Chapter 22 Chapter 22 The Boat on the River

It is said that when Xiao Ziyu returned from Baoqing, the boat sailed for three days and three nights and had not yet left the boundary of Baoqing.With such a slow speed, the twenty-ninth day of the seventh month in Duliang has already passed, and I can't help feeling anxious.At that time, the road from Baoqing to Duliang was still under construction, and there were only two means of transportation on the dry road: horseback riding or human-powered sedan chairs. Xiao Ziyu regretted not borrowing a horse from Jia Shoucheng, and now the return is also delayed. Boss Yang, the boatman, saw that Xiao Ziyu was as anxious as an ant in a hot pot, so he persuaded him: "Guest officer, don't worry, I can still return to Duliang on July 29 by speeding up. After passing the boundary of Baoqing, the waters behind are relatively quiet. Be gentle, and I will try my best to buy you time."

Xiao Ziyu seemed to be grabbing another life-saving straw, and said, "If Boss can arrive at Duliang before it gets dark on July 29th, I will definitely reward you a lot!" Boss Yang and his guys speeded up and worked in two shifts day and night.On the morning of the 29th day of the seventh lunar month, I finally arrived at the border of Duliang, only half a day away from Duliang City. At this moment, both Xiao Ziyu and Boss Yang breathed a sigh of relief.In the morning, only ten miles away from Duliang, there was a fleet of ships coming down from Duliang.Boss Yang saw that it was still early, so he stopped the oar and talked to a boatman who came from Duliang a few feet away.The boat people are away for many years, life on the water is monotonous and boring. Needless to say, they are lonely and lonely. In order to find comfort, they speak wild and vulgar words. The topic they care about most is always the sex news that happened in Duliang and Baoqing.What they call "new things" is actually synonymous with love affairs.The communicator enjoys talking about it, and the listener enjoys it even more.

The boatman just lit a pot of shisha and asked straight to the point: "What's new in Baoqing?" Boss Yang said: "I didn't stop in Baoqing this trip, is there anything new in Duliang?" The boatman said: "Yes, Taoism or God's will, Zhige Pavilion has been telling other stories since ancient times, but this time the money shopkeeper there has become the protagonist of the story." Boss Yang said: "Could it be possible to go to Wulingjing with a young and beautiful wife?" The boatman said: "It's not surprising if this is the case. Since ancient times, there has been no age limit for whoring customers-this time his wife was caught in bed with the idle man Zhang Xianfan."

Boss Yang nodded: "It's not surprising that a woman raises a man, but the strange thing is that she actually steals a man." The boatman said: "It's not surprising that idlers have time and energy, and rich women need such people. The odd thing is that the two of them were caught in bed, and they were tied up in the downtown area for public display—— Adulterers and adulterers are all naked with their buttocks naked!" Boss Yang became elated, clapped his hands and said, "Strange, what a surprise, have you gone to see it? That girl must be very beautiful!"

The boatman said dejectedly: "I didn't see it——I was one step late." Boss Yang said with infinite regret: "You are such an unlucky person. If it were me, I would have to see it anyway. This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" The boatman said: "Isn't that the case? I might just be unlucky. When I went there, the woman had already put on her clothes, and only the idle guy Zhang Xianfan was left naked. Do you think this is bad luck? " Boss Yang said: "Treasurer Qian is a well-known figure. No one in a radius of a hundred miles knows about Zhigeting's Qian Jincai. This time he has completely lost face!"

The boatman said: "That's right, Qian Jincai personally took people to the Yudai Bridge Inn to catch the adulterer, and then tied the adulterer and the adulterer to the downtown area to show the public. The people who watched the excitement heard that there was a sea of ​​people—" Boss Yang interrupted: "It's no wonder that there are no crowds. What is the expression of that prostitute with her buttocks in the crowd?" The boatman said: "She is calm and not shy at all. Some people say that she is shameless and encourage Manager Qian to humiliate her, but the adulteress retaliates to Qian Jincai confidently: 'Did you make me ugly by doing this? No, It’s because of the ugliness of your eight generations of Qian Jincai ancestors! Take a picture of yourself in the piss, the man I stole is older than you? Uglier than you? Shorter than you? It's a glorious thing, am I still afraid that you will show it to the public? Besides, I am from your Qian family, and I will never be called Xia Mei with my bare buttocks. Naked buttocks! If you don't believe it, go to the streets and alleys to hear it!...'"

Boss Yang clicked his tongue and said, "This woman still makes sense." The boatman said: "That's right, Qian Jincai knew what he had done wrong when he heard it, so he hurriedly put on the clothes for his wife. The most interesting thing is that the woman even made up a jingle on the spot. This jingle is really amazing. Tang Dynasty Li Bai would be ashamed if he was alive!" Boss Yang asked, "What's so good about the jingle?" The boatman said: "She said, 'To steal a man is to steal a hero, and it will look good if you catch it'!" Boss Yang clapped his hands again and said, "Interesting, really interesting!"

The boat in front saw that the distance was far away, so someone stood at the stern and shouted: "It's getting late, there is still a long way to go!" The boatman responded: "Okay—come on! Boss Yang, I'm going with the team, see you later!" The boatman shook his oar to catch up with his companions.Looking at his back, Boss Yang asked again: "Hey, you haven't told me the final result of the adulterer and adulterer?" The boatman turned his head and shook the oar while replying: "The adulteress has been released. The adulterer was sent to the police station by Qian Jincai and locked up!"

Boss Yang shook his head with a wry smile and continued on the boat, then asked Xiao Ziyu, "Is this the first time for the guest to go to Baoqing by boat?" Xiao Ziyu asked back: "How do you know that this is the first time I went to Baoqing?" Boss Yang said: "I have been walking on this waterway for decades, and I am familiar with all the businessmen who go to and from Baoqing. This is the first time the guest officer has seen it." Xiao Ziyu said: "It is indeed the first time for me to go to Baoqing by boat." Boss Yang said, "Will Boss Xiao say that we are boring?"

Xiao Ziyu said: "Where did the boss talk, I think you are very interesting." Boss Yang sighed: "It's interesting but it's boring. Now it's called 'the boatman on the boat, the opera singer off the stage'. There's nothing we can do about it. We have to find a way to relieve the loneliness along the way." Elder Yang shook his hand seriously and stopped talking.The boat went on for a while, and when it reached a bend, I saw a man waving a white shirt on the bank and shouting: "Stop, Boss Xiao, stop, Boss Xiao!" When Xiao Ziyu fixed his eyes, he recognized Zhang Xianfan. What is this guy doing here?At this time, Boss Yang, who had been silent for a while, spoke again: "This person is quite familiar. Boss Xiao, who is he? What is he doing here?"

Xiao Ziyu said perfunctorily: "An acquaintance, maybe I happened to meet here while working here." "Boss Xiao, I need you urgently!" Zhang Xianfan shouted urgently. "Boss, please come to the shore, I don't know what's up with him." The boat landed quickly, and Zhang Xianfan greeted him. When he saw Xiao Ziyu landed, he said to Boss Yang, "Boss, you go first. The father of Boss Xiao's friend is on his 80th birthday today, and he invited us to have a drink." Seeing that Xiao Huoyang was about to come up, he stopped him and said, "You'd better go back, it's none of your business here." Xiao Huoyang watched Xiao Ziyu dare not make decisions without authorization.Xiao Ziyu said: "You'd better go back, and don't forget to reward the masters when you get to the pier." The boat continued to head for Liangcheng, and when it was far away, Xiao Ziyu turned around and asked Zhang Xianfan: "Didn't you say you were locked in a prison? Why are you here again?" Zhang Xianfan said: "If I'm in prison, you'll be out of luck—after you leave, people from Maple Ridge will come down and try to kill you. I kept it secret and refused to reveal your whereabouts, so they reported to Qian Jincai In the end, I was caught and raped, and my buttocks were exposed in the downtown area for a long time." Xiao Ziyu said: "I said that you have always been very secretive when you are an adulterer, why did it happen!" Zhang Xianfan said: "For some reason, the people in Maple Ridge found out about your whereabouts later on. They expected you to come back in the next few days, but they were guarding the river bank five miles away from the city to put you to death. In order to save you, I I have been waiting for you here for three days. You are really lucky, this time it is not me, you are really dead." Xiao Ziyu was shocked, then patted Zhang Xianfan on the shoulder and said, "That's right, I didn't kill you, but now you save my life again, the matter between us will be evened out." Zhang Xianfan said: "You are the chief, and your life is worth more than mine. How do you say it's even? If something happens to me, you have to pay me at least three lives to make it even." After Zhang Xianfan finished speaking, he led Xiao Ziyu Going to a small village, there is a bay red horse tied under the ancient osmanthus tree at the entrance of the village.When the horse saw Zhang Xianfan, it raised its head, snorted, and flicked its tail. "Is the horse yours?" Xiao Ziyu asked. Zhang Xianfan nodded: "It is inconvenient to go anywhere without a horse these days." Xiao Ziyu said: "It's really 'Scholars have to look at each other for three days'. You've made a fortune after only seeing you for a few days, and even bought your mount." Zhang Xianfan said while untying the reins: "I forgot to ask you, why don't you go to Baoqing by riding a horse, it's much faster." Xiao Ziyu sighed: "Everyone will know that I went by boat, and if I go to Liang on horseback, everyone will know—hey, how did you know that I went to Baoqing?" Zhang Xianfan smiled slyly: "Let's just ride as hard as you can, this animal is so strong that it can carry three people without any problem—anyway, there is no impenetrable wall in the world, and people will know where you go, which only shows that you are very popular. focus on." Xiao Ziyu stared at Zhang Xianfan: "You are paying attention to me, right?" Zhang Xianfan smirked: "It's nothing—even if I pay attention to you, it's out of kindness, and it will do you no harm." Xiao Ziyu didn't say any more, got on the horse, Zhang Xianfan got on the horse afterward, and they rode back to Duliang together.Zhang Xianfan sent Xiao Ziyu all the way to the door of his house, Xiao Ziyu asked: "Do you want to go in and sit?" Zhang Xianfan shook his head: "You just came back, so you won't welcome me sincerely. I still know this. I want to remind you, don't forget to get rid of the Maple Ridge group. It's not the way to go on like this for a long time." When Xiao Ziyu returned home, Xiao Zhong saw him right away. He greeted his host at the gate, and before he had time to greet him, Xiao Ziyu said, "Send someone to call Shu Zhenqian." Xiao Ziyu returned to the study, and just after changing his clothes, Xiao Zhong came back: "Second young master, I have sent someone there. When you were away, everything was fine at home, and the young master's illness has also improved, and the number of seizures is less than before. too much." "How is Master Zhu doing?" This was what Xiao Ziyu was most concerned about. "It's also very good. The master and apprentice don't go out all day together. If it were someone else, he would get sick from boredom. He is fine, and he looks very happy every day. And the second young master just left the house, and the eldest young master was received at home. The family letter sent back from Yunnan, I will keep it here for you, and I will wait for you to open it when you come back." Xiao Zhong said and took a family letter from the desk and handed it to Xiao Ziyu.Xiao Ziyu couldn't wait to take it apart. Xiao Zhong who was standing by the side waited for a while and couldn't help asking: "Is the eldest young master alright?" Xiao Ziyu looked at it and said: "He didn't say good or bad, he only mentioned corruption in the officialdom. He is exhausted physically and mentally, and he will come back to recuperate for a while soon." Xiao Zhong said: "Officials have been corrupt since ancient times, and it's not just something that happened today. The young master only came back when the master passed away. How long will it take for him to come back again? Could it be—" Xiao Ziyu put the family letter on the desk and interrupted Xiao Zhong: "Old housekeeper, did something important happen outside while I was away?" "Yes, yes, I'm about to tell you. It's a very interesting story to tell. The wife of Qian Jincai was caught committing adultery with the idle man Zhang Xianfan, and she was tied naked to the public for public display—" "I heard about this on the boat. I heard that Zhang Xianfan was imprisoned. How was he released later?" "I'm also surprised. People speculate that Qian Jincai has plenty of money. This time, he will bribe the police station to kill Zhang Xianfan, but Zhang Xianfan came out unscathed within a few days. What's even more strange is that he changed as soon as he came out. Like a person, he eats well, drinks spicy food, dresses well, and even bought a tall horse!" Xiao Ziyu frowned: "It's really a strange thing." "That's why Qian Jincai has been looking for you all the time. I said you were not at home and he said I lied to him." "Why does he want me?" Xiao Ziyu asked. "He said that the police station was unfair and wanted to ask you for an explanation." "Next time he comes to me again, just let him in." The master and the servant were talking, when a horse neighed outside, Xiao Zhong said: "Maybe Chief Shu is here, is there anything else the Second Young Master wants to order?" Xiao Ziyu said: "I don't have anything to say, today is July 29th, the old housekeeper just needs to remember this day." "Remember, how can you not remember such an important event, the preparations have been done long ago, and I look forward to your return these days." As soon as Xiao Zhong left, Shu Zhenqian came in. He saw the family letter on the case at a glance, and the word "Xiao Ziru" on the signature was impressive, but he said: "The bureau is back? Everyone in the bureau is looking forward to you day and night. return." Xiao Ziyu asked routinely: "Is there nothing going on in the bureau?" "Thank you Hong Fu, the bureau chief, everything in the bureau is normal." When Shu Zhenqian spoke, his eyes were fixed on the letter from home. "I heard that a while ago I caught an indecent adulterer, and released him not long ago. Why?" Shu Zhenqian said: "There is such a thing. The adulterer is Zhang Xianfan, an idler. He committed adultery with Qian Jincai's wife. Both parties should be responsible. But Qian Jincai proposed to punish only the adulterer. How can there be such a reason since ancient times? There are orders to go out, it’s not a big deal to decide on your own, I don’t think it’s a big deal, since the treasurer Qian refused to hand over the adulterer, he released the adulterer too.” Xiao Ziyu said: "There is nothing wrong with this way of handling. I asked you to come here first to ask about the situation in the bureau, and second, I just got a news that people from Fengmuling wandered downstream of Nanshui River in the past few days. Cards are set up five miles around the city to disturb the people." Shu Zhenqian said: "The bureau has not received a report these days. Since even the bureau chief knows about it, it is our work mistake. I will go back and deploy forces to attack." After Shu Zhenqian left, Xiao Zhong led Qian Jincai in. As soon as the old man came in, he fell to his knees: "Master Director, you have to make decisions for the villain. Zhang Xianfan took my wife and was caught in bed by me. In the past dynasties in our capital The rules are to be put into a pigsty, but there are people in your police station who are corrupt, cover up bad guys, and let adulterers get away with it!" Xiao Ziyu calmed down and said, "Speak slowly, I know a thing or two about this matter. Who are you referring to when you say that there are people in the police station who have corrupted the law?" Qian Jincai said, "It's that section chief named Shu Zhenqian." Xiao Ziyu said patiently: "As far as I know, that Zhang Xianfan is an idler. He often eats one meal and doesn't know where the next one will be. Where did he get the stolen goods for Shu Zhen?" Qian Jincai said: "Director Xiao doesn't know that Zhang Xianfan is not what he used to be. He has fallen in love with Jiang Xinghe, and it was Jiang Xinghe who protected him this time." Xiao Ziyu asked suspiciously: "How did he get close to Jiang Xinghe? How did you know?" "I don't know how he approached Jiang Xinghe. One night not long ago, Jiang Xinghe's housekeeper came to me specifically and said that Zhang Xianfan would not ask him if he wanted to eat or drink in my store. He will accept any amount of money." Xiao Ziyu was surprised and said, "Is there really such a thing?" Qian Jincai said: "I am so old, if I tell lies, I will die!" Xiao Ziyu said again: "You came to me to punish the adulterer?" When Qian Jincai mentioned this matter, he couldn't get angry: "Wearing a cuckold has been a great shame for men since ancient times. Our Zhige Pavilion has a history of 500 years. My ancestors have always listened to other people's stories and read other people's stories." A joke, now it's my turn, but I have to show people a joke, I can't swallow this breath, I will only be willing to let that adulterer die!" Xiao Ziyu said: "I have already understood what you mean. According to the ancient rules of Duliang, adulterers and adulteresses must be buried. If you can hand over Xia Mei, I will definitely uphold justice for you and only punish one side. It’s difficult to convince the hearts of the people if they don’t agree with each other.” Qian Jincai seemed to have been prepared for a long time. He took out a cloth bag from his pocket and put it on the table, then deliberately coughed loudly, lest Xiao Ziyu would not see it: "Mr. Director, I will leave this matter to you." Xiao Ziyu said: "Since that woman betrayed you, why did you protect her?" Qian Jincai said: "To tell you the truth, Mr. Chief, I'm getting old, and it's going to be a waste of time to marry again. Besides, I may not be able to find such a beautiful one. The ancients said, 'A good man marries a whore, it's good to close the door', Now that she has promised to make a clean break with her adulterer, I will not pursue her any longer." Xiao Ziyu said: "The shopkeeper Qian is a celebrity in Duliang, I will handle this matter fairly, and you can go back." Qian Jincai's wrinkled face turned into a chrysanthemum, and he said repeatedly: "I know, I know Director Xiao has always been upright, law enforcement is like a mountain, excuse me, excuse me." Xiao Zhong was about to send money to Jincai, but Xiao Ziyu stopped him with his eyes.After Qian Jincai left, Xiao Ziyu pointed to the cloth bag on the table and said, "Return it later." Xiao Zhong took the cloth bag and opened it for a look, then reminded: "Second young master, there are quite a lot in here, don't waste the things that come to your door." Xiao Ziyu said: "A gentleman loves money in a proper way. He wants what he can, and he must never want what he can't. Zhige Pavilion is a place of right and wrong. If I take his money and can't do anything, it will spread to hundreds of thousands of people. Eight thousand miles." After Xiao Zhong left, Xiao Ziyu glanced at the wall clock on the wall, and guessed that Xiao Huoyang would be back soon if nothing happened.After a while, Xiao Huoyang really entered the study, and said as soon as he came in: "Master, I just heard some bad news." Xiao Ziyu asked, "What bad news?" "Some people say that the Grand Master has been dismissed and investigated for corruption in Yunnan!" Xiao Ziyu's whole body turned cold when he heard it, and then asked: "Who did you listen to?" Xiao Huoyang said: "I don't know that person. It's the boatman who went from Duliang to Baoqing. He said he just heard the latest news at Zhige Pavilion. I don't believe it, so I came back in a hurry to ask you." Xiao Ziyu said: "Don't believe the rumors outside, I just read the letter from the Elder Master, saying that he is doing well in Yunnan, and that he will come back for vacation soon." Xiao Huoyang breathed a sigh of relief: "It's fine if there is no one, that damned boatman, with a crow's mouth, made me anxious to death." For Xiao Ziyu, if he didn't read his brother's letter, he would never believe that Xiao Ziru had fallen from power just by hearing what Xiao Huoyang said.His depression was extremely low, because the downfall of his brother also indicated that his role as police chief had come to an end... "Huoyang, did you meet anyone after I went ashore?" Xiao Huoyang was puzzled: "I don't understand the master's question. There are so many passing ships on the Nanshui River, who do you mean?" "Have you seen Shu Zhenqian?" Xiao Huoyang nodded again and again: "See you, see you, five miles away from the city, he led a team of police patrolling for a while and then left. I was still saying hello to him at that time. This kid was very polite to me in the past. I don’t know why and ignore it.” "Do you know why Shu Zhenqian went there?" "We didn't know it at the time. Afterwards, Boss Yang met his colleagues. After inquiring about it, we found out that there are often people guarding there recently. All ships coming down from Baoqing will be stopped and inspected. After the inspection, they will be released. Someone recognizes the gang. The people are from Maple Ridge, but the strange thing is what are the people from Maple Ridge doing there? Why don’t they rob things?” Xiao Ziyu interrupted Xiao Huoyang and said: "I see, go down and rest, thank you for your hard work, I will ask the kitchen to cook something delicious for you later, go down and take a bath first." After a while, Xiao Zhong also came back, he He sat down opposite Xiao Ziyu with a dejected appearance, but refused to speak.Xiao Ziyu looked at it for a while and couldn't help but speak first: "Is the thing back?" "Retired." Xiao Zhong looked up at Xiao Ziyu, hesitated before saying, "What did the young master write in the letter?" Xiao Ziyu had a premonition: "Did you hear the wind?" Xiao Zhong nodded: "The people in Zhigeting spread the word very fiercely, saying that Xiao Ziru had fallen from power. Qian Jincai was very happy to see that I returned the money to him, and even said that he always thought that he would never return it to him." Xiao Ziyu sighed: "Old butler, if the rumors are true, what do you say?" Xiao Zhong stared at Xiao Ziyu: "The Eldest Young Master has really fallen?" Xiao Ziyu didn't speak, and handed the family letter on the desk to Xiao Zhong.