Chapter 9 Chapter Nine: Blaming Others

The words were divided into two parts, and Xiao Ziyu predicted that the Zhige Pavilion would explode the next morning. If he just sat by and watched, it might cause riots.Furthermore, he didn't want Jiang Yilang's story to be known to more people in Duliang, which would be detrimental to his in-laws.In fact, Jiang Xinghe's housekeeper approached him after the first morning meeting, hoping that he would take measures against Jiang Yilang and stop him from talking nonsense in Zhige Pavilion.Xiao Ziyu agreed verbally, but he was unwilling to take measures against Jiang Yilang in his heart. The reason was very simple. Like all the listeners, he had a strong interest in the next story.

Before dawn the next day, Xiao Ziyu came to the police station and asked all his subordinates to pretend to be listeners to come to the Zhige Pavilion early, fill up all the seats in the hall, and then close the door to prevent anyone from entering. At the very moment, Jiang Yilang stepped onto the podium, he was not aware of the unusual situation in the hall, so he was excitedly preparing to give a speech.At this time, Shu Zhenqian came to Xiao Ziyu's side with a nervous expression and reported: "There are many people around outside, and today all the people in Liangcheng have come here."

Xiao Ziyu nodded to show that he already knew, and asked Shu Zhenqian to be responsible for the security outside, not to let any strangers in. Jiang Yilang glanced at the audience and began to talk: "Everyone, listeners, today's story is about to start! The word cloud: Yu Drumming, the Forbidden City opened, the sky explorer returns, the phoenix holds the golden list out of the clouds, and there is a thunder on the ground. The oriole has moved , The dragon has turned, and the city is full of horses and horses overnight. There are clusters of gods on the upper floor of every house, vying to see the cranes soaring into the sky. This poem was written by Wei Zhuang of the Five Dynasties, and it describes his joy when he was fifty-nine years old in high school. He was originally A commoner, once he was in high school, he became a dragon and a phoenix, rich and powerful. It is most appropriate to use this word to describe Jiang Da’s sudden wealth. No gossip, let’s get down to business. The story of the tomb robbery I am going to tell today is very familiar. The owner of the tomb is The thirteenth generation successor of Zhu Wei, named Zhu Qifeng. This Zhu Qifeng is very famous, and he is a household name in Duliang. There are still many place names in Duliang City related to him. His name can still scare disobedient children. It's just that you may not be very clear about his origins, and if you tell them, you will definitely move the world. If you don't get tired of me, you can tell me, and if you don't want to listen, you can just pass it off."

Everyone said in unison: "I am willing to listen." Jiang Yilang said: "Zhu Qifeng's original name was Guoying, and his style name was Weihuan. His parents died early, and he had only one younger brother, Zhu Guojun. The two brothers depended on each other. They lived in a thatched hut in Tongbaoshan, the northern suburb of Duliang, rented a few acres of thin land, and planted corn, sorghum, and sweet potatoes. Barely earning a living, going to the mountains to cut firewood in my free time, selling it in the city to supplement the family, life is extremely difficult—” Hearing this, Shu Zhenqian couldn't help questioning: "How can a village woodcutter become king? You won't be making up stories to fool us, are you?"

Seeing someone interrupt, Qian Jincai hurriedly said: "The listener, don't be impatient, the story itself is made up, but whether it's made up is plausible or not, and whether it's convincing or not, that's the ability of the speaker." Jiang Yilang smiled, stopped for a moment and saw that no one was talking, and then continued: "One day a blind fortune-teller came to Tongbaoshan, known as Zhong Banxian, and Zhu Guoying's neighbors asked him to make a fortune teller, and the fortune teller was one of them. Everyone said that the calculation was too accurate. If I knew my fate, why should I live in the world in vain? Zhu Guoying was moved, and she also stepped forward to do the calculation, and said to the banxian: "Mr. Money; if you don’t count on time, you’re just talking nonsense. Not only do I have no money, but I’m going to smash your signboard!’ Banxian promised, and Zhu Guoying reported the last year’s horoscope. I don’t want Zhong Banxian to put his Niangeng horoscope on the four pillars, and pinch his fingers to count , Plopped, knelt down, and said: "Master Qiantui, forgive me, the blind man has eyes and no pearls and does not know the face of the king, what an offense." The audience was shocked, and Zhu Guoying cursed: "What a blind man with eyes but no pearls, talking insanely. I am obviously The poor who have nothing, but they are so ridiculed and ridiculed, regardless of your age, you must be beaten up!" Zhong Banxian couldn't afford to kneel: "Master Qiantui, calm down, although the blind man's eyes are dull, his heart is as clear as a mirror, The horoscope of Lord Qiantui clearly has the dignity of a king, how dare a villain speak falsehoods?" Zhu Guoying is hot-tempered. Seeing that Zhong Banxian is still insisting on his own opinion, he wants to be violent. His younger brother Zhu Guojun even persuaded him to drag him back to the hut. It is said that the speaker has no intention. The listener was interested, and the old man in Tongbao Village suddenly remembered that Zhu Guoying's father, Zhu Qiankun, once owned countless lands and had many wives and concubines, and was later taken back by the emperor for some reason. Some people with good intentions secretly discussed: "The current Xianwang has passed away and died at the age of ninety. , none of his five sons are alive, and none of his descendants, and the throne is passed on to the concubine, so could it be that Zhu Guoying is the grandson of King Xian?'”

Hearing this point, Shu Zhenqian, who was questioning just now, actually applauded, and the rest of the audience also applauded together.Encouraged, Jiang Yilang bowed his hands repeatedly to salute the audience, and then said: "This word reached the ears of Zhu Guoying's brothers. Zhu Guojun said: 'Brother, other families have ancestor gods enshrined in the hall, but my family does not. Is there an unspeakable secret between the Xianwang?" Zhu Guoying scolded his younger brother: "Do your own work with peace of mind, don't listen to people talking nonsense, don't forget that tomorrow's rice and rice money is still on the mountain!" The next day, Zhu Guoying picked firewood into the city I bought a bowl of Duliang Fragrant Wine and a plate of peanuts at the Duliang Restaurant under the Zhige Pavilion, and sat down to taste it slowly. The Duliang Restaurant was established in the Ming Dynasty. The old store that existed had a history of more than 200 years at that time. The surname of the shopkeeper was Qian, and he was called "Old Man Qian". It's time for Zhu Guoying to turn around, and a scholar chatted with Mr. Qian about the affairs in King Min's mansion. The scholar said: "Old Mr. Qian, have you heard that Is it?" The old man Qian asked, "What's the matter?" The poet said, "Although King Xian is ninety years old, none of his five sons survived, and his grandchildren also died. The throne was given to the concubine for nothing. The concubine was born with a dementia, and the minwang mansion is currently dominated by women, making it unseemly." Old man Qian shook his head incessantly: "This is God's will, and it cannot be done by human beings." The scholar said: "I heard that King Xian is not really without direct relatives." , his fourth son Zhu Qiankun may have descendants. Do you know the details?' After drinking, Zhu Guoying wanted to leave, but when he heard this, he was shocked: Isn't Zhu Qiankun the name of his father? Could it be... wait, and Sit down and listen to the following. Old Man Qian said: "Don't mention that sad story. I was still young at that time. I often heard that a lot of old Xian Wang often took concubines, and Zhu Qiankun's mother, Queen Lu, was out of favor and was depressed. Qian Kun is a famous dutiful son, he loves his mother very much, and often advises King Xian not to indulge in sensuality. King Xian was furious, and drove Qian Kun out of the royal city and lived in Tongbao Mountain in the north of the city.' Mo Ke then said:' I also heard that King Xian was old and his sons passed away one after another. He had a capable and virtuous concubine Xiong Shi persuaded him, saying that Qian Kun was upright and capable. to succeed to the throne. Then, for some unknown reason, it didn't happen.'"

There was no sound in the audience, they were all absorbed in listening to the story, Jiang Yilang drank a few sips of tea and said: "Old man Qian said: 'I know the inside story, and later the matter was known by Long Ruzhen, the son-in-law of King Xian. A person with a wicked heart wanted to inherit the throne a long time ago, so he said in front of King Xian that Concubine Xiong had an affair with Qian Kun, so he came forward to speak good words for Prince Qian Kun. King Xian didn't believe it, and executed Long Ruzhen. At the same time, he suspected Qian Kun's coming forward After begging Concubine Xiong, Qian Kun almost wanted to execute Qian Kun. Because of this, Qian Kun was heartbroken, and left Xianwang and lived in seclusion in Tongbao Mountain. Outsiders never mentioned his own background. In the fifteenth year, when Qiankun died, King Xian asked the emperor to remove his conferment and take back all his property and servants. In the last year of Wanli, the ninety-year-old Xianwang died, and the five sons of Xianwang all preceded him. Before leaving, Emperor Wanli presided over the court discussion, thinking that King Xian had no heirs, and planned to use the son of King Jingzhou to succeed King Min. Who would have thought that the son of King Jingzhou was an idiot, and the mansion of King Min was disturbed by a group of women.'Zhu Guoying listened Arriving here, my heart is overwhelmed, and I remember that the time of my father's death was the 45th year of Wanli. At that time, he and his younger brother were still young, and they only remembered that after the funeral of their father, the two brothers were kicked out of the house and went to They lived in a thatched hut, and all the property was surnamed by others. At that time, the brothers thought it was due to the debt owed by their father while he was alive, but it turned out that the emperor took it away. Thinking of Zhong Banxian's divination for him a few days ago, he kept claiming that he was a thousand years old. It seems that he is really a constitutional The grandson of the king is the descendant of Ming Taizu! Let’s not gossip, let’s say that Zhu Guoying heard the talk between the old man Qian and the scholar, and couldn’t wait to come forward and ask: "You two, if Zhu Qiankun really has an heir, can he inherit it?" Throne?" The scholar replied casually: "As long as Zhu Qiankun really has an heir, please ask the emperor, of course he can inherit the throne." Zhu Guoying asked again: "Qiankun really has an heir, and he must be a farmer in the countryside. The emperor is far away in the capital, thousands of miles away, how about it?" Please?" Mo Ke is a well-informed person, and he immediately replied: "What's the difficulty! If there is such a thing, Qian Kun's son only needs to go to the palace to beat the drums and complain, and he will be received by the royal family of the palace, and the rest don't have to worry about it. Worry, just wait to be his King Min." Zhu Guoying was overjoyed after hearing this, and immediately bid farewell to the restaurant, how could he even think of going home! He went to the Mansion of Min Mansion to beat drums and complain about his life experience. Ma Fei reported to the capital. One month later, Emperor Chongzhen received the report and attached great importance to it, so he ordered his minister Hong Ruzhong to go to the capital Liang for investigation. In the fourth year of Chongzhen, he bestowed the national hero Zhu Qifeng, and also gave him a crown, jade belt, and Shangfang sword, and presided over the affairs of King Min. In the seventh year of Chongzhen In May, the emperor sent editor Zheng Zhiyuan to canonize him as Minxian King. The emperor's grace is mighty, and Xianwangshan shouts long live... Listeners, everyone already knows the following story. After Zhu Qifeng ascended the throne, Excessive taxation, cruel nature, disregarding human life, finally killed by the enemy, decapitated, head was washed away by the torrent of Nanshui, the palace used thirty-six catties of gold to make a golden head and placed it on it, it was this golden head that later became a tomb robber What the hunters are chasing, in fact, this golden head is just a small item in Zhu Qifeng's tomb, and the things inside are even more valuable. What kind of treasure is it? Who will get it in the end? I want to know the future and disassemble it tomorrow."

Jiang Yilang walked off the main podium after telling the story.Then came thunderous applause. But the next morning, Tan Xiaoku went to the prison to deliver food to Zhu Zixiang, and when he came to the gate, he saw Hu Jiahu who was on duty, and said hello, "Good morning, Uncle Hu, when can my master change his name?" Hu Jiahu said: "I was just looking for you. I originally planned to change it for him early this morning. I didn't expect that he had an accident last night. He killed two people and is now in death row." Tan Xiaoku felt like a thunderbolt from the clear sky, and could hardly believe his ears: "Uncle Hu, what did you say, what happened to my master?"

Hu Jiahu repeated: "Your master killed someone." "I don't believe it, how could my master kill someone?" Tan Xiaoku exclaimed. Hu Jiahu said: "I don't believe it either, but it is the truth after all. Xiaoku, you should ask Zhu Zixiang himself, the death row is in the last row." Tan Xiaoku came to the last row according to Hu Jiahu's instructions, and it was written "Repeat Offender" on it.The difference between these cells and ordinary prison cells is that the iron bars of the fence are thicker and stronger, and the gaps are denser, except that they are the same.Tan Xiaoku came to the door and saw Zhu Zixiang sitting in the prison wearing heavy shackles.

"Master is eating..." Tan Xiaoku burst into tears as soon as he opened his mouth, and his throat was choked up. Zhu Zixiang stood up with difficulty to take the meal, and then began to eat silently.Tan Xiaoku waited until he finished eating before asking: "Master, are you used to staying here?" Zhu Zixiang handed out the bowl with a wry smile: "Living in a cell alone is much more comfortable than No. 13." "Are there many mosquitoes?" Tan Xiaoku asked with concern. "A lot, but I'm used to it." "Master, Hu Jiahu said that you killed someone. Is this true? Who did you kill in prison?"

Zhu Zixiang sighed: "We received the meal you asked Hu Jiahu to bring last night. I didn't expect that when I woke up from sleep, I would become a murderer—my fellow prisoner Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin died." Tan Xiaoku was surprised: "Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin died? How did they die?" Zhu Zixiang shook his head: "I don't know how he died, but they insisted that I killed it. I have no conscience, I didn't kill anyone." Tan Xiaoku was in a hurry: "You have to explain, maybe Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin committed suicide because they couldn't bear the severe punishment." "It's useless to explain, they didn't listen, and Xiong Jie and Luo Guo'ai insisted that I strangled Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin with a mosquito net. The police station said that there were only a few people in the prison. Xiong Jie, Luo Guo'ai Shorty had no enmity with the deceased, no motive for killing, only me and the deceased added new grudges, and they fought with me before they died." Tan Xiaoku said: "It's such a coincidence, Master, I harmed you, and my fate is hard..." Zhu Zixiang smiled wryly: "Silly boy, this has nothing to do with your fate. It was arranged by God long ago. 'It's a disaster that can't be avoided, and it's not a disaster'. No one can change what is predestined." Tan Xiaoku said: "It's my fate that hurts you. They all say that. Master, can I help you?" Zhu Zixiang said: "You can just deliver my meals. Xiaoku, are there any rumors outside recently? Master is very lonely here, so I just want to hear the news outside." Tan Xiaoku said: "Yes, yesterday morning a man named Jiang Yilang told the story of tomb robbery at the Zhige Pavilion. It was really exciting and attracted many people." So he told the story of Jiang Da and Jiang Er. over again. After hearing this, Zhu Zixiang said: "I think Jiang Da in the story is Jiang Xinghe, the richest man in Duliang." Tan Xiaoku said: "Master's words are very correct, everyone said so." Zhu Zixiang said with great interest: "This story is very exciting, and it will be even more exciting today. Xiaoku will tell Master to listen to it." Tan Xiaoku shook his head and said, "I don't know why, although the morning meeting of the story of Zhigeting was still held today, it just didn't spread to the market." Zhu Zixiang said thoughtfully: "This is a bit strange. In the past, the story of Fan Zhi Ge Ting spread quickly, and sometimes it spread in the streets and alleys as soon as the show ended." Tan Xiaoku said: "I don't know what the reason is, maybe today's story is bland and tasteless and not worth telling." Zhu Zixiang said: "Impossible. There are no dull stories about tomb robbery. You have to pay attention to it. Don't forget to tell Master when you know it." Tan Xiaoku nodded: "I will pay attention." Tan Xiaoku left the death row, thinking about yesterday's treat, he always felt that he was at a disadvantage, thinking that Hu Jiahu should do things for him and help him.When he passed the gate, he found that Hu Jiahu was talking about something enthusiastically.Stopping to listen, it turned out that Hou Dongyuan had just returned from the Zhige Pavilion and was retelling the story he had just heard.Tan Xiaoku was about to inquire about this matter, so he quietly listened in. Hou Dongyuan showed off Guan Zi and asked Hu Jiahu: "Do you know Zhu Qifeng, the thirteenth king of Zhu?" Hu Jiahu said: "Is there anyone in Duliang who doesn't know Zhu Qifeng, who was beheaded after he became king for a few years, and was buried with a thirty-six catty gold head instead." Hou Dongyuan said: "Yes, today's story is about him. I didn't expect him to have such a legendary life experience!" Hou Dongyuan then repeated the story he heard from Zhige Pavilion, and Hu Jiahu sighed while listening endlessly. "Today's story only tells so much. Tomorrow I will tell the story of the robbery of Zhu Qifeng's tomb. Unfortunately, I will be on duty tomorrow morning. You must tell me when you come back." Hu Jiahu nodded again and again: "Definitely, definitely." The two talked for a while, and Hu Jiahu found that Tan Xiaoku was also by his side, so he asked, "What's the matter with you?" Tan Xiaoku said: "I want to ask you for help. My master really didn't kill anyone. He was wronged." Hou Dongyuan asked Hu Jiahu and said: "Old Hu, don't you know the truth about Prison No. 13? Tomb robbers kill grave robbers. I think this is very interesting." Hu Jiahu winked at Hou Dongyuan, then patted Tan Xiaoku on the shoulder and said, "If you want me to help, I will try my best. But you have to show something." Tan Xiaoku said: "Didn't I invite you to eat and play yesterday?" Hu Jiahu said: "What is that? Hasn't your master changed his name?" Tan Xiaoku looked at Hu Jiahu in surprise, his words were obviously a lie: "Uncle Hu, this is a completely different matter. My master went to death row, but it has nothing to do with your help." "Okay, okay, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, saving a person is worth more than a little benefit, right? As long as you are willing to spend money, I guarantee that your master is safe and sound. I am not free right now, so you can come to me tomorrow." Hu Jiahu Push Tan Xiaoku out of the duty room. Tan Xiaoku walked a few steps, thinking of Hu Jiahu's mysterious winks at Hou Dongyuan, he became suspicious.He turned back and found that the duty room was firmly closed, and Hu Jiahu was talking to Hou Dongyuan inside.He held his breath and put his ear against the door wall——Hu Jiahu said: "You must keep this matter a secret, otherwise I will never tell you." Hou Dongyuan said: "I promise not to tell anyone. If I don't keep my promise, I will rot my mouth and tongue!" Hu Jiahu: "It is true that Zhu Zixiang did not kill Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin." Hou Dongyuan: "Who killed that?" Hu Jiahu: "There are several murderers, and the direct murderer is Xiong Jie." Hou Dongyuan: "Xiong Jie has no grievances with him, why did he do this? Who are the murderers you mentioned?" Hu Jiahu: "The culprit is Xiao Ziyu. He ordered Shu Zhenqian to kill Wang Xinzu and Lao Shunmin, and Shu Zhenqian used Xiong Jie to do it directly, promising to let him go back to the mountain..." When Tan Xiaoku heard this, his heart almost jumped out. He didn't understand why these people were so cruel.He restrained himself as much as possible, and continued to listen—— Hou Dongyuan: "How do you know about this?" Hu Jiahu: "Xiong Jie himself told me." Hou Dongyuan: "How could Xiong Jie tell you such a secret inside story?" Hu Jiahu: "He was afraid that Xiao Ziyu would not keep his promise, so he revealed it first to have a testimony." Hou Dongyuan: "Since Xiao Ziyu wants to put them to death, no one can save Zhu Zixiang, why did you promise Tan Xiaoku to save his master just now?" Hu Jiahu: "That's a little idiot, just tricked him." Tan Xiaoku's mind was "buzzing", and Hu Jiahu's treachery made him dumbfounded.