Chapter 9 Chapter 8 Marriage
Shiliang was so confused that he couldn't eat anymore, Shui Yingying's face flashed repeatedly in his mind, it was a face that used to hang high in the clouds, it was so extravagant to look at.A strange voice came from afar: "She really wants to marry me, is the third miss of the Shui family really willing to marry me?"
Many days later, Shiliang suddenly asked: "Uncle, have you eaten food?" Liu Xicai didn't say a word, Liu Xicai seemed to have lost his soul these days.
Not giving up on picking up food, he asked timidly, "Uncle, what did that commissioner have to do with you?"
"Jack the mouth!" Liu Xicai got angry now, and resentfully smelt a sentence of picking up food.After a long time, seeing that the food was short of energy, he was dumbfounded and did not speak, and he comforted: "Boy, we grow medicines, we only pretend to be medicine in our hearts, and don't pretend to be anything else."
"Uncle, I understand."
"No baby, you don't understand. There are some things that even my uncle is confused about, and the more you can't understand them." The pharmacist Liu Xicai cast his eyes into the distance, his eyes were bewildered and dull, as if he was caught by something, It also seemed to be hollowed out, empty and hopeless inside.
"Uncle..." Shiliang couldn't help calling again.
"Boy, uncle is fine. Uncle is really fine. Uncle just thinks, what is the right way for a person to walk in his life? Besides, God, does he have eyes?"
After picking up the food, he also lowered his head, with a serious look on his mind.
The medicine has already been collected, and Qingshiling looks as if someone has peeled off a layer of skin. The emerald mountain scenery is gone, and the abundance is gone. In front of the uncle and nephew, a large area of desolation is exposed, and the land is more like a big one. The mouthful toad croaked.Winter is coming, and this year's winter looks like a cold winter, just now, the cold is like a knife, piercing people's necks.Liu Xicai tightened his clothes and rolled up his sleeves. His cotton coat had long since been torn into shape, and cotton was dripping from the cuffs. The cotton was black and clumped together.Such cotton clothes cannot withstand this cold winter.Not to mention picking up food, until now, he is still wearing single clothes, which can no longer be seen as clothes, just like the rags wrapped around the horse's stomach by the second master Shui's house, poor motherless child.
But this baby is showing a look of not being afraid of the cold!
With great difficulty, Liu Xicai looked away, looked at Shiliang, took off his ragged cotton jacket, and wrapped it in Shiliang. "Boy, you have to remember Uncle's words, in this life, you will be poor but not rich, farmers but not merchants, and... nothing but officials!"
Shi Liang was pondering what his uncle said when he suddenly heard his uncle call: "Baby, look, look, what is that?"
As soon as he raised his head, he saw a wolf rushing out of the mountain depression, its mouth was searching for the ground, and it was running furiously forward.Then, another one, within a short time, a pack of wolves sprang out from the mountain depression, as if entering no man's land, they headed towards Erdao Xianzi without any restraint.The hearts of the two people immediately tightened their hearts, and they didn't dare to say anything anymore. Fortunately, the wolves seemed to be moving their nests and didn't care about them.After the wolves disappeared completely and the mountain col calmed down again, Liu Xicai said, "This year is not good—"
How can it be good?
After the catastrophe, Qingshiling made people unable to cheer up.One day not long after Commissioner Zeng Zihang left, the father and daughter of the Shui family were released.It was a frustrating evening, and the people in the courtyard heard nothing but Shui Yingying's weak howls.Second Master Shui seemed to be completely dumb. The Second Master Shui, who has always been unyielding, brought people too much despair this time. He was supported by Mrs. Wu and the dog. Standing under the pale sunlight, his proud head I lifted it a few times, but finally, because of the weakness of my shoulders, I had to slump down, and my chin almost reached my chest.One moment, it makes people feel that the water rich man in Qingshiling is nothing more than that.How can there be any shadow of that once tall and majestic body?As soon as the head drooped, the whole body immediately collapsed, and the collapse was terrible.Even Mrs. Wu next to her is much more powerful than him.The dungeon that lasted for more than 20 days made him skinny by a full ten circles.What's more frightening is that one of his legs is limping, and it's not obvious when he's standing up. When Aunt Wu forced him to take two steps, his limping posture made Chuan Wuzi and others who were eating in the backyard laugh out loud. sound.Shuan Wuzi didn't get a good result that day, and was slapped by Meimei, a helper who was eating at the side.How old was the helper, and he had always had a good relationship with him, but that day, the helper slapped him because he sprayed rice grains on his face when he laughed.It seems a little unreasonable to slap other people's hats for such a reason, but it is quite normal for Shuan Wuzi to be slapped.
Shuan Wuzi was not afraid of helpers, he saw clearly, in the dusk, under the dim light, the eyes of the two sons were directly on his face, and later he said that they were the eyes of picking up food.
Mr. Shui was supported by Mrs. Wu and the dog, and stood until dark when Feng Chuanwu came over and said harshly, "Go back to the house!" Mrs. Wu and the dog hurriedly helped Mr. Shui into the room. Room.
It was not the original upper house. The original upper house, including the upper court, had already been used as Feng Chuanwu's temporary headquarters, and there were gun handles at the gate of the courtyard.The house that Feng Chuan Wuzhi gave to Shui Erye was the same small house that was consummated for Bao'er and then closed for Shui Yingying.
After the medicine was completely collected, some changes took place in the courtyard.First, more than half of the soldiers brought by Feng Chuanwu were taken away. It is said that this was an order from the newly appointed director of supervision, Situ Xueer.Who knows, anyway, there are fewer and fewer soldiers. By this day, there are only two black-skinned men left on Qingshiling, plus Feng Chuanwu or three.Then, the helpers were dismissed one by one, the medicine was collected, the sheep in the yard were eaten up, and Situ Xueer took a lot of horses, so it seemed unnecessary to keep the helpers.The helpers paid enough wages when they left. Feng Chuanwu did not dare to be sloppy about this. Zeng Zihang made it clear when he left: "In this Qingshiling, medicine is the first, including the pharmacist and the helpers, and no one can be offended." Zeng Zihang Seeing Feng Chuanwu nodding frequently, Hang said again: "By the way, there is also the food collector. I am looking at this baby. He is a material for a pharmacist. From now on, you have to treat him well."
Regarding Shuan Wuzi, Zeng Zihang didn't say anything. Although Feng Chuanwu did say a lot of good things for him in front of Zeng Zihang before, Zeng Zihang's mind was obviously not on Shuan Wuzi. When Feng Chuanwu asked again before leaving, Zeng Zihang said Impatiently said: "You can figure it out." But this sentence made Situ Xueer interested, her charming eyes passed through a large group of people seeing off, and swayed on Shuan Wuzi's face for a while.Unfortunately, just for a while.
Qingshiling's desertedness cannot be escaped.
The only excitement in the middle came from Uncle Shui from Wanzhongtai.
The boss of Wanzhong Taishui didn't seem to know that something happened in the Shui family compound, judging by his posture when he came, he really didn't seem to know.It was the fifth day after Zeng Zihang left. Feng Chuanwu took two soldiers to hunt hares on the grass beach because he was bored in the courtyard. He was tired of eating mutton and wanted a change.Unexpectedly, the hare has eyes, so he just didn't hit the muzzle of his gun, causing Feng Chuanwu to lose a few bullets in vain.After the second shot, a donkey suddenly appeared on the grassy beach. The donkey was lean and lean, but very strong, with a birch saddle on its bony back.At first glance, it was carrying a person, probably because the gunshot was frightened, and the person fell.The donkey held its head high, swung its hooves vigorously, and ran straight into the Shui family courtyard.The two soldier boys guarding the gate held their guns and looked at the donkey vigilantly. When the donkey let go of its hooves and was about to rush into the yard, one of the soldier boys shouted: "Stop, if you don't stop, you will shoot." At this time, Feng Chuanwu The third shot rang out, and the donkey was frightened again. He knocked over the soldier boy who scolded it, and rushed in fearlessly.
Immediately afterwards, a startled person ran over on the grassy beach, shouting as he ran, "Old lump, old lump, where have you gone crazy?"
"Where did you come from, the caterpillar, why are you blocking my way?" The visitor cursed wildly.
The soldier waved his bayonet: "I'm from the gendarmerie brigade, if you dare to intrude, be careful, I'll kill you with one shot!"
"Fucking gendarmerie, my old bastard?" It was the boss of Wanzhong Taishui who yelled in a rough voice.
"Old lump?" Bingwa made Shui Lao yell confused.
"Donkey, my precious old lump. Who fired a wild gun and frightened my old lump. I can't spare him." Boss Shui was still scolding, and the soldier who was knocked over by the donkey just rushed over, The butt of the gun knocked him over.
That's okay, right now, Boss Shui was lying on the grass: "Second Shui, Second Shui, when will you raise two dogs? You are so powerful, you know that dogs bite people..."
Sister-in-law Wu just came back with the medicine on her back. Seeing that it was Boss Shui, she hurriedly threw the medicine and ran over: "Master, I can't be scolded, something happened in this hospital, this hospital."
"Something happened, what happened?" Boss Shui seemed to have woken up from a faint, rubbed his eyes, and looked into Qingli.Aunt Wu whispered something into his ear.Sister-in-law Wu had hoped that he would calm down, but she didn't expect that he would be justified.
"God, you are the one who has eyes. Shui Er Er, you have today, haha, you were arrested, and your house was confiscated. God, you are the one who gave me a sigh of relief!"
If Mrs. Wu tried to stop her, it would be too late.Boss Shui seemed to have broken the embankment, wanting to scold him all his life. "Second Shui, aren't you very bullish, aren't you afraid of nothing, don't you even dare to marry a broom star? Your black broom, sweep it, why don't you sweep it?"
"Master—" Aunt Wu was shocked, and the color on her face was gone.
"Don't call me uncle! When I was humiliated by him, why didn't you call me uncle? When I was kicked off the table by him, why didn't you call me uncle? Ah, you vixen!"
Boss Shui was talking about Bao'er's marriage to gather grass and pull the flowing water mat.When the third banquet was held, the old Shui family brothers had a falling out again. They rummaged about Chen Guzi's rotten sesame seeds in front of everyone, and finally annoyed the second master Shui, and even kicked his elder brother off the table.At that time, Auntie Wu didn't speak to Boss Shui, and even scolded him for his faults, so he wrote it down after he didn't think about it.
"Well, you scold, you make trouble, even you are imprisoned, don't blame me for not stopping him." Seeing that she couldn't stop him, Aunt Wu said angrily.
"Shut me up? He has the ability to kill the party, dare to shut down my boss Shui of Wanzhongtai? Hehe, I will lend him ten guts, dare to shut him down?"
As soon as Boss Shui scolded the gangster, the two soldiers rushed forward immediately, wanting to question him.Sister-in-law Wu was in a hurry, and she didn't even plead for mercy, so she could suppress the anger of the soldiers.
Boss Shui scolded for a full hour, scolded enough, scolded cheap, scolded him so much that he didn't dare to scold, if he continued to scold, maybe he would really suffer.Then he said to Bingwa: "I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys, go, pull out my old bumps, I'll go, I'll go—"
When Mrs. Wu pulled his old lump out, she saw that two streams of tears flowed from Boss Shui's eyes.He crawled on the grass beach, not sure whether it was hatred or pain.Aunt Wu choked her throat: "Brother, get up—"
With tears in his eyes, Boss Shui got up on the grass, stared at the purple gate of the Shui family compound for a long time, the words trembled in his throat, but he couldn't speak anymore.At the end, he grabbed Sister-in-law Wu's hand: "Sister-in-law Wu, bring me a message, just say that my boss Shui said that if Qingshiling can't survive, he should come to Wanzhongtai. Wanzhongtai is his home..."
The donkey disappeared for a long time, and Feng Chuan, who had finished beating the rabbit, seemed to be coming back, but Mrs. Wu was still frozen there, with an old story gushing out from her two eyes that had not shed tears for many years ... What came out of Aunt Wu's eyes was the grudge between the two brothers of the Shui family!
At that time, the Shui family made a fortune in Wanzhongtai, but Shui's second son didn't learn well, and left so many properties in the family, wandering around, and when he returned to Wanzhongtai, he was caught in heavy smoke.In a fit of anger, Boss Shui drove him out of the door.Shui Laoer is also considered a kind person, and he didn't quarrel with Shui Boss, didn't quarrel with Shui Boss, and only left a stubborn sentence: "If my Shui Lao Er comes back again, I won't be a son of my mother!" Just like that, the seventeen-year-old young master Shui Laoer wore a sweat jacket in the cold weather, and went to He's house in Donggou, Qingfeng Gorge to beg for food.Let the good young master not do it, but suffer this undeserved punishment, no one will say that he deserves it.However, he can bet this anger and suffer this pain.Donggou's wealthy owner He Laodong's family is not an ordinary person, and there are not many people who can stand his king's law.However, the seventeen-year-old Shui Er Er endured it, not only endured it, but also endured it very well, which was appreciated by He Laodong's family.No one would have thought that while wandering around the world, the second son of Shui also learned a lot of unique skills, such as mud walls, cooking stoves, working as a gangster in an oil factory, and carrying chimneys for his family. Nothing can stop him .Showing things to the He family from time to time made the old boss He's tongue smack in shock.If he can concentrate on learning the farm work in the crop field, maybe he will be the housekeeper of the He family compound.However, he is a person who can't hold his heart in the farmland. As soon as he is asked to work in the field, his neck will immediately itch, and his mind will be on the crooked ramp all day long.When the He family was in great prosperity, he unexpectedly proposed that the old owner of He should cultivate poppies in Qingshiling. Scold him for mentioning the word opium again, and break his poor legs.Unconvinced, Shui Lao Er insisted on arguing with He Dakun: "What's wrong with growing opium cigarettes? As long as you don't smoke or smoke, the money won't come faster than crops?" He Dakun, who was in the industry, couldn't argue, so he led his servants to drive him out of Donggou, and didn't pay him a penny of his two-year wages.Shui Laoer was not reconciled, and ran to discuss with He Laodong's family at the risk of his leg being broken.Mr. He's family also hated iron for being weak, sighed and said: "Thanks to me, I have hurt you for two years, you, learning well is a material, learning badly, you will be ashamed to death. So let me give you a head Donkey, a few buckets of grain, and some farm tools, if you can plant a field for me in Qingshiling, I will give you the whole Qingshiling."
"real?"
"When I talk to someone, I always have a red mouth and white teeth, and the words I spit out are iron."
"Then leave me a note."
Mr. He stared at him suspiciously for a long time, and said: "Okay, I will be a servant of you, and you know that I will ask for a document, and I will give it to you." Immediately, he wrote a piece of paper in black and white, and invited him back. Witness, fingerprinted.Shui Laoer held it, looked at it for a long time, and laughed a long time: "Master He, I'm afraid you will regret it so much that your intestines will turn green in the future." After laughing, he drove the donkey away.
After this trip, there will be Qingshiling today.
In the year when poppies were fragrant on Qingshiling, Shui Lao Er was surprised to hear that his father, who was always as strong as a yak, suddenly had an emergency and died.Messages came from Wanzhongtai every day, asking him to go back immediately to observe his filial piety.Shui Laoer was hard-hearted, standing on the Qingshi Ridge, he would rather swallow tears in his stomach a hundred times a thousand times, but he just refused to look back.A few days later, he heard that his elder brother Shui had divorced his new wife.
Cao'erxiu was brought in by her father three days before he got an emergency. Just after the three-day happy day, her father-in-law was lying on the kang and couldn't get up. After talking about it, I found the reason. Shui'erxiu is a broom star. On the day she was carried, two thieves fell from the sky. One fell into the ditch, and the other fell on Cao'erxiu. Cao'er has become a fine show, not only defeating the father-in-law, but also defeating the water boss.Amidst the doubts of the crowd, the barbarian woman spit all over the place, and she spoke so eloquently that Boss Shui had no choice but to believe it.Amid all the contradictions, he made a decision——Hugh.
Cao Erxiu, who came from Tumenzi on the edge of the desert, burst into tears. Holding the red bundle that her natal family brought with her when she came, she took a last look at her sick father-in-law and set off on the road.She was riding a gray donkey, crying as she walked.What are you crying for? Cry for your life!When she was in her natal family, there was a lady-in-law who said that in her life, her life was miserable, and she was waiting for her. It would be a blessing to jump over it, but if she couldn't, just wait.She doesn't believe it, but she can't help herself if she doesn't believe it. When the girl grows to fifteen, the matchmaker breaks the door, and she is seventeen, and she will be eighteen in a blink of an eye. Unexpectedly, there is no trace of her.Looking in the mirror, a face is full of water, eyes are eyes and nose is nose, what is worse than a human?Looking at the figure again, it's fine if you don't look at it, if you look at it, you will even cry out, oh my god, with such a figure, I am afraid that even if you marry in Liangzhou City, you will not be disliked by others.Waiting and waiting, finally, the Shui family came to the door, Caoer Xiule, who is the Shui family in Wanzhongtai?The family is big and the business is big, and the crops in one ditch and two depressions may not be eaten up in several lifetimes. It turns out that the front feet are cold, and they are specially designed to leave a way for the back feet.Unexpectedly, after marrying with a smile on her face, before three days of joy, the father-in-law lay down, and then heard Xio.
"Hugh, you bastard, dead ghost, the father-in-law obviously broke the meal, but he still blames me, woo-woo--" Hui Donkey thumped, and Cao'erxiu cried more and more anxiously, thinking about the way ahead, God, what are you doing? !
When we arrived at the winding road, just as we were about to get off our donkey, a man was suddenly blocked in front of him, also leading a donkey. On the donkey, there were two small bundles of poppies on his back. The dazzling poppies lit up the dead mountain road at once. It was brilliant, and it made Cao'erxiu's face, which was still covered with clouds just now, glow bright red.
"Who are you, what are you doing to stop me?" Cao Erxiu asked, holding back her embarrassment.
The man didn't speak, just stared at her, Cao Erxiu's face became redder and shyer.
After looking enough, Cao'erxiu looked so hard that he was about to sink into the ground, and then asked: "Are you going to Qingshiling with me?" "Are you... the second child who ran away?" Cao'erxiu was shocked She had long heard that there was a second child in the Shui family, who ate what other people would not eat, and who did what other people would not do, and in the Tumen of her natal family, passed him down as evil as a bandit. I didn't have the chance to meet this second child again. I didn't expect to meet him here.
Shui Er Er didn't nod, didn't shake his head, and didn't leave Cao'erxiu for a moment. "Ask you, will you come with me?"
Shui'erxiu still dared to doubt, just now she was thinking about where she was going to die, but this time, she didn't want to die at all, she blushed and nodded hurriedly, her hand touched the burden.Shui Er was not puzzled, picked her up immediately, threw her on his donkey, and said, "I don't believe you are a broom star!"
Two bundles of poppies were shaken open, and before Cao Erxiu could react, this man had already turned into a flower man, with fragrant poppies on his head, body, and even feet.The poppies of that year were extraordinarily enchanting, extraordinarily sentimental, and extraordinarily colorful, which immediately made the whole valley so rich that it couldn't be melted away.When Shui Er jumped on the donkey, he said viciously again: "You don't want it, I want it!"
The donkey's hooves rattled, a couple of newlyweds started on the road, and when they walked further, Cao Erxiu was so happy that he couldn't see anything.
The father finally died. The father who had been strong all his life failed to escape the catastrophe because Boss Shui retired from Cao Erxiu, and died in a heavy snow that winter.The snow covered the mountain, preventing Shui'er from going to the funeral. In fact, without this snow, Shui'er might not have to go.This person who has been cursed thousands of times by Boss Shui has finally earned the notoriety of an unfilial son.Fortunately, in this heavy snowfall, Broom Star Caoerxiu was in full bloom. She took steps that were a little difficult to walk, and stood in the thick snow, her eyes fixed on the direction of Wanzhongtai.The snow hit her fair face and turned into something that looked like tears.Behind her, her man Shui Lao Er was holding two balls of snow tightly with both hands, crushing them into pieces.
Wan Zhongtai's luxury and wealth gradually dissipated due to his father's departure. It seemed that the energy of the Shui family was secretly taken away by his father, and the wealthy Shui family began to decline in an irreversible trend. .Boss Shui, who has lost his wife and father one after another, spends his days in a daze, giving people the illusion of being down and out. He seems to be unable to find a way out of his predicament except to sit and eat.Unfortunately, for several years in a row, he was ransacked by bandits.When the second son of Shangshui in Qingshiling was in full swing, the boss of Wanzhong Taishui couldn't get out of his own ecstasy except for complaining and cursing.One day, riding the only green donkey left at home, he came to Qingshiling in a drowsy manner, raised his drowsy eyes, looked at the lively green around him, opened his nose, Smelling the scent of poppies in the air, I couldn't hold back the resentment in my heart anymore, jumped off the donkey and cursed: "Shui Er Er, you are not a thing, you give back my woman and my pulse!"
According to Boss Shui's understanding, the reason why Qingshiling is today is not because his second child, Shui, can last for a long time, but because the broom star brought Wan Zhongtai's energy when he left.Not only did he bring his pulse, but he also took away the fireworks from his Shui family, or could his boss Shui still be single today?Otherwise, with Wan Zhongtai so powerful, could he be defeated in one hit or two? "Second Shui, you have poison in your eyeballs, you have snakes in your heart, you give back my woman and my fireworks!"
Just as the scolding sounded, a person ran out of the courtyard, not Shui's second child, but Cao'erxiu.I saw her holding a black broom specially used by Shui Lao Er to drive away ghosts and gods, aiming at Shui Lao Er's face and there was a broom!Now, she got into trouble.Boss Shui couldn't find a reason to ask for fireworks from Shui's second son, which was somewhat preposterous, but being beaten by Cao Erxiu's black broom, the reason was enough, very enough.This woman has swept away all his heroic and manly energy, so why should he not lie down in Qingshiling until he grows old!
Unexpectedly, Shui Lao Er jumped out right after, what he was holding was not a black broom, but a dog-beating stick that was several times more painful than a black broom.Hehehe, the pair of brothers from the Shui family are really puzzling, so I saw the second son of Shui picked up the dog-beating stick, aiming at the dry head of the boss Shui and hitting him.How could Boss Shui dare to lie down, and it was too late to run.While running, he was still swearing in all directions, this scolding made Shui Lao Er more determined to fight, I saw that he drove his elder brother Shui Boss out of the grass beach like a wolf on the grass beach, the green donkey Did not let him lead.Poor Boss Shui, the woman and fireworks didn't come, so he gave the only donkey to Shui Lao Er!
The enmity between the two brothers was planted because of this, until Cao Erxiu unfortunately passed away early, leaving behind four children, the grievances between the two have not yet resolved.
All of this was told to her by Sister-in-law Wu's Second Master Shui after she arrived in Qingshiling.By the warm stove in winter, every time Second Master Shui talked about these things, he couldn't help spit.During those long and really lonely nights, a little widow from Tumenzi and a bachelor in his prime on Qingshiling passed the night with these jokes of the past.However, Shui Lao Er would hug his head violently while talking, yelling for a while.As soon as Shui Lao Er yelled, tears began to well up in Mrs. Wu's eyes... the wind picked up.
Once the mountain is bald, the wind will be extremely fierce.The sky is cloudy and gray for a few days, I'm afraid snow is coming.Liu Xicai and Shiliang walked on the dry ridge one after the other. Once the ridge dried up, the medicine could not be found.But the two of them couldn't stay idle, and after staying in the courtyard for only an hour, their feet began to itch, and so did their hearts. They had to walk on this dry mountain to feel at ease.Furthermore, when people are idle, right and wrong come.
From between two pharmacists, from Shuan Wuzi and Shiliang.
The conflict between Liu Xicai and Cao Yaoshi was formed that time, that time when he was almost killed by the poisonous urine weed while picking up food.As soon as he recovered from picking up the grain, Liu Xicai rushed towards Cao Yaoshi and tore his neck: "Your surname is Cao, are you still a human?" Cao Yaoshi pretended to be scared and opened his eyes wide: "Xicai, you What is this for?"
"What are you doing, I really want to smash your dog's eyes!"
Liu Xicai first hated Cao Yaoshi for seeing death and not saving him. How could he just stand by and watch when he was already collecting food like that?At least, he should soak in urine. Urine can remove general toxicity, even if it is highly toxic, urine can relieve symptoms. It is impossible for someone surnamed Cao not to know this bit of common sense.Besides, the things he rubbed on Shiliang's acupoints also belonged to someone named Cao. Which pharmacist didn't have some regular products in his bag?Even if you don't save others, you have to protect yourself.The beast!Later he scolded.
Then, he listened to Mrs. Wu and the dog talking about what happened after he left, how Cao Cao bullied Shiliang, and why he refused to accept Shiliang.I almost had to collect food.In Liu Xicai's heart, his opinion of the surname Cao was even more serious.Originally, before he left, he settled with Shiliang again and again. If someone surnamed Cao wanted to ask why the medicine he planted was different, he would say it was the land. With high skills, I am afraid that someone surnamed Cao will have evil intentions.Unexpectedly, he really woke up.Liu Xicai asked about picking up food, but this kid never uttered a word.The baby is a good baby, she can carry heavy loads, she can endure, and she can pretend everything in her heart, which is not easy.
After that, Liu Xicai talked less with Cao Yaoshi, almost never.When you have to say it, it is as simple as one or two words.But in the past few days, the person surnamed Cao seems to be trying to ease the conflict, and Liu Xicai is not the kind of person who is unreasonable and unforgiving, but the person surnamed Cao has a wrong heart. The probing was all about Liu Xicai and Commissioner Zeng Zihang.A pharmacist, what are you worrying about, can he give you an official?Early this morning, the person surnamed Cao didn’t say anything, but unexpectedly, he even mentioned a woman named Situ, and said, “Hey hey, what is a woman? That’s a woman. You and I have lived most of our lives. Already alive, if there is such a woman who sleeps in my arms, God, it would be worth dying ten years earlier."
Listen, do people speak?
This man has a wicked mind!At this point, Liu Xicai came to a conclusion for the surnamed Cao, and repeatedly told him to collect food and stay away from him.
Picking up food and fastening the five sons are similar.Shuan Wuzi, who followed Cao Yaoshi, learned wrongly, learned wrongly, and learned, so he doesn't look like a person anymore.Regardless of the tricks he did to the Shui family, just talking about his love for Shiliang, hmph, I can't mention it!He is not convinced that the dog is good at collecting food, and he is not convinced that Mrs. Wu is good at collecting food, including Liu Xicai is good at collecting food, but he is not convinced either.You say he is overbearing or not?Early this morning, the dog was going to pick up dry dung on the grassy beach. Before it was too cold, the dog was going to pick up the dung that had been filled in the hot kang in winter. "Brother Shiliang, if you have nothing to do, go pick up dung with me." Shiliang was about to go out with a basket on his back when Shuan Wuzi came over with a gun on his back.By the way, now Wuzi Shuan has become the captain of the medicine guard team, he can finally get the handle of the gun in his hands.Shuan Wuzi glared at the dog: "Hey, Brother Shiliang, how affectionate your barking is." The dog pursed and ignored him.Shuan Wuzi turned to pick up food again, and yelled viciously: "Put it down!"
Sparks appeared in Shiliang's eyes, and they all said that Shiliang had a good temper, and that was the kind of person he should be good at. For an ungrateful person like Shuan Wuzi, Shiliang couldn't be better off.
"Who are you talking about?!" Shiliang suppressed his anger and asked seriously.
"I'm talking about you, what's the matter, aren't you convinced?" Shuan Wuzi didn't expect to retaliate when picking up the grain, and felt guilty, but relying on the gun on his body, Yuan regained his spirit. "Without my words, you are not allowed to go out casually in the future, do you hear me?" He said again.
He didn't say a word while picking up the food, and he also realized the gun on Shuan Wuzi's body, and turned to walk to the backyard. "Come back!" Seeing that Shiliang gave in, Wuzi Shuan couldn't hold back his arrogance: "This captain is talking to you, are you deaf?" Shiliang's small fists were clenched, eyes dead Staring at Shi Wuzi's face, the two of them were in a stalemate. Feng Chuanwu came over, gave Shuan Wuzi a wicked look, and said, "Captain Shuan, go and pour out the urinal in my room."
Wuzi Shuan was still dawdling, and was about to order to pick up the grain to pour it out, when Feng Chuanwu said again: "Why, do you think my smell is offensive?"
Only then did Feng Chuanwu turn to picking up grain. There was a very complicated content in his eyes. He didn't like picking up grain. No one in this courtyard liked Feng Chuanwu except the third lady Yingying, but picking up grain Commissioner Zeng Zihang had specifically confessed it when he left, and he had to like it if he didn't like it.After standing for a while, Feng Chuanwu suddenly forced a smile on his face, as if he liked to collect food: "Go, help the girl to collect more, this year's winter is cold, so prepare more."
After picking up the food, he went out with the dog.Looking at the young couple, Feng Chuanwu's concubines suddenly popped up in his mind.Damn, you can't enjoy the blessings, you have to sleep on the cold kang on this broken mountain every day!A layer of dissatisfaction with Commissioner Zeng Zihang secretly welled up in his heart.But it didn't take long before another person flashed into my mind.Standing in the cold wind in the early morning, Feng Chuanwu couldn't help but think of the great beauty Shui Yingying in this courtyard again, what a wonderful dish that is, if it can put her to sleep, hehe, hehehe... "Baby, can you see that this Feng man has no good intentions for the Shui family?" Liu Xicai, who was walking in front, said suddenly.
"How can you not see it, uncle, tell me, is there any way to help the second master and the third lady?"
"I can't help it, baby." Liu Xicai sighed helplessly.However, he followed up and said: "Baby, it's still a small mess right now, I'm worried, a big disaster is yet to come."
Picking up food and not talking.In Shiliang's mind, another incident suddenly occurred to him, which was related to Xiao Wuzi.
Xiao Wuzi has a secret.
This secret came into Shiliang’s eyes accidentally when he went to the mountains to pull the onions. At that time, the soldiers ordered Shiliang to follow Xiao Wuzi to pull the onions, and told them to go and come back quickly. If you dare to run around, be careful. gun.As soon as Xiao Wuzi was discharged from the hospital, he rushed to the wild boar hole in a hurry.Picking up the grain and shouting: "The onion is here, you ran backwards." Xiao Wuzi covered his mouth and told him to pull the onion quickly, leave him alone, and see you at the gate of the courtyard then.
After that, in Shiliang's heart, he paid attention to Xiao Wuzi, and he also paid attention to the wild boar cave.After the soldiers left Qingshiling one after another, once he was picking up dried bupleurum on the mountain alone, a shadow suddenly appeared in his eyes, vaguely, he looked like a lump five, but he couldn't be sure.Although he didn't know what Liao Wu ran to the wild boar cave for, but in his heart, he still connected many things together.
In recent days, he found that Xiao Wuzi's whereabouts became more and more mysterious. Whenever he had the opportunity, he would slip out and not let anyone follow him.He reminded Mrs. Wu, and Mrs. Wu said, "Don't worry about him, he's more knowledgeable than you."
Knowing this thing is sometimes scary and harmful.Shiliang muttered in his heart, but he didn't say anything.He was sincerely sweating for Xiao Wuzi, too many unforeseen things had happened, and he didn't want to see more frightening scenes.
Just as Shiliang was thinking about it, Uncle Xicai said again: "This baby Yingying is also a poor star. Take a look, what has become of these days?"
In a word, Shiliang's heart hurts, it hurts.
After being imprisoned by Feng Chuanwu, Yingying met Shiliang twice, far away, once in the south courtyard and once in the backyard.Shiliang is a person who doesn't want to see others being wronged. He suffers such a big wronged by himself.Moreover, what Miss Shui Jia suffered was nothing but grievances!A person with such a high spirit is just ruined, ruined.Only then did Shiliang realize that the more ambitious a person is, the more he can't stand this unexpected disaster.The father and daughter of the Shui family, in this disaster, fell too hard, and I'm afraid they won't be able to slow down for a while.Besides, what is the delay? The house has been occupied, the money has been robbed, and all the sheep in the backyard have been eaten up. So the prestige is gone, what is the delay?Except for this empty yard, I am afraid that the Shui family is no different from the poor.It's no different.
In this world, why can't even the rich let go?In the past, it was only said that poor people were bullied, but I didn't think that rich people were bullied too.
It's windy again.Hurrah, it's heart-wrenching.
Liu Xicai's worry was not superfluous at all. Something happened this night.
The incident happened in the south courtyard, Shui Yingying's boudoir.
People are asleep.After entering the winter, Feng Chuanwu set many inexplicable rules for the courtyard, one of which was that they were not allowed to walk around after dark, after black rice was eaten, all work inside and outside the courtyard was cleaned up, and whoever entered whose room went to sleep.Two soldiers hung guns and patrolled the door. If they found anyone who didn't obey the rules, they would drag them to the courtyard to freeze overnight.The nights are long in winter, and the wind blows in from all directions in the house. This time, sleeping is worse than not sleeping.
Liu Xicai finally lost his mind when there was a sharp sound in the courtyard. He turned over and listened calmly, and the courtyard returned to deathly silence.This silence was somewhat strange, and Liu Xicai's uneasy heart became more and more uneasy.After a while, he groped to get off the kang, pretended to relieve himself, and walked out.The courtyard was pitch black, and he listened with his ears up, but he didn't hear anything unusual. Just as he was wondering, there was the sound of tapping footsteps from the opposite side, and Liu Xicai asked in a low voice, "Who?"
"It's me, Uncle Liu, did you hear anything?" It was Aunt Wu who spoke.
It's fine if Auntie Wu didn't say anything, but when she said it, Liu Xicai immediately calmed down.Immediately ran to the south courtyard in a panic.Aunt Wu followed closely, looking far more flustered than he was.It can be seen that Mrs. Wu must have heard the scream.As soon as the two of them ran under the wall of the south courtyard, there was a sound of being torn apart. This sound seemed to be blocked, torn and suppressed, which made people feel dizzy.Pharmacist Liu Xicai didn't hesitate, kicked open the gate of the south courtyard, and rushed into Shuiyingying's room.
"Go back!" The soldier's voice suddenly sounded in the dark night, and then, the shining bayonet was across his eyes.Pharmacist Liu Xicai didn't know where he got the courage to snatch the gun from the soldier, and slapped the dog without saying anything.Sister-in-law Wu took advantage of this time to jump in first, oh my god, she let out a scream.
In the room, a soldier child desperately covered Shui Yingying's face with a pillow, and Feng Chuanwu was using a rope to tie up Shui Yingying's struggling legs.吴嫂还啊啊地叫着，药师刘喜财已抡起枪把子，照准冯传五的头就要砸。幸亏冯传五躲得快，要不然，他那个草包头，就要被打烂。 “你个禽兽，敢做这等事！”刘喜财真是气疯了，气炸了，趁冯传五呆楞的空，还是给了他一枪把子，不过，只是砸在冯传五背上。冯传五夸张地叫了一声，逃了。那个兵娃扔了枕头，打门里跳出去。
吴嫂一把抱住水英英，哀号起来。
水英英的衣裳被撕得支儿片儿，脸因被那个兵娃捂得太久，酱紫一片。刘喜财一声没吭地走出来，孤狼一般站夜色下。这当儿，就听见中间矮墙那边，有窸窸窣窣的声响，越过墙头一看，水二爷摔倒在矮墙下，正在挣扎着翻身。水二爷定是想翻过矮墙，往这边扑，可惜他的瘸腿拖住了他。
第二天，冯传五借故要去凉州城办事，一大早便离开了大草滩。冯传五走后不久，药师刘喜财闷着声儿进了南院水二爷那间屋，他足足呆了有一个上午，走出水二爷屋子时，他的脸是阴着的，死阴。
“得想个法子呀，他刘叔。”吴嫂避过人，悄声叹气说。
“想啥法子，能想啥法子？”药师刘喜财像是跟自己生气，他饭也不吃，屋也不进，像狗一样蹲在南院院墙下，天都黑尽了，他还不起来。
“要出事啊，他刘叔。”自打这个可怕的夜之后，吴嫂变得絮絮叨叨，逢人就嘀咕，要出事啊。
远处，拴五子抱着个枪，幸灾乐祸地瞅着刘喜财。
冯传五打定了主意要吃这口菜。那天他借口说是去凉州城，其实是骑马在草滩上溜达了一天，他才不想去凉州城哩，去了又能咋？难道曾子航会大方地说，我把水英英赏给你，做五房？这种事儿，声张不得，得瞅准机会，把生米做成熟饭，到时候，还用得着看他曾子航的脸色？
一想曾子航，冯传五快乐的心立马阴暗下来，青石岭这一场闹剧，他算是看清了曾子航这个狡猾的狐狸。依他的看法，曾子航上演了一场双簧戏。他巧妙利用西安城陆荣之间的斗争，假借缉拿共匪之名，不显山不露水地将青石岭水家万贯家财据为已有。冯传五认定，仇家远一定是曾子航有意放走的。这个老狐狸，既没把陆仇二人逼到绝境，为自个的将来留了后路，又蠃得了荣怀山的信任。这还不算，他的老辣还在于借凉州城各派势力的斗争，将他们先是通通贴上私通共匪的标签，然后让他们窝里斗，最后不但成功剿灭了青风团，还让白会长等人死心塌地为他卖命。狠啊，真是狠。眼下，他一定又是借姓查的一家的势力，把矛盾和混乱丢给他们，自己，说不定早抱着银子买官去了。
跟这帮老狐狸比起来，他冯传五算什么，一条狗，一条只会咬人却讨不到奖赏的野狗，一条咬完了就被一脚踹开的狗。他越想越气，越想越觉委屈，要是再不把水英英给弄到被窝里，他冯传五，亏。
冯传五牵着马，在草滩上百无聊赖地走着，冬日的冷风一阵阵袭来，袭得他一个接一个打寒战。后来他牵马到了姊妹河，姊妹河静静的，咆哮的河水不再，飞溅的浪花不再，仿佛，也要随着这一岭的寒气，终止脚步似的。冯传五正在河边发楞，身后突然响来一声冷枪，一颗子弹打他耳边呼啸而过，差一点就击中脑袋。他喊了一声“谁”，第二颗子弹紧跟着响来。妈呀，他吓得跳上马，没命似地就往水家大院逃。
这两颗子弹打醒了冯传五，有人要暗杀他！一回到院中，他立刻吹响集合哨，两个兵娃还有拴五子他们斜挂着枪跑过来，冯传五惊魂未定地喊：“听着，草滩上有共匪，你们，给我去搜！”
一听有共匪，拴五子吓得第一个丢了枪，再也不做护药队员了。冯传五气得，当下冲拴五子甩了两耳光。
关于青石岭闹共匪的消息很快传进凉州城，冯传五并不是一只任人宰割的狗，一看拴五子几个靠不住，立马就想到了凉州城。他先是虚张声势一番，将青石岭的共匪扩大了几十倍，接着，又慌称自己夜里剿共时受了伤，得回凉州城医伤。凉州方面知道他在要挟，一方面派人安抚他，另一方面，暗中派一路兵马不声不响开进了青风峡。
冯传五再潜入水英英的卧房，就挨了一藏刀。
十八岁的水英英在这场灾难里猛地成长起来，那天她被吴嫂搂到怀中，吴嫂两股子泪往下淌，一双手不停地在她身上抚来摸去。What about her?一声不吭，一个泪珠子没掉，一双灌满仇恨的眼死死盯住黑乌乌的天，仿佛要从天上盯出个结果来。吴嫂后来说：“出事哩，一看这丫头的眼，这院里，出事哩。”果然，冯传五打发了自己的弟兄，一脚将尾随而来的拴五子踢走，踩着月光信心百倍地走进飘着暗香的卧房时，大腿上，就美美挨了一藏刀。
水英英还是不说话，甚至不学上次那样喊叫，双手死死地抱着藏刀，眼睛，盯着冯传五那张老脸。冯传五叫了一声，一看，刀扎在大腿上，暂时还死不了，又一个猛虎扑食，朝炕上的水英英扑去。水英英一躲，照准冯传五的后心窝就扎。冯传五急了，啪地掏出枪：“你敢？”
“你敢？！”水英英回敬一句，人，越发地坚定了。
冯传五败下阵来，知道这口菜不好吃，收起邪念，恶恶地说：“你信不信，老子会一枪崩了你？”
“崩啊，有种你崩啊，你个刮命党！”
“好，算你有种，你厉害，越厉害老子越喜欢！听着，好好听话，我姓冯的拿轿子抬你，到凉州城享福去。敢不从，小心我把你一家子全崩了。”
“崩啊，你崩啊，你要不把我水英英崩了，我跟你没完！”
这丫头，吃上火药了。冯传五哪还再有心思，一望，腿上的血还在往外冒，双手捂住大腿，灰溜溜地退了出来。
刚一出门，就看见两个人影立在月光下。药师刘喜财提着菜刀，眼里，两团火在喷。身后，竟是吴嫂，她居然提着擀面杖。
冯传五哭笑不得，就凭你两个，嘿嘿，刚笑了一声，疼痛就让他咧了牙。“甭立个势子，吃人啊，快扶我去上院。”
药师刘喜财犹豫着，最终，还是扶了冯传五，往上院去。
这一刀扎得狠了些，亏了是冯传五，经常在刀光血影中混，换了别人，怕是早就嚎叫成一堆了。药师刘喜财强压住怒，没办法，他还得替冯传五疗伤。他把劲使在手上，一把撕烂冯传五裤子，血湿了整个大腿，刀口那儿还在扑扑往外冒。折腾半天，冯传五见他并不止血，怒了：“愣着做啥，止血呀。”
刘喜财腾地站起身，去了后院。他在自个屋里矛盾了很久，手，还是摸向了褡裢。拿了药往外走时，吴嫂过来了，说：“英英这丫头，吃上枪子了，连我也骂。”刘喜财暗着个脸，道：“去厨房拿碗水，刀口得洗。”
“真给他治啊？”吴嫂僵在了黑夜里。
这工夫，拴五子几个已跑到上院，惊乍乍问：“出啥事了？”冯传五道：“老子没死，瞎嚷个啥。”
药师刘喜财一面对伤口，就不是刚才那个心里喷火的刘喜财了，只见他小心翼翼，仔细地拿棉花为冯传五清理掉腿上的血。等了老半天，才见吴嫂端水进来，他冲冯传五说：“你忍着点，伤口得洗，有点疼。”
“放心，老子要是怕疼，就不吃这碗饭了。”话还没说完，就扯上嗓子嚎叫起来：“姓刘的，你想害老子呀，这哪是水，是他娘的毒药！”
吴嫂听到这，屁股一拧走了。
水里有盐！
刀伤最终还是曹药师包扎的，刘喜财折腾了半天，越折腾冯传五感觉越疼，拴五子聪明，跑去喊曹药师，院里才算安静下来。
青石岭横遭冯传五洗劫，提醒了何大鹍。连日来，媳妇大梅都嚷着要去青石岭，说不能眼睁睁看着自己的爹和妹妹受罪。儿子树槐也多次在他面前提起，要他拿些银子，到凉州城打点一下，看能不能帮着把冯传五等人打发回去。何大鹍心情沉重，他让媳妇大梅趁早死了这心。“不是我不救你爹跟英英，眼下这局势，我何家也自身难保。再说，冯传五是啥人，他岂能痛快地回去？你忘了平阳川你二妹家的仁字号了？”一席话说的，大梅低了头。何大鹍又跟儿子说：“你也甭嚷嚷着尽出馊主意，打点，你家有多少银子，能打点过来？”
三天前的深夜，他又将儿子儿媳叫到上房，心事沉重地说：“我派人打听过了，青石岭水亲家跟英英暂时还没啥危险，只是受了点皮肉之苦。当然，银子和马匹是要不回来了。不过这也好，舍财保命，也算不幸中的大幸。”见媳妇大梅又要掉眼泪，他道：“把那东西擦干，掉多少也掉不来你爹的自由。”等媳妇大梅抹干了泪，他才郑重其事说：“眼下凉州城风声一天紧过一天，古浪县城每天都有人被砍头，老二的事，凶多吉少。我寻思着，家里得提早做些安顿。”
“啥安顿？”儿子何树槐一脸不解地问。
何大鹍叹了一声，他是叹儿子的愚讷，这个时候，还能安顿啥，难道青石岭水家横遭洗劫还不能惊醒他这颗愚木脑袋？
当天夜里，何树槐便按照父亲的嘱咐，去了东沟垴子他干爹家，他干爹是个老实人，家底子也薄，可他家靠着山，院子大，还有十二孔窑。一番密谋后，两辆马车在第二天夜深人静时来到东沟，何家上下一阵忙碌，人不知鬼不觉的，就把家里值钱物件还有牛羊转移到东沟垴子了。当然，何大鹍不会笨到全部转尽，多少他还要留下一些，算是掩人耳目。
谁知刚做完这些，何大鹍还未来及喘一口气，一股兵娃就端着枪，大明大摆走进了他家。此事大出何大鹍意料，何大鹍还在楞怔中，就听领头的说：“腾出三间房来，我们要在这里维持秩序。”
这股兵娃正是那天夜里从凉州城偷偷开进青风峡的，他们本来要到青石岭水二爷家去，领头的查满儿脑子一转，从大草滩杀了个回马枪，直接闯到东沟何家了。
东沟财主何大鹍跳着蹦子骂了半夜，他儿子何树槐甚至扬言要一把火点掉何家大院，但你骂你的，我住我的，兵娃们一点不在乎何家父子的态度。
司徒雪儿跟带兵的查满儿说：“这次派你去，就是想看看你的本事，要是把青风峡治不住，可别怪我没给你机会。”查满儿二十出头，以前在青海马家兵手下混，司徒雪儿多方打听，才将他从青海调了过来。
从司徒雪儿这一步行动看，西安方面一点没放松青石岭的意思。与此同时，另一条消息也在峡谷里蔓延开来。青风峡暗地里兴起一个叫暗杀团的组织，专门藏在背处冲国民军打冷枪。何家大院的兵娃驻进去还没几天，就报销掉两个。古浪县保安团奉命巡逻时，也吃了黑枪。司徒雪儿很是恼火，她刚刚上任，还没来得及施展才华，就有人跟她较劲儿。这个喝过洋墨水又跟着表哥查建设在部队里秘密呆过一阵的女人，拍着桌子说：“给我全力搜，我就不信，几条破枪，几个土包子，就能吓倒我堂堂的国民军！”
风声一下紧起来。
这个后晌，水家大院突然炸出一个消息，水英英跑了！
这阵子的冯传五忙得很，白日他要负责去附近的乡村收药，夜里，还要带上拴五子他们寻夜。司徒雪儿连着下了几道命令，要他跟查满儿密切配合，尽快将附近乡村的大黄、柴胡等草药收回来，这一带柴胡多，山里人谁也不认为那是药，初冬挖回来，寒冬时当柴烧。今年，说啥也不能让烧了。另外，就是密切注意暗杀团的动静。司徒雪儿一上任，又在古浪县城端掉了共党一个地下组织，有人交待，暗杀团的组织者是一个叫尕大的人，此人武艺超强，行踪诡秘，而且，手里握有二十多杆枪。
冯传五刚进了院子，就听留守在院里的兵娃报告，水英英跑了。
“跑了，不是让你看守着的么？”
“我……我……”兵娃赤白着脸，吓得说不出话。
“说，啥时跑的？！”
“刚跑，不，跑……跑了有一个时辰。”兵娃结巴着，他自己也不知道，水英英到底啥时跑的。
啪啪，冯传五抡起胳膊，就冲兵娃搧了几个饼。“废物，看个人都看不住，我养你还有啥用”。冯传五边骂，边喊吴嫂。
早上离开时，他特意跟兵娃交待，水家这丫头，这两天不大对劲，让她到院里晒晒太阳，她偏是躺炕上不动弹。让她安稳在屋里呆着，她又贼手贼脚，在南院后墙下转磨。“你给我多留点神，别吃饱了就知道睡。”说完，还不放心，又将吴嫂喊来，连吓唬带诱逼说：“上头发了话，这个冬天过去，水家父女就自由了。”见吴嫂冷着脸，又说：“我也是没办法，上头一日不发话，我就一日不敢让她们到院里走，谁让他们是共党的嫌犯哩。你听好了，我把水家三丫头交给你，她要是好好的过了这个冬，我赏你一对手镯，你要不喜欢，我赏你一头骡子。”
没想，水英英还是跑了。
冯传五叫喊半天，吴嫂才磨磨蹭蹭打厨房走出来。
“人呢，我交给你的人呢？”
“哪个人？”
“水家三丫头啊，再给我装糊涂，我一枪崩了你。”
“在屋里睡着哩，睡一天了。”吴嫂边说话，边搓手上的面。
冯传五差点背过气去。他啊啊了两声，一把提起边上吓得哆嗦的兵娃：“还楞着做啥，追啊。”
很快，包括拴五子几个背枪的，全都跟着冯传五奔出了院子。望着他们的身影消失在夕阳里，吴嫂恨恨地骂：“追，追，追你娘个脚后跟。”
这天后晌，吴嫂做的饭谁也没吃，吃不下。留下的几个帮工还有两位药师，全都抱着膀子蹲夕阳下，猴酥酥地等太阳落。太阳掉下山后，又都围坐在后院里，大眼瞪小眼，不吭声儿，但心，一个比一个紧，生怕冷不丁打院门里看见不该看的。吴嫂喊了几回，除过曹药师屁股动了动，其他人，都没动。天终于黑尽，院外草滩上，还是一如既往的静。药师刘喜财这才起身，没跟任何人打招呼，独自往南院去了。
水二爷也是没吃饭，吴嫂端来的饭，还款款放着。他蹲炕头上，手里抱个空烟锅，人，就像灵魂出了窍。药师刘喜财进来老半天，他理也不理。直到吴嫂进来，他才换了个姿势，一屁股坐炕沿上了。
水二爷的气色好了不少，尽管是在夜黑，但脸上分明跳动着红光。这段日子，吴嫂尽上心的侍候，吃喝虽是差点，但吴嫂的话管用，俗话说，话是开心的钥匙，拿上水二爷这样精明的人，不会听不懂吴嫂那些话。他终于想明白，自己做虐自己，等于是帮冯传五的忙，银子是没了，羊也没了，啥也没了，但他还有一口气。吴嫂说得对：“人赌一口气，你今儿个把自个折腾躺下了，算谁的？我就不相信天老是阴的，我就不相信折断的秧苗再活不过来？你水二爷啥没经过，到老了，你倒装起死狗了。”
“我不是死狗！我水老二啥时做过死狗，要死，我也得咬死几个再走！”
就这么着，他硬是咬着牙子，把日子挺了过来，把自个也挺了过来。
默了好长一会儿，水二爷才说：“草滩上，没动静？”
“没。”吴嫂说。
“操心听着，有动静，给我吭声气。”
"Know."
说完，吴嫂折身出来了，药师刘喜财又呆了会，一言不发地原又走出来。
一连两天，草滩上都没动静，水英英没信儿，追出去抓人的，也没信儿。院里的人，心似乎有点落地了。
水英英是在吴嫂的帮忙下逃走的。晌午时分，拾粮打山上下来，神神秘秘从怀里掏出一只兔子，吴嫂一把接过，利落地剁了，丢锅里炒上。肉香在院子里飘荡时，吴嫂打厨房里走出，径直来到南院院墙下，冲兵娃喊：“兵爷，跟我来。”兵娃奇奇怪怪看了她一眼，没敢动，吴嫂又喊：“来呀，兵爷，我带你去厨房。”一听厨房，兵娃的心思动了，四下瞅瞅，院里没一个人影，脚步快快地到了厨房。吴嫂揭开锅盖，那香喷喷的兔肉，一下就馋得兵娃走不开了。吴嫂借机说：“兵爷，这肉是我专门为你炒的，你慢慢吃，小心烫着。”临出门时又说：“我把厨房打外扣上，小心让外人瞅见。”兵娃边啃骨头边嗯了声，吴嫂的身影已到了南院。
水英英利落地换了狗狗的衣裳，背起早就准备好的背篓，猫着腰出了院门。
一出院门，她的步子就疾起来，不多时，她已猫在狼老鸦台的地埂下。那儿有个小窑洞，是平日放牲口的人避雨的，水英英倒掉背篓高头的草，打底下拿出包袱，夹上就走。包袱里，是她一路吃的用的。这一次她没选择走青风峡，而是绕过狼老鸦台，打母亲草儿秀的坟前穿过，然后顺着曲曲折折的沟，往酸茨沟方向去。离酸茨沟不远，有座庙，水英英算好，夜里就在庙里投宿，然后翻过黄泥岗，就能望见一条山道，顺着这山道，可以到达平阳川。只要到了平阳川，水英英就有办法了。
水英英必须逃出去，不为别的，她要找到仇家远！
是他，把中药带到了青石岭，也是他，把枪带到了青石岭。更是他，把灾难带到了水家！可他却一溜烟地消失了，把痛，把苦，把比杀头还难受的屈辱，留给了她和爹。如今，爹的腿断了，再也不能指望他给水家还来清白，还来太平。上刀山还是下火海，她去！
这些日子，她心里恨的，骂的，拿刀刮的，除了冯传五，再就是这个仇家远。“我看你上了天，我看你入了地，我就是跑断两条腿，也要把你找来！”
水英英是第二天傍晚时分到达娘娘庙的，娘娘庙是蛮婆子们初一十五烧香磕头的地方，坐落在半山腰里，平日，这儿很少有脚踪。跑了一天一夜的路，水英英实在跑不动了，想在娘娘庙住一宿再走。四下望了望，冬日的山峦静静的，娘娘庙更静，她大着胆子走进去，心里再三给自己鼓劲，甭怕，这是庙，庙里的娘娘不害人的。
庙里的娘娘果然不害人，害人的是蛮婆子。
谁能想得到，水家三小姐水英英奔向平阳川的路，竟让酸茨沟的蛮婆子给阻断了。
水英英后来才承认，这就是命。命是一张纸，写啥不由你，神仙戳个洞，凡人一生补。
水家三小姐水英英在娘娘庙辗转反侧的这个夜晚，远在西安城的副官仇家远也是彻夜未眠。晚饭刚吃过，上司陆军长就将他们紧急召去，通报了前方战况。南宁失守，八塘失陷。日寇凭借着强大的海上力量和空中轰炸，在我疆土上长驱直入，国军损伤惨重啊。前方不但药材匮乏，而且弹药物资供给严重不济，特别是从南宁退守的四十六军，近乎弹尽粮绝，坐以待毙，形势相当危机。陆军长要求后方各部全力以赴，为前方将士募集物资。
“在座都是党国的栋梁，不能因为我们身处安全地带就逍遥自在，国难当头，我等应该竭尽全力，精诚报国。”
其他几个人走后，陆军长心事重重，沉吟了半天才说，阎锡山以六个军兵力，进攻隰县、孝义一带的山西新军决死二纵队，决死二纵队一九六旅旅部被阎军包围解决。大宁、隰县等抗日政权及抗日救亡团体屡遭摧残，牺盟会干部被杀害多人，晋西事变开始了。
“我就不明白，大敌当前，为什么自家人还要自相