Chapter 44 The 41st Chapter of Wufulou Ruifang Debao Sizhao Tanger Shun Shun recommended virtuous

Because Rui Fang lost the lawsuit, his face was very ugly, and he was a little bit untenable in Beijing, so he went to Xiang's villa in Hui County, Henan Province to visit Xiangzi City.The two of them were originally brothers of Baimeng, and they also owned a lot of property in Hui County, so they took this opportunity to personally investigate the incident, which would kill two birds with one stone.Unknowingly, they took Zhong Fu with them, and took the Beijing-Han night train to Huixian County, Henan Province.But he didn't want to go to see Xiangzicheng all the time, so he lived in a small inn first, and changed his surname to Mei, so he came here for a stroll.The name of this store is Wufulou, and the owner's surname is Jiang, so it is also called Jiang's store.Ruifang stayed there, and asked Jiang San, the owner of the store: "Since your store is called Wufulou, there must be five buildings. Could you take me to have a look? If it's a clean style, I'd rather pay a little more and move to the store." Go live upstairs." Jiang San laughed out loud when he heard this, and said, "Mr. Mei, you got it wrong. How can there be a building in our small shop?" Rui Fang said: "Since there is no building , why did you choose this name?" Jiang Sandao: "You always don't know, our building is talking about the building where the God of Wealth lives, not the building where people live." Rui Fang was surprised: "How can the God of Wealth still live in the building?" In the house, which country did you invite the God of Wealth from?" Jiang Sandao said: "How can the God of Wealth invite you from a foreign country? This is also the luck of the small shop, so I moved the five Gods of Wealth, and all of them came to visit Therefore, the business of trumpets is booming." Rui Fang said: "I really don't understand what you said, which five gods of wealth, what are their surnames, where are they from, why don't they come to the side, just Want to come to your house?" Jiang San said: "After talking for a long time, you still haven't realized that the God of Wealth is not a human being." Rui Fang said: "It's not a human being, what is it?" Jiang Sanyi heard this , I was so frightened that I shook my hands again and again and said: "Beware of the God of Wealth being blamed, you and I can't bear it. Let me tell you, the God of Wealth is the five great immortals of the fox, yellow and Changbai Liu. It is rare that they all come to the shop Come on, so I purposely built five small buildings so that the five great immortals could live in them, so I named it Wufulou, as if it means the five blessings are complete. You understand now." Rui Fang deliberately pretended Confused, he asked again: "What do you say about Fox Yellow Changbai Liu?" Jiang San smiled and said: "You claim to be a businessman, and you don't even know about the lonely Huang Changbai Liu. Let me see when you get rich. Let me tell you the truth." , The fox is a fox, the yellow is a weasel, the long is a worm, the white is a hedgehog, and the willow is a mouse, you have to remember, when you meet these five immortals in the future, quickly kowtow to them and burn incense to them, and you will surely get rich if you keep them.” Rui Fang still wanted to make fun of him, but suddenly saw a 14th-five-year-old coming in, and said to Jiang San: "Daddy, the backyard is waiting for you to burn incense! Today we should offer sacrifices to Lord Bai, have you forgotten?" Jiang San heard this sentence , Unknowingly said ah ah: "Damn, damn, I was talking on my own, why did I forget the business." Then he said to Rui Fang: "If you don't accompany me, we will talk when you come back." Rui Fang said: "You Don't be busy, I will follow you to pay respects to this Great Immortal Bai, can you do it?" Jiang Sandao said: "Why can't you do it, come with me quickly."

Rui Fang followed him to the backyard, and saw five small buildings in a row against the base of the wall, about four or five feet high, with windows and doors, and red walls, which were also exquisite and beautiful.Looking at the front of the building, there are five small square tables and five small chairs. On the tables are displayed incense burners, small plates, small bowls and the like.Incense is inserted in the stove, and some vegetables, fruits and the like are offered in the dishes and bowls.All the tables, chairs and furniture are black, with spots of red, green, white, and yellow, and I don't know what kind of things are stained on them.When Rui Fang saw it, his heart skipped a beat.When he was young, Jiang Sanwai finished kowtowing, he walked over, picked up two plates and bowls, looked at them carefully, and felt his heart beating violently.Do you know why?It turns out that those dishes and bowls are not modern furniture, nor are they made of clay or porcelain. They are all made of metal made by the ancients. There are seal script writings on the bottom, and they were made under the supervision of Marquis Wei.Rui Fang was fond of the ancients all his life, and he was particular about all the steel utensils of the ancients.I also have a lot of collections. It is the first time I have seen such a treasure.He thought to himself, this utensil of Marquis Wei is of the same value as the Maogong Ding kept by Chen Zhongtang's family in Wei County, it is really a rare treasure.It's a pity that it is shamed to be in this barren area and asked ignorant people to make offerings to the God of Wealth.From this point of view, the God of Wealth is too ineffective.If the God of Wealth is really effective, why not wake up Jiang San and tell him to sell these things to foreigners. The minimum price is 30,000 yuan, even if you get Liulichang, 18,000 yuan is easy to get.Putting it here now is worthless.I have to think of a way to steal these treasures away, otherwise, it may be in someone's hands.He was fascinated by the dishes, when Jiang San asked out of the blue, "Mr. Mei, put it down quickly, we are going to clean it up. What are you doing all the time? Could it be that this broken plate and broken bowl are still treasures?" After waking up, he hurriedly put down his things, and said with a smile, "I don't want anything else. I think you country folks are really ignorant, and you are not afraid of blaspheming the God of Wealth. You offer these furniture to the God of Wealth, clearly comparing the God of Wealth to the God of Wealth. If the God of Wealth has a spirit, not only will he not enjoy your sacrificial ceremony, but he will also be blamed." Jiang Sanyi panicked when he heard this, and complained to his son unconsciously: "What did I say? Come on, when I dug up these things, I asked you to show them to Mr. He. Mr. He looked at them for a long time, and only said that there was a word Hou on them. Argue with me, and say that the princes of the princes are not the monkeys of the monkeys. Now that the old customer has seen it, I see what you have to say." After hearing this, Rui Fang unconsciously said in his heart: "I am ashamed. I'm ashamed, God helped me." He also said casually: "In ancient times, there was no word for monkey, but the characters for princes were used instead. Your son is not well-educated, so you don't know, so don't blame him. You don’t know, I also believe in the God of Wealth the most. I use sandalwood furniture and multicolored porcelain for the God of Wealth at home. It’s much more beautiful to display than yours. Even if you don’t have those good things, you will never You should take the furniture that other people use to play with monkeys and enshrine the God of Wealth. But God of Wealth does not blame you, the grandma of the God of Wealth is the least tempered, and she must lose her temper when she sees these furniture. I still have to ask for trouble." Jiang San thought for a while, and replied: "Who says it's not, our wife has had a toothache for so many days, please see it, sir, but it doesn't work, it's probably because of Grandma Caishen's fault. Rui Fang said: "Your guess is not bad at all. Move these things away as soon as possible and replace them with new ones. Your wife will recover naturally." Jiang San said to himself hesitantly Said: "Get a new one? How much does it cost?" Rui Fang took advantage of the momentum and said: "I have encountered this incident today, and finally I have a relationship with the God of Wealth. How about this, you have porcelain and wooden wares here, you No matter how much you choose to buy, I will give you how much money you should spend. It’s just that I have fulfilled my vow to the God of Wealth. Go ahead and buy it right away. Don’t waste your time. I’m afraid the God of Wealth will blame me too if it’s too late. That’s terrible.” Hearing what Rui Fang said, Jiang San danced with joy, and said in his mouth, “How can there be such a thing, I call you a broken banknote. Well, it’s finally the induction of the God of Wealth, that’s why I met you like this A good man. I'll go buy it now." After saying that, he turned his head and went outside.

After a short time, two carts of furniture were sent, small kang tables and small chairs, which were placed on the same floor, and the size was not much different.I also bought a few packs of porcelain, but the small dishes and bowls are all freshly fired white ground safflower, which look very beautiful.Rui Fang quickly came up to ask how much it was, but Jiang Sanhui said that it was very limited. It was six tables and twelve chairs, a total of fifteen dong, and forty-eight pieces of porcelain, a total of six dong and six hundred. This car was hired for four hundred yuan, and the full amount was twenty-five yuan.Rui Fang hurriedly asked Zhong Fu to take out the twenty taels of silver he was carrying with him, and handed it over to Jiang San, saying that the twenty taels of silver was equivalent to twenty-five taels of old money, and you could buy some incense wax, paper horses, and pig's heads for the rest. , Three animals, ready to make offerings to the God of Wealth.Jiang Sanhuan happily took it over, thanked the God of Wealth again and again, immediately exchanged it for money, took away the developer who sent the things, and then hurriedly replaced the furniture.Rui Fang brought Zhong Fu over to help, and said with a smile, "It's not bad for me to take these monkey-playing things home to coax the children." Let’s take them all. There are five tables and ten chairs here, and another table and two chairs. As for the scrap metal on the table, there are a total of forty-eight pieces. There are four Ten pieces, there are still eight pieces left in the kitchen, I don’t know if they are all incomplete, let me find them for you.” After saying that, he ran to the kitchen.After a while, smiling, he and the cook carried out a table, two chairs, and put all eight pieces of bronze wares together, and said to Rui Fang, "It's all in place. Don't look at a pile of rotten iron. The weight is not bad." Small." Rui Fang said: "I never want people's cheapness, I will give you ten taels of silver when I come back, let's make it an iron price." Jiang Sandao: "Then how do you make it? The God of Wealth bought so many good things, even our faces are full of glory. This pile of rotten iron, and then ask you for money, we are too heartless. Can't, can't!" Rui Fang said: "Say Even though I said that, I'm still not satisfied after all. Let's move to my house first, and we'll discuss it when we come back." Zhong Fu led these people and hurriedly transported these dozens of things to him. The outer room of the house is filled with the ground in all directions.Rui Fang immediately took out ten taels of silver, smiled at Jiang San and said, "These ten taels are the price of iron. The thing I just bought is my wish to repay the God of Wealth. This cannot be generalized. Please take care of yourself, brother. But I This person has always been stubborn in his work, and he is the most rigid. Please write me a letter, just write that there are sixty-six pieces of scrap iron, and sell them under the name of the owner of Yuanming Room. The price is ten taels of silver. Two handovers, no regrets. On a certain date, Jiang San, the owner of Wufu Building, wrote it himself. This is the rule that we should have in transactions. You have been in business for a long time, so you naturally understand." At this time, Jiang San, seeing the ten taels of silver, had already Jealous, but a little embarrassed to pick it up.Seeing Rui Fang's seriousness now, he had a step up, simply pulled his face down, took the pen and paper, immediately wrote a word according to Rui Fang's words, and offered it with both hands.Rui Fang looked at it and found that the words were correct, so he handed over ten taels of silver to him.Jiang San took it, said a few polite words, then said goodbye to Rui Fang and went back to the backyard.

Here Zhong Fu was a little puzzled, and asked Rui Fang in a low voice: "My lord, what is your intention for buying this pile of broken copper and iron?" Rui Fang said: "You What do you know, don’t ask any more, hurry to Master Xiang Si’s villa and ask him to pick me up in two cars, the sooner the better, don’t delay.” Zhong Fu responded with a “Hey” and went immediately.This store is seven or eight miles away from Xiang's villa, Zhong Fu hired a fast cart and arrived in less than a quarter of an hour.When the family went up one time, Xiang Zicheng was talking with a friend. When he heard that Rui Fang was coming, he applauded and laughed loudly and said, "It's rare that my brothers who worshiped the League are all gathered together. Send my carriage and go Pick up Master Rui." The family said again: "Master Rui has something to say, saying that he has a lot of stupid things, so we have to ask someone to send a car to get them here." Xiang Zicheng said: "In this case , and send two other gondolas to hurry there, don’t make him wait too long.” The family agreed to go down, and sure enough they got a carriage and two gondolas, and followed Zhong Fu to the Wufulou inn.In addition, Xiao Xinger, a family member of Xiang Zhai, also went with him.As soon as he arrived at the gate of Wufu Building, Jiang San still recognized that a resident had come, so he hurried in to let him in.Xiao Xing'er scolded: "You stupid thing, don't you open your donkey's eyes to see whose car it is, why are you letting it in?" The driver couldn't help it, and said to Jiang San: "We are Gongbao's house. Do you still recognize the person who was sent here to pick up Mrs. Rui four?" Jiang Sanyi was so frightened when he heard the words in Gong Bao's house, he apologized again and again, "The villain has no eyes, please housekeepers." Your Excellency, please forgive me. But there is no one named Rui living in the shop, so how can this matter be good?" Xiao Xing'er scolded again: "I said you are a donkey's eye, you can't recognize anyone, that's not bad at all. You Didn't you see Steward Zhong standing here?" Jiang San took a look, and then suddenly realized that the guest surnamed Mei was Master Rui, and hurried inside to report the news.Here Zhong Fu led Xiao Xing'er and followed.Rui Fang was in the room, looking around, but saw Jiang San rushing in first in a panic, knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "My lord, why didn't you say it earlier? It also makes the villain happy. Our poor In the store, there is an adult here, and it is considered lucky." Jiang San was flattering here, Zhong Fu brought Xiao Xing'er in, and said deeply, "My lord, please be safe. The carriage is now outside. There are two gondolas, ready to carry the luggage for the adults, please leave immediately. All the restaurant bills will be settled by the villains." When Rui Fang saw the people from Xiang Zhai coming, he felt a stone fall in his heart, and immediately He got up and told Zhong Fu: "Hurry up and transport the furniture I just bought to the gondola. Don't damage any of it. If it is damaged, beware of me peeling your skin!" The sixty-six bronze wares were all loaded onto the gondola.Rui Fang personally ordered it again, and one piece was not short, and one piece was not bad, so he was relieved.He took out another ten taels of silver and gave it to Jiang San, saying, "Except for the restaurant bill, it's all for you." Jiang San kowtowed his head to thank him, and Rui Fang jumped into the carriage and drove away at a fast speed.In Jiang San, he was overjoyed, thinking that this was the blessing of the God of Wealth, that's why such a living God of Wealth came, and got forty taels of silver out of nothing. How could he know that these things were priceless treasures.

After Ruifang died, a Frenchman asked someone to tell Ruifang's son Ruiqi that he was willing to pay 400,000 yuan for these dozens of things.Ruiqi had already made up her mind, and went to see Xiangzicheng in person, begging for these antiques to be rewarded.Because Rui Fang got this thing that day and kept it in Xiang Zhai, and he never brought it to Beijing.Knowing that he was dead, Xiang Zicheng deliberately confiscated the thing and transported it to Zhangde for preservation. No one is allowed to tamper with it.However, Rui Qi met his nails head-on. When he mentioned the idea of ​​transporting it home, Xiang Zicheng sneered and said: "You don't have money to spend, so you can ask me for it. You can't move this thing. Mr. Ling once said in Japan , These dozens of things are the lifeblood of his life. Knowing that Shixiong will never be able to keep them, he specially entrusted them to me and asked me to keep them for him. Now he has fulfilled his last wish, and the foreigner paid 400,000 yuan , you just want to sell Ling Xianjun’s lifeblood. This is absolutely impossible.” Rui Qi was slapped on the head by him, and then directly exposed the shady scene of his betrayal. In a word.Besides, at this time, Xiang Zicheng is already the president, he is simply an emperor in disguise, majestic and majestic.Richie is a child, how can she not be afraid?The wood is there, and there are no steps for a long time.High or low, it was Xiang Zicheng who untied the bell and smoothed things over for him, saying: "The first gentleman lived his whole life like an old man, and all his savings were spent on steel and paper. Now that he is dead, of course you are not going to have a good time, I can't Sit back and do nothing, of course I have to do something for you. You go home and wait for the letter, don’t mention the antique sale.” Ruiqi was dejected, quit Xiangzicheng and went home.Within three days, as expected, the Presidential Office issued an appointment order, appointing Ruiqi as the English Secretary of the office, with a monthly salary of 1,000 yuan.It turned out that Ruiqi had studied in the United States for seven years, so Xiang Zicheng appointed him as his English secretary and gave him 1,000 yuan a month.I thought that no matter how he could spend money, this thousand yuan was enough for a month's pocket expenses.

Unexpectedly, this gentleman, after receiving the appointment order, looked at it, put aside his anger, and cursed: "The ignorant old thief swallowed up our family's treasures worth hundreds of thousands, but took every A thousand dollars a month was sent to deceive me. A thousand dollars is not enough for me to spend a day.” Sure enough, when it was time to receive the salary, Ruiqi took out the money from the General Affairs Office of the Presidential Palace, and invited its guest.After eating, I took out the bills and ordered a little. It was a total of one thousand yuan, which was a hundred bills of ten yuan each.He called the restaurant, and it was broken into pieces for him.The restaurant staff went to more than a dozen small money shops before breaking the notes and handing them over to Ruiqi.Richie spent the meal bill, and gave the waiter a few extra dollars, totaling thirty or forty dollars.There are more than 900 yuan left. He held up the bill and smiled to his friend: "You see, it is more than 900 yuan. I will take out the change and prepare to pay for the car. The remaining 900 yuan, we all Le Yile. I'll tell you to see, you don't need to work half the night, you can definitely spend everything, don't you believe it?" Everyone said together, no one would dare not believe what the second master said.He immediately ordered seven or eight cars, except for one that he took alone, and drove by himself, and asked his friends to share the rest.He also said to the coachman, "Follow my chariot. If I stop, you will also stop. When I come down, everyone will get down. If I go into a house, everyone will follow me. If I go out, everyone will follow me." go out together.Everyone agreed in unison.Rui Qi drove the car by himself, whining like the wind, and drove straight into Bada Hutong.Whenever he came to a Qingyin small class, he would stop the car, run down, and head straight in.His cronies and friends naturally had to follow in.Everyone thought he was going to make a tea circle, but he was standing in the middle of the yard, not even entering the door, calling out to run out of the hall, and quickly called all the flowers in your yard.The runners recognized that this was the second son of Rui, so they dared to be negligent, and hurriedly said with a smile: "Second master, please sit in the room, it is cool outside." Rui Qi said: "No such thing, you don't know that the second master likes to drink Is it windy?" The runners repeatedly agreed, and immediately shouted loudly.It didn't take much time, and the beautiful branches filled a yard.After the waiter signed up, Ruiqi took out the ticket and said that I knew all of them. Each one was worth one dollar. The plate was passed out along the hand, one for each person, and they all took it.He turned his head and walked out.These friends had no choice but to come out with him.The people in the team stared at them one by one, not knowing what was going on, and they all suspected that Second Master Rui was suffering from a mental illness.But he ran out triumphantly, jumped into the car, and drove on again.Anyway, when they see a team, they get in and do the same thing. When they catch up with the busy streets, they don't need to get in and out of the car. When they leave the door of one house, they enter the door of that house.From eight o'clock in the evening to one o'clock in the evening, he went to all the Qingyin classes in Bada Hutong, and he never missed a single family.Eight hundred and seven of the nine hundred yuan have been spent, and there is still ninety-three yuan left.At the last place, there were eight people in total, and after all the expenses, there was still eighty-five yuan left.Ruiqi wondered: "How good is this? There are more than 80 yuan left. Where can I go? Oh, yes, it's right that among the eight of you, there is a fortune star. How about it, whether you are Who, if you call me daddy three times, I will give her the full eighty yuan. If you want to call, call quickly! Just wait and it won’t be counted.” After he gave the order, the eight people were all Looking at each other, no one can say anything.In fact, who doesn't look at the more than 80 yuan with envy?No one else has the same heart and the same reason. Although they are prostitutes, they also have the same sense of shame. Who can hold back his face and call him father in front of many people.However, there is an old prostitute in her thirties named Yunong, but she can think about it, and she can't humiliate us even if she calls you your own father.Then he separated from the crowd, stood in front of Ruiqi, and called out three times.Ruiqi laughed loudly, stuffed it into Yunong's hand, turned around and left.His friends and the team couldn't help laughing too.Before he could leave the door, Yunong scolded fiercely in the yard: "You bastard, you thought you were taking advantage of others, but in fact, these three voices scolded you to death." All the people in the same yard waved their hands at her , Forbid her to speak loudly, lest Ricky hear it.In fact, he had already run out the door.One thousand yuan is considered to be reimbursed at this time.He hopped in the car, and without looking up, he went straight home to sleep.Readers of novels, you must know that the money he spends is a kind of price for Rui Fang to steal other people's treasures back then.Unexpectedly, three years later, my life is over, my baby is also cheated by others, and my son still spends money like this, showing his eyes like this, isn't this the reward of the present life?

Don't gossip.But Ruifang came out from Wufulou to Xiang's villa.Xiang Zicheng was playing chess with others in the living room, when he heard that Rui Fang had arrived, he rushed out to greet him, and his fellow passengers followed suit.Rui took a few steps and asked for two Daan.Xiang Zicheng took his hand and said with a smile: "Fourth brother, I think you should have come a long time ago. Why did you delay until now?" , and recount the ceremony.Rui Fang asked the man: "Third Brother, why did you come here? The younger brother is the same as Fourth Lord Xiang, who is a waste that the court does not want. Third Brother is flourishing. Why didn't you come here to join in the fun instead of taking the seal in Fengtian?" If you ask Rui Fang who is called the third brother, it is said that he is very famous.This person's surname is Song and his name is Ershun, and his style name is Xiaoshan.His younger brother's name is Erying, styled Youshan.The two brothers are both bannermen of the Han army and Jinshi on the same list.Before Ershun was fifty years old, he became the governor of Hunan. Later, the governor was promoted to the general of Shengjing, and the general was transferred to the governor of Sichuan.He was honest and upright. Among the banner people, he was finally an outstanding figure, and his knowledge was also very good. Among the officials in Xinjiang, he was the most trusted by the Qing court.He has two brothers, one is the Governor of Sichuan, and the other is the Minister of Affairs in Sichuan, and they are not far away from each other.In the officialdom, who doesn't envy his brother's luck.But the two brothers, although they are both founders of the family, have very different tempers and dispositions: Shun Er is very peaceful, cautious, and always fears being full; Ying Er is arrogant by nature, and he is reserved only to be angry, but also easy to be aggressive. With petty tricks, witty tricks, and persistence to the end, if you do something wrong, don't expect him to say a word of regret.But on the surface, Erying is actually much more beautiful than Ershun: Erying follows the rules, just like a gentleman who teaches reading in the country;Therefore, the official circles in Sichuan called Ershun a winter day, and compared Erying to a summer day.This parable can represent the spirit of his brother.

This year, because the horse bandits in the three eastern provinces were too violent, the Governor Xi Qing was too loyal and refused to send troops to suppress them, which may have hurt the people of Li.Unexpectedly, with this follow-through, the barbarian bandits were even more pleased, and they did everything they could to kill officials and seize counties.The wind was so loud that it spread all the way to Beijing.Even the troubled businessmen came to Beijing to complain, saying that the Hu bandit Zhang Chunlin Xiao gathered thousands of people and ran rampant in Fengtian province.Governor Xi Qing sat on the sidelines, causing the merchants and the people to suffer, so he went to Beijing to submit a petition to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, begging to replace Xi Qing and comfort the victims.Who knows that Chengzi went in, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, and there was no news.Xu Daqi, a representative headed by him, was desperate.He was originally a well-known rich man in Jinzhou, and his family suffered the heaviest losses during Zhang Chunlin's looting. That's why he invited many people to Beijing to complain.I just reported it to several places, but it didn't work at all.If I want to go home, I dare not go back; if I want to live in Beijing, I can't think of a way.When he was in a difficult situation, a companion named Ji Zikang suddenly asked him: "Didn't you say before that there is still an uncle in Beijing? Why don't you look for him, or maybe you can get a little trick." In a word Reminding Xu Daqi, he hated himself and said, "Why am I so confused? Now that there is such a way, but it is all over the world, you say it is ridiculous! Anyway, my uncle, who has been away from home for almost thirty years Well, it was a letter passed three years ago, who still remembers him. He was originally an imperial doctor in the imperial hospital, and he had contacts with all the eunuchs in the inner fan, and he only treated the concubine Jin. If he is willing to take care of it, This matter will be easy to handle. He lives in Dongsi Pailou Jingsi Hutong Lingguang Hospital (the Lingguang Hospital was opened because his name is Lingguang). When we go to find him, we must give him a generous gift. Jiayan I once said that my uncle loved petty things and did everything when he was a teenager. The family couldn’t tolerate him, so he was expelled from the house. He went to Beijing and studied medicine as a teacher. Back to Jinzhou. There were two letters from his family asking him to go home, but he refused very severely. Everyone was happy to let him go, so as not to share another share of the property. Now to see him, you have to give him a mink coat Coats, ten pairs of Jilin wild ginseng. He is naturally happy when he gets this thing, and there is absolutely no reason to talk to him about it. Otherwise, I’m afraid it’s useless.” When everyone is in trouble, can they still cherish things? ?Fortunately, they brought a little of these two items when they came to Beijing, and now they only need to take them out, choose the best ones, and send them to Xu Lingguang.After all, as long as there are bribes, there is nothing impossible in the world.Xu Daqi led a group of people to Jingsi Hutong Lingguang Hospital to meet his uncle, told him what he wanted, and presented him with a gift.Lingguang said: "My fellow countrymen have come from afar, and I haven't greeted you yet, so how can I receive your gifts first." Then he said to Daqi: "Are your parents healthy? Since you came to Beijing, why don't you stay at home? Instead, I’m going to live in a hotel. Look at uncle’s little house, it’s well tidied up, you can move your luggage here quickly.” Da Qi said: “When my nephew comes, my parents will tell you to come first. Greetings from my uncle's house. After I arrived in Beijing, many folks dragged me to work first, so I never came to say hello. After finishing my work, my nephew will stay at my uncle's house until January 20th. God, and it’s not too late to go back to Fengtian. It’s just that the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have all arrived, and they don’t care about it, so I have to come to ask my uncle what method to use.” Ling Guang smiled: “This I can't think of a solution for a trivial matter? You don't want to worry about it, and within five days, Xi Qing, this old boy, must be told to go away! Please wait for the letter." Everyone thanked him again and again before leaving.

Ling Guang immediately went to the manager's office to find the eunuch Wang Dexi.Wang Dexi has a nickname, also known as Comb Hair King. He was the husband who served the second concubine Zhen and Jin back then.Later, he was sent to Heilongjiang as a hard job by Empress Dowager Cixi.Empress Dowager Cixi died, Concubine Jin recalled her previous love, and made a statement to Empress Longyu, and issued a decree to pardon him and release him back, and he is still working in Concubine Jin's palace.The reunion of master and servant after a long absence seems like a lifetime away.Concubine Jin had to treat him extra favorably, so he began to work hard by recruiting power and accepting bribes.For smaller matters, he handled them in the name of Concubine Jin; for older ones, he went to find Zhang Delu.Delu and him were all brothers who had been squeezed out by Li Deyong back then and had gone through adversity together, so they treated him very well.Everything he came to ask for was done one by one. The two of them worked hand in hand and made a lot of money.Originally, the regent Zaifeng was cowardly and feared by the empress dowager's kindness. He might offend Longyu and disqualify him from being regent. Therefore, he obeyed Zhang Delu's words and treated him like a saint. Even Wang Dexi didn't dare to offend him very much.This time Xu Lingguang went to look for Wang Dexi and told him he knew what he was here for.Dexi said: "If it's a small matter, I'll take care of it for you. The removal and replacement of the governor is of great importance. If the prince does not issue an edict, it will not be effective. You go back first, and when I see Director Zhang, I will discuss it with him. If you can do it, I will give you a letter; if you can't do it, you have no choice but to give up, please find another way." Ling Guang said: "My Wang Liuye, if you can't do it, who else do you want me to find. Really Let me tell you, my family’s ancestral graves were all dug up by beards, and several lives were lost. If you don’t do this for me, what face do I have to live in this world!” After speaking, she burst into tears.Dexi said: "Don't cry first, I will find a solution for you, isn't it okay?" Ling Guang got this sentence, and immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed.Dexi hurriedly pulled him up, saying forget it, what else can you do besides kowtowing and wiping your tears.Ling Guang also laughed, saying that we are doctors, what are we capable of?Apart from pulse diagnosis and prescribing prescriptions, it is time to eat and sleep.Again and again, it must be done within three to five days.Dexi said: "Let's see, there's no certainty about this matter." After Lingguang left, he went to discuss with Zhang Delu.Delu said: "Originally, this old thing, Xiqing, should have been replaced a long time ago. He has been in the frontier for seven or eight years, and no one has seen him have a penny. But for no reason, he went to find the prince for this matter, even if he Reluctantly agree, but also wondering how much money we have spent. Is it worth it? I have the best way to keep it, which is more effective than our words, so you can do it according to this way." Dexi hurriedly asked What is the method, Delu whispered in his ear, telling him that such and such would definitely be effective.Dexi nodded understandingly, and praised the good plan!

After the two broke up, the next day, Concubine Jin heard the news from the palace, saying that the empress had a severe headache, and immediately summoned Xu Lingguang to the palace to ask for pulse.Dexi went up and played back and forth: "Xu Lingguang is asking for leave now because he is seriously ill and can't go out. Here is the letter he handed over to the general manager's office, please read it." Concubine Jin opened his letter If you look closely, you can see that the ancestral grave was dug up, weeping blood and heartbroken, sick in bed, asking for leave for recuperation.He also stated: The ancestral home of the minister was Jinzhou, and he had been away from home for several years. In recent years, Zhang Chunlin, a horse bandit, gathered thousands of party members, looted and burned the Jinfuhaigai area, kidnapped people's children, and barbarians buried their graves.Unexpectedly, the minister's family took the brunt of the blow, the tombs of the ancestors were all excavated, the brothers and nephews were plundered, the family property was turned into ashes, and the countryside was turned into hills and ruins.Xi Qing, the governor of the three provinces, ignored the complaint, and the lawsuit was filed with the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which also fell on deaf ears.Therefore, both pain and anger, bedridden.The rest of my humble life will fill the ditch.On weekdays, I receive great kindness from my mother, but I have not repaid it, and I am willing to wait for the next life.I would like to ask for leave first.Concubine Jin looked at it, and unknowingly flew into a rage: "It's okay! The barbarians are making such a scene, and they still don't want to hear about it. How can such a minister of the frontier still get it!" Speaking of this, she had an inspiration Go to the Empress Dowager Longyu and report everything in person.He also said that Xu Lingguang couldn't see his own illness. In any case, he had to ask the empress dowager to summon the minister of the military aircraft king and pass on Yi's decree to dismiss Xiqing and replace him with a suitable person to suppress bandits and save people's livelihood.Empress Dowager Longyu promised immediately.In the evening of the same day, he summoned the regent Zaifeng and spoke to him: "The three eastern provinces are the birthplace of our ancestors. Why did we appoint an old, weak and incompetent Xi Qing to be the governor? Take a look at this. I dug it up, can you still pretend to be confused? Go down and issue an order to dismiss Xi Qing and propose a successor. You have to choose the banner people, and the province is important, and I don’t worry about it. Yes. Did you hear that?" Zaifeng hurriedly replied, "I would like to obey Yi's order, so let's go down and impersonate."

Zaifeng didn't take much time to come down, so he proposed three people: the first was Xiangcheng, the governor of Anhui, the second was Song Ershun, the governor of Sichuan, and the third was Long Hai, the general of Guangzhou.Longyu looked at it and said that Xiangcheng's qualifications were still low and he might not be competent; Long Hai was a warrior who didn't know how to govern; only Song Ershun had been in the frontier for many years, he was mature and reliable, so let him go.After Zaifeng agreed, he will draw up an order with the Minister of Military Aircraft: Xi Qing is not suitable for people, so he will come to Beijing to fill the vacancy and wait for another appointment.This is it.Another edict is: the governor of the three provinces in the east, ordered Song Ershun to make up for it.This is it.When the last edict was finished, Zaifeng hesitated again, and said to Yiqian, Prince En, "Who should I call the governor of Sichuan left behind by Song Ershun?" King En said, "Why don't you send his younger brother Erying to stay here now?" Chuanbian is very familiar with the situation in Sichuan, and it is also close to each other. It saves me to wait for the successor, and I can't go to the three eastern provinces for a while. Does the prince think it can do it?" Before Zaifeng could answer, Zhuang Zhishan shook his head repeatedly and said: "This matter has to be considered. Song Erying's character is known to the mountain - he has more than enough talent, but not enough virtue, so he is not a material for sealing the frontier. Besides, the people of Sichuan are strong and difficult to control. If Erying is asked to go, the future If something happens, it will be too late to regret it." Zaifeng said: "Who do you think should go?" Zhuang Zhishan thought for a while and said, "The meaning of Yizhishan is to ask Chen Chunxuan to go. He served in Sichuan He has been an official for many years, has a close relationship with the people, and has experience and skills. He will never cause trouble for the country in the future. The two princes think, is this right?" King En laughed and said, "You man I'm so confused, Chen Laosan's temper is much more perverse and perverse than Erying's. You are afraid that Erying will cause trouble, but if he goes, it will be worse than Erying's." Zhuang Zhishan said: "That's another matter. : Although Chen Chunxuan has a perverse temper, she can hold the general principle; she is very stubborn when she is full of ears. In comparison, she is not as good as Chunxuan." Enwang said: "When the Empress Dowager Cixi was alive, Chunxuan was appointed governor of Sichuan.他那时执意不就，这时再问他，他也未必肯出来，与其空下一道上谕，失了朝廷的威信，还莫如直截了当地放宋耳盈呢。”摄政王此时，正在乾纲独断时候，最怕与朝廷威信有碍，如今听恩王这样说，便决计用宋耳盈。陈春萱的话，算是完全打消了。便对之山道：“中堂不用争了，我想也是用耳盈好。陈春萱闲散惯了，他决然不肯就的。”之山见主座全这样说，明知再争也无益，只得回道：“既是王爷看着耳盈好，当然不能错的。不过之山还有一句冒言，此时万不可实授他为四川总督，只命他护理好了，俟过几个月，如果他能胜任，再实授，或是派署，均无不可。”载沣见之山应了，这一点小事，怎好再驳他的面子，便应允了。自己写一道旨意，是：“四川总督，着宋耳盈暂行护理。钦此。”又另下了一道旨意，是：“席清着即来京陛见；宋耳顺未到任以前，东三省总督，着盛京副都统坤厚暂行护理。钦此。”这几道旨意拟好了，当天便由电报分拍各省。 却说席清接着这一道电谕，他不但不难过，反倒如释重负，立刻赶办交代。并对合城文武宣言，说：“这正是朝廷体恤老臣的一番至意。本来三省这地方，胡匪横行，剿既不能，抚又不可，我是实在无法了。此后愿诸君各自努力，善事新人，勿以老朽为念。”席清说到这里，有些哽咽。在座的各官，也有多一半涕泗横流。因为席清的为人，虽然能力薄弱，却是持躬清廉，待下恩厚，所有盛京各官员，差不多全同他感情很好。如今听说他要走了，不免全有些惜别之意。内中尤为难过的，便是副都统坤厚。因为坤厚是他的门生，当初又是寒士出身，在席清做房官时中的举人。后来很蒙老师提拔，一直做到盛京户部侍郎。及至奉天改为行省，席清又密保他才堪大用，朝廷便调他为盛京副都统，直做了四五年。没想到如今他老师丢官，却派他护理督篆，他心里觉着老大不过意。所以听了席清的宣言，止不住涕泪滂沱。少时各官散了，他一个人到后宅，给师母请安，所为当面安慰安慰。席清的太太文氏，也是一位很贤淑的妇人。见了坤厚，先给他道喜。坤厚皱眉道：“怎么师母也说这话，简直看门生不是人了。此次朝廷派门生护理督篆，门生听了，真是疾首痛心。老恩师待我的厚德，真是重生父母，我何忍接他老人家的事？此心唯天可表，师母要这样说，岂不把门生看成了枭獍？”文夫人叹道：“人凭素行，你这话我很相信。要说回来，你老师年纪大了，本不愿膺此烦剧。如今得回到北京，颐养余年，这正是朝廷的盛德，我们老夫妻，决没有不满意的。不过……”夫人说到这里，又咽住不说了。坤厚道：“师母为何不往下说，莫非有什么为难的事情吗？何妨直说出来，门生但能为力的，自当竭力筹划。”文夫人咳了一声道：“说起来太难为情，还是不说的好吧。”坤厚听了，益发狐疑不定，再三追问。文夫人道：“这话也只能对你说，要是对旁人说，人家一定不肯相信的。你老师空做了十年督抚，宦囊中是一文钱也不曾剩下。古人说，但饮民间一杯水，不使民间半文钱。你老师总算完全做到了。每年的养廉公费，不够一年的开支。因为在任，东赊西借，还能周转得开，如今奉旨免职，那些债主子，差不多全讨上前来，一刻也不容缓。我因为你老师正在罢官时候，也不忍再给他添烦恼。可是我自己手中又没有现钱，只可将衣服当了还账。但是我们夫妻俩，又没有值钱的衣服，满送到当铺去，也不值一千块钱。外边却有两千多块钱的账，你想这事可怎么好呢？”坤厚笑道：“门生只当是什么重大的事，原来区区两三千块钱的账。这事师母值不得发愁，回来门生送过五千块钱票子，除去还账，也还有富余，自然债主子就远远躲开了。”坤厚以为这样一办，文夫人一定不发愁了，哪知她又是摇头，又是摆手，连说使不得，使不得。你老师生平不白受人一文钱，休说是五千块了。坤厚道：“请师母收下，不必叫他老人家知道，还不成吗？”文夫人听了这话，把脸一沉，叫着坤厚的号说：“子重，你说的这叫什么话？你把师母看得太没有人格了。休说是五千块，便是五万、五十万，我怎能瞒着你老师，受人家的钱。我今年五十三岁，自问生平不曾说过一句谎语。如今要私受你的钱，势必须在你老师面前撒谎调皮，我还成一个什么人呢！”坤厚挨了一顿申饬，又是惭愧，又是钦佩，连忙请安赔不是说：“门生冒言冒语，求师母千万不要见怪才好。可是这件事实在有些难办——要明送呢，老师一定不受；暗送呢，师母又不肯——究竟得用什么法子，才可以两全呢？”坤厚踌躇了半晌，忽然想起一个主意来，说：“老师生平不肯受人一文钱，唯有在北京时候，凡有托写字，或是托作文的，送了润笔资，不拘多少，他老先生全是直受不辞。门生并且听他说过，文人的入款，以作墓志、作寿序为一大宗。凡事皆可讲交情，唯有这两件事，是不能讲交情的。作墓志是为光荣死者，入寿序是为光荣生者。为人子孙的，既想借他人的笔墨，为他祖父增光，就得拿出相当的代价来，我们是不能白作的。并且这种价值，还没有一定，得要就他的身份家当，做一个标准。当初韩退之先生，以一寒士出身，暮年居然做了富翁，所得的多半是谀墓之金。我们的手笔虽然不如韩公，可是这种文章却也不能白做。门生此时，正想替先严刻一通墓碑，何不就求老师作一作，我封他五千银子润敬，料想不至拒绝。这岂不是两全其美吗？”文夫人点头道：“这个法子很好，你就如法办理吧。”坤厚第二天，果然送过一篇节略来，另外封了五千银子支票。席清果然欢喜收下。坤厚又在外边一吹嘘，同寅中居然引出五六位来，有送一千的，也有送八百的，统算起来也有一万上下银子。席清全收了，除去还账之外，还剩了七八千两。老先生高高兴兴地回北京去了。 那继任的宋耳顺，也恰恰于此时从四川起身了。他弟弟宋耳盈得着电报，也即刻由川边直奔成都。弟兄两个见着了，自然有一番欢叙。耳盈先在署中接了印，便殷殷恳恳地向他哥哥请教，必须如何，才能将四川治好。耳顺答道：“察吏安民，这是做督抚最重要的责任。要论吾弟的才气，在我以上，察吏两个字，你定然能做得真切，是安民一节，却要格外注意。当初张敞的弟弟外放刺史，张敞问他如何治民？他逊谢不敢对。后来张敞派人送他出关，叫送的人私自问他，他回答说：'当以柱下惠文治之。'什么叫柱下惠文呢？便是秦时御史戴的惠文冠，专用法律纠弹臣民，隐喻着一种武健严酷的意思。张敞听人学说，十分满意。说果能如此，他将来的治绩一定不坏。这种议论，要据我看，在现时一定行不下去。你千万不要学张敞之弟，总要以仁心仁政去化民，万不可用严刑峻法去绳民。果然民心爱戴，官位自能久长。胶执己见，拂逆民心，是万万做不得的。我临别赠言，不过就是这几句老生常谈。至于肯听不肯听，我去了之后，也管不得许多了。”耳盈听哥哥这样说，不觉肃然起敬，说：“长兄的话，确是金石格言，做弟弟的，必然铭诸座右，永矢弗忘。弟弟这几年，也不是从前的脾气了。当初遽伯玉行年五十，而知四十九年之非；弟弟虽不敢妄比古人，却也知道从前所言所行无一是处。此后必当力改前非，诸事要与人民同其好恶，绝不敢胶执成见，自作聪明。长兄自请万安，看我以后的成绩何如。”耳顺见他说话时又形于色的，便信以为真，大加赞赏。 兄弟二人，又盘桓了两天，耳顺便起程晋京。先到湖北汉口休息了一天。此时两湖总督丁大声，是一个汉官，还是宋耳顺的老前辈呢，因此不肯自己到汉口去迎接耳顺，仅仅派他的督标中军副将、新军协统李天洪，代表自己到汉口周旋了一回，一定要接耳顺到武昌住几天。耳顺原意本想到武昌去，后来见丁大声不肯迎接，仅仅派了中军来邀请，他心里很不自在的，面子上却不肯露出。对李天洪说：“烦你回禀丁大帅，就说我风尘劳瘁，明日便要乘车晋京，不能过江给大帅请安去了。改日再会吧！”李天洪一一答应了。第二天耳顺乘京汉车，先到彰德去访项子城。哪知到了彰德一问，说在辉县呢。耳顺道，那更好了，我正想到辉县看一看自己的庄田，这样倒是两便了。便又起身奔至辉县。项子城听说耳顺来了，非常欢喜，立刻将他的家眷全迎到自己别墅，自己陪着耳顺在一处游玩。耳顺的来意，本是来请教子城，治理东三省当以什么事为最紧要。子城是笑而不答。问急了，便说三哥是老于封疆的人，什么事不好做呢？我们弟兄几年没见，正好登山玩水，饮酒赋诗，哪有闲心研究那俗吏的勾当？闹得耳顺也不好再问。要走，子城又不放走，他说奉天现有坤厚护理着，三哥忙做什么，多住几天再走不迟。耳顺只得依从他，又住了几天。恰恰赶上瑞方也到了，三位盟兄弟会在一处，自然是说不尽的欢畅。 耳顺听说瑞方得了宝器，忙要上来赏鉴。据他考究了半日，说：“这是当年卫武公的酒器，用金银铜铁钢五金，混合制成的。武公死后，必是用此殉葬。如今隔了两千多年，又发现出来，还是完完整整，这真是有鬼神呵护，专待好古家珍藏。吾弟于无意中得遇此宝，可见你福泽甚长，宝物有灵，也自幸得所了。”耳顺一席话，说得瑞方十分高兴。项子城在旁边，却冷冷地说道：“人生在世，总要大大地干一番事业。要将全副精神，都用在这破铜烂铁、旧纸片子的上头，也未免太可惜了。我生平自信，毫无所好。从前在政海中，终日劳精敝神，也不曾达到国利民福的志愿。如今蒙圣恩高厚，放还乡里，除去登山临水之外，更是无所用心了。”瑞方笑道：“四哥是旋乾转坤的大人物，当然不在这些小事上系情。可是，方才你还对三哥说无心政治，怎么这时候又想起从前来了？”子城尚未答言，耳顺便笑道：“我们都是政界中人，怎能不谈政治呃！项四爷虽然蠖屈一时，早晚朝廷一定要起用的。趁这闲散时候，大家研究研究，岂不好吗？”子城道：“小弟怎敢希望朝廷起用。朝廷就是起用，也起用不到小弟身上来，只怕还是瑞四爷要先被皇恩呢。”瑞方大笑道：“小弟在北京被人赶得立不住脚，才跑到这里来，只怕朝廷看我，连土芥全不如。四哥还要拿我开心，这不是笑话吗！”耳顺道：“自己兄弟，谁能拿谁开心，不过是闲谈罢了。话又说回来，你们二位，总不愧清风明月两仙人。至于愚兄，免不了还是一个俗吏。可是我这次到东三省去，却是兢兢业业。咱们既是同盟兄弟，万不要客气，你们二位如果有什么高见，自管对我说，我绝不是那不肯受善的人。”耳顺这一席话，总算是又委婉，又恳切。这两位把弟，当然要有所贡献了。哪知项子城是微笑不答。瑞方却忍不住了，笑道：“三哥既然这样虚心下问，小弟可要进言了。但是进言之前，先得求三哥原谅我说话嘴直，可不要怪下来，又说小弟是故意开玩笑。我的话可实在不是笑话，却是目前东三省切要的良图，除此之外，再也想不出法儿来了。”耳顺见他说得这样郑重，便也正颜厉色地答道：“老弟你的心太多了！愚兄此时，正在求直言还求不着，你肯赐以南针，我心里得怎么感激！哪还有见怪之理？”瑞方道：“三哥既不见怪，那就好极了。小弟今天是要问三哥，你此次到东三省去，可曾带得两份帖吗？”这句话将耳顺问了一愣。忙问：“是什么帖？”瑞方道：“一份是给日本关东都督的帖；一份是给胡匪章春林的帖。”耳顺惊异道：“怎么见这两个人，还要用帖吗？”瑞方笑道：“怎么不用帖？不过帖上的写法，却有些不同罢了。”耳顺道：“怎么写法呢？”瑞方道：“给日本人的帖，要写明谨具东三省一座，奉申贺敬。宋耳顺再拜。后面要注明，上至苍天，下至黄泉，四至不必分明，随时可以进展。这便是给日本人的帖。至于给章春林的帖，就用兰谱式好了。三哥再认他一个把弟，保管以后诸事平安。你再尽量地提拔提拔他，将来这个东三省总督，少不得章春林也要做几天。到那时候，可就真太平了。”瑞方说完这套话，又哈哈大笑。此时把一个宋耳顺，直气得目瞪口呆，倚在墙壁上，只有喘气，半晌答不上话来。 项子城见不得下台，忙用旁的话岔开说：“我们弟兄，不容易聚到一处，哪有工夫去做这些俗谈。三哥你在四川时候，可曾到过浣花草堂，看一看杜工部的遗迹吗？”耳顺道：“浣花草堂，就在成都的城外，如今修得焕然一新了。每逢杜工部生日，合城的仕女，全要拿着鲜花一束，去给子美做生日，却是非常的热闹。愚兄也曾去过一次，还是在那里宴客，竹树清幽，倒是别具一种雅趣。可惜当地的人思想腐旧，在正厅上还塑着子美先生的像。据我看，实在是亵渎先贤。倒不如画几张画儿，录几首杜诗，挂在正厅中，倒足以表示尊敬仰慕的意思呢！”子城道：“三哥说得很是！曾记那一年，小弟到山东去寻张勤果公谋事。到了济南，我就先去逛大明湖，只带着一个下人，到湖边雇船。那些船家听我是外乡口音，便信口开河，胡要船价：有要三十吊钱的，有要二十五吊的；还有一只大船，硬敢要五十吊。全问遍了，内中只有一个船家，人极老实，他张口才要了六吊钱。我连价也不曾驳，便给他六吊钱。问他姓名，他自称叫胡二。我们先到古历亭，详详细细地看了一回，里面还有杜工部同李北海刻在石上的像，听说是吴道子画的，神采奕奕，很有生气。从此后，我每日晚间必到古历亭游一游，坐的仍是胡二的船，船价总是六吊。我游了足有一个多月。后来离开济南有十多年，是我做抚师，又到山东接任。到任没出三天，我又带着当日的老家人去逛湖，所有仪从护卫，一概不要。两人到了湖边，挨着船仔细去访，居然又寻到胡二的船了。可是胡二的须发，已经苍苍变白。我又过去问他船价，他这回却要十吊了。我说：'十年前，你不是要六吊？为何现在却要十吊呢？'胡二听我这样问，不觉仰起头来，仔细看了我一回，不觉失声道：'啊哎！你不是十年前的老客人吗？我曾载过你一个多月，很挣了你几个钱。没想到如今却又遇着！好好，还是六吊吧，我怎好多要你的钱呢。'我们主仆二人上船，我问他从前不要谎，因何现在又要起谎来。胡二叹了一口气道：'我的老爷，你哪里知道！我如今挣十吊钱，还不如当年挣六吊呢。现在的年头，不好过了——从前白面卖四十个钱一斤，如今却卖八十个钱，从前土布卖六十个钱一尺，如今要卖一百四十钱了。宗宗样样，全比当年贵一倍还多。就连我们这船，从前修理一次，不过花上十几吊钱；如今修理一次，却要花三四十吊。请你想一想，我就是挣十吊钱，还不如当年挣六吊呢。'我彼时问他，这究竟是什么缘故？胡二说：'你老不知道。从前有张宫保在这里做巡抚，他老人家是只饮民间一杯水，不使民间半文钱，把山东人全看成他的子女一般，真是轻傜薄税，多一个钱也不肯向民间去取。所以，那时候市面上元气充足，各商家住户，全都有钱赚，有饭吃，物价也高不起来。及至他死了，后来的这些大帅，一个个全都视财如命，用各样的法子，连地皮全刮下三尺去，人民怎么能不穷？物价怎么能不贵呢？'我听了他这话，很惶恐的，忙问他现在这位抚台官声怎样？胡二笑道，他才来了三天半，谁晓得呢？可听说这位大人，倒是想做好官。他在高丽国时候，还打过日本人呢，可见他的胆子真不小。我听了这话，也好笑。我们又到古历亭游玩了一回，到北极庙登了一回高，又到张公祠瞻仰了一回勤果公的画像。正在祠中休息，那些戈什、武巡捕，也驾着船全赶到了。他们一到张公祠，便瞪着眼问船家：'大帅可在这里吗？'船家白瞪着眼也问他们：'谁是大帅？'他们一眼看见我的家人谢大福，便喊道：'好了，好了！大帅在这里呢。'一直跑了进去。我嘱咐他们不要大惊小怪的，船家胡二到这时候，才知道我是新任的抚台，吓得屁滚尿流，直朝着我磕头。说：'小的有眼不识泰山！方才说话冒犯了大帅，千万求大帅不要见怪。'我很奖励他为人诚实，赏了他十两银子。以后每逢逛湖，仍旧坐他的船。我自问样样不如张勤果，唯有一件事情，办得非常痛快，如今想起来，总算对得过山东人。”宋、瑞二人忙问什么事？子城道：“庚子年闹义和团，是从山东发起。这事人全知道。可是到底山东却不曾受了拳匪的害，这就是小弟治鲁的成绩。义和团才一兴，我也并不出示禁止，反倒传谕各州县，将那最著名的大师兄，一律送到济南省垣，我要当面考试。不多几天，便送了有六七十名来。我一律安置在八旗会馆，一切饮食起居，格外优待。不知道的，多说这位项大帅尊敬义和拳，保清灭洋，真是大大一位忠臣。这一天我在督署中，将那些大师兄全传了来，要当面试验他们的武术。我见他们的面，便着实奖励一番。这些东西见我如此抬举，便拿出骄傲的面孔来，真仿佛以天神自居。我彼时心里真是好笑，你们死在眼前，还得意呢！我问他们：'全会些什么神术？'那为首的叫曹得胜、马得功，便大吹其牛，说能避枪炮，枪弹打到身上能撞回来，丝毫不入。我听了假装着惊为神奇，说：'你们真是天神下界。这一来，洋鬼子可该灭了。但是打仗不同旁的，得要先试验一番，一者免得临时有失误，二者也可坚人民的信仰。曹马两位既然是领袖，就先从你二人身上验起吧。你们可乐意受我的试验吗？'二人齐声答应愿受试验。我说试验的事，得叫人民俱都看见。最好在南围子门外大操场，你们大家就随我去吧。这七八十人，全随着我到了操场。一时间惊动了合城的商民，成千累万的，全跑到南门外看试验义和拳。我早预备好了。他们一到，便将曹、马二人立在操场中间，把衣服全剥了，只穿一条裤子，两只手叉着腰，腆着肚子，净等接枪弹。我那卫队离他有十几步远，净等着听号令便开枪。我站在他们后边喊号，见他们全瞄准了，便喊道：'开枪！'只听呯呯的两声，那两位大师兄仰面朝天，应声而倒。枪弹全从心口窝穿过，鲜红的血流了一地。我假装诧异，说：'这是怎么了？'四围看的人，也全目瞪口呆。哪知那些大师兄里边，还有几个不怕死的，挺身出来对我说：'这二人心不虔，所以法术不灵。我们情愿重新试验，求大帅允准。'我连忙拱手道：'好好。你们乐意试验的，一共有几位？'他们说有四人。我便即刻将这四个人立在教场中间，我那卫队瞄好了，四枪同放。但听扑通扑通的，一连又倒了四个，仰面朝天，老老实实的，就归天去了。我却假装糊涂，问那几十人道：'你们看这六人，为什么倒在地上，动也不动？一定是他们心地不虔诚，身体不洁净，所以才有这种现象。这样吧，你们几十位一同过来，显一显法术，也省得人民疑惑你们是空口无灵。'哈哈！哪知这时候，他们不是方才那样骄傲的样子了。一个个吓得面白如纸，仿佛死囚到了法场一般，彼此面面相觑，连一口大气儿也不敢出。偏偏我那卫队，定要同他开玩笑，全都饱好了枪，朝他们笑道：'众位大师兄，请过来试一试吧。'他们见这样催促，知道不现原形，决然讨不出公道去了。便一齐跪到我面前，直磕响头，口中连叫大帅饶命。我说你们不是有法术护身吗？为什么反倒向我讨命呢？他们一齐说，小的们哪里有什么法术，不过是妖言惑众。方才死的几个人，因为他迷信太深，以为大仙爷必来保护，哪知全无灵验，白白地送了性命。小的们实在怕死，不敢再试验了。求大帅高抬贵手，饶了我们吧！说罢，又连连磕头。我到此时，才老实不客气地责骂了他们一顿，并当着看热闹的人民演说了一回：义和拳纯粹是造谣言，变相的土匪，千万不可轻信。死了的便是前车之鉴。你们谁要不信，自管过来试一试，就知道枪弹的厉害了。这些人看见那六位大师兄，俱是天神附体，还禁不住枪弹一碰，谁敢再来以身试验。一个个全高声说道，我们全明白了，义和拳是假的，不再上那当了，请大帅放心吧！我当时很奖励了他们几句。从此以后，便通饬各州县，从严禁止。如有再练拳的，以土匪论。幸而这些未死的大师兄，一个个回到家乡，一传十，十传百，都知道避枪炮是靠不住的，便死心塌地不再练那劳什子了。因此，山东虽是义和团发祥之地，结果却不曾受着丝毫祸害。这便是我在山东的德政，可以对得起一班人民。至于其他，也不见得有什么好处了。”项子城一席话，将瑞方同宋耳顺的冲突全化开了。大家照旧谈笑，各说个人在任时候的许多笑史。转眼又过了几天，宋耳顺一定要起身到北京去了，项子城特特预备上好的燕菜席给他饯行。盟兄弟三人执手话别，还