Chapter 77 Crowing of the wind and rain

At the moment when it was impossible to leave, suddenly, there were footsteps outside the door, and the butler of the Chafu hurried in.He looked around the room first, then went straight to Zha Jikun, and whispered something in his ear.With a flash in his eyes, the latter pulled away from the crowd, lowered his head, walked around the room for a few steps, then turned around, coughed dryly, and raised his voice, "Everyone, everybody! Listen to my little brother!" Word!" After everyone focused their eyes on him, he continued with a serious face, "I learned that everyone has just reported to the outer court, and a public servant came, saying that the county lord asked my younger brother to go to the county government office immediately. It's important to discuss." After a pause, he added: "Well, he also said: Don't delay."

At first, the people in the room didn't know what he was going to say, and some were talking in low voices.But then, the voice suddenly stopped.People seem to be attacked by accident, you look at me, I look at you, and their faces can't help but change.Zhang Yaoyang didn't summon him late, he didn't summon him a long time ago, but he came to summon Zha Jikun to the county government at this time, and his tone was so tough, no need to ask, nine out of ten must have something to do with the detained confidant!So, in the end whether that cronies have confessed?still…… "Brother," Zha Jizuo looked at his elder brother and said hesitantly in the tense silence that was approaching from a nightmare, "I'm afraid the person who came was not kind. Or, why don't you just tell him that he's not at home and wait for a while?"

"Yes, I can't go!" "I'm afraid there will be no good meeting!" The rest of the people also dissuaded in unison.Yu Huai was even more emotional. He waved his fist and said loudly: "Damn it, why does Zhang Yaoyang summon his brother? He doesn't want to go! If he wants to catch him, let him catch him!" But Zha Jikun raised a hand to stop everyone from making noise.I saw that his two sparse eyebrows were tangled together, his lips were tightly closed, and he stood motionless.After such an unbearable moment, he finally shook his head and said with a wry smile: "He sent someone to invite him, so at least there is room for him. If he doesn't go, it will make him more suspicious. Forget it, risk your life and money, This time, even if it is a bush of swords and a tree of swords, I have no choice but to break through him!"

After saying this, without waiting for any further comments from everyone, he turned to look at Zha Jizuo, and said calmly and solemnly: "If there is anything to do, brother fool will take care of it alone! If you ask about brother virtuous, you can only make inferences and don't know You must not admit to participating in the relationship. The affairs here and the family affairs are handled by the virtuous younger brother! But you must still be calm in everything, and you must not miss the big plan!" After finishing speaking, he raised his hand to Zha Jizuo and the others, walked up to Mao Xiang, and said earnestly: "The matter is urgent! Listen to my brother, go, go!" Then, he turned around resolutely, He walked out without hesitation.

Everyone wanted to stop him at first, but seeing Zha Jikun's determination, they all followed to the door and watched him off with complicated emotions.It wasn't until Zha Jikun's back crossed the small bridge and disappeared behind the rockery that he turned around with his own thoughts. At this moment, Zha Jizuo was obviously in the most complicated mood.However, he was still able to maintain his composure. When he saw that everyone was silent, he waved his hand and said, "At this point, we can only wait and see. However, it is enough for me to be here alone. Before the tolerance comes to arrest people , Pijiang, and you—hey, let's go!"

"But, my little brother won't go!" Mao Xiang swung his arm violently, because he realized that the end was finally approaching, and because he could let his own nature be the master for a while, the blood all over his body rushed violently. The ground boiled, and the eyes became sparkling, "Zhang Yaoyang wants to catch and kill, let him come! I'm not afraid of Maoxiang!" "I'm not afraid, and I'm not leaving either!" Zhang Weichi was obviously unwilling to lag behind. Yu Huai nodded: "Yes, none of us should leave! If we die, we die together!"

Mao Xiang looked at them, and couldn't help feeling a hot feeling in his heart.It was a feeling that had not been seen for a long time, vaguely as if he had returned to the past, when he had a big banquet on the Qinhuai River, and while the friends in the community were drinking, he talked loudly, praised current affairs, and judged people accordingly.Although they may incur the wrath and persecution of the elders of the current dynasty, they are not afraid. They only feel that they are connected with each other, their blood is rushing, and they are full of a sense of satisfaction... "So, where's Dad Liu?" Zha Jizuo turned his face and asked because Liu Jingting hadn't said a word.

Liu Jingting smiled, and said: "These days, I eat and drink in your mansion, and live comfortably. Could it be that Second Master Zha thinks that his pockmarked stomach is too big, and he has left your mansion poor, and wants to go out?" No?" "Okay!" Yu Huai jumped up and stretched out his thumb, "The avalanche never changes his true nature. Dad Liu is a good guy!" Seeing his old friend returning to his wild and unrestrained appearance, Mao Xiang became more emotional.He closed the folding fan in his hand, stood up, pointed at Liu Jingting unceremoniously and said, "In this case, why don't your father show off his skills and give a lecture to everyone, so as to save us from sitting and waiting anxiously! how?"

"Ah, that's right!" "That's right!" Zhang Weichi and Yu Huai also shouted loudly. Liu Jingting still smiled quietly: "It's okay to start the talk. Anyway, Mazi's belly is full of stock. If you have a day to wait, the old man will tell you one day; if you have ten days to wait, the old man will tell you ten days!" However, right now, I am not in a hurry to start the lecture, and I will wait for the little old man to present a song to you first. I just wonder if you are willing to enlighten me?" When Yu Huai heard it, his eyes widened immediately: "Oh, the students only heard that Liu Mazi is a storyteller, and there is no peer in the world! But I don't know that you can sing?"

However, Mao Xiang couldn't wait any longer: "Well, there's something new about it, so we must learn about it!" "But, there is no need for you to wait here with me to die!" Zha Jizuo suddenly stomped his feet vigorously, and roared explosively, "There is no need at all! Do you understand?" Liu Jingting's eyes flashed at him, and then, as if he didn't hear him, he still nodded to Yu and Mao, and said: "This song presented by Xiao Lao is an ancient tune, and it must be accompanied by a piano. Xiao Lao It’s disrespectful, I’ve already seen it here.” After speaking, he stood up, walked to a piano table in the corner of the room, fiddled with it with his fingers, then turned around and bowed to the master, and sat down calmly. Go to the faintly shining guqin.Seeing him like this, everyone in the room couldn't help but fell silent.Because Liu Jingting played the piano and sang, none of them had heard of it before, so they were somewhat curious.Even Zha Jizuo could only watch with a gloomy face at this moment, and did not stop him.

At this moment, Liu Jingting has already adjusted the string column skillfully, calibrated the timbre, and then played a few scales lightly.As soon as he made a move like this, the experts present here like Yu Huai and Mao Xiang immediately realized that the old man was really extraordinary in his skills, not only accurate in distinguishing sounds, but also powerful in strength.However, what was even more surprising to everyone was that almost from the moment the ten fingers fell, the strings jumped violently in the midst of extremely varied hooks, picks, presses, and presses. The melody, like rolling waves, galloping war horses, suddenly rises and rushes, shocking people's hearts. The passionate sound of the piano continued, pushing the audience's emotions sharply to peaks one after another, and to cliffs one after another. Then, it restrained its compelling momentum, and turned into a gloomy and turbulent one after another. , people's hearts seemed to return to the flat land, and a wilderness full of white grass spread out in front of them. He leaned back, opened his desolate and rough voice, and sang loudly: All of you here are literati who are familiar with poetry and books. Naturally, they immediately recognized that these lyrics came from "Zheng Feng" in the book, and the original title was "Wind and Rain".This is to express the joy of a woman who suddenly meets the return of the person she likes in a stormy and gloomy day.However, now that Liu Jingting is paired with tragic music, and then sang with a rough voice, the meaning has completely changed.Indeed, at the moment when the country is ruined and the family is destroyed, the catastrophe is imminent, so why not a scene of wind and rain and the changing color of the world?Fortunately, there are still a group of people with lofty ideals all over the country who are unwilling to give in and persist in resistance, just like the high-pitched crowing of cocks in the lonely wilderness.And these gentlemen, for the same belief and pursuit, after going through all kinds of hardships, they finally came together again.Isn't this very gratifying?Regardless of success or failure in the future, life or death, just getting this friendship is already the greatest joy in life!Inspired by this enlightenment, all the friends present couldn’t help feeling a strong impulse when they listened, and their hearts were filled with indescribable gratitude and love.Later, each of them became solemn, with tears in their eyes.Even Zha Jizuo seemed to stop thinking about his brother's safety for the time being, and his face became visibly cheerful and decisive... Maybe it was dominated by this emotion. For a while, he was so angry and demoralized, but in the spirit of seeking benevolence and gaining benevolence, he disregarded the danger of life and death, became talking and laughing again, and seriously discussed the matter of taking over the rebel army. After about half an hour like this, suddenly, there was a "boom" sound outside, distant and faint.Then, there were two more beeps in succession.This time, it was a little clearer, but it was still far away, as if it was on the side of Nancheng.The friends present couldn't help being startled, and they all turned their ears intently. "Boom! Boom!" There were a few more muffled sounds.This time it can be heard clearly, the direction is indeed on the southern city. "Cannon! It's cannon, it's firing!" Yu Huai stood up first and said seriously. The others still sat still: "Is it the sound of artillery?" Everyone "coaxed" and jumped up suddenly. "That's right, it's artillery!" "It's siege!" "Oh, Huang Taichong is finally here!" Five or six mouths shouted in unison. Because of the accident, and because the only savior that could be counted on suddenly came, everyone was a little ecstatic.Among them, Maoxiang was the most excited.He asked Zha Jizuo loudly, "Then, what should we do?" The latter waved his hand decisively: "Go, go out and have a look!" After finishing speaking, he raised his legs and walked out.The rest of the people hurriedly followed, walked out of the secret room, left the Buddhist hall, and came to the back garden. At this time, it was almost evening, and the setting sun that was setting in the west disappeared behind the ridge of the roof, and a huge, continuous cloud rose in the sky close to the treetops.Under the reflection of the afterglow of the setting sun, the gray-black, unevenly piled clouds were inlaid with a streak of blood-like bright red on the edge, making them appear dignified, ferocious, and magnificent.However, this scene did not attract the attention of friends.Because what occupied everyone's mind at the moment was that the voice outside the courtyard wall became clearer.In addition to the continuous sound of cannons, there are also the voices of people and dogs barking in the streets and alleys, making a chaotic noise.Everyone was even more excited and nervous, almost running towards the gate at a trot. However, before they reached the gate, they saw several servants of the Cha family rushing in panic. "Huh! Stop! What are you running for?" Zha Jizuo yelled at them.The servants stopped immediately. "What happened?" Zha Jizuo asked again. "Back to the second master, there is a lot of chaos outside. It is said that the soldiers defeated the Southern soldiers, and they are chasing and killing them all the way!" "what?" "Oh, some people are saying that the soldiers from the south have come and are attacking the city outside the south gate!" "Bastard! Did the Nanbing defeat or did the Nanbing come over?" "Back to the second master, this, this villain can't tell." While Zha Jizuo's master and servant were answering, the others also stopped.Hearing what the servant said, Yu Huai first expressed disapproval: "I don't think it's possible that the Nanbing was defeated! The Nanbing is currently in Tanshan. If they are defeated, they should retreat to Haiyan, or they should retreat across the river. How could it be?" Instead, run this way?" "Yes, it must be the southern soldiers who came to attack the city!" Zhang Weichi also echoed. "Hey, let's go out and have a look!" Mao Xiang, who was already impatient, urged loudly.Immediately, without waiting for everyone's consent, he rushed out first. There was a lot of noise outside the gate.In the twilight, panicked residents came out of their homes one after another.Some people have already started to move things outside, and more people gather together in a group in the east and west, discussing noisily, while stretching their necks, looking towards the south of the city.And the sound of the booming cannons came from a distance...Because of their anxiety, several friends immediately went to the crowd to inquire about the news without saying a word.However, just as the servant said just now, it is true that everyone speaks differently and cannot agree on what to say.Seeing the urgency of the situation, everyone couldn't help becoming anxious. After a little discussion, they decided to rush to the south of the city to have a look.So Zha Jizuo ordered his servants to open the way ahead, and everyone set off together.Unexpectedly, before they could move their legs, the servants crowded in front suddenly shouted: "Oh, sir! The master is back!" Everyone couldn't help being stunned again, and when they were about to ask questions, they saw that the servants had automatically turned to the sides. separate.Then, Zha Jikun's familiar figure appeared in the darkness of the night.I saw that he was walking quite hastily, and his steps were still a little staggering.When he found that his younger brother and other accomplices were all standing outside the door, he didn't speak, but just gestured for everyone to follow, and walked back to the door. "Brother, you..." After seeing Zha Jikun standing still in the courtyard, he lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. Zha Jizuo, who was in shock, couldn't help asking. Only then did Zha Jikun slowly raise his head, his flickering eyes trembling in the darkness, and his voice was filled with tears, he said: "It's over...it's over, our army has failed, and the defeat has been miserable! This time, it's all over!" "What? My pawn failed?" "Isn't it?" "But—" Several voices interrupted in surprise. Zha Jikun wiped his nose with his sleeve, as if he was trying to stabilize his emotions, and then raised a hand: "Hey, everyone, let's listen to my brother - just now, Zhang Yaoyang summoned me, so it wasn't anything else, and it was nothing else. He didn't just summon his younger brother. He summoned all the gentry's families in the city. According to him, he just received a notification from Hangzhou just because yesterday's river tide suddenly missed the schedule, and the river's water level was twice as shallow as usual. The northern soldiers found out, so they took the opportunity to drive their horses and waded across the river in Qitiaosha. Fang Guoan reported panic, and immediately pulled out his camp and fled first. Afterwards, the camps on the river also broke up and fled eastward. Right now, the northern soldiers are going along the The Qianjiang River went east to chase down the defeated soldiers. Therefore, Zhang Yaoyang told the families of the gentry in the city not to panic, but to work together to help him appease the people, guard the city, and help the northern soldiers intercept the fleeing southern soldiers—in short, it is over! It's all over!" Zha Jikun said in a low tone, tears welled up from his eyes and flowed down his thin cheeks. However, the friends around him were completely stunned by the news he said.Indeed, this terrible news came too suddenly and too terrible.Such a huge uprising has lasted for a whole year in eastern Zhejiang. Until a few days ago, it was still in good shape. It was about to go out on a large-scale expedition to the west. Suddenly, it collapsed overnight, destroying the hard-earned foundation !It's unbelievable. "Ah, no, no! How could this happen? No! Definitely not!" Yu Huai jumped up and shouted. "That's right," Zhang Weichi agreed, "it must be Zhang Yaoyang's lies!" "Yes, could it be that the Tartars are exaggerating?" Mao Xiang also asked, but his tone was a bit hesitant. Zha Jikun shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The ships of the defeated soldiers have already fled to the Haining River. The cannons were fired on the city just now to intercept them. Zhang Yaoyang also asked us to go to the top of the city to have a look. My brother was in a hurry to come back. Did not go." "Then, let's take a look too!" Yu Huai wiped away tears excitedly, and planned to turn around and leave.But Liu Jingting stretched out his hand and stopped him. "Hey, don't go!" He said quietly, then turned to Zha Jizuo and asked, "I don't know how Xian Kunzhong plans to deal with it now?" Zha Jizuo, like his brother just now, did not answer immediately.With the light in the lobby, he could be seen standing motionless, as if he was suppressing the grief in his heart, and seemed to be thinking nervously.It wasn't until everyone could bear it no longer that he raised his head, sighed a long time, and said, "The man under him has been released. At last, the matter has not been revealed yet, so I'll be able to handle it. The worrying thing is It's Huang Taichong, he's going deep alone now, and no one reported him, I'm afraid it's very dangerous!"