Chapter 19 Chapter Nineteen

Outside the kitchen at home, Yushu was washing vegetables in a large basin, while Nawen was chopping pork ribs with a knife on the chopping board.In the kitchen, Xiu'er easily pulled the air box, and Wen Ta Niang was making white flour steamed buns on the chopping board.Xiu'er said worriedly: "Mom, do you think this frost can resist it?" Wen Ta Niang said while busy: "If you can't resist it, you have to resist it, otherwise this year will be a waste of work, and our family will be miserable." .” Suddenly, Nawen’s exclamation came, “Ouch!” Mrs. Wen and Xiu'er hurried out of the kitchen, and Yu Shu also hurriedly stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?" Wen said exaggeratedly, "Ouch! I flicked my wrist, it hurts!" Xiu'er She said with concern: "Sister-in-law, let me do this job." While talking, he picked up the knife and skillfully chopped up the pork ribs.Wen, who was clutching his wrist, said with some admiration: "Why does such a heavy knife look like a wooden stick in your hand? Mother, Xiu'er is more suitable for this than I am." His mother Wen deliberately said with a straight face: "Then you What are you doing? So many men are carrying them on the ground, we girls can’t fall to the ground! If you delay their meal, you will see me!” Na Wen said a little proudly: “I can go to pull the bellows.” His mother Wen Said: "You can't pull the wind box well, go to Yushu and let your sister-in-law wash the vegetables."

On the field, Old Sun was working hard, and asked Zhu Kaishan, "Brother Zhu, when do you think this frost will arrive?" Zhu Kaishan said, "You have to ask Old Cui, don't you all tell him to count it out?" Is it the sky?" Zhang leaned his head and said, "I only heard that he is called Chupotian." The old grandson said, "Not to mention, when it comes to watching the sky, there is no one in Yuanbao Town that compares to him. June Tianbai's face changes as he says, who knows if he will encounter rain when he goes out? What to do? You don't need to look at anything else, just see if he goes out with rain gear or not." Zhu Kaishan said: "I've already planted a row. This time Kangshuang is a military advisor, and everyone will see how his feather fan shakes." The old grandson put his thumb up and said, "It's better for you, don't remember the past, know people and do them well, unlike some people who are narrow-minded Can't fit through a ponytail."

The morning light in the east.In Zhu's big field, there are more than 30 stacks of sorghum and straw scattered around.In front of each stack of sorghum straw, the employees are waiting in full battle, waiting for the arrival of the "frost head" in the early morning.Everyone held torches in their hands, and their eyes were fixed on Lao Cui who was staring at the night sky.Old Cui stared at the sky, Zhu Kaishan followed closely beside him.Everyone looked at the two with bated breath.Old Cui said softly: "Old boss, Shuangtou is here!" Zhu Kaishan shouted: "Light it up!" The torches scattered in all directions.Everyone ran with torches, shouted, and lit piles of sorghum stalks.For a moment the flames flickered and the smoke billowed.What a magnificent anti-frost picture!The firelight reflected Zhu Kaishan's dignified face full of vicissitudes, and tears rolled down his cheeks... Wen Ta Niang gently wiped away the tears for him, the old couple held hands tightly, looked at each other and smiled, their smiles were so beautiful .

Chuanwen and Chuanjie happily embraced each other. The two brothers were very excited when they saw the flames.With tears in his eyes, Chuanwen said in a trembling voice, "Brother, we don't have to worry about our happy life for two years!" Nawen, Yushu, and Xiu'er ran towards Zhu Kaishan and his wife holding torches.The three of them stopped in front of Zhu Kaishan and his wife, and Xiu'er said out of breath, "Father, mother, our family is having another bumper harvest year!" Yushu shouted happily: "Frost resistance has won!" Suddenly found something, dragged it strangely and said emphatically: "You are not allowed to mess around! Didn't you see our parents are making out hand in hand?" Zhu Kaishan and his wife let go of their hands a little embarrassedly, Wen Ta Niang pretended to be dissatisfied and said : "You three crazy girls!" He said while holding the three children in his arms.

The fire in Daejeon is raging... Back home, Zhu Kaishan sharpened the sickle on the whetstone with Chuanwen, Chuanjie and the others.Wen Ta Niang approached Zhu Kaishan and asked, "I said, Father Wen, the sickle will be opened tomorrow. What will we have for dinner tonight?" Zhu Kaishan rubbed the sickle without raising his head and said, "Don't worry about it tonight. I'll take them to the Go to the town for a drink, after the drink, go to listen to Erren Zhuan, I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” Wen Ta Niang said: “That’s okay, I’ve been busy for a year, it’s time to take a breather, you guys go! The daughters-in-law have a meal together and talk a little bit."

Zhu Kaishan was taken aback, raised his head and said: "You two are arguing together all day long, what else can you talk about?" Wen Ta Niang said: "What are you talking about between women?" Zhu Kaishan said: "What are you talking about between women? " Wen Ta Niang said: "There are endless things to say." Zhu Kaishan was stunned for a while, and said to himself: "This is trying to rebel." Wen Ta Niang said to Wen who was washing vegetables outside the kitchen door: "Boss, daughter-in-law, let's get together tonight, cook some delicious dishes, and boil two pots of old wine. Don't forget to invite Xiu'er over as well."

The banquet started as soon as it was said, and a table of food and wine was set up. Wen Ta Niang, Na Wen, Xiu Er, and Yu Shu sat down in groups.Mrs. Wen said: "It's all ready, let's start. Except for Yushu, Wen and Xiu'er have been married to Zhu's family since they were married. We girls haven't sat down for a meal together yet. Mother is also a lively person." I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Your father is at home, mother dare not, I am not afraid of him, I have never been afraid of him since I married him, but I am afraid that he will make you feel cold and make you unhappy. You see He is crazy today, he said he has been busy for a year, and tonight he will take the men to a restaurant and listen to a small show. Well, he only has those men in his eyes, and our women have been tired for a year, you say Let’s talk about our girls, all of them are colorful and lively, but they can’t jump into his eyelids. Okay! Tell them to go wild, let’s go wild tonight, let’s have a drink, let’s talk The words between us girls..."

Na Wen picked up the wine cup, and tears fell.Wen Ta Niang said: "Boss, what's the matter with you? Why are the tears falling down before you drink the wine?" Na Wen said, "Mother, the big kang in the main room is hotter than our little kang. Sitting here drinking and eating will catch up with the halls of our prince’s mansion, pick up the wine cup, I just want to shout..." Yu Shu smiled and asked: "What do you want to shout?" Waiting on the single string, servants up and down, listen carefully, and watch me drink to my heart's content, the four treasures of the study come, I play a poem, get drunk with the moon, how can it be a good word..." Everyone laughed.Na Wen said: "Mom, I offer you a toast, how many times have I thought about this day..."

The women laughed.Zhu Kaishan, Chuanwen and Chuanjie sat on the kang in the Chuanwen room.Chuanwen said: "Father, what's the matter with you today? You led us around the town and came back. Didn't you agree to drink and listen to the theater?" Zhu Kaishan said: "I was talking to your mother I'm just kidding, I'm not willing to spend that money." Chuanjie said: "Father, I'm so hungry, you hear, that room smells like meat and wine, let's go to that room for dinner, Let's go, father." Zhu Kaishan said: "You can't go! We made them laugh as soon as we entered the house, and what the men say is like splashed water, hold on, I want to know, they are in the same courtyard all day , why do you want to whisper something behind our backs..." Zhu Kaishan said with a smile.Chuanwen said: "Father, this is not like what you do." Zhu Kaishan said: "Catch up with a good harvest year, and when the life is good, I will give birth to some leisure and childishness. I haven't been so happy for many years, but now Just a little hungry, Chuanwen, you don’t have anything to eat in the house?” Chuanwen said: “I didn’t cook today, so I don’t have anything to eat.” Zhu Kaishan said: “I reckon, they can save some for us. The leftovers." Zhu Kaishan had just finished speaking, only to hear his mother Wen's voice: "What is your father!" All three of them were taken aback.

Wen Ta Niang just put down the wine cup, a little drunk, wiped her mouth and said: "Let me tell you, don't look at him all day with his hands behind his back, with a straight face, like a door god, he was not like this when he was young Back then, I was also a member of Hua Duo, and I was a little famous in ten miles and eight villages. Your father, who is a ghost, took good care of me, but he didn’t open his mouth. He helped me plant the land every day, came before dawn, and only returned after dark. , without saying a word, and you still bring your own dry food and water cans, Xiu’er, you are more idiotic than when you were chasing Chuan Wu…” Xiu’er smiled.

Wen Ta Niang said: "Let's talk about you later, let's start with something happy." Zhu Kaishan coughed from the courtyard.Na Wen said in a low voice: "Mom, my father and the others are back, so don't talk about it." His wife Wen drank another glass of wine and said, "Come back when he comes back. Let me tell you, I am really happy today. The courtyard has never been so quiet, and my heart has never been so bright, where did I just say?" Zhu Kaishan coughed loudly again. Wen Ta Niang drank another cup, and shouted outside: "Have you heard the news and got angry? It doesn't matter, there is sesame oil in the wing room, you can drink the sesame oil." Then, she smiled at the wives: "He I’m getting angry, I can’t save face, I just want to say it. As I said just now, he helped me plant the land every day, and the land was planted very well. That day when plowing the field, he tied three strands of rope by himself as an ox. The cow was pulling fast, and I couldn't hold it any longer, so I said, take a break, the noose is about to break, you've caught up with a cow, and he mumbled: I'm a cow! I'm still talking, hey, With a bang, the noose was finally snapped, and the end fell into the dung pile..." Zhu Kaishan's laughter came from the yard.There was laughter in the room too. Wen's mother stopped laughing and said: "Don't talk about it, your father will be really angry if you talk about it. You have to have a standard for everything. If you don't make it right, you will miss it. I said Xiu'er, what mother said, one is happy today. , Second, I also said it to you. In fact, my mother has always wanted to tell you, but seeing you, she couldn’t open her mouth. She held me back for a long time. If the two of you didn’t mean this, life would be boring Waiting is useless. Xiu'er, listen to what mother said, don't wait for the martial arts, he can't come back, mother feels distressed seeing you like this. You are still young, find someone else, there is no pain or love If you can't be a husband and wife, fighting and fighting is the stuff of life, but you two have nothing..." Everyone looked at Xiu'er. With tears rolling in her eyes, Xiu'er picked up the wine cup and said, "Mother, sister-in-law, Yushu, thank you. You called me here and you didn't forget me. We are still a family. I'm very happy. It's rare that mother I'm so happy, let's not talk about me, let's talk about happy things, it's not easy to catch up with such a bumper harvest year, I offer you a toast!" Xiu'er drank it down.Nawen said: "Xiu'er is right. Let's just drink and talk today. Come on, I brought the strings too, and I'll sing you a song!" Chuanwen listened to his wife's song and asked: "What's the matter tonight? Dad, what do you think is the matter?" Zhu Kaishan said: "Close your eyes and listen slowly, and you have to go to the town to listen. Opera, what do you spend that money for? Do they have any good plays from our family?” The sound of the opera suddenly disappeared.Chuanjie said: "Hey, why don't you sing?" Zhu Kaishan said: "Are they drunk? Chuanjie, go and see." Chuanjie ran out and shouted: "Father, it's not good, the house There is no one here!" Zhu Kaishan sat up with a cry and said, "No one?" Chuanjie said, "No one! A table of food has not been touched, and three jars of wine have been drunk!" Chuanwen said: "The food is reserved. It’s for us, let’s go and eat it!” Zhu Kaishan said: “You know how to eat, go find them quickly, you can do whatever you want at home, if these four old women are really drunk, they will go to the town to play crazy Go, that's not a joke!" Zhu Kaishan ran out in a panic with his two sons. The three of you were looking for it in the green gauze tent.Chuanjie pointed his ears and said, "Father, listen!" The laughter and singing of four women came from a distance. In the green gauze tent, in an open space, Wen Ta Niang led three daughter-in-laws, singing and dancing, and lying down in the field of ripe and fragrant crops, laughing and joking.Zhu Kaishan sat down slowly, lit a pot of cigarettes and smoked, savoring the scene in front of him... The raft distribution center is gradually approaching.The old one-armed man stood on the wooden raft like a statue, staring into the distance.Erzhao said excitedly: "Headzhao, it's here!" The old one-armed man nodded.The platoon members cheered and hugged each other with tears in their eyes. The old one-arm commanded everyone to move the raft closer to the shore.On the shore, shopkeepers, casino operators, and kiln sisters all gathered around.The wooden raft has not yet stopped, they enthusiastically went up to the row to solicit customers, solicited customers with a stern face, and said with honey on their mouths: "Big brother, it's been a hard journey, let's stay in the store and rest your feet. Our store has good food and accommodation at a reasonable price." Fairness, you can get what you want, if you go late, there will be no berths, and I will save them for you." "Dude, do you want to play? We have a game there, all night until dawn, here is the chance to make a fortune!" "Brother , why are you still hesitating? Let’s go with the girl, the bed is warm, just waiting for you to sleep in, I’ve been tired all autumn, the girl will accompany you well and nourish your energy.” Cao San called the name of the platoon gang to distribute the money and said: "I will stop you on this road, and I will not let you play with money, eat flowers and wine, and rely on women. Why? Did you have money at that time? No money is not waiting. Looking for a beating? I don’t know that it’s fun to play for money? I don’t know that it’s beautiful to sleep with a chubby woman in my arms? But I don’t have money to stare, and I always get angry, right?” Everyone laughed. Er Zhao said with a smile: "This time I have money, the false fire can turn into real fire, I have to have a good time!" Cao San said: "Okay, this time I have the money, I don't care, just enjoy it for a few days , When it’s over, follow me if you’re willing to go back with me. Don’t be reluctant to spend money, what is money? It’s just something to buy for fun. Earning money without spending it is a piece of shit. When you kick your legs, it’s not money anymore, it’s money. Waste paper. I won’t tell you anymore. It’s useless to spit. There’s a situation waiting for me. Also, the girl I got into with last time has made up the bed and is waiting for me. Damn it, little girl My son is full of fat white meat, grabbing a handful of soft meat is really fucking enjoyable, I can't resist it, let's warm up a pot first." After saying that, he walked away with a smile on his face. The old one-armed man watched Cao San go, and said with a downcast face to everyone: "Listen to me, this is a den that drinks human blood. The money we earn is not easy, so we cover our pockets tightly. We should go back. Those who want to go home with me, and those who want to go back with me, take the money away, don’t take it with you.” Chuanwu excitedly said to Xian'er: "Sister, you take care of both of us's money. After a while, the wooden boat will go back, and we will go back with you. Aren't you optimistic about Yema Bay? Let's settle down there Small days." Xian'er said, "I like the mountains and rivers there, let's build two houses there, buy a few acres of land, and spend a few days living comfortably and at home." Chuanwu said: "You give I gave birth to a few big fat boys." Xian'er said shyly: "Don't talk nonsense!" She said so, but she snuggled into Chuanwu's arms and murmured softly: "Chuanwu, tonight you Let's live here." Chuanwu hugged Xian'er tightly and said, "Sister, wait until we have our own home." The old one-armed man sat there looking around vigilantly.Er Zhao slipped out of the door, just about to run, but was stopped by the old one arm.The old one-armed man said in a low voice: "Child, logically speaking, I shouldn't be in charge of you. Listen to my advice. I'm doing it for your own good. Go back to the house. If you go out today, you will be naked tomorrow morning." Butt back. I’m not trying to scare you, those gamblers, kilns, and opium sellers have already set up a net around us, just waiting for you to drill in.” At this time, one after another Several people are going out.The old one-armed man beckoned and said, "Come here, let's listen to what I have to say." Everyone gathered around. The old one-armed man said: "You all call me old one-armed, and you all know that my arm was bitten off by a tiger, but you don't know about the branches and vines here. That year and this season, I went to the North Stream , In the shipyard, I was planning to go back to my hometown in Shandong after the money was divided, but I fell into the trap of others and entered a gambling game. In the end, I lost completely and had no face to go home. At this time, the people who came from the cabinet found me and said they wanted to borrow money Read the book for me, but you have to sign a contract, and you have to go back to the mountain yard to do it on the counter. In the end, you still lost completely, and you can’t do anything about it. I lost my arm that winter.” Said: "Uncle, why is it called Jiang Donkey?" The old one-armed man said: "Here, those who return to work in the mountain field and the water field are called Jiang donkeys. The way back to the mountain from here is to climb up the mountain step by step and up against the water, and sometimes pull the rope and drag the boat like a donkey. There is no such thing as a donkey along the way. If you don’t eat or drink, you have to ask for food, or you can eat lettuce. Young people, go back, the bridge I have crossed is longer than the road you have traveled, these are all experiences, and it is for your own good.” Everyone nodded and said: "Listen to the head's advice, let's go back." Everyone returned to the inn one after another.It was late at night, and the old one-armed man was still sitting there smoking a cigarette, as if recalling a long past. The words of the old one-armed man reach home, but they can't keep up with the laughter of the beautiful women, and the temptation of gambling to get rich.In the first two days, the platoon gangs could still hold their temper.Two days later, Lao Duyi fell seriously ill and lay on the kang unable to get up. Chuanwu and Xian'er took care of him.Without him in charge, the platoon gangs would relax, gambling and whoring.In half a month, the money earned for half a year was exhausted, and everyone sighed.Cao San asked with a smile: "Is it fun to eat, drink, prostitute and gamble these days? What? Why don't you go out to play?" The second trick said: "Everyone has no money." Cao San said: "No money to play? It's not called Are you kidding me? We can’t just leave like this, we have to get our book back anyway. Money? I have it here, come here, how much do you need? I’ll put it first.” The second trick said: “What do we have to pay back? ?” Cao San said, “Hey, it’s easy, let’s sign a contract, and then come back to the mountain farm with me?” Pai Bang Lao Guo said, “Why do we go back?” Cao San said: "Old rules, you walk along the river bank, go upstream to pull the boat back. As for me, I still have some things to deal with here." He turned his head and ordered two moves, "The old one-armed disease It's getting heavier and heavier, and it doesn't look like it's going to work. Take care of you on the way back, I can't treat you badly. How about it, do you sign or not?" Two strokes and one slap on the thigh said: "Okay, I will sign!" Everyone They all said: "I will sign too!" Paibang Laxian went up the river, and the lightness of going down the river was never seen again.The old one-armed man was seriously ill, lying in the boat, and Xian'er watched over him intently.Chuanwu, who was pulling the fiber, looked at the old one-armed man in the boat from time to time. The platoon gangs were shouting and marching with great difficulty while pulling the ropes—the ropes tightly strangled their shoulders, as if they were about to sink into the flesh, and their bodies almost fell on the ground as they walked forward. The sound of the chant: In the sound of the chant, the older Guo finally collapsed on the bank of the river due to exhaustion.The people pulling the fiber stopped and watched silently.Chuan Wu, who was following Lao Guo, hurriedly leaned over to help him, but he couldn't get up.The old one-armed man in the boat sat up with difficulty, and asked in a weak voice, "Is it something to do?" Chuanwu nodded sadly and silently.The second move asked: "First move, do you think he should go down the river or be buried?" The old one-armed man said, "Let's stay here today, and I'll talk to him for a while." Two bonfires were lit by the river, and Chuanwu, Xian'er, and Pai Gang ate dry food around the bonfires.Beside another bonfire, the old one-armed man was leaning on a row of luggage rolls and drinking wine by himself. After drinking a glass of wine, he poured another glass, and while carefully pouring wine into the mouth of the dead Lao Guo, he said softly: "Old man, fellow townsman, brother, you can take a sip too, and take a sip less! When you get there I'm sending a message to King Yan, I'll be there in a few days..." Chuanwu and Xian'er looked at it puzzled.Chuanwu asked Xian'er in a low voice: "Sister, what is grandpa doing?" Xian'er said worriedly: "Since he was ill, he seems to have changed. Drink, no one knows what he is thinking." The old one-armed man drank another glass of wine, suddenly felt uncomfortable in his heart, hurriedly covered his chest with his remaining right arm, and later simply picked up the wine bottle and poured it into his mouth.Chuanwu and Xianer watched in a daze.Xian'er said to Chuanwu: "Let's go over and try to persuade you not to drink like this." Chuanwu and Xian'er walked up to him, and the old one-armed man smiled drunkenly and said, "Sit down, what will Grandpa tell you?" Just a word." Xian'er and Chuanwu carefully approached Old One Arm and sat down. The drunk-eyed old one-armed man no longer looked at the two of them, but faced the sky and the river face solemnly and said seriously: "Say it, tell me, I'm listening." Xian'er and Chuanwu looked at them in puzzlement. , Chuan Wu wanted to ask questions, but Xian'er hurriedly stopped him. The old one-armed man didn't know what he was listening to, and then he laughed loudly and said, "What did you say? The time has come? Tell me to go with you right now? I know, what's the rush? My old one-armed man knows everything all his life, isn't it just going to hell Go away? What did you say? I haven’t suffered enough in my life? Well, I’ll go and serve you. I’ll sew armor for three years, wash bloody clothes for five years, and grind for ten years. Is it all right? Don’t be afraid, I don’t know what fear is all my life! What did you say? Let me live for two more days? Then I have to thank you! Never slept with a woman! Give me one, a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl with yellow flowers! Do me a favor, let me smell a woman before leaving! Ah? You prepared it for me a long time ago? Then I have to thank you Yes, I’ll give you three kowtows! You’ll know me all your life, and you’ll know me! Haha…” Smiling and crying, he said, “Grandfather, I can’t wait, lead me into the bridal chamber! Ha ha……" When he stopped talking, Chuanwu and Xian'er asked, "Grandpa, who are you talking to?" The old one-armed man smiled lightly and said, "Talk to the sky." Chuanwu said, "Grandpa, what did you say? I I didn't understand a word." The old one-arm said: "You will understand slowly." Xian'er said: "Grandpa, are you crying?" The old one-arm smiled lightly again.Chuan Wu said: "Grandpa, don't feel bad, we will take you home." The old one-armed man was silent for a long time and said: "I miss home, I miss my hometown in Shandong, I really want to go back and have a look, but I can't go back, I really become a person without a home! You two share adversity, love and righteousness, and get married earlier Come on, live a good life. One should have a warm home no matter what, don’t be like me, wandering all the time, not taking root in one place.” Xian’er said: “Grandpa, we won’t leave when we get to Yema Bay , let’s buy a house and live together, and Chuanwu and I will serve you for the rest of our lives.” The old one-armed man said: "Child, I accept your wishes, but Grandpa won't make it through that day... Remember, after I die, you will bury me, and the grave must face my hometown in Shandong. I live I can’t go back, and I have to look at my hometown and my parents after I die! Do you remember?” The two nodded.The old one-armed man looked at Chuanwu and Xian'er, with a strange gleam in his eyes.He fumbled for Chuanwu and Xian'er, and said softly: "That's great." After finishing speaking, he swung his big fist and hit his heart hard, and a stream of blood spewed out from his mouth. Has fallen down sadly... The two shouted and rushed towards the old one-armed man. Chuanwu, Xian'er and the Pai Gang held torches, and each of them held a river lantern and walked towards the river.Xian'er held up a torch and lit every river lantern.A series of river lanterns flowed down the river.Chuanwu, Xian'er and the Pai Gang stood on the bank, silently watching the river lantern go away.In the air, there seems to be the old one-armed song echoing in the night sky on the river bank... On the bank of the river, Chuanwu, Xian'er, and Zhong Paibang pulled the rope deeply into their shoulders and pulled their bodies into a bow. No one spoke, and walked with difficulty.What they didn't see was that a dozen or so heads were slowly poking out from behind the slope on the river bank, watching the platoons pulling the strings—this was a small group of stragglers, and their leader was staring greedily at Xian'er... Ascending to Yema Bay, Chuanwu and Xian'er bid farewell to the platoon assistants and walked silently along the river.Chuanwu stopped and said softly, "Sister, let's live here in Yema Bay. You said you like this place, so let's settle down here, how about it?" Xian'er looked at Chuanwu and nodded gently. nod.Chuanwu said: "Sister, I want to give you something." Xian'er said: "Chuanwu, after this trip, I understand your thoughts, and I don't want anything." A silver bracelet said: "Sister, I saved this, you can wear it." Xian'er looked at Chuanwu for a long time, then stretched out her hand.Chuanwu put the bracelet on Xian'er's wrist. Chuanwu was so excited that he suddenly hugged Xian'er into his arms, kissed Xian'er on the forehead, then let go of Xian'er, and happily ran along the river, shouting excitedly while running: "I have Home! I have my own home—” Suddenly, two gunshots came from nowhere!Chuanwu who was running was hit by a bullet, and then fell headlong into the river.Xian'er, who was still immersed in happiness just now, was stunned by the sudden gunshot!There was a bang in the head, and the person collapsed to the ground. More than a dozen stragglers bravely held their guns, screaming strangely, flying horses from not far away, and surrounded Xian'er in a fan shape.Xian'er looked at the galloping cavalry in surprise, and the leader shouted loudly: "Little girl, come enjoy yourself with me!" Xian'er looked at the approaching stragglers angrily, struggled up, and shouted: "Chuan Wu, wait for me." Turn around and jump into the river.There was only a ripple on the surface of the river, and then calm was restored.The leader said fiercely: "Damn! This little girl has a strong temper!" Three carriages pulling mountain goods passed by the door of Chunhesheng's shop.Xia Yuanzhang and Chuanjie stood at the door of the shop and watched the carriages passing by.Chuanjie said anxiously: "Shopkeeper, there are a large number of mountain goods on the market, why did you suddenly change your mind? The price is quite suitable, why don't you let me buy it? What is your idea?" Xia Yuanzhang said: " Chuanjie, you can’t catch up with Dahulong in this business, it’s about ingenuity, what’s important is that what others don’t have is what I have, what others have is what I have, and what others have is what I have, and what I’m good at is what I’m going to do. There’s no money to be made by doing all these high-end goods.” Chuanjie asked: "Then what do we do if we don't make big-ticket goods?" Xia Yuanzhang said, "Go, I'll take you to meet someone so that you can learn a lot." The person Xia Yuanzhang mentioned was named Shao, he was slightly fat, and he always had a half-smile, as if he didn't like anything.Xia Yuanzhang held a banquet in the tavern in the town and asked Chuanjie to accompany him to drink.Mr. Shao said: "As far as I know, there is no matsutake in our area. This thing is very expensive. It is hard to find in big cities and big wharves. It is very popular, and the profit inside is huge. It is huge. You don’t even dare to think about it!” Chuanjie said: “Our shopkeeper said that when doing business, the risk is great if the profit is big.” Mr. Shao said: “Hey, this is the other way around. The risk is big and the profit is big. The risk is more beneficial. If you sell baskets, or just do a small needle and thread business, is there any risk? No, right? What about profit? You can’t say no, but it’s petty profit, boring, so boring!” Chuanjie Said: "But making matsutake is too much investment." Xia Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Chuanjie, capital earns a lot, for example, it is 30% profit. If you invest ten yuan, how much will you earn in one round? Three yuan? What if you invest one hundred thousand yuan? Then But it's 30,000 yuan!" Mr. Shao said: "Look, the shopkeeper can figure it out clearly. I will give you 100,000 yuan for the three carts of matsutake. If you sell it to Fengtian, you will get 30,000 yuan when you sell it. That's enough. How many years did you earn?" Chuanjie said: "The shopkeeper, we can't get enough of our family's wealth." Xia Yuanzhang said: "Oh, you don't have to worry about that, I have a solution." Chuanjie said: "The shopkeeper, can we Let’s try to buy less goods? Let’s explore the road first, so that we can make it bigger.” Mr. Shao said with a smile: “Master Xia, I never thought that you are a young guy, but you are quite stable. Little brother, to tell you the truth, there are many The old customers are all thinking about my three carts of matsutake. I can’t miss this opportunity. The time will never come again. I have something to say to them. I will sell these three carts in bundles. .My three-carriage goods are in a hurry to make a move, so they go up and down. Do you know why I am in a hurry to make a move?" Chuanjie asked: "Why?" Mr. Shao said: "To be honest, I have made an appointment with a few friends, and I want to go to Russia to sell leather goods. But I am not afraid if I can't make it, so I simply won't go to Russia. I made a lot of money by pawning the goods to Fengtian, but it was much less profitable than selling leather goods in Russia." Xia Yuanzhang said, "That's true." Mr. Shao said, "Besides, I have a little secret here. He said in a low voice, "Why am I so interested in Russia? Tell you, I have a Russian girl over there, waiting for me. Hee hee." Xia Yuanzhang asked in surprise: "Really?" Mr. Shao said: "How about it, Mr. Xia, after finishing this transaction, I will take you to Russia? Russian girls are good, they are strong enough!" Xia Yuanzhang said seriously: " I'm not interested in those." Mr. Shao said: "I'm sorry, I know you are a gentleman. Speaking of business, are you interested in this transaction?" Xia Yuanzhang said: "Let's talk." Mr. Shao said: "Alright, this transaction After all, it's not a small sum, if shopkeeper Xia is sincere, we can still discuss the price." After returning home, Xia Yuanzhang paced around the room.Qiaoyun said: "Sir, it's getting late, go to bed early." Xia Yuanzhang said: "Qiaoyun, find that thing for me, and I'll smoke it a couple more." Why? Why did you remember it again? Don’t get addicted, once you’re addicted, it’s hard to quit.” Xia Yuanzhang said with his eyes wide open, “What are you talking about! I haven’t counted yet?” Pointing to his head, he said, “Those addicted The people here can’t do it, they don’t have concentration. To tell you the truth, when I was young, I gambled and prostituted. He quit! This is concentration, not everyone has it. I am thinking of a big thing these days, which is to use it to refresh myself." Qiaoyun had no choice but to serve Xia Yuanzhang to smoke.Chuanjie asked outside: "Is the shopkeeper asleep?" Xia Yuanzhang said: "Is Chuanjie? What's the matter? You wait in the living room for a while, and I will come right away." After a while, Xia Yuanzhang came out of the back room full of energy and asked: " Chuanjie, what's the matter?" Chuanjie said: "My shopkeeper, I can't sleep and I just think about it during the day. Matsutake is a good thing, but it's too precious. I heard that even in big cities, ordinary restaurants can't afford it. Fengtian is too far away and I don't care." I know, I inquired about the old customers who delivered mountain goods, and they said that the large restaurants in Harbin have already received enough goods, and the source of goods may be from Mr. Shao." Xia Yuanzhang said: "It is not surprising that Harbin is near the water, and the goods are fully stocked. Fengtian will not Besides, there are many big restaurants in Fengtian. Have you ever been to Fengtian? There are several Yuanbao Townships in Guangyi Middle Street. There are a lot of people, and there are many rich people. Matsutake You don't know, it's very valuable in the restaurant." Chuanjie said: "Don't forget the shopkeeper, the more valuable the things are, the finer they are." Xia Yuanzhang said: "What you said is true, but this is also a place. There are many rich people in Fengtian. The rich people are also strange. They want to eat whatever is expensive. Are bear's paws expensive? Are bird's nests and shark's fins expensive? Are there few people eating? What I’m thinking about now is not whether I can buy this batch of goods, but how to make up the funds and how low the price will be. You can’t sleep because of this? Don’t worry, I’m lost in the trading market After so many years, I still have this insight. You remember, it is right to do business in a stable manner, but you always stay where you are if you don’t dare to fight. Even if you take a step forward, you are still an old lady with little feet. , can’t go far.” Chuanjie said: "The shopkeeper, no matter how I think about it, this matter is a little unstable." Xia Yuanzhang lost his temper and said, "Okay, I have been a mountain product all my life. What kind of risk have I never experienced? I said why are you getting more and more serious?" Are you getting more timid? Well, go back to sleep. It’s a good thing for you to remind me, I’ll think about it later.” Chuanjie said, “Hey.” He sniffled and asked, “Huh? What’s the smell? It's very fragrant." Xia Yuanzhang said: "Your nose is sharp, I recently took a kind of Dabu Wan from Dongyang Jin, this thing is quite exciting." Three large carriages pulling matsutake were ready to go, and Xia Yuanzhang and Yushu were a farewell party for Chuanjie.Xia Yuanzhang said: "Chuanjie, you must be careful when you go out this time. You must walk day and night, and there must be no mistakes. I have staked my entire family!" Chuanjie said: "Don't worry, the shopkeeper, I will be careful. , as soon as the goods are received over there, I will send the money order, and I will go back in the starry night." Yu Shu instructed: "Chuanjie, it's getting colder and colder, and you should add clothes on the road." Said to surround him Put on a scarf. Chuanjie was taken aback and said, "Yushu, when did you weave it?" Yushu said, "How can I let you know? Don't be reluctant to eat and drink on the road, your body is important." Chuanjie said, "Don't worry, I will take care of it." My own." Xia Yuanzhang said: "Chuanjie, after I come back from this business, I will completely let go, and the warehouse will be handed over to you. Take time to discuss with your father, and I will settle the matter between you and Yushu earlier. I also want to hug my grandson." Yushu said shyly, "Dad!" Xia Yuanzhang took the wine glass from Mr. Chang and said, "Okay, let's not talk. Come, drink this farewell wine and go on the road." Chuanjie After drinking the farewell wine, he jumped into the carriage and started on the road. Han Laohai led four horses into the Zhu family compound.朱开山迎出屋子，惊呼道：“老海兄弟，你这是干什么？”韩老海说：“你装什么糊涂？我是来还债的，这四匹马从现在开始姓朱了。”文他娘呱呱笑着跑出屋子说：“大兄弟，在哪儿学的骂人的法子？叫你这么说俺们也是牲口了？”朱开山说：“老海兄弟，这马我是高低不能要，这都是大媳妇闹着玩的，这孩子没轻没重，玩笑闹大了。你把马都牵回去，我好好教训教训她，改日让她给你赔礼道歉，再让她没大没小！” 韩老海说：“老朱大哥，自古赌场无父子，我输了就是输了，不管是输给了谁，还输得起，你要是不收可就让我没法做人了。”朱开山说：“你说哪儿去了？你说你输了，我们可不认这个账，我们都不认账你还的什么账？这不是天大的笑话吗？”韩老海说：“你不认我认！好，算我说错了，这马不姓朱，可是归你了，你要也得要，不要也得要！”朱开山火了道：“哪有你这么欺负人的？也太霸道了！”气得抄起鞭子朝马甩去。四匹马撒开蹄子朝韩家跑去，韩老海冷着一张脸出了院门。 文他娘、那文在灶间里忙活着做饭。朱开山坐在堂屋门前仔细地擦拭着老土炮。玉书疯跑进屋，喘息着说：“大叔，不好了，传文哥她……叫马贼……绑走了！”文他娘说：“闺女，慢点说，到底怎么回事？”玉书说：“传文哥在镇上卖完了粮往回走，我正好遇见，刚说了两句话，一伙蒙面人冲过来，把他绑到马车上跑了……”那文惊天动地哭着道：“我的天啊，这可怎么办啊！”擦拭着老土炮的朱开山坐着一动不动。文他娘拍着大腿说：“你怎么一动不动啊？赶紧拿个主意吧！”朱开山说：“不急，是疖子总要有冒头的时候，这回是冒了头了，大戏到了煞尾的时候了。”那文给朱开山跪下了说：“爹，救救传文吧，现在全家就你一个爷们儿在家了！”朱开山说：“孩子，快起来，不要怕，我保证让传文平平安安回来！”忽听“啪”的一声，一只飞镖钉在门上，带着一封信。女人们慌作一团。朱开山取下信，铁青着脸看着，仰天长叹道：“该来的都来了！” 三辆马车拉着松茸从奉天城回来了，传杰坐在马车上。马车飞驰至货栈门口，传杰匆匆跳下车，奔进货栈。夏元璋正在吞云吐雾。玉书疯狂地摔着屋里的东西，哭喊着说：“爸！你怎么就是不听劝呢？怎么就是戒不了呢？怎么一点志气也没有？这个家早晚让你败掉的！”巧云瑟缩着站在一旁不敢出声。玉书又冲着巧云来了，说：“你这个糊涂虫，怎么不早说！”巧云抹着眼泪分辩说：“我敢说吗？先生不让。” 夏元璋说：“闺女，没事儿，爹就是玩玩，爹有数，就凭爹的定力，说戒就戒，等传杰回来爹就戒了，你放心。”话音刚落，传杰哭喊着冲进屋里说：“掌柜的，不好了！”夏元璋忽地站起身来说：“传杰，你回来了？买卖怎么样了？赚了多少？”传杰哭着说：“掌柜的，完了，全完了，奉天大菜馆早就进了邵先生的货，咱的货谁也不收，咱们叫邵先生骗了！”夏元璋如五雷轰顶，惊呼一声道：“我的天，这下全完了！”一屁股瘫坐在地上，昏死过去。大伙急忙扶起夏元璋。玉书哭喊着说：“爸，你醒醒！” 夏元璋元气大伤，连春和盛的大宅院都抵给了姓邵的，还落下一屁股债。又加上烟瘾折磨，短短几天，人已变得形销骨立，面如菜色。而当年他的手下败将对门的吴老板腚前腚后地跟着邵先生狐假虎威，更让夏元璋悲叹不已。传杰经了这场变故，觉得生意场上真是波谲云诡，不禁想起当年夏元璋对他说的“诚信”二字，恍如梦中。 夏元璋这日犯了瘾，在铺上翻滚着，哀号道：“好孩子，救救爹吧，我实在受不了啦，万箭钻心哪！”巧云在一旁哭泣。传杰对玉书使了个眼色，二人把夏元璋捆绑起来摁进柜子里。夏元璋又哭又闹又哀求说：“你们不能这样啊！巧云，他们这是忤逆，你赶快给我报官啊！”巧云哭着说：“先生，你就委屈一下吧，他们是帮你戒烟啊！” 吴老板背着手进来了说：“嗬！你们爷们儿唱的这是哪一出啊？夏掌柜的，是《打棍出箱》吧？”夏元璋咆哮着说：“你这条狗，给我滚！”吴老板说：“哎，你可别狗咬吕洞宾不识好赖人，我是来给你闺女做媒的。邵先生可是看好你的闺女了，有意纳小。说了，要是你愿意，他可以供你烟膏子。多好啊，到时候你就是他的老丈人了，这大宅子一半又归你了。”夏元璋气得浑身直哆嗦，指着吴老板说：“你，你这个畜牲，你怎么不把你闺女给他做小！”又指着传杰说，“你还愣什么？给我打出去！”