Chapter 21 Tooth attack

The theft of "Hidden Xu Yanyi" made Huang Zongxi annoyed to death.If he hadn't thought that he was somewhat responsible, he would have tied Huang An up and beat him up.Now he has lost his books and money, and has nowhere to go.However, he still did not intend to turn to his friends for help, nor would he give up his plan to give Qian Qianyi a gift. "No matter what, I will never change, never!" he thought.Last night, he walked up and down the room with his hands behind his back. After thinking hard for most of the night, he finally came up with another solution.When he got up early this morning, he first locked Huang An in the room, declared that he would not give him lunch at noon, and asked the book boy to "think about his mistakes".Then I went out alone, planning to try my luck at the Zhedong Guild Hall outside Changmen.

It rained for a long time, but the accumulated clouds were gloomy and refused to disperse.Huang Zongxi carried an oil-paper umbrella, walked across the street with few pedestrians, exited Changmen, and walked to a stone arched bridge.This stone bridge across the moat has a huge arched ring hole, even a grain ship with a load of one or two thousand stones can pass under it unimpeded.Not far to the right of the bridge is a large pier, from which there is a waterway leading directly to the Grand Canal.In the past, this area was always full of large and small merchant ships, and the bustling scene surpassed the temple fair.But now it's pretty much gone.Huang Zongxi paused on the bridge, and then remembered that there was a girl with a yellow and swollen face lying on the bridge, about four or five years old, naked, unkempt, filthy, and no one knew who discarded it.Huang Zongxi saw her when he passed by here two days ago, but now she is gone. "Maybe I finally met a kind-hearted person, let's take him in!" He thought, planning to continue walking.But suddenly, he saw the girl again, and it turned out that someone had moved her to the rubbish dump under the tree at the bridgehead at some point.She was lying on her back motionless, she didn't know whether she was dead or alive, her belly was swollen and shiny, but her limbs seemed to be rotting, and pus was dripping out, and a large group of golden-headed flies were buzzing around her... Huang Zongxi's heart skipped a beat and he felt nauseated in his throat.He hurriedly turned his face away, walked down the bridge in three steps in two steps, and walked straight to the left.

"Alas, the people are in dire straits, as far as this is concerned! But those people from the few societies don't want to help each other and save the people from the fire and water, but instead try to reverse the case for Ruan Huzi. It's really hateful and hateful! And Dingsheng and they are now putting close It is unreasonable for Qian Muzhai, who is close at hand, to ask Zhou Zhongyu instead of going to the Golden Altar!" He thought angrily, and his determination to accomplish the matter in front of him was even greater. Zhedong Guild Hall is located in Nanhao, not far from Qiaotou.When Huang Zongxi came to the three doors decorated with brick carvings and explained to the doorman that he had something to visit, there was suddenly the sound of hurried footsteps inside the door.Then, three angry men rushed out.The first one, wearing a corrugated hat and a maroon sweater, stopped when he stepped out of the door.He turned his head, pointed inside and cursed:

"What kind of bullshit guild hall? It's only been a few days since you got out of your crotch? You know me, but I don't know you! Let me tell you, there is a toothpaste from the Suzhou government here! If you dare to disobey, the government will distinguish you place!" He went on to say some vulgar words.Seeing that the guild hall was always quiet and no one came out to fight, he led his subordinates away with high spirits. Huang Zongxi wondered secretly, didn't know what happened, but probably it was just a business dispute, so he ignored it.When the person in charge of the guild hall greeted him, he put on a smile and went up to meet him.

The person in charge of the guild hall, surnamed Bi and named Shihu, is a modest and shrewd middle-aged businessman.Seeing that Huang Zongxi was both a student at school and a fellow from eastern Zhejiang, he was extraordinarily courteous and respectful.He welcomed the guests to the hall and saluted again.After Huang Zongxi settled down in the upper chair, he didn't dare to sit on the chair, so he pulled Zhang Sikaiguang to sit down to accompany him. Although Huang Zongxi had something on his mind, he had never met him before, so he was too embarrassed to speak up right away, so he had to chat with him all over the world while sipping tea, nothing more than the commodity market, the recent situation in his hometown and so on.After talking for a while, Bi Shihu suddenly asked:

"Mr. is from the Yuyao family. I don't know the late Huang Taigong's abstinence. How did you call Mr. Tong?" "Don't dare, it's my father." Huang Zongxi answered with arched hands. Bi Shihu let out an "ah" and quickly stood up: "It turns out that Mr. Huang is Mr. Huang, but I don't know it. I have disrespected Gao Xian!" Huang Zongxi hurriedly got up to support him, and said, "Sit down, daddy, why do you have to do this!" However, Bi Shihu insisted on saluting, the two sides argued for a while, Huang Zongxi couldn't hold back, so he had to accept half of the salute.

"My lord, if it's not the old man, he must be more polite." After sitting down again, Bi Shihu explained, "Although the old man is a businessman, he also knows the principles of loyalty. When Wei Xi was in power, the mine supervisor , Tax collectors ran rampant in the prefectures and counties, and our business people were tortured and exploited. They suffered unspeakably and were dying. It was the Donglin princes who couldn't bear to sit idly by and spoke uprightly. How dare I forget it for a day if I am a businessman with heart and soul! Another example is the son, who was burdened by going to Beijing to sue for injustice. In the court, he avenged his father. People. This kind of filial piety and bravery, no one knows, no one dislikes! It is really a blessing for the youngest to be able to look up to the stage today!"

"Ah, old man's words are serious, Xiaosheng is ashamed!" Huang Zongxi hurriedly clasped his hands and said humbly.Even so, it is gratifying and proud to see that the achievements of the fathers are still admired by people from the bottom of their hearts.He couldn't help getting excited, took a sip of tea, put the cup on the side table, and said, "Father, when it comes to the people of business and industry, Xiaosheng has a prejudice: all politicians always regard business as the last career, and regard business as the end Farming is the foundation. To this day, this theory is still unbreakable. Therefore, it is forbidden and suppressed, and it is regarded as the truth. In fact, if there are no craftsmen in the world, where does this thing that is used for people's birthdays come from? If there is no craftsman in the world Merchants, how can the goods be transshipped and circulated? It can be seen that agriculture is the foundation, so why not industry and commerce?"

"Ah, sir, you mean—business and industry are all fundamental?" Bi Shihu seemed a little surprised.Seeing Huang Zongxi nodding his head affirmatively, he became silent, stroked his beard, and sighed after a while, "To tell you the truth, sir, this suspicion has been in my heart for many years, but I don't have the confidence. Today, Mr. It's really a sudden enlightenment, and a clear mind!" He raised his head, and said gratefully and earnestly, "My son is highly talented and wise, and he will be able to rise to the top of the officialdom and take charge of the great government in the future. If this is the case, it will be the blessing of my generation. Today, it is rare for the young master to condescend to look down on you, and the old man has nothing to show his respect, so he wants to prepare a little wine and offer you three cups, wishing you a long and prosperous life!"

"Hey, no need! Xiaosheng still has important work to do, so he's leaving immediately!" Huang Zongxi waved his hands quickly and said because he suddenly remembered the purpose of coming here.Last night, the way he thought hard was to come here, rely on his fellow countrymen, try to lend a sum of money to the merchants, and at the same time write a book explaining the situation, let the other party take it back to Yuyao, and let the family repay it on their behalf.Such a flexible strategy seems to be feasible.He paused for a moment, and was about to bring it up, when he turned his head and suddenly saw a pair of cloudy and dull eyes looking straight at him beside the screen.Those eyes were embedded in a blue-gray, greasy face.This man with no hat and shaggy hair seemed to be waiting for an opportunity. Seeing that Huang Zongxi found him, he became excited, twisted his face, first made a flattering smile, then bent over and shrank Shoulders, come out quickly.

"Hee hee, my lord, are you here? Hee hee, my lord please greet me!" He called out inexplicably, knelt down, kowtowed a few times, then lowered his head, and asked anxiously , "Hehe, my lord, I wonder if you can recognize Wang Dayuan from the Nei Ya shop in Changmen? If my lord does, I beg my lord to talk about him and tell him to sell the villain's batch of seafood early. I beg you , my lord, I beg you, my villain!" After finishing speaking, he lay down on the ground again and kowtowed his head in a "dongdong" manner.He knocked so hard, and soon, a purple bruise appeared on his forehead.But he didn't seem to feel any pain at all, and kept knocking down. "Hey, Mr. Huang, don't pay attention to him!" Seeing that the guest was stunned by the sudden entanglement, Bi Shihu quickly explained, "He's a lunatic!" Then he turned around and scolded, "Ma Xiaoshe, why are you so confused? Huh? Who told you to run out? Go back, go back!" But Ma Xiaoshe refused to leave, and still kept begging, saying that he had borrowed usury to start a business, and the old mother, wife and children at home were all hoping that he would sell the goods and go back early.Beg the "adult" to help him no matter what.Bi Shihu couldn't stop drinking with him several times, but it was the two boys in the guild hall who heard the sound and dragged him in, half persuading and half dragging him in. Huang Zongxi watched them off thoughtfully.Bi Shihu was obviously disturbed and apologized repeatedly.Huang Zongxi shook his head, expressing that he didn't mind. "Well, just now I heard that this horse...Brother Ma sounds like a merchant, somehow he made it so?" He turned his face and looked at his master and asked. Bi Shihu shook his head and sighed: "Speaking of this, it is also a great difficulty for our businessmen. Don't look at us, we are just carrying cargo and sailing, and we are very comfortable. In fact, every purchase and sale are subject to restrictions. In the dental shop. Without going through the dental shop, you can't buy goods, and you can't sell them. The owner of the dental shop, relying on the government's tooth stickers, is not counting the huge profits, and willfully bully us foreign traders. When the goods first arrive, As usual, he slaughtered chickens for banquets, summoned prostitutes to perform plays, and entertained graciously. When the goods entered his warehouse, he used them arbitrarily, not to mention taking them privately. Selling. As a result, our merchants often wait for several months and a year without selling the goods. Think about it, Mr. Wang, who among us merchants does not bet his life on the fluctuation of the market? He is so oppressed , the hot goods that were so good turned out to be cold ones. Isn't this fatal!" "Oh? What's the benefit of a dental shop if the prices of commodities fall?" "Of course there is no benefit, but he blindly solicits. He can't do it himself, and he doesn't allow us to sell it on our own. When the goods are cheap, he will hold back even more, but still charge us for warehouse rent. We merchants, There are also those who are wealthy and powerful, and they always have more small brokers, so how can they stand such teasing from him! Just now, Ma Xiaoshe was suppressed by him for nine months. He ridiculed Qianbai, and when he couldn't think about it for a while, he went crazy. Now when he sees a stranger, he thinks he is from the government office. Oh, it's really pitiful to see him like that!" Huang Zongxi also heard from time to time about Yahang's misdeeds of oppressing merchants by relying on the power of the government.However, it is the first time I have heard of such a thing that drives merchants crazy.He was silent for a while, frowned and asked: "Since this brother Ma has suffered such misfortune, why not send him back to his hometown as soon as possible to take care of his death? It will also save his family from suspense." Bi Shihu nodded: "What Mr. Huang said is true, even Xiao Lao wants to send him back as soon as possible. It's just that there is still a need for another place, so he stayed for a few more days." "Oh, what good is a madman?" Bi Shihu did not answer immediately.His humble and easy-going face became a little gloomy, but his eyes lit up strangely.He glanced at Huang Zongxi, and uttered three words from his tightly pursed lips: "Lawsuit!" "Oh?" "Ma Xiaoshe was driven insane by them. We merchants from eastern Zhejiang couldn't be more angry about this. They all said that it is not the same as before. Now that we have established a shop, we can no longer be oppressed by him. We decided to join hands and fight him. You must make an apology and admit your mistake to our guild hall in this matter; Ma Xiaoshe must compensate for the loss of commercial goods and the cost of soup and medicine; Otherwise, the guild hall will find the owner to sell the goods on its own in the future, without going through other dealers!" "This—of course it's very good, but I'm afraid that the dental practice may not be willing?" "Of course he refused. Just now, three people came to the door to make noise. However, we have already made up our minds, and we have made a plan to spend a fortune on him and invite some powerful local gentry to come out to uphold justice; besides, the government's asylum dental firm , it’s nothing more than getting his envoy fee, as long as you are willing to spend money, it’s not hard to buy him a fair one!” Huang Zongxi thought for a while, then nodded and said: "Yaxing is too deceitful, you might as well fight him!" He raised his head and said enthusiastically, "I am not talented, but I would like to do my best for the village. I am going to come here now." Changshu went to see old Mr. Qian Muzhai. Mr. Qian has a high moral character and is very powerful here. If you get a piece of paper from him, you will not worry about the government's unfair trial. This book, Xiaosheng can ask for it!" When Bi Shihu heard this, he was overjoyed. He stood up quickly, bowed deeply, and said, "It would be a great fortune for the little people to get Mr. Huang's help! It's just improper labor." Mr. Qian, I don’t know if it’s Mr. Qian who used to be the right hall of the Ministry of Rites?” "Exactly." "Oh! Then, Mr. Hao Jiao learned that Mr. Qian is not in Changshu right now, he has come to Gusu. Yesterday, the villain was introduced by others and went to worship, but Mr. Qian is busy..." "What did you say?" Huang Zongxi's eyes widened suddenly, "Old Mu has come to Gusu? Where is he now?" "I'm staying in Xu's East Garden not far from here." Huang Zongxi let out an "ah" and immediately smiled.He stood up, bowed deeply to his master, and said, "In that case, Xiaosheng will take my leave. However, I still have one request..." He was about to bring up the matter of borrowing money, but at this moment, he heard a shout from outside the gate, and then two servants stumbled in, and when they saw Bi Shihu, they said in panic: " Old, father, it’s not good, call, call in!” Huang Zongxi and Bi Shihu were startled, and asked at the same time: "Who is calling?" "A person who specializes in teeth!" As soon as the voice fell, I heard the ping-pong-pong outside smashing up and down, and several voices were screaming: "Tamp him down!" "Call him proud!" "Smash, smash! Smash!" Unprepared, Huang Zongxi couldn't help but backed up a few steps in shock, and looked out in amazement. On the contrary, Bi Shihu seemed calmer. He frowned, and waved his hand decisively: "Close the second door!" Then he rushed forward, and together with the servants, he closed the heavy second door forcefully.When they had just bolted the door, the attacker had already slammed the door door with a "dong dong" from outside. At this moment, other merchants living in the guild hall heard the noise, and rushed out from all corners, some of them still had poles and sticks they caught casually in their hands.Up and down the lobby, dozens of people gathered in a blink of an eye.After figuring out what happened, everyone showed a look of surprise and anger.Unable to bear it, he cursed loudly.Some people even advocate going out and fighting each other to the death. Just as they were talking, the door vibrated violently.Presumably the attackers had brought large logs and were striking them from the outside.Everyone was taken aback, and hurriedly added another door latch, and moved the rosewood tables and chairs in the lobby, and blocked the door with all their brains.After doing all this, Bi Shihu looked at the vibrating door for a while, then gestured for everyone to be quiet, and raised his voice and called: "Hey! Outside, stop, stop! We have something to say!" He yelled a few times in a row, but the outside didn't pay attention at all. On the contrary, the impact became even crazier.Fortunately, this door was originally designed for anti-theft. It is made of two whole pieces of rosewood and covered with iron sheets.But after a long time, it is difficult to say.Everyone felt that the situation was serious and looked at Bi Shihu together, waiting for him to make up his mind. Bi Shihu also seemed a little nervous. He waved his hand, led everyone back into the three gates, and worked together to build a line of defense. Then he said: "Just now, my brother has rushed to report to the government. However, when the government will send people, and whether they will send people, it is impossible to predict. The current plan is to either stick to it or retreat. The plan is different, and the handling is also different. It is not too late, I hope you all make a quick decision!" Just as he finished speaking, several voices called out at the same time: "A lot of goods are in the store, why don't you keep it? Keep it! Be sure to keep it!" However, quite a few people remained silent, with fearful expressions on their faces.Bi Shihu glanced at them, and said coldly: "If you want to guard, let's all guard together. Go halfway and stay halfway, so don't expect to be able to guard it. Let's see!" Hearing what he said, everyone looked at me and I looked at you, and started buzzing, each with their own reasons, and no one could convince anyone for a while.At this moment, there was only a loud "crash" outside, followed by the screams of the attackers. Obviously, the second gate has been broken through! In an instant, as if struck by lightning, the people in the three gates stopped arguing and stood still in place. In this dead silence, suddenly, laughter resounded from the crowd.It was a joyful, grotesque, creepy laugh!Then a man with disheveled hair came out and shouted loudly, "Okay, okay! My goods are back! Listen, big box, big box! Hey, don't drop it, don't drop it, break it I want you to pay for it!" As he said, he stumbled and ran over, and began to push and pull the tables and chairs blocking the door anxiously, trying to open the door. Everyone was taken aback, and when they saw clearly that it was Ma Xiaoshe who was insane, several people hurried over and dragged him aside.But Ma Xiaoshe refused, screaming and weeping, begging hard, the shrill voice echoed over the courtyard for a long time, and everyone bowed their heads in misery... At this time, since the second gate was breached, the smashing sound that had stopped for a moment suddenly broke out outside the gate again.Everyone looked up in surprise.A young businessman was obviously very sad and angry. He punched the door lattice and shouted sharply: "The bastard of Yaxing is really deceiving people! If he is spared lightly this time, we Zhedong people will not be able to gain a foothold in this side in the future! Keep it, you must keep it!" As he spoke, he picked up the stick in one hand, strode up to Bi Shihu, and glared at everyone angrily.When people arrived at this time, they no longer hesitated, and picked up self-defense tools one after another. Seeing this situation, Bi Shihu nodded and said, "Since everyone is willing to stick to it, then it's fine, listen to my order—" He was about to continue when he suddenly remembered something, and said "wait a minute" gesture.Then, he walked quickly to Huang Zongxi who was standing aside and staring at the three gates contemplatively, and said: "Mr. Huang, all of us, our lives and fortunes are tied to this battle, and we have decided to stick to it. Mr. Huang is an outsider, so we don't want to take this risk with us. There is a side door in this hall, which is connected to the Quanjin Guild Hall next door. Please go there. How about it?" Seeing Huang Zongxi shaking his head silently, Bi Shihu hesitated for a moment, and then said: "My husband is very grateful for his help. It's just that my husband is a man of gold. If there is anything wrong, I will I really can’t bear it. The situation is urgent, if Xiang Gong wants to help, after you get out, please go to the government quickly and urge him to send someone to suppress it, Xiao Ke will be grateful to Dade for the rest of his life!” However, Huang Zongxi still shook his head. He slowly raised his hand, pointed at the three doors, and squeezed out a sentence between his teeth: "Open this door!" "what?" "Hmph, what kind of tooth shop! Mr. Ben wants to meet them for a while! Hurry—open!"