Damei holding a dustpan to feed the chickens with crushed grain, and hurriedly pushed it over, grabbed Damei, and walked into her room.Damei exclaimed in surprise: "You don't stop, Gengzi, what are you doing here to drag me?" "Stop, rest, rest your head. The sky is falling, still rest!" As he said, he dragged Damei into the room, closed the door with a bang, and said with a blushing face, "It's terrible, Damei, It's broken, it's really broken, come on, come up with a solution for me." "What are you talking about without thinking, you intentionally scare people to death!" Damei pulled the man past him and wanted to go out.Shuhuai held her tightly: "Damei, Shuyang, Shuyang joined that party!" "What?!" That day and night, the couple didn't get over it easily, they discussed and discussed, and they couldn't tell their father about this matter, and they refused to listen to their advice, and they even scolded them for being stubborn, ignorant, and backward to the end.Shuhuai was so angry that he wanted to slap Shuyang.Finally, it was Damei who came up with an idea. Damei said that Shuyang must be possessed by an evil thing, so she quickly went to Sun Liu's family and gave Shuyang a blind eye. The undershirt placed on the kang was made after the Sun Liu's family had done some research. After the new undershirt was finished, it was hung on an old tree in the ditch overnight, soaked in the aura of heaven and earth, and the spirit of the tree. Let the lost people always find their way.What's more, put a red heart under the armpit, and tie his heart to an old tree, so that lost people can't go far.This method has been tried by many people from the six families of children and grandchildren, Ling.Sun Liu's family has made repeated arrangements that the undershirt must be worn close to the body, and it must be worn for seven to forty-nine days before it can be taken off. This time, the undershirt was in front of his eyes, and Shu Huai suddenly thought, is the second child? The adjutant Qiu Jiayuan had seen enough of He Shuhuai's scenery, and then said slowly: "I didn't want to tell you about this, but you are also the uncle of the Shui family. If you don't say it, it seems that I am not mean enough. You don't want to talk about it." Zhang Yang, your second child is not in any danger right now, but in the future, it's hard to say. So, you take this letter from me, go to Gulang County quickly, and give it to County Magistrate Kong." "Magistrate Kong?" "Don't ask any more questions. If you want to save your second child, just do as I tell you." He Shuhuai was puzzled for a moment, didn't dare to hesitate any longer, took the letter and went out.When he was going out, he heard Damei's voice in the yard. Damei called him to the stables, saying that Yingying's bay red horse had stopped eating grass.How could He Shuhuai still have such thoughts, and said angrily in his heart, I don't care if I die, the horse is more important than my second child! He Shuhuai rushed to Gulang County, but the county magistrate, Kong Jiexi, was not there, saying that he had gone to the provincial capital.Governor Zhao in the provincial capital consulted with the magistrates of several counties urgently.He Shuhuai lived in a small carriage and horse shop, and he had to wait until County Magistrate Kong, which was repeatedly confessed by the adjutant Qiu Jiayuan.During this time, He Shuhuai heard about the arrest of the Communist Party in the county, hehehe, the news spread so tightly that it scared people to death.听一起住的人说，县城已开了杀戒，上头发了话，对可疑分子，用不着请示，就地正法。县城这两天，天天有人被那个掉！何树槐吓得，赶忙到街上买了香，在小店里烧香磕头，心里祈祷着，千万别把他家树杨也给杀了啊。 见着孔县长是在第三天后晌，见面的地点是古浪桥头一片树荫下。县长孔杰玺看完副官仇家远的信，脸色瞬间暗下来，半天，他说：“想不到你家老二也搅和了进去，这事，麻缠大着哩。” 何树槐急得要哭，这孔县长虽是熟人，可上次县上征粮，他替父亲拒绝过他，种药那档子事，他也出过难题。如今老二犯在人家手里，由不得他不急。“孔县长，你可要想个法子，救救我家树杨，他年少无知，定是上了别人当。” 孔杰玺一听，哭笑不得，却又不好表示出来，只道：“你也不必乱急，事情嘛，总还是有商量的余地，不过……” “不过啥？” 县长孔杰玺诡秘地眨了下眼睛，道：“这么着吧，你再住一天，等我仔细打听一下，明儿一早给你个准信。” 那个夜晚，何树槐住在车马店里，一夜未眠，脑子里老是保安团拿枪毙人的镜头。同时他也后悔，没把老二树杨的事放心上。树杨凉州城念书，是有些变化，这变化，他应该能注意到的，可惜他让一沟的庄稼绊住了，没把树杨及时打邪路上拉回。何树槐悔啊——第二日，大清早，县长孔杰玺的信使敲响了门，何树槐惊问：“孔县长咋没来？”信使怒他一眼，道：“这种地儿，县长能来？”说着，交给他一封信，要他火速离开古浪县城，按信上交待的办。 何树槐没敢在路上停留，一路奔到家，才打开信，眼就直了，当下，火冒三丈，跳了起来：“妈妈个日，原还把他当个人哩，没想……”骂到一半，突然噤了声，再仔细往下看信，看着看着，他就哑巴了。 信是直接写给父亲何大鹍的，孔杰玺以古浪县长的名义，要何大鹍紧急筹措粮二十石，牛五头，羊二十只，说惟有如此，才可以保树杨平安无事。否则，他也没有办法。 父亲何大鹍看完信，厉声高叫起来：“姓孔的，你太贪了！”叫完，一把抓过长子树槐：“说，那狼吃的干了啥事？！” 何树槐再也不敢隐瞒，将弟弟参加共产党的事如实道给了父亲。何大鹍听完，登时楞了眼，重叹一声，倒在了炕上。 他最担心的事，还是发生了。 事实上，老二何树杨的所作所为，并没有瞒过父亲。父亲何大鹍是从老二树杨近阵子的神乎劲儿上看出蛛丝马迹的，不过，他一直没细问，他相信自个的儿子还不至于糊涂到那份上，没想……何大鹍一反常态，当下便让老大何树槐按孔杰玺的要求去办，并说：“你再额外给我备些大洋，五斤烟土，我有用。”何树槐颇感意外，父亲一向是个对官府不理不睬的人，这一点跟老丈人恰恰相反，怎么会？见他犹疑，何大鹍一脸郑重地说：“娃，这回不跟往常，就怕花了这些银两，还未必能把你兄弟救回来。”何树槐见爹心事愁重的样子，这才相信事情远非他想得那么简单，闷住声，一言不发地操办去了。 何大鹍带着银两和大烟赶到古浪县城时，正赶上城外马家沿枪杀乱党。据说，乱党是保安团和县城的宪兵队抓获的，因为形势紧，来不及审，就地枪决。马家沿被前来看热闹的人围个水泄不通，何大鹍骑在马上，朝里巴望了一眼，心就打嗓子眼跳了出来。“快走，赶紧找白会长！”他冲牵马的管家钟田说。钟田一看这阵势，早吓得面无血色，牵马往人少处走时，两条瘦腿儿直打软儿。 白会长在自己家里接见了财主何大鹍，两人算是熟悉，这些年也没少打交道。白会长快人快语：“何东家，你来得正好，我正要找你哩。” “哎唷唷，会长大人，快帮帮我吧，我都急死了。”何大鹍的声音像是在哭。“何东家，事儿我也是刚刚听说，令公子参加乱党，实在是罪不能赦，不过……” “我的大会长，你就甭吓唬我了，银两和粮食我都带来了，求你快快想个法子，把犬子给救出来啊。”说着话，何大鹍快快将烟土放到琴桌上。白会长看了眼烟土，知道何大鹍这次是真心来求他，心里转念了片刻，道：“何东家，按说，这事我义不容辞，可眼下风声紧，再说令公子犯的事，是掉脑袋的事，一时半会，我也拿不出办法。这么着吧，你先把粮和银两交到商会，容我想个法子，看怎么才能把令公子救出来。” "This……" 何大鹍脸上露出了难，紧跟着涌出一层不满。路上他就想好，不见兔子不撒鹰。但……“怎么，你信不过我姓白的？” “哪敢，哪敢，白会长，兄弟可是实心实意求你的呀。” “何东家，闲话就不说了，事情有多急，你比我更清楚。我刚刚接到消息，凉州城的宪兵队马上要来古浪抓人，说是乱党的重要分子逃脱了。”说到这儿，白会长故意将话停下。再看何大鹍的脸色，就不只是吓了。 尽管白会长最终也没给何大鹍保证什么，何大鹍还是如数将县长孔杰玺提出的银两和粮食交到了商会手上。接下来，何大鹍便如坐针毡，候在古浪刘家客栈，等县长孔杰玺这边的消息。 几乎同时，县长孔杰玺和商会白会长却在秘密运筹着一件事儿。自从副官仇家远来到古浪，收购中药材的事便成了商会的中心工作，好在白会长为人不错，在古浪商人间说话还很有份量。中药材的收购也没费太大劲。但在几天前，县长孔杰玺突然接到一条密令，要他务必在月底前紧急筹措一笔资金，交到凉州城一个叫骆驼的商人手里。至于拿这钱做什么，对方没说，县长孔杰玺也不便多问，只能按对方说的去做。可眼下筹措资金哪有那么容易，古浪本就一个小县城，商户本来就少，加上为副官仇家远购药，已让商户们掏了不少腰包，各乡各沟的财主又视财如命，很少有人主动拿钱出来。正在焦急中，突然收到副官仇家远托何树槐送来的信，如此这般，让何家拿出一大笔银两来，为国民军购药。县长孔杰玺当下就拿定主意，先把这笔钱挪过去，应了那边的急，事后再想办法，替东沟何家补上。两人一合计，白会长也是这个意思。眼下四处用药，小小的古浪，就是天天长银子也来不及啊——白会长也是一片感慨。 所以，一等何大鹍上门，白会长立即通知手下，暗中跟凉州城的骆驼联系。县长孔杰玺这边，忙着派人打听何家二公子的下落，拿了人家的钱，多少也得跟人家说句实话。但是直到现在，他还不知道何家二公子是不是真的出了事，不出事人又在哪里？ 副官仇家远将消息封锁得牢牢的，就是他跟白会长，也不肯多透露半句。“白兄，仇副官这边，到底卖什么药啊？”两人各自奔波一番，又回到商会的一间秘密处所里，县长孔杰玺忧心忡忡地问。 白会长轻叹一声：“孔兄，眼下真真假假，弄得你我都摸不清方向，看来形势真是不容乐观啊。” “你说，国共真的要撕破脸？”默了半天，白会长又问。 县长孔杰玺摇头，几天前他从省城回来，带着一肚子纳闷，将省城赵总督开紧急会的事说了。白会长听完，久长地不做声，看得出，他的疑惑比县长孔杰玺还重。这两人，心里原本是没装什么党派的，尽管眼下都是国民政府的人，但两个人都认准一条道，不管姓共姓国，只要是打日本人，就是一家人。看来，形势逼迫着他们改变看法，甚至做出某种选择。 “白兄，假设有一天非要你我做出抉择，你说，我们该听谁的？”县长孔杰玺想了半天，还是把话摔给白会长。白会长喝了口茶：“孔兄，你是县长，当然别无选择，不过，眼下这么下去，我怕……” "What are you afraid of?" “他们如此草菅人命，我怕天理不容呀——” 白会长说着将白日里马家沿枪杀乱党的场景再次描述了一番，那场景真是残酷极了，也可怕极了。县长孔杰玺当然知道枪杀乱党的事，他曾竭力阻止过，可眼下他这个县长，说话已不那么好使，宪兵队和保安团名义上是要听他的，但他们做事从来不跟他打招呼，他们各自都有主呀。身为一县之长，却不能阻止这种不人道的事在自己的县内发生，孔杰玺真是觉得亏对县长两个字。 两人谈喧半天，终也没谈喧出个所以然，特别是何去何从的问题上，两人一时半会都拿不定主意。不过，这次交谈，让他们的心更为沉重，对时势，也越发不安。尤其县长孔杰玺，如果上面真要按赵总督说的那样办，他这个县长，还当得下去么？ 三天后，东沟财主何大鹍带着县长孔杰玺一纸信，心里实腾腾地回到了自家大院。信中说，二公子何树杨目前一切都好，不必太过担忧，但鉴于目前形势，还不便放出来。要何大鹍安心回家，时机成熟时，自然会有人将二公子带到东沟。“我说嘛，他们不就是想从我这里拿银子嘛，拿给他！”说完这句，何大鹍猛看见晒在院里的一件衣裳，是那件缀了红记心的汗衫！当下，心里就翻起一股恶浪。你个不安分的，敢参加乱党，这次回来，看我不挑断你的筋！ 水二爷真是兴奋得要死！ 对水二爷来说，没有什么比听到东沟何家出事更令他兴奋的了。他跟东沟何大鹍本来就是死对头，两个人斗了一辈子，现在还分不出高低，令水二爷十分烦恼。前段日子，他要给宝儿娶亲，帖子送过去后，又被东沟何大鹍当面撕了，还骂他吃人饭不干人事，为了自家儿子，竟能想出这么损的主意。水二爷听了，差点把肺气炸，若不是大梅捎过话来，让他不要当真，公公就那死脾气。怕是，他要撵到东沟去，跟何大鹍当面理论。 现在一听何家出了这大的事，何大鹍一次让人掠走那么多银子，他笑得嘴都合不拢了。 “好，真好！我叫你嚣张，叫你看不起我姓水的！这下，有你老狗哭的！”水二爷还没高兴完，一件不愉快的事发生了。平阳川仇家忽然托人捎来信，说最近生意不大好，仇达诚又患了腰痛病，行路不方便，这席，就不吃来了，请亲家原谅。 水二爷学东沟何大鹍那样，愤愤地将信撕了，心里骂：“痛死才好，把你个奸商！”骂完，又觉不是那么回事，细一想，明白了，仇家是碍着儿子的面，不好意思来。水二爷心里笑了笑，想想自从仇家远穿了这身国民党的皮，耀武扬威来到青石岭，平阳川那边，脚踪立刻就断了，包括二梅两口子，也不上他家的门，证明，仇家对这个老二，也是有忌讳的。 忌讳就好，我盼的就是这个！水二爷心里诅咒着，嘴上却虚情假意说：“你跟亲家捎个信儿，二公子在我家很好，他现在是红人哩，我水老二都是仰仗着他，才发点小财，我恨不得把他供桌上，天天烧香哩。”来人并不明白他们亲家之间那些小肚鸡肠的事，还以为水二爷说的是真，感激万分地去了。水二爷这才来到南院，他要跟英英好好谈谈。 水二爷近来发现，丫头英英跟仇家远拉开了距离，不像以前那么没脸没皮地往仇家远跟前凑了。这是好事，不管英英心里怎么想，只要能拉开距离，水二爷就认为是好事。 英英在屋里做针线活，英英是很少做针线活的，吴嫂刚来院里时，水二爷再三叮嘱，要她腾出点时间，多教教英英。“一个丫头家，不会针线活，成什么样子？”吴嫂倒也尽职，耐着性子教了很长时间，可惜，水英英天生就不是做针线活的料，针头线脑到了她手里，都像是有刺，使唤起来比马鞭还难。后来水二爷不再勉强，反正英英迟早是要招上门女婿的，大不了将来再雇个下人，伺侯她便是。没想，今儿个，英英竟一针一线地绣鞋垫。 水二爷站在门口，静静地望了女儿一会，眼角四周溢出难得的笑。英英听见动静，抬起头，见是爹，慌忙就将鞋垫藏在了身后。 “我说院里咋少了声音呢，原来我宝贝疙瘩在弄这个。” “爹——”英英娇嗔了一声。 水二爷呵呵笑笑，进了屋，顺势在炕沿上跨下半个屁股。 “拿来让爹瞧瞧，我宝贝女儿绣的，一准比别人强。” “爹！”水英英再次嗔了一声，脸红了半边。她也是闷得慌，院里院外忙忙碌碌，就她一个闲人，四处插不上手，也懒得插，加上最近她跟仇家远之间老是别别扭扭，再也找不回以前那份亲密劲儿。两天前她又意外从下人拴五子嘴里听说，仇家远借着外出办事的空，老是去会西安城那个女学生。拴五子还说，仇家远所以能当上副官，跟那个女学生有关，她舅舅是个人物，早在三年前，他们就暗中定了亲，是女学生的舅舅一手撮合的。 这话打翻了英英心里的五味瓶，两天里，她吃饭不香，睡觉不稳，更懒得有心思骑马。脑子里反复就响着一句话：“骗子，他是个骗子！” 把自己关在南院，英英把前前后后的事想了几遍。越想越觉得自己傻，自己是啥，一只山沟沟里的麻雀。人家心里惦的、念的，是西安城的女学生，舅舅还是大官。怪不得他对自己不咸不淡，想理了理一次，不想理，眼皮都懒得抬一次。英英心里虽是不服气，却又无可奈何，谁让她只是青石岭牧场主的丫头呢？英英虽然心高气傲，但也是个识时务的人，这点怕是跟了她爹水二爷。况且，二姐一再提醒她，小叔子仇家远是个靠不住的男人，嫁汉嫁汉，穿衣吃饭。“他心在天上哩，这号男人，看着好，真要跟他过日子，一天也踏实不了。”这是二姐的原话，英英当时觉得二姐是在故意贬低仇家远，现在想想，就觉这话在理。这且罢了，英英也不是非要把自个嫁给他，真要嫁，她还得掂量掂量。她只是咽不下这口气，凭什么自己就能输给西安城的女学生？ 思来想去，英英觉得是自己的脾性害了自己。她恍惚记得，仇家远曾经说过这样一句话：“天下哪有你这号当女子的，上天入地，弄拳舞棍，男人见了你，躲都来不及，还敢娶你？”类似的话，何家二公子何树杨也说过，是挨了她一马鞭后说的。看来，他们这些念了书装了墨水的男人，心里是容不下她这种女子的。英英暗自发誓，要改掉自己的脾性。 “我就不信，我讨不来男人的喜欢！”英英跟自己赌气，不为谁，就为她自己。 做针线活，是她迈出的第一步。没想，事情才起个头，就让爹撞上了。 水二爷似乎从女儿的眼神里，猜出些什么，但他远没英英想得那么远，他找英英，是专门说仇家远坏话来的。甭看他整天对仇家远点头哈腰，比见了县长孔杰玺还谦恭，那是另码子事，心里，他恨不得仇家远跟何家二公子一样，惹出一大堆乱子来，那样，可就有好景致看了。 水二爷拐弯抹角，把国民党在古浪县城杀乱党的事说了，中间个别地方，他还渲染不少。说到最后，他叹了一声：“娃啊，世道变成这样，都是这帮拿枪的弄的，早晚有一天，会遭报应。” 他只说了拿枪的，没说仇家远，但他相信，女儿一定会听懂他的弦外之音。果然，他离开南院很久，水英英还怔怔地捧着鞋垫，发呆。 宝儿的婚事再次被提到桌面上。 因为何树杨的事，大梅两口子不得不离开水家，他们一走，水家大院的热闹，就少了几分。这事让水二爷心里不痛快，这天，他又将沟里沟外的亲戚一一过了一遍，重新补下了帖子，包括多年不来往的哥哥水老大，这次也在贵客名单里。 水二爷是这样想的，虽说我办的是亡婚，可不能失了我水家的面子，况且，何仇两家现在被两个不争气的儿子搅得乱麻缠身，我要好好办给他们看。 “传我的话下去，办三天流水席，东沟西沟的，但凡愿意给我水二爷捧场的，都来吃！” 消息传出，立马有人蠢蠢欲动，掰着手指头算日子，就等着水家开席。 这天早起，水二爷刚要出院门，就听门外有人唱：“不要你的米，不要你的面，就等你把流水席儿开。”一听是蛮婆子眼官，水二爷心里大喜，拉开门就道：“贵人啊，你可来了……” “了”字还没落地，水二爷眼就傻了。原来站在门外的，不只是眼官一人，水二爷眼里，黑压压立着八个蛮婆子。 叫眼官的蛮婆子看见水二爷，连笑带唱道：“东边日出东边红，太阳当顶喜盈门，西边落日全是福，满沟银子往里聚。”她的话未落，其他的“羊盼”（蛮婆子对同类的称呼）也都一齐响起了三才板，就听院门外唱戏似的，把吉祥和祝愿一古脑儿往里泼。 “沙枣花开老来红，越上年纪越厚成。主意拿定往前行，甭怕东吴起万兵。”“好事来了不由人，就像飞鸟归山林，金童玉女成婚配，来年必能抱儿孙。”水二爷听着，心里的乐一溢一溢，这大清早的，碰上这么多贵人，必是好事。当下，就拱手往里请。蛮婆子们也不客套，一窝蜂的就往里挤。 就在这当儿，院里突然响出一声：“滚，都给我滚，清早八时的，哪来的这些丧门星！” 水二爷刚要拦挡，三女水英英已摔开手里的马鞭，照准叫眼官的蛮婆子脸上就打。叫眼官的蛮婆子脸上挨了鞭，疼得立时叫喊起来。 “英英！”水二爷喝了一声，扑过去夺下马鞭：“反了你了，贵人你也敢打！”水英英嘴一噘：“贵人，我看她是毛鬼神还差不多！” “你！”水二爷气得，直想抽她个嘴巴，可这大清早的，他哪能下得了手。水英英骂了几句，抢过马鞭，到马厩牵她的山风去了。 叫眼官的蛮婆子捂着脸，一股子血从手指间渗出来，英英那一鞭子甩得太狠，叫眼官的蛮婆子脸上烂了几道口子。水二爷刚要赔情，叫眼官的蛮婆子突然开了口： “甭看你马鞭甩得狠，甭看你走路一阵风，孤魂早已附了你的身，这辈子你是个苦命星。” “啥？”水二爷惊得，当下就要扑过去捂眼官的嘴。叫眼官的蛮婆子一双神眼死死盯住水英英，在她屁股一扭一扭的走动中，心里，为水英英的一生画了个大大的问号。等水二爷试图拿话训斥她时，她镇定自若道：“二爷，甭看你财发的大，可你这院，七魂八鬼的，撵都撵不尽。二爷，往后，有你的好日子过。”说完，在水二爷巨大的惊惑中，叫眼官的蛮婆子啪地收了三才板，身子一转，嘴一鼓，很像回事的离开了水家大院。 “羊盼”们一看眼官走了，也都收了三才板，鼓着嘴，恨恨离开了水家大院。水二爷再想挽留，就迟了。