At the end of the Qing Dynasty, there was a family at the foot of Tongbao Mountain in the northern suburbs of the ancient city of Duliang. However, the fly in the ointment is that the couple gave birth to three daughters one after another. The ancients said that "there are three unfilial acts, and the greatest is to have no offspring", which made Tan Laogua quite depressed. In the first year of the Republic of China, in the third month of the lunar calendar, Su gave birth to a son. At that time, there was no one at home. The three daughters went to Tongbao Mountain to pull bamboo shoots. When they returned home, their mother died of excessive blood loss. Fortunately, his brother was still crying and struggling in a pool of blood.Then the old woman in the village came to cut the umbilical cord and clean the baby... Tan Laogua came back from a foreign country, happy and sad. Under the balance, after all, the joy was more than the sadness. He buried the Su family and handed over his son to his three daughters Bring up.The eldest daughter said: "Father, my brother doesn't have a name yet, what should I call him?" Lao Gua Tan thought for a while and said, "This child has a hard life, and his mother died when he was born. I hope he grows up and gets better." , let’s call him Tan Xiaoku.”

In the fourth year of the Republic of China, He Banxian, a Yunyou fortune teller, passed by Tongbao Mountain. His fortune-telling was extremely accurate, and the charge was not expensive. He only needed two liters of rice.The three sisters immediately measured out the rice and asked the husband to calculate it. He Banxian was blind and he said a lot. The three sisters couldn't remember them. They only remembered a few sentences, saying that Tan Xiao's life is harder than steel. Land, to restrain father, mother, brothers and sisters, is to lead the orphan's life." "Being orphaned" is the jargon of the fortune teller, which means that the fate is big, and all relatives will be "killed" by him to death.

Tan Laogua came back from other places and listened to his daughter's message and ignored it. His reasoning was simple. He never asked fortunes and divinations in his life, and he came back to life in peace. There is a saying in Liangmin: the poor tell their fortunes, and the rich burn incense.Even if Mr. Bazi's words come true, it is a good thing that his son's fate is good. As long as he can grow up and continue the incense of the Tan family, the rest is not important. It is also a coincidence, some kind of fate really came true in the dark. When Tan Xiaoku was five years old, smallpox was prevalent in the city of Liangcheng. Unfortunately, this incurable disease also spread to Tongbao Mountain. First, Tan Xiaoku The third sister had chickenpox all over her body. Medicine was not developed in those days, and the common people believed in Bodhisattvas.Tan Laogua quit his job and followed the women in the village to various temples to make wishes and worship Bodhisattvas, but Bodhisattvas don't know medicine, so naturally they can't help the disease, and soon Tan Xiaoku's second sister also contracted it...Tan Laogua was afraid that his son would be infected On the next day, fearing that his heart would be dishonest, he fasted all the way to Nanyue to pray to God and Buddha.When he returned home a month later, his three daughters had already gone to the Guizaizai grave in the south of the village, but Tan Xiaoku miraculously survived.For Tan Laogua, this is a blessing among misfortunes, and it is believed to be the blessing he got from burning incense in Nanyue Mountain.

The son is five years old. Although he is thin and weak, he is extremely clever and sensible.At that time, Gu Ziye, a failed scholar, set up a school in Tongbao Village to teach, and he received two stones per student for each semester.Tan Laogua had to go out to make a living and had no time to discipline his son. After negotiation, he entrusted Tan Xiaoku to Gu Ziye, who would pay five shi for school and another two shi for food. Tan Xiaoku is talented and gentle, and Mr. Gu likes him a lot. He can recite "Zi Yue" and "Shi Yun" fluently, and he is meticulous in practicing calligraphy and drawing red. His academic performance is no less than that of the older children in the village. , "University", "The Doctrine of the Mean", and I have memorized them backwards in a few years. Gu Ziye often said: "There is no imperial examination now, otherwise, with Tan Xiaoku's studies, he will definitely be able to go to high school." In the fourteenth year of the Republic of China, Gu Ziye no longer teach.As the saying goes, "the poor raise their children", Tan Laogua saw that his son was small and weak, and he was afraid of being bullied, so he didn't dare to send him to a new school in Duliang City, and only let him stay at home with a class of younger children , taller than him to play with village children.Others said he was pitiful, but he didn't realize it, and was happy and carefree all day long.

In the midsummer of the 17th year of the Republic of China, Tan Laogua helped Jiang Xing, the richest man in Duliang, and his Hutchison grocery store go to Guangxi to pick salt, and suddenly fell ill on the way back through Jingzhou.The foreman thought he was in the way and let him live alone in the "Wangxiang Inn" to recuperate from his illness.Tan Laogua knew that he was seriously ill and had a premonition that the days to come were numbered. He missed his son very much, so he begged the foreman to send a letter to Tan Xiaoku. After the salt gang left, Tan Laogua lay on the bed and calculated the 300-mile round trip from Jingzhou to Duliang. Although his son was seventeen years old, he was thin and short, and it was his first time traveling far. It would take six days before he could see him he.So he prayed in his heart to the Bodhisattva to bless him and give him six days to live.However, Bodhisattvas also have unreasonable moments. Tan Laogua died the day after the Salt Gang left.Yinbaiyuan, the shopkeeper of the Wangxiang Inn, was also from Duliang. He was worried that the presence of corpses in the store would affect his business, and he was afraid that the corpses would stink. .

On the seventh day, Tan Xiaoku came to the "Wangxiang Inn". Yin Baiyuan, who was full of anger, saw the young Tan Xiaoku's weak appearance, and his anger was replaced by pity.He touched Tan Xiaoku's head and asked, "What's your name, how old are you? How did you get here along the way?" Tan Xiaoku replied: "My name is Tan Xiaoku, I'm almost seventeen, I brought some dry food and asked along the way." Yin Baiyuan couldn't believe it: "Are you seventeen? Are there any relatives at home?" Tan Xiaoku replied: "I have no relatives except my father."

Yin Baiyuan said: "Your father passed away a few days ago, how will you live in the future?" "I made all the rice at home and brought it as dry biscuits, and I didn't know how to live after eating it." Tan Xiaoku hugged a cloth bag tightly, and there were still a lot of pancakes in the bag. "How did you live before?" "I've told my husband before that in the past two years, I have cooked by myself and collected firewood to sell some change." Yin Baiyuan's eyes were wet, he held back his tears, and said to the guy standing by: "Take him to recognize the grave."

Tan Xiaoku ignorantly followed the buddy along a slag path to a barren slope, and the barren slope was densely packed with graves of all sizes.The two of them made turns and twists and turns, disturbing snakes or hares wherever they went. Finally, the man stopped in front of a pile of fresh soil and said, "This is your father's grave, remember?" Tan Xiaoku scratched the back of his head and said, "There are so many graves, I'm afraid it's hard to remember." "Just make a mark, maybe one day you will come to look for it." The guy reminded. Tan Xiaoku thought about it, so he found three stones and placed them on the grave.The clerk didn't let Tan Xiaoku stay for long because he was thinking about his own affairs, so he took him back to the inn. After all, Tan Xiaoku was still young, he didn't know sadness, and he didn't think too much about the miserable life waiting for him after his father died.The silver shopkeeper left him to stay in the inn for two days. On the third day early in the morning, he handed an embroidered purse to Tan Xiaoku and said, "This is your father's belongings. It was only enough to pay back my kitchen bill, but seeing You look like this, I don’t want to do anything. Regarding your future, I’ve been thinking about it for you for the past two days. Hutchison Grocery Store is your father’s old employer, and this store is owned by Jiang Xinghe, who is the richest man in Duliang Yes. His family has a big business, you can ask him to find a job. Out of morality, he should take you in."

Tan Xiaoku bid farewell to the silver and white yuan, carried an embroidered purse with copper plates in his pocket, and returned to Duliang along the way he came, and had to eat and sleep in the open along the way. On the evening of the fourth day, we arrived at Maple Ridge, only half a day away from Duliang, so Tan Xiaoku breathed a sigh of relief.He remembered that when he came here, there was a towering old tree at the corner of Maple Ridge. The old tree was intertwined, and a clear spring emerged from it. The spring water was clear, sweet and unforgettable.He thought about drinking the spring water before going on his way, trying to reach the shop on stilts at the foot of the mountain before dark.It is said that Maple Ridge is the scariest place in Duliang. A group of robbers gather here. They not only rob houses, but also peel people’s skin and eat people’s hearts. If any child is disobedient, the adults will say "the Maple Ridge has come down." , the child will immediately become honest.The most famous person on Fengmu Ridge is a bandit leader named Xiong Jie, who is brutal and possesses brute force, and the government couldn't do anything to him from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.As the saying goes, "If you walk too much at night, you will always meet ghosts." Just before Tan Xiaoku went to Jingzhou, Xiong Jie went down the mountain on a dark and windy day to have a tryst with his friend, and was caught and raped by the friend's clan, and then Sent to jail.Tan Xiaoku heard the news on the way here, so the journey went smoothly.

When Tan Xiaoku came under the ancient tree, a group of people had already gathered there, including merchants and passers-by, but most of them were porters.There is a ready-made bamboo spoon at the spring, and Tan Xiaoku was enjoying his drink, when suddenly there was a commotion in the crowd, he stood up and took a closer look, only to see a dozen big men with smeared faces rushing down the mountain, all holding shining big sabers, One of them shouted loudly: "I opened this road, and I planted this tree. If you want to live from now on, you can save money to buy roads!" Tan Xiaoku felt that what the black-faced man said was unreasonable. The bluestone slabs on this road had already been polished by the feet. He heard from his father that this was the official road since the Ming Dynasty. Could it be that this group of people came back from the Ming Dynasty? no?Besides, this big sweet-scented osmanthus tree is at least several hundred years old, and they planted the tree, so it cannot be justified.When Tan Xiaoku was thinking this way, he found that all passers-by obediently raised their hands and accepted the body search... Tan Xiaoku became nervous, fearing that the copper coins in his purse would also be searched, so he instinctively clutched his pocket... This action of his just caught the attention of the bandits, and a big black-faced man flashed his saber in front of his eyes, and shouted: "Ghost boy, what can I save you!"

Tan Xiaoku was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he handed over the purse without thinking about it at all. He didn't cry out until the group of strong men disappeared into the bushes with a bluff cry... Looking back many years later He felt strange when recalling this scene. He thought that the place where he should cry most during that time should be his father's grave, but he didn't cry, and he didn't even feel sad. Cried…… Because Tan Xiaoku was crying, he quickly attracted the attention of fellow travelers. Everyone thought he was a child with an adult by his side. After listening to his cry, they all expressed concern and sympathy for Tan Xiaoku.Asked about his plans for the future, Tan Xiaoku told the truth, saying that he was going to work with Jiang Xing and his family.A businessman who lived near Jiang’s house said to him: “In your current situation, this is the best way out. Boss Jiang will take you in for the sake of your father. But this matter cannot be let His housekeeper Li Shiyan knows." Tan Xiaoku wiped away tears, and asked puzzledly, "Why?" The merchant said: "Li Shiyan is mean and cruel. If you meet him, you will definitely not stay in Jiang's residence." Tan Xiaoku asked worriedly: "If I meet him, what should I do?" The merchant said: "You'd better not meet him. If you do, you must talk to Boss Jiang alone. Don't let him know your intentions. After the matter is over, it will be too late for him to make trouble." Tan Xiaoku nodded and said: "I see, but he wants to ask, I'm afraid I can't speak." "If he wants to ask you, don't say anything. If you are in a hurry, just say that you are a relative of Boss Jiang." Another passerby advised Tan Xiaoku. Tan Xiaoku thanked him endlessly. In addition to the frequent bandits in Maple Ridge, the most terrifying thing is all kinds of ferocious beasts. It is the time when they come out of their caves to look for food after dark. There are frequent incidents of pedestrians being injured by tigers and leopards.So no one dares to walk at night in Maple Ridge.If it weren't for the bandits, Fengmu Ridge would be a beautiful scenery, "Feng Ling Luozhao" is one of the ten scenic spots in Duliang, and there are poems to prove it—— Surprisingly, all the peaks are quiet, and the maple forest reflects the sun. It's late when the crows compete for the tree, and the guest roads are like clouds. The fallen leaves are red and the gullies are born, and the ladders are climbed by Luo Cui. Thousands of miles away from the cliff, it's hard to reach a pretty trail. Tan Xiaoku and all the passers-by hurried and hurried, and finally walked out of Maple Ridge before dark.Everyone drove in the dark for a while, and came to the stilted building shop at the foot of the mountain.After walking for a whole day, I was tired and hungry. In the past, I had to stay in a shop and eat, but today I was robbed by robbers, so I had no money to stay in a shop, so I had to spend the night outside.They came to rest on the flat ground in front of the shop.At this moment, the group of passers-by felt at ease.After eating dry food, I fell asleep peacefully.Although the mosquitoes were fierce, and the dogs in the distant villages and yards barked violently, everyone slept soundly—they were all tired after the long journey! Early the next morning, Tan Xiaoku got up and followed the team on his way. When the sun was rising, he finally arrived in Duliang City. Jiang Xinghe is the richest man in Duliang, and his money is beyond people's imagination. It is said that he has enough money to buy the entire Duliang.It not only operates the largest grocery store in the city, but also silk shops, grain and oil shops, gold shops and consignment shops.Tan Xiaoku came down to the main grocery store located on the fourth row building under the guidance of kind-hearted people. The clerk there told him that Boss Jiang was still here just now, and now he has gone back to the Jiang family compound. The Jiang family compound is near Zhennan Pavilion. Tan Xiaoku asked all the way, and finally saw the luxurious courtyard that he had seen for the first time in his life. From a distance, a pair of huge stone lions at the door looked majestic. When he approached, he could only see the courtyard Deep, the rockery garden in the courtyard, the cornices and corners outside the courtyard, painted pillars and carved beams, looking deep into the well-dressed male workers and maids are busy going back and forth... Tan Xiaoku looked at the stone lion and felt a little timid when he saw its majestic appearance. It took a long time before he had the courage to shout: "Boss Jiang, Boss Jiang..." Before Tan Xiaoku could finish his shout, what responded to him was the frightening barking of dogs. Then, four or five vicious dogs rushed to the gate and grinned at him... It was the first time in Tan Xiaoku's life that he saw so many dogs. A group of giant dogs were so frightened that their hairs stood on end, and they were about to turn around and run away, when a man about forty years old and wearing a long gown came out, and when he barked, the dogs immediately fell silent and wagged their tails... The man looked at Tan Xiaoku and asked, "Whose family are you from? Why do you come here to call Boss Jiang?" Tan Xiaoku was worried that this man was Li Shiyan, and said, "I'm a relative of Boss Jiang, and I need him for something important." The man looked at Tan Xiaoku suspiciously: "What is your last name, where are you from, and what is your relationship with Boss Jiang?" When the man asked, Tan Xiaoku panicked for a moment, forgot what he had thought up, and said after a long time: "Uncle, I can only tell Boss Jiang, and he will know when I meet him." Seeing that Tan Xiaoku was very angry, the man thought that if he was really a relative of the boss, he would not offend him, so he stopped asking more questions and led Tan Xiaoku into the courtyard to meet Jiang Xinghe.When he arrived in the garden, the man pointed to a gazebo not far away and said, "You wait here, and I will tell the master to come back to pick you up." Tan Xiaoku obediently went to sit in the gazebo.After a while, there was a burst of laughter like silver bells, and Tan Xiaoku followed the sound - he was stunned all of a sudden, and saw a maid leading a lady who was as beautiful as a fairy coming here.Tan Xiaoku wiped his eyes, he couldn't believe that this was in reality, there would not be such a beautiful woman in reality... This woman not only has a beautiful voice, but also her demeanor and temperament are rare in the world!Just as she was fascinated by the sight, the servant girl rushed over fiercely, crossed her hips and shouted, "What are you looking at? You deserve to look at my young lady just like you?!" Tan Xiaoku lowered her head in shame, and said in a low voice, "I didn't see anything, I'm waiting for someone here." The servant girl said: "You have clearly harbored ill intentions towards my young lady, and you are still denying it now! I'll call the person on duty and beat you to pieces!" Tan Xiaoku complained secretly, if the servant girl really called her on duty, she would not be beaten, and her wish to work in Jiang's house would be ruined in the future.Not knowing what to do, the young lady stopped the servant girl and said, "Gui Xiang, don't scare her!" Gui Xiang glared at Tan Xiaoku and said, "It's not that Miss is magnanimous, you will definitely not end well today!" The young lady approached and looked at Tan Xiaoku seriously: "This brother is so cool! You just came here, right?" Seeing that Tan Xiaoku didn't dare to speak, she just peeked at Guixiang, and said, "Don't be afraid, She has such a temper, and her heart is quite good. Guixiang, I will come if you take the first step." "Miss, you have to be careful of him, no man in this courtyard, big or small, treats you as a marvel like him." Gui Xiang talked to the lady, but looked at Tan Xiaoku. "Let's go, stop chewing your tongue!" The lady turned to Tan Xiaoku, "What do I ask you?" Only then did Tan Xiaoku have the courage to answer her words: "Miss has good eyesight, it is indeed my first time to come to your house." "Can you tell me your first and last name? How old are you? Where do you live?" "My name is Tan Xiaoku. I'm seventeen years old this year. I live at the foot of Tongbao Mountain in the northern suburbs." "I'm seventeen too, but you look like a little brother—you don't look old." Tan Xiaoku lowered his head and said, "I was always sick when I was a child, and I didn't grow up, which made the lady laugh——I know your surname is Jiang, but I dare not ask your name." The lady smiled sweetly: "My name is Jiang Yuying, I study in the new school, and I'm on summer vacation now. If you don't mind, can I ask you?" Tan Xiaoku said, "What do you want to ask, Miss?" Jiang Yuying smiled and asked, "Can you tell me why you looked at me like that just now?" Tan Xiaoku was stunned with a "buzz" in his head, and thought to himself: She is going to ask her teacher to ask her a crime, what should I do?He blushed and went all out: "Miss, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help looking at you just now—you are so beautiful, I thought you were a fairy that fell from the sky...I'm sorry, I really have no other meaning." Tan Xiaoku After finishing speaking, he pitifully fiddled with the corners of his clothes, waiting for Jiang Yuying's hair... After waiting for a long time, seeing no movement, he raised his head, but saw Jiang Yuying blushing... "Miss, you don't blame me?" "Xiaoku, you're too proud of the prize. I know I'm not pretty at all... In fact, there are many beautiful girls in your country, but their clothes are old and they have been exposed to the sun for many years..." Seeing that Jiang Yuying didn't blame him, Tan Xiaoku became more courageous: "Even if they wear new clothes and don't bask in the sun, they can be recognized as countrymen at a glance. I don't think you look like ordinary people." Jiang Yuying said: "I also think that you are not mortal no matter how you look at it, that's why you coaxed people down by opening your mouth for the first time - no wonder I heard that there are no birds in Tongbao Mountain." Then, he covered his mouth with a fan and smiled. When Tan Xiaoku looked at the fan, there was a small order written on it, saying—— kick off the swing, Get up lazy and slender hands. Lu thick flowers thin, Thin sweat light clothes through. I see someone coming, Socks and nobile slips, Go away with shame. Leaning on the door and looking back, But sniff the green plum. Tan Xiaoku then asked, "You wrote this?" Jiang Yuying said: "How can I have such talent? It was written by Li Qingzhao. Do you know who Li Qingzhao is?" Tan Xiaoku said: "I know this poem is written by Li Qingzhao, so I asked if it was written by you." Jiang Yuying looked at Tan Xiaoku in surprise: "Do you know this is Li Qingzhao's?" Tan Xiaoku said: "I know a thing or two. Li Qingzhao was from the Song Dynasty, named Yi'an Jushi, and from Jinan. His father, Li Gefei, was well versed in classics and history, capable of poetry and prose, and was very appreciated by Su Wu. His mother was also a poet and good at writing. Li Qingzhao was talented. Smart, diligent and studious. Good at Ci, also good at poetry, proficient in rhythm, good at calligraphy and painting, she is a rare talented woman in history. Her husband Zhao Mingcheng is the son of Prime Minister Zhao Ting. They lived a prosperous life after marriage and collected a large number of They are engaged in academic research together, and are the authors of "Jinshilu". In the second year of Jingkang, the Jin soldiers invaded and ruined her happy life. Not long after she went to the South, her husband died of illness. In the displacement, the collection of Jinshi calligraphy and painting was lost. .Lived a lonely and miserable life in her later years. Finally, she left the world with hatred. Her creative style is divided into two periods, taking the second year of Jingkang as the boundary. The early works mainly show the joyful life of girls and young women and the happy life after parting with their husbands. The slight sorrow that arises is mostly a work of chanting things in the boudoir. After traveling to the south, because he was with the common people, he was tossed in the war, experienced social upheavals, the country was destroyed and the family was destroyed. Many pains came to my heart, and I wrote some reflections. The pain of life and the nostalgia for the homeland. This is quite similar to Li Yu in the Southern Tang Dynasty. The words on your fan are Li Qingzhao’s early works. I read her later works——"Every year in the snow, often inserted Drunk with plum blossoms. There is no good intention in removing the plum blossoms, and she wins clothes full of tears. This year, the corners of the earth and the sky are full of flowers. Seeing the wind coming late, it should be ugly to see the plum blossoms.' This poem was written by her after she traveled to the south. It shows the author's life experience everywhere—the joys of the early years, the sorrows and resentments of the middle age, and the decline of the old age are all faintly visible in the words." Jiang Yuying was stunned, and then asked: "Is your family a scholarly family?" Tan Xiaoku shook his head and smiled wryly, then told the whole story about his life experience and where he came from, and then said shyly: "The poor people make you laugh." Jiang Yuying said happily: "It turns out that you are a talented person. It is best to come to my house to do things. It will be convenient for me to ask you for advice in the future." gone." Jiang Yuying left like a gust of wind, and suddenly, the pleasant fragrance also disappeared from her side.Tan Xiaoku felt lost, feeling like he just woke up from a dream.Thinking that we will grow up together in the future, I feel infinite comfort in my heart. Tan Xiaoku remembered that the man had been away for a long time, and when he was thinking about it, he finally came back.The man didn't speak, and made a gesture for Tan Xiaoku to follow him.Tan Xiaoku originally thought that there was still a long way to go, but he didn't expect to arrive there after walking about ten feet. Just as he was wondering why this man had been away for so long, the middle-aged and fat man sitting in the study asked, "Housekeeper Li, who did you send?" Has the family's child been brought?" This man is indeed Li Shiyan, from Jiang Xinghe's tone, it can be heard that he has never been here just now!So where did he go?Tan Xiaoku secretly sweated for himself. Li Shiyan replied: "He said he was your relative, but I asked many people in the yard, and they didn't know him." Tan Xiaoku was startled, this Li Shiyan really had a plan! Jiang Xinghe looked Tan Xiaoku up and down, and said, "Whose child are you? I can't remember." Tan Xiaoku was a child after all, without any scheming, he knelt down in front of Jiang Xinghe in front of Li Shiyan, and said, "I am Tan Laogua's son, and my father died in Jingzhou." Jiang Xinghe was taken aback, and soon understood everything, and said, "Someone taught you to come to me, right? What do you think?" Tan Xiaoku said: "I have no one to rely on now. I beg Boss Jiang to take me in. As long as I have a bite to eat, I am willing to be a cow or a horse." Jiang Xinghe was silent for a while before asking: "Where are you from today?" Tan Xiaoku replied, "I just came back from Jingzhou." Jiang Xinghe looked at Li Shiyan: "This kid, it's really difficult for him. What's your name?" "Tan Xiaoku." Tan Xiaoku, who was kneeling on the ground, still couldn't get up. "Just hearing the name is a bitter child, you haven't eaten yet?" "No. The dry food I brought was finished early in the morning." "Housekeeper Li, take him to the kitchen for dinner." Jiang Xinghe ordered, "Get up, son." Li Shiyan led Tan Xiaoku out and returned to the study not long after. Jiang Xinghe frowned and asked: "busy?" Li Shiyan stood with his hands down: "I want to know how the boss plans to deal with this Tan Xiaoku." "How else can we deal with it? The gods are so pitiful, we can only take him in. Fortunately, this child is sensible and can endure hardships like his father. Anyway, we need to employ people." Jiang Xinghe said with a sigh. "The boss is very reasonable. I know that you have always been merciful and compassionate to the poor and the weak. However, I don't think this Tan Xiaoku can take him in." "Tell me the reason." Jiang Xinghe looked at Li Shiyan. "There are several reasons. First, we have a normal employment relationship with Tan Laogua. He died of a sudden illness on the way, but it has nothing to do with us. If the boss takes his child in, others will definitely think that Tan Laogua is a He died because of doing things for us——Your taking in his child is a manifestation of guilt. This is fundamentally different from doing good deeds. You take him in not to do good deeds, but to act morally; Alarmed the whole Duliang, Tan Laogua's death is not a good thing, then all kinds of rumors will arise, and the boss's reputation will be ruined; third, I admit that Tan Laogua is a simple and honest person, but Tan Xiaoku Not really. In order to meet you, he will pretend to be your relative. He will lie at a young age, and he will be a treacherous man when he grows up. At that time, he insists that his father died of exhaustion because of our work, Deliberately playing tricks and cheating, eating too much and being lazy, and the public opinion in the society is against him... Boss, taking him in is leading the wolf into the house, and catching the mouse back into the warehouse!" Jiang Xinghe was originally a soft-hearted person, but after what Li Shiyan said, he really took it for granted, so he changed his original intention and said: "Well, after he finishes eating, send him a sum of money. " Li Shiyan said: "It must not be done. The boss is guilty of doing this. It is better to keep him here. Others will say that a child is unaccompanied, and they send a sum of money to settle the matter. Obviously, they are shirking responsibility." .” Jiang Xinghe thought for a while and said: "I didn't think of this, how to do it, you just figure it out." This is what Li Shiyan wanted. He said goodbye to Jiang Xinghe and came to the courtyard. Seeing that Tan Xiaoku was still standing there, he coughed dryly and said, "Young man, come with me." Tan Xiaoku was already hungry. Since he left "Wangxiang Inn", he hadn't had a good meal. Thinking that such a rich family must have good food, he couldn't help drooling... The inner courtyard of Jiang's mansion was bigger than he imagined. It was also spacious, and entering it was like entering a maze. He estimated that the kitchen should be in the backyard.After walking for a while, he found that Li Shiyan led him to the gate. He was suspicious, but Li Shiyan suddenly showed a fierce look, grabbed him and pushed him out of the door... "You...? What are you doing?" Tan Xiaoku asked in surprise. "I want to ask yourself what I want to do. You didn't learn well at a young age, and you came to blackmail! Your father died of a sudden illness, and many people can testify. If you don't accept it, you can go to the Yamen to beat the drums and complain! I warn you, next time If you dare to come here again, I will let the dogs tear you to shreds!" Li Shiyan pushed Tan Xiaoku back a bit, but before he could get a firm foothold, the door closed with a bang. This was the first time in Tan Xiaoku's life that he experienced the dangers of the human heart. At that time, he really couldn't understand that the adults also turned their backs on each other, and they were so ruthless.He was penniless, and wandered the streets on an empty stomach, hoping that some kind person would give him some food.But in fact no one paid him any attention.Since no one took the initiative to give alms, he also wanted to beg in the past, but in the end he couldn't get rid of the skin... The first time of a person is very important, and it may affect his life. If he hadn't met Jiang Yuying that day, if she hadn't brought In short, if there were no such coincidences, he would have lost face in order to survive, then there would be one more beggar in Duliang City from now on, and he would not be allowed to go to another road by accident. the way. Because he couldn't satisfy his hunger and thirst in the city, Tan Xiaoku walked out of Zhennan Pavilion and went to the Nanshui River to fill his stomach with river water. When he turned his head and saw the high city wall, he couldn't help but think of the old sayings passed down by the old people in the village. Folk proverb... "Baoqing Lion Yongzhou Pagoda, Duliang City Wall crowns the world." Duliang City is two feet high, built entirely of square huge stones, enclosing the entire state city like a golden soup.In history, there have been many famous generals who tried to take down Duliang City, but because of this tall city wall, almost all of them failed disastrously. Tan Xiaoku has also heard many stories about the city wall, and he yearns for it very much. After arriving in Duliang, the long-awaited mystery instantly turned into cruel hunger. The sun is very poisonous, and there is no cloud in the sky. Tan Xiaoku hid under the city wall and walked northward out of instinct...there was the direction to Tongbao Mountain. He wanted to go home. As for how to survive after returning home, he did not dare Think more.In this way he kept walking until he was blocked by an object. The object blocking Tan Xiaoku was a small thatched shed built under the city wall. The thatched shed was cleaned up very cleanly, as if someone lived there.Due to being tired and hot, he got into the thatched shed and fell asleep without thinking much... After an unknown amount of time, he was awakened by a strange fragrance.He opened his eyes, and found a man in his forties was sitting next to him eating roasted sweet potatoes... In an instant, his mouth was drooling, and his eyes were staring at the sweet potato in the man's hand without blinking... "Are you hungry, eat one first." The man generously handed Tan Xiaoku a roasted sweet potato weighing a pound. The sweet potato was very hot, the kind just baked, but Tan Xiaoku couldn't care less about it, he gobbled it up for a while, and swallowed all the skin and meat into his stomach, and slowly, he regained his senses.He bowed to the man and said, "Uncle, thank you." The man asked, "Where are you from, and how did you come to me?" Tan Xiaoku then recounted his life experience, how he went to Jingzhou to meet his father, and how Li Shiyan kicked him out of Jiang's mansion.After hearing this, the man grinned and said, "Your life is hard, boy, so many people in the family have died, and you are the only one who is still alive—you really can't die, Cheng Yaojin!" Tan Xiaoku nodded and said: "You can tell jokes, but I can't laugh. I should cry too. I don't know why, but I can't cry either—but I cry when I see my relatives in my dreams. I cry for them. Don't want me cruelly." The man said: "Don't talk about this, talk about yourself, what do you plan to do in the future?" Tan Xiaoku said, "I want to go home." "You have no relatives in your family, not even uncles, who will feed you? Who will give you clothes?" The man stared at Tan Xiaoku closely. "I don't know." Tan Xiaoku lowered his head, "Actually, I am seventeen years old. If I am not weak and small, I should be able to support myself. I really hate why I don't grow taller..." As he said, he Weeping. "I don't think there is a good way for you. The ancients said that 'there is no unparalleled road'. Today you met me here. Maybe this is fate. I might as well follow God's will and accept you as a disciple. Nothing, but eating should be fine." Tan Xiaoku was overjoyed, he didn't ask what kind of business this guy was doing, so he worshiped him as his teacher.After understanding, this man's name is Zhu Zixiang, he lives in the city, and this hut is the place where he solicits business.Only then did Tan Xiaoku notice.There are several thatched sheds under the city wall.What kind of occupation is Zhu Zixiang doing?Although Tan Xiaoku was very concerned, he didn't dare to ask more questions. Zhu Zixiang set up an awning to look at the sky and saw that the sun was approaching the west mountain, so he said: "It's getting late, you can eat some dry food and one sweet potato a day, it's definitely not enough, I'll take you to eat." Zhu Zixiang led Tan Xiaoku to the nearest Duliang Restaurant, where he cooked three side dishes and ordered a pot of rice.Tan Xiaoku ate seven bowls of rice in one go before feeling half full.Zhu Zixiang refused to let him eat any more, saying: "Food is enough for stupid retribution, drunken hero, you have eaten enough, and if you eat any more, you will become a fool." Tan Xiaoku just had a feeling that if he had to make a choice, he would rather become a fool.But he is the master, how can he not listen? Zhu Zixiang paid for the meal and led Tan Xiaoku home.Zhu Zixiang's home is at No. 13 Dalang Lane, about two miles away from his hut.As soon as he entered the room, Zhu Zixiang lay on the bed and said he was sore here and there, and asked Tan Xiaoku to beat his back and rub his waist.After tossing for a long time, I sat up contentedly.Tan Xiaoku thought he could take a break, but Zhu Zixiang urged him again: "Go back to the hut quickly, no one will lose their business there! Jealousy is born in the same industry, don't you see that there are many people in our industry? ? Come back and tell me when you get business." Tan Xiaoku returned to the hut non-stop. It was already dark at this time. He just lay down on the straw mat in the shed when someone came in with a lantern and shouted: "Is Master Zhu there?" Tan Xiaoku quickly responded: "My master just went back, where are you? I'll call him right away." "No. 19 Liushan Road, come here quickly, don't miss our business." After the visitor finished speaking, he left with a lantern. Tan Xiaokufei also ran back to Dalang Lane and called Zhu Zixiang who was sleeping on the mat.Before arriving at Liushan Road, Tan Xiaoku didn't know what kind of career he would be engaged in in this life.He followed his master to Liushan Road, and saw a bonsai burning at the entrance of the street from a distance. In the light of the fire, several people dressed in sackcloth and filial piety were kneeling and crying in front of the bonsai fire. about the dead. No. 19 Liushan Road is considered a wealthy family in Duliang, which can be seen from the tall house.The house was very lively, all relatives and friends had arrived, and the trumpet players filled the whole room, playing Duliang's mourning music.When Zhu Zixiang appeared here, he quickly became the focus, and all the voices stopped in an instant. An old gentleman who looked like the person in charge came up to greet Zhu Zixiang and bowed his hands: "Master Zhu is here? Well done, well done, we They are all waiting for you." Then the filial man and the filial daughter came up to kneel and salute. After Zhu Zixiang helped them up one by one, he sent an auspicious word: "Get up fast, send fast." After the meeting ceremony, the person in charge said: "Master Zhu, thank you for your hard work, please come inside." Tan Xiaoku is timid by nature and is most afraid of the dead.When the three sisters died, he didn't dare to take a look.He didn't know if the master would take him to see the dead tonight.The person in charge led the way, Tan Xiaoku had a premonition that he was going to the house of the dead, his feet began to tremble, he was about to run away, but Zhu Zixiang seemed to understand his thoughts, he grabbed him and made him move no. 三个人来到一间卧室，但见床上躺着一位刚刚去世的老人，这时主事人也瞟了一眼谭小苦，问道：“朱师傅又带徒弟了？” 朱子湘说：“刚收的。天底下最不好摆弄的是死人，有个帮手好一些。” “你们忙吧，寿衣一会儿有人送来。”主事人说完就走了。 主事人走后，谭小苦哆嗦着问道：“师……师父我们来这里干什么？” 朱子湘啐了一口痰说：“我们来摆弄死人。” 谭小苦全身一麻，期期艾艾地说：“怎，怎么摆弄……” “把这死人从床上弄下来，洗干净，换上寿衣，再搬进棺材里——就这么弄，懂吗？” “师父，我……我怕。”谭小苦说着就哭了起来。 朱子湘此刻变得和蔼起来，拍着谭小苦的肩说：“没关系，第一次都这样，习惯了就会没事。” 谭小苦又说：“我力气小，搬不动。” 朱子湘说：“出力气的事有我，你帮忙脱死人的衣，累不着你。”