Chapter 60 The fifty-seventh cup of wine successfully fled the customs alone

When Li Huchen was begging Monk Yuekong to help him, he suddenly heard someone shouting outside, which startled the three people in the room.Huchen was guilty at first, he was afraid that people would see his flaws and it would be inconvenient, so he hurriedly asked the woman if she had a place to hide?The woman smiled and said, "Don't hide. I heard the shouting sound, it seems to be Li Xiaosi from the neighbor. He is probably sent by the lady to see foreign goods. It's not good for you to hide." The woman said, Then welcome out.After a while, a man and a woman came together, talking and laughing, and entered the room.Seeing that man, he looked like a local ruffian, but the woman was well-dressed. When she saw Hu Chen, she asked, "You shopkeeper, why do you only sell it in one store, and don't come out to show it to everyone?" Hu Chen replied with a busy smile. Said: "Grandma, don't be offended, because you haven't finished picking here. Once you pick it up, you have to go to the street. Fortunately, grandma is here. You always like what you like. Please choose whatever you want." The woman Sure enough, he was not polite, picked two pieces of soap and a bottle of perfume, and asked Huchen how much it was.Huchen said: "It's a total of one yuan and eight cents." The woman said to the man, "Give me the money." : "Yes, yes, what else would grandma choose?" The woman and the man all laughed, saying that the shopkeeper is really kind.You must be rich, and we will not pick others.Then he walked away.Yuekong said to Huchen: "Master Li, you really have been around for a long time, how come you know he is a bachelor and rascal when you meet him, and how wonderful it is to deal with it lightly. Otherwise, they will have to quarrel and make the neighbors uneasy "Hu Chen said: "I am also for Master Gu Quan. Otherwise, we would quarrel for a while and force the master to take him to himself, so why waste half a day's time in vain. We have this time, and we can still talk about serious business. Master as long as Complete me, steal the head of the imperial envoy, I am willing to give half of the foreign goods to grandma, and sell the rest, as my return to Shanghai. After I arrive in the north, I will never forget the benefits of the master. There must be a special reward from the Rui family." When Hu Chen said this, it really touched the woman's heart.She was also helping to persuade her, and said: "It doesn't cost you anything, it's not convenient." Yuekong hesitated for a moment, and then whispered to Huchen: "You want to steal the head, and you plan to take it outright." , It is absolutely impossible. I have a plan, if you are willing to follow it, the safekeeping can be successful. But after you get it, you must leave the country quickly, and you will not be able to live in Zizhou for a moment." Hu Chen hurriedly Ask what strategy, I can answer.Yue Kong clung to his ear, telling him so and so.Hu Chen praised: "Sure enough, it's a good plan, and you can take care of it. But even if you cover it up now, if you find out in the future, don't blame the master." Yuekong laughed: "You don't have to worry about this level, I have already planned it Alright." Hu Chen said, "I'll go now, and I'll see you in the temple tomorrow afternoon." Yuekong said, "Okay, I'll be waiting for you tomorrow." Hu Chen picked up the wooden cabinet, said goodbye and went out.Still ringing the hand bell, I sold a few items in the village before returning to the shop.

In the afternoon of the next day, he still went to the Great Buddha Temple, and peddled kung fu for a long time back and forth in the temple.Yue Kong suddenly beckoned to him, called him to the front of a room, and said, "You put down the wooden cabinet first, and I'll tell you: we are Mr. Zhao's family here, we are going to read the birthday scriptures for his mother in this temple, and there are quite a lot of guests." , There are a lot of soap towels used this day, you can sell them at a low price, and we can keep some more." Huchen hurriedly took out a lot of goods from the cabinet and showed them to Yue Kong.After Yue Kong picked it up, he calculated the price, and the total was three yuan and eight cents.Yue Kong ordered the little monk to store it in the furniture warehouse in the backyard first, and then said to Hu Chen: "You should make an account first, and then get the money in a few days." Hu Chen said: "My master, this can't be done. "Yue Kong said: "Is there any reason for this? With our big temple, can't you be cheated?" Huchen said: "Amitabha, it's a sin. It's not that the salesman is less trustworthy than his master, and it's not that he is afraid of Baocha cheating people. It's because there is no shop. Money. I have owed five days today and have not paid in full. If there is no more money to give to the store, I will be driven out. Driving people does not count, and the goods are also detained as a security package. Master, please think, we are a small businessman, Can you afford it? Master, if you are merciful, there are plenty of spare houses in this temple, and you can lend me one for a while, and I have the right to settle down. Even if you don’t give me the money, I’m happy, but I don’t know if master is willing to do so?” Yue Kong listened He said hesitantly: "I can't decide this matter. First, there is the abbot monk above me. I have to agree with him before I dare to let people live in it. On the other hand, there are troops living in the temple. Although you are A businessman whose whereabouts are unknown. I want to keep you, if the commander finds out, can I afford it?" The two were talking, and there were already two sentinels and two chiefs of the army listening However, he said to Yue Kong: "You monk, it's too inconvenient. People say it so pitifully, and you have a lot of houses. What's the point of asking him to stay for a few nights? It's worth using our army to cover the door. Just Let the commander know that he doesn't care about this. As for your abbot, you practice meditation all day long, and you don't even leave the house. Why did he ask about the affairs in the temple? What are you talking about?" Yuekong was caught by these four people. After a lesson, he hurriedly replied with a smile on his face: "The four masters are right. But because of the strict military regulations, I dare not not be particularly cautious. If the four masters can guarantee that the commander will not be blamed, I will let him stay. It's nothing." The four of them said in unison: "Okay, we'll be the guarantor, so you can keep him." When the shopkeeper heard this, he knelt down and kowtowed to the four without waiting for Yue Kong to agree, saying : "Four masters, you are really the favor of the villain. The villain is here first to thank you for getting old." The four laughed and said, "Don't thank us, but thank the monk first." The salesman was really obedient, Get up and kowtow to the moon sky again.Yuekong hurriedly supported him with his hands, and said: "Why do you need to do such a great gift? It's not my kindness, I really don't have the courage. Since the four masters look at you well, there must be nothing wrong with you. From now on, you Let’s live in this temple.” Pointing with his finger, he said, “Look at the house next to the horse shed in the backyard, there is a hayhouse, the ground is covered with thick grass, you can sleep when you lie down, There is no need for bedding, and it is still warm, where can I find such a good place?" The shopkeeper thanked him again and again, and then he went into the house by himself, cleaned it roughly, put down the wooden cabinet against the wall, and lay on the grass by himself, very comfortable.Suddenly a soldier came in and said: "You can eat with me. Our sentry officer, Mr. Sun, said that you are honest. From today on, you will eat with us in the shed. After eating, where do you want to go to do business?" , please feel free to do whatever you want.” The salesman was overjoyed when he heard this.First, I followed the soldiers to see Officer Sun, and thanked him face to face.From then on, he lived in the temple and still went out to sell goods during the day. When it was time for dinner, he came back to the temple to eat and sleep.

After two or three days, all the paths in the temple and the courtyards behind the temple are familiar.Monk Yuekong also pointed him to an empty room, saying that the head of your marshal is in this room, but the door is locked upside down.There are four sergeants living in the next room, which are specially used to guard this room.Fortunately, only these four people live in this small courtyard, and none of the other soldiers are willing to live here.Because there are human heads in the house, every night, everyone passes by the yard, and they are still a little timid. Who would like to live here?Only those four people, because they were ordered to guard, how dare they violate the commander's military order, this is also called helpless.The four of them boldly lived here. Every night, they bought a catty of white wine and two packs of salted peanuts. They drank as much as they could, and fell asleep when they were drunk. They didn't care if someone else had a head or not, and they didn't feel afraid. up.Every day is like this.Hu Chen had noticed it a long time ago, but the thatched house he lived in was closely connected to the yard.He was very familiar with the four sergeants who looked at the heads.One is unintentional and the other is intentional.Hu Chen then accosted them and chatted with them, and first asked the four people's surnames and where they came from.One said that his surname was Wang and his name was Wan Sheng, who was from Huanggang, Hubei.One, surnamed Ma, named Deying, is from Hanyang.Those two were brothers from distant families, both surnamed Shi, one named Changsheng and the other named Changlu, and they were both from Huai'an Prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River.Huchen talked with these two surnames of Shi from the same hometown.I said that I am from Nanjing, we are close to the same village, and we have to ask for your help in everything.Brother Shi Jia also got on good terms with Huchen, and every night when they were drinking, he would bring Huchen over for a few drinks.The five chatted and laughed for a while before going to bed.Huchen asked them, what good things are in that locked room, you four should know.Wang Wansheng laughed and said: "The things inside are very good, brother Li, you have to see that keeping and loving him is a rare treasure." Hu Chen pretended to be stupid and said: "It must be very valuable, you four Why don't you tell me to open my eyes?" Shi Changsheng said with a smile: "Brother, why are you so honest, he appetized you. If you see this kind of treasure, I'm afraid you will pee in fright. I want yours Life, you will never love it." Huchen said: "What is it? It really suffocates me, brother, tell the truth, don't play this charade anymore." Changsheng looked at the three people and smiled. , still refused to speak out.Huchen kept his eyes straight, like copper bells, looking at this and that, as if anxious.High or low, Shi Changlu was straightforward, and blurted out: "Let me tell you, there is a living human head inside." Hu Chen heard this, and groaned: "You scared me to death, how could a living human head run into that room? This is really weird. Don’t let the gods of this Great Buddha Temple show their holiness and turn into a living head, ready to scare everyone so that they can build temples for him!” Ma Deying snorted and said, “It’s even more important for the gods to have such efficacies. No. To tell you the truth, the head inside is the head of the emperor's family, and the imperial envoy who supervised the railway was chopped off by our commander with a knife, do you understand that?" Hearing this, Hu Chen became even more frightened. He said that the leader dared to be more powerful than the emperor, and if he wanted to kill anyone, his head would not be able to grow.Ma Deying said with a smile: "Brother Li, you are really a countryman. What you say makes people laugh. You still think that you belong to the emperor. To tell you the truth, even the emperor is going to be out of luck now." , I'm afraid that the future result will be similar to this imperial envoy!" Hearing this, Hu Chen said with a serious air, "I don't believe it, who dares to kill the emperor! No matter where the emperor goes, Whoever wants to kill him, the Lord of the Land will raise the dragon head and crutches, and he is not afraid of any swords, guns, swords and halberds, who can kill him?" Everyone couldn't stop laughing when they heard what he said. Say you are probably a theater fan, this is the story of going to the rooftop of Qingyang Palace, how do you take it seriously?Huchen asked Shi Changsheng again: "My good brother, open the door of that house, and I will take a look at the treasure. What does it look like? When I return to Nanjing in the future, I can tell everyone about it. I have seen the imperial envoy. What about your head." Shi Changsheng laughed and said, "Forget it, what's so interesting about a dead man's head? Besides, you are so timid, if you see it, you will get sick if you see it, is it just a joke?" Shi Changsheng is indeed After some good intentions, Wang Wansheng was the best at being witty. He wanted to scare Hu Chen, so he stood up and said, "Boss Shi, what hypocrisy are you doing? Since Brother Li wants to see it, let's open the door and ask him to open the door." Broaden your horizons, isn't it good? But after reading it, you can treat the four of us tomorrow. Two catties of liquor, two sheep's heads, the five of us can drink together. Brother Li, are you willing?" Tiger The minister hurriedly responded, "I'm happy." When the three heard that there was wine and meat, no one stopped them.Wang Wansheng took out the key, unlocked the door, and said to Huchen, "Brother Li, please sit inside." But Huchen pretended to be afraid, and said to Wansheng, "I dare not go ahead, please Brother Wang leads the way." Wan Sheng laughed loudly and said, "You dare not go in, so why ask us to open the door?" Shi Changlu said, "It's no wonder that Brother Li was afraid during the fasting night. How about it? I'll lead the way with a lantern, and you all follow me." He then lit a Zhuge lantern and held it high in front, Huchen followed closely behind him, and the three followed him in.Changlu went straight to the southeast corner of the house, lit it with a lantern, and showed Hu Chen with his finger, saying, Brother Li, look inside that big basin, which is the head of the imperial envoy.Huchen followed his hand to look, and he saw something in a big basin, but it was covered with lime.When I looked at it suddenly, it was blurry, but with the help of the light, it was easy to distinguish. I saw a shaggy beard, bared teeth, and closed eyes. It wasn't Rui Fang but who it was.At this time, Hu Chen felt miserable and almost cried out loud.Quickly swallowed back tears, but pretended to be afraid and said: "Oh, I don't want to watch it, I'm afraid of killing!" Everyone laughed together: "Don't you want to see the baby, and you are going to go home and talk about the past? Why are you afraid again? " Huchen said: "I knew this was the case, baby, and I didn't even look at it when you invited me with wine!" Wang Wansheng said: "No matter what you say, you have to treat me tomorrow. If you don't treat me, I will lock you here In the house, I ask you to accompany the imperial envoy." Hu Chen backed away in fright, and said, "I will treat you. Brother Wang, you must do good deeds, don't lock me in this room, I can't bear it! Wan Sheng laughed loudly, pulled him over, and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm just joking. Let's go out and drink, what's the point of seeing this?" Everyone went back to the soldier's room again, We talked and laughed for a while, and drank a few more glasses of wine.

Huchen went back to his own thatched hut to rest.He thought in his heart: I can see the lock and key of that room clearly, and I can also recognize the direction of the address on the head. This matter is finally easy to start.But what method must be used to cover the eyes of those four people?cough!It's easy to handle, didn't Wang Wansheng ask me to treat him just now, I'll spend a few pennies tomorrow, buy him five catties of high-quality liquor, and buy some sheep's head and pig's trotters, and pour them with a generous amount to get them all drunk I'm in a deep sleep, so I'll take this opportunity to do it, and the safekeeping will be successful.But when the head was taken out, a replacement had to be found. It was still placed in the basin and covered with ash. Even if they checked at night, they might not be able to see it.It's just that what should be used as a substitute?After thinking about it for a while, I suddenly remembered that at a stall selling children's toys in the city, there was some big-headed monk Du Liucui with paper-pasted and oil-powdered covers. He hung a short beard, put it in a basin, sprinkled some white ash on it, they couldn't recognize it unless they looked closely.The idea was fully thought out, and the next day he kept his face, still carrying the wooden cabinet, ringing the hand bell, and went to sell goods everywhere.At night, he carried the cupboard on his back, a wine gourd in one hand, and a big bag in the other, which was full of things to go with the wine, and he carried them back to his room.Wang Wansheng didn't even eat dinner because someone was treating him, and kept his eyes open, hoping that Hu Chen would come back.Sure enough, it did. Seeing that Huchen came back with a lot of things on his shoulders and hands, he was very happy, so he went up to meet him and said with a smile, "Brother Li really did not break his promise, you bought so many things that are a waste of money. Let me get some for you." Hu Chen said: "Very good, I will send the cabinet back to the house, and leave the rest to you, take it to your place, and arrange it for me, I will come right away. "Sure enough, Wang Wansheng took them all and took them to their living room.At this time, the Shijia brothers and Ma Deying rushed out to meet them. When they saw these many things, they were all very happy.Everyone made arrangements for Hu Chen, some pouring wine, some removing sheep's heads, some cutting pig's trotters, and some placing cups and chopsticks.When I was young, the Huchen came and saw that the food and wine were all set up, and even said that the four of you would be troubled.The four laughed and said, "You have spent so much money, we will do our best to arrange the arrangements for you. What's the trouble?" Hu Chen hurriedly brought up the jug, filled a cup for all four of them first, and said: "This glass of thin wine, the four of you should try to drink as much as you can. We will not get drunk today, and we have nothing to do at night anyway. When he gets drunk, everyone puts his head on his head and sleeps. He sleeps until dawn and wakes up from the wine. Now, how comfortable it is!" The four of them said together: "You don't need elder brother to persuade you, those who are not drunk today are not friends, but elder brother also has to accompany us to get drunk, you don't want to escape drunk alone." Hu Chen said: " That's natural, why do you still use the four younger brothers to persuade me? But dry drinking is meaningless, let's play some tricks." Everyone applauded and agreed.The five of them started guessing punches, and they punched a big cup.Huchen's fist is sure, after a round of guessing, he has seen through all the fists of these four people, they can only win, not lose.Sometimes losing a punch or two is also intentional.When I met these four people, I drank heavily, and the more I lost, the happier I was.In the blink of an eye, more than four catties of five catties of baijiu had been drunk.Huchen said: "This little wine is not enough to drink. I'll sell him another three catties. Don't give in." But the Shijia brothers stopped him again and again, saying that it was almost enough, and they might not be able to drink it again. What are you wasting money for? ?Wang Ma sneered and said: "Brother Li treats guests with more money and less money, what does it have to do with you? Why do you have to make such calculations for him? Well, you are from the same town, so naturally you have to take special care of us, it seems that we are irrelevant. You see Come on, the two of us will invite you again tomorrow, even if you have no money, such a poor host can still afford it!" Shi Changsheng said: "Why do you worry about this gossip, as expected, you can drink it, and you don't need Brother Li to pay for it!" Well, I can still afford three catties of wine." As he spoke, he stood up and wanted to go outside to buy wine.Hu Chen grabbed him and said, brother, why should you be angry?Or I'll sell it.Then he poured the one catty of wine left in the gourd into the pot, and carrying the wine gourd, he went outside.After a short time, I bought another three catties, and bought two large bags of salted nuts, orchid beans, etc., and said to the four people with a smile: "Let's all be happy, drink as much as possible, and whoever wants to cheat will drink less." One cup, I'm sorry for my friend." The four of them laughed together and said, "Since Brother Li is happy, we will accompany you." So they reorganized their cups and chopsticks, and drank again.It was unintentional among the four, but it was intentional among Hu Chen.After pouring out a measure, the first unconvinced Wang Wansheng sat on the ground, shaking his body, his tongue was short, and he still insisted on drinking.Said: "Brother Li - Li Da -, let's change to a - big bowl." Hu Chen said yes, then took five bowls for eating, each poured more than half of the bowl, and said to Wan Sheng: " Let's finish this bowl." Tremblingly, Wan Sheng picked up the big bowl, straightened his eyes, and said to Hu Chen, "Where are you going to drink?" Do you want to ask?" Wan Sheng took the bowl and closed his nose and mouth, half of the wine was spilled, and the bowl fell to the ground.He leaned back, with a thump, and fell on his back.Fortunately, he sat on the spot, otherwise, he would have broken his head.Only then did Wan Sheng fall, followed by two more, leaving only Huchen and Shi Changlu.Changlu was holding half a bowl of wine, although he was a little drunk, but still sober, he said to Huchen, "Brother, your sinful virtue is really not small, and three of you died because of drunkenness." Huchen said: "This is them. I'm willing, why don't I force them." He said this, but he hesitated in his heart.Now that he has reached the top of the mountain, is it because he is not drunk all by himself, that his success falls short?Then he changed his words and said: "Today we originally said that we should get drunk before resting. If the three of them are drunk and the two of us are not drunk, and they wake up tomorrow, I must blame the two of us for teasing them. Brother, you think, what I said is true." Isn't it? Let's just drink two more bowls." At this point, he lifted the pot, poured more than half of the bowl for Chang Lu, and poured half of the bowl for himself, and the two drank it all in one go.Chang Lu said: "Younger brother is not afraid of getting drunk, but both of us are drunk, lying horizontally and vertically, without opening the door, if Cha Ye comes in and sees what I look like, I'm afraid even my eldest brother will be responsible for it. Hu Chen said: "I have also considered this level. How about this, you and I will always be the one who gets drunk first. For example, if I get drunk first, my brother will stop drinking. Hurry up and open the door to the courtyard and take care of us four drunks." If my brother gets drunk first, brother Yu will do the same, what do you think of this method?" Chang Lu clapped his hands in approval, saying that this idea is really great.The two rearranged their cups and plates, and drank happily again.In fact, after drinking in the middle of the night, the wine in Huchen's belly was not worth one-third of theirs.Because Huchen punched high, he was not allowed to lose a punch when he guessed six punches.As for the amount of alcohol, Hu Chen has followed Rui Fang for many years, which day did he not socialize?It is the alcohol capacity that has already been practiced.These four people are just playing together in the camp, they have never seen a big wine formation, they can't drink Huchen just by drinking, not to mention playing guessing games.Although Chang Lu's strength is stronger than those three, after all, he is no match for Hu Chen.It happened again that Huchen wanted to pour him water. After a while, Changlu also collapsed and fell asleep on the ground.

When Huchen saw it, he thought to himself, if I don't do it now, when will I wait?Sui stood up, tightened his clothes tightly, shut the door of the four of him upside down, and then closed the door of the small courtyard.Back in his own room, he opened the wooden cabinet, took out the false head, and walked gently to the door of the empty room.There is a key prepared with me, I took it out and opened the lock, then chained the key, put it in my arms first, then pushed open the door, and walked in with the fake head in my hand.But it felt gloomy, and a gust of cold wind hit his face, making Huchen's hair stand on end.Fortunately, he was born in the battalion, so he is very courageous.If you want to put it on ordinary people, you will be scared back a long time ago, how dare you go to the house to do tricks.He collected himself, and still walked forward in the dark.Fortunately, I came in once, and I remembered the direction, and went straight to the southeast corner.But he walked a little too fast, hit the big basin, and almost fell down.Hastily crouched down and prayed secretly in his heart: Marshal, Marshal, Li Huchen risked all kinds of dangers to steal your head tonight.You have a spirit underground, please follow me away from this dangerous place in peace.After Hu Chen congratulated, he stretched out his hand and lifted Rui Fang's head from the basin.First brush off the white ashes from the head with your hands, then put it in your arms and wrap it with the ragged jacket you are wearing.Then he went back and took the paper fake head, placed it in the basin, but grabbed a handful of ashes from the basin and sprinkled it on it.Still not at ease, he lit a match, took a picture, and saw white ash covering it, but he couldn't see it.It's just that the fake beard is too long and hangs out of the basin, so it doesn't look like it.He hurriedly put the beard into the basin, lit a match for the second time, and carefully looked at the ground, maybe there were traces of white ash, which could be seen by others.After checking the inside and outside of the basin for a week, there was no flaw, then he stood up, covered his head with his clothes, and slowly exited the empty room, still locked the door, and gently opened the door of the four people's room.Only then did he return to his own room, reopen the wooden cabinet, and take out a lot of goods.Then wrap the head with oiled paper and put it on the lower level of the wooden cabinet, with a lot of foreign goods on it, and then lock the wooden cabinet.Feeling uneasy, I didn't close my eyes all night, and didn't fall asleep until dawn the next day.

It was almost noon when I woke up, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Wang Wansheng and Shi Changlu standing in front of me, grinning.Qi said Brother Li was so sleepy, you got us all drunk, and we thought you were really not drunk, but you were even more drunk, and slept until this time, even ignoring breakfast.Hu Chen laughed and said, "You two, please don't blame me. We are just having fun in time. Can anyone feel at ease drinking whom? You don't know, I was even more drunk, and I managed to crawl into my own room in a daze. I have been sleeping until this time, and now I wake up feeling dizzy." The two said: "We have saved breakfast for you, don't you hurry up and eat it?" Hu Chen said: "Thank you for your concern, I am in my heart , I still feel bloated and full, I really can’t eat anymore, let’s make it again in the evening.” The two nodded and went.Huchen thought in his mind, should I leave today, or should I leave tomorrow?I didn't sleep last night and was extremely exhausted. Today I will hurry on my journey again. Although I am physically strong, I am not afraid of anything, but if a little illness happens, I will suffer for a few days. It is nothing but carrying this dangerous thing on my body Son, if someone finds out halfway, it will be very inconvenient.It's better not to go out today and rest in the house.Go to bed early at night and sleep through the night. Tomorrow, I will go to Wuliuzhuang and meet with Yuekong.I have worked so hard on my affairs, and now that I am done, how can I leave without saying goodbye.Furthermore, since I promised to give the woman Yangguang goods, I must not break my promise to her.Well, that's the decision.That night, he secretly informed Yue Kong that the two had agreed to meet at Wuliuzhuang before lunch tomorrow.After dinner that day, Huchen fell asleep with his head covered. He slept until dawn, then got up quickly and packed it up. Fortunately, he was a carry-on luggage.For the dry food in the belly, the goods couldn't be packed in the cabinet, so I packed another package.He locked the wooden cabinet again and took the key with him. Then he carried the cabinet on his back, holding the package in his left hand and the rattle in his right hand, and walked out of the Great Buddha Temple slowly.The soldier guarding the gate asked with a smile: "Brother Li, why didn't you go out to do business yesterday?" Hu Chen said with a smile: "Yesterday I had a cold, a headache and a fever, and I didn't get up all day. It's all right today, hurry to the market Hurry up and do some business, so we can eat well." The soldier guarding the gate smiled and nodded, and Hu Chen rang the bell and walked away.

In a blink of an eye, I came to Wuliuzhuang and went straight to Osmanthus soup's house.Seeing that it was Hu Chen, the woman smiled and let him in.At this time, Yuekong had been waiting for a long time, and when he saw Huchen, he clasped his hands on his chest and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Li for your success. This is really worthy of your painstaking efforts." Master is so successful, even if I have the heart, I can't do it. I came today, one is to say goodbye to the master, and the other is to present the goods promised to this grandma in person, which is a little bit of my heart." Said Then he handed the cloth bag in his hand to Yue Kong, saying that Master would pass it on for me, it was not a respect.Yuekong took it and passed it to the woman, but said in his mouth: "Master Li is too sincere, don't you keep it as a entanglement on the road?" Selling goods, I saved thirty or forty yuan. The remaining goods in the cabinet are worth more than twenty yuan, which is enough for my travel expenses to Shanghai. As long as I arrive in Shanghai, I will not worry about having no money. That's a lot." Yuekong said, "Are you leaving today?" Hu Chen said, "You must leave today, and you can't delay any more." Yuekong said, "Are you going to leave tomorrow, or secretly? Hu Chen said: "Naturally, I'm going secretly. You must not go out in the open. One is afraid that they will be suspicious. If you want to check me, you will be in great danger. If you don't check, those soldiers who have made good friends with me will be in danger. If you stop me and don't let me go, you will inevitably have a lot of trouble. How can you sneak away without anyone noticing, and avoiding so much right and wrong. Please think about it, Master, am I right?" Yue Kong pondered for a moment, then answered Said: "It's not wrong for Mr. Li to be worried. But according to my opinion, there is still something wrong in it." Hu Chen said: "Since the master sees something wrong, we have to find another way. It will be better if there are no future troubles." Yuekong said: "It's not the other way around. You have lived in the temple for many days, and a group of officers and soldiers have a very good relationship with you. You left without saying goodbye for no reason, and you will never leave. If you don’t look back, they don’t suspect that you ran away. They must suspect that you have been robbed or killed by others. Maybe they will send troops to follow up and visit the four townships. This will make our Zizhou urban and rural areas noisy. Uneasy. If you are caught up again by them, why do you run away? Don't show your feet?" Hu Chen said: "Master is very worried. But if you don't go secretly, you have to go clearly. There may be some magic method. Are you stumbling?" Yue Kong thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "Yes, let's come up with a method of both light and dark, and blame Dong Wu." Hu Chen said: "What method? Please teach me, Master , I will definitely do it." Yuekong whispered in his ear.Hu Chen said: "This idea is indeed very good, but I'm afraid Li Xiaosi may not be willing to do it." Yue Kong said: "You don't know, then Li Xiaosi is a vagrant, and in normal life, he only likes to make friends with soldiers. It's good to use the opportunity to bluff people. Now that he has this opportunity, this is exactly what he wants. There is no reason to refuse. Besides, your goods are willing to be sold to him at a low price. He got this cheap deal out of thin air, which is more suitable for him. Ri Aixiao's heart, do you still worry that he is not obedient?" Huchen said: "Okay, if this is the case, I will ask Master to be an introducer. What should be done is up to you. After talking, I will write Letter." Yue Kong agreed, and went out to look for Li Xiaosi.

Li Xiaosi was brightening his eyebrows in the small teahouse at the head of the village. When he saw Yuekong, he first smiled and said, "Master is so at ease." I am here to find you, it is a rare opportunity, if you miss it, you will have no place to look for it." Li Xiaosi said with a smile: "What is cheap, if you don't pick it up, can you give it to others for free? "Although he said this in his mouth, he stood up involuntarily and went forward.The two stood outside the door of the teahouse, and Yue Kong said: "That day you brought your wife to ask the shopkeeper for credit, do you remember?" When Li Xiaosi heard this, he realized that he was asking him for a bill, and he turned his head and said, "Remember?" How about it, are you going to ask for the bill for him?" Yue Kong said: "You are always a wicked person, can I help you ask for the bill he gave you on credit? I am looking for you now because the peddler yesterday He received a letter from his family saying that his mother was very ill, and he would get up and go home today. He still had goods worth tens of dollars, and he wanted to sell them all. I can continue to do his business, so I came to you to discuss it." Li Xiaosi said: "So it was for this, but unfortunately I have never done business, even if it is reversed, where can I sell it?" Yuekong said: "Don't worry about this. He has recently lived in our Great Buddha Temple. He has two meals in the morning and evening. He is provided by the army, so he doesn't need to pay for it himself. You can sell it wherever you like during the day, and you can go back to the temple to rest at night. The four soldiers in the same courtyard are all his good friends, and they can drink as much as they want at night. They make money and make friends, where can they find such a comfortable thing?" Li Xiaosi heard that he could make friends with soldiers, but no one cares Wine manages food, and my heart immediately became active.He laughed and said, "Sure enough, I'll go right away." Yue Kong said, "Where are you going, you have to go to see the shopkeeper with me first, and negotiate the price with him before we can talk about doing business. Besides, you have to pay attention to the barracks." You have to be on behalf of him for a few days before they can treat you the same way. If you say it’s an old business, they will know who you are and if they don’t expel you from the temple, that’s fine. Can you still care about your food?” Xiao Li Si smiled and said: "I will take Master's advice more, and I will say it according to your words." Yuekong said: "In this case, you can go to Tang's house with me. If you are optimistic about the goods, you should go and get the money quickly. I can't wait for long." Li Xiaosi agreed, and followed Yue Kong to see Hu Chen.Hu Chen originally didn't have much goods left, so he negotiated with the woman, picked out the unsatisfactory ones from the ones given to her, and picked out more than half, and said that he would sell them for money and return them to her at the original price, which is the same as giving things. .There is no woman who does not love money, so she naturally agrees with joy.When Li Xiaosi came, he didn't talk nonsense, and it was done in a few words.Based on this pile of goods, the real value is 50 yuan, Hu Chen made a special discount, and only 30 yuan was counted.Li Xiaosi saw that the price was greatly reduced, and he wanted to use it as an excuse to make friends with the army, so he generously offered thirty yuan, and he paid both money and goods.Hu Chen also handed him his letter, saying that if you have this letter, you can take it to see Officer Sun, saying that you are doing business for me for the time being, and I will return it sooner or later. They must be convinced. suspect.Since then, you have been living in the temple. Fortunately, Master Yuekong has taught you everything, and I have four good friends who live in the same courtyard. You can discuss everything with them, and there is nothing difficult to handle.Li Xiaosi was overjoyed, Huchen said something, and he agreed.After finishing speaking, he borrowed the wooden cabinet from Huchen again.Huchen said: "This matter cannot be ordered. This cabinet is an ancestral item of my family. No one can borrow it." Yuekong said: "Fourth brother, don't make things difficult. The Tang family has a cabinet like this. Two. Later, ask Mrs. Tang to find one for you, and you can load it, why bother to borrow it from Brother Li.” Xiao Siqian thanked him a lot, and said that everything depends on the master, so I will take the goods home first. Go, come back again, and enter the temple with you.Yue Kong said: "Okay, that's it." Li Xiaosi went home with a big baggage in his arms.Here, Hu Chen took out thirty yuan from his foreign wallet and gave it to Mrs. Tang with both hands.The woman kept giving way again and again, saying that this is the money sold by Brother Li, how can we share it with you?Huchen said: "Sister-in-law is on a mission. This was originally something I gave you, and I borrowed it from you. Of course, the money for the goods must belong to you. You don't have to give up." Yue Kong also helped and said: "Master Li It’s true and sincere, we won’t be able to cheat anymore.” The woman accepted it, but went to the kitchen by herself to cook delicious dishes for Hu Chen, and Zhang Luo made him a full meal.虎臣抬头看看太阳说：“天已不早了，我还要赶一程呢，咱们有缘再会。师傅这样热心帮我，李虎臣今生今世，决忘不了你的好处。”月空还有些恋恋不舍的意思，挽留虎臣，在这村住一夜，明日早晨再起身。虎臣道：“这却使不得，今天晚上，你还得带着我那替身回庙去呢。我如果不走，倘然露出一点风声，被营里查着了，倒显着无私有弊。莫若我早早走，师父也可以放心。”月空点头称是。虎臣遂背起柜子来，将手铃也放在汤家不要了，声明送给李小四。他一个人大踏步，便出村子去了。

虎臣这一面，暂且按下不提。却说李小四兴兴头头的，吃过晚饭，仍到汤家来寻月空。此时月空已叫妇人寻出一只木柜来，比较虎臣的略小一点，好在货物不多，也足装下了。月空在前，李小四在后面跟随。月空笑道：“你也摇一摇铃，从此高升，是洋广货的经纪了，也省得终日游手好闲，人家拿你当流氓看待。”小四果然听话，哗啦哗啦地摇起卖货铃来，嘴里还大喊着谁买洋广货，货高价廉，童叟无欺。他一边喊着，早招了许多人，远远地围着他看，仿佛看耍狗熊的一般。大家交头接耳，说李小四许是疯魔了吧，为什么背着柜子，摇着铃儿，满街上乱嚷乱叫。有那上几岁年纪的说：“你们不知道，李老四是要改邪归正，做老实买卖人了。常言说：败子回头，万金不换。这也是他们老李家有德行，受了菩萨的感化。要不然，凭他那种人，还能做买卖吗？”李小四见大家围着看他，有点怪害臊的。紧行几步，出了村子。月空对他说：“你一个人先回庙吧，军队问你，你就照着李大哥的话说，决然没有差错。可千万不要说同我认识，因为我在庙里当知客，又兼管着庶务，他们时常向庙里借钱借东西，我总用话拦挡，他们全恨我入骨。你要说同我有交情，他们当时不高兴，就许不收留你了。你一个人去，他们必定不疑心，好在你还有李大哥的信，怕什么的。”小四听月空这样说，又犯起踌躇来，说师父不肯同我去，他们怎能信得及呢？月空道：“你真是一个笨人，现放着有书信，有货物，有手铃，难道他们还信不及吗？你要一定拉着我，倒要撕出旁岔来了。”李小四听这话很近情理，便不勉强月空，一个人背着柜子，直奔庙来。到了庙门前，把门的军士睁眼细看，不认得他，却认着木柜同手铃，便横身将他挡住，大声问道：“你是干什么的？”小四忙赔着笑脸答道：“两位总爷有所不知，那卖洋广货的李老大，从前同小人住在一个店中，今天他回店去还房钱，恰赶他家中寄来有信，说是他老娘病得很重，他见着信，一刻也不敢耽延，便起身回南京了。他还剩了不少的货，急切间哪里销售得出，因此雇小人权且替他。他不过两三个月，一准回来，还另外带一点新鲜货来，再接续着做买卖。小人因无事可做，乐得替他几天。他并且写信给小人，叫呈与哨官孙老爷，就求两位总爷，替小人回禀一声吧！”看门的军士，听他说话很柔和，脸上便有了笑容，问道：“你姓什么，叫什么名字”？小四道：“小人姓李行四，人家全管我叫李小四。”军士道：“既然这样，你随我来吧。”带着小四去见孙哨官。小四把虎臣的信呈上，孙哨官看了看，说你既然是替他的，就暂且在这庙里住吧，也省得花店钱。不过这个庙的主人却是和尚，回头你得见一见管庙的和尚月空，只要他肯收留，我们军队里没有旁的话说。小四叩头谢了，又托那军士带他去寻月空和尚，恰赶上此时月空已经回来。军士同着他见了，彼此全作为不认得，反倒由军士把这事说明。月空假作踌躇，说小僧同他，并无一面之识，论理我可不敢收留。但既是孙老爷送来的，一切事全由孙老爷担保，只当是贵营里多添了一位弟兄，与本寺毫不相干的。求总爷上复孙老爷，就照小僧的话说，小僧是担不起干系。兵士听了，很不耐烦，说本来我们孙老爷太好多事了，想收便收下，何必问你和尚呢，无是无非的，招你这许多闲话，却是何苦呢？月空道：“总爷不要生气，小僧怎敢说闲话？常言说，知人知面不知心，是不能不慎重的。”兵士也不理他，赌气带着小四走了。果然照这话向孙哨官一回，孙哨官道：“这也难怪他。本来营盘的事，谁也不乐意管，你暂且把他带到那一间草棚去，早晚叫他随着弟兄们吃饭好了。”小四再三致谢，随那兵到虎臣住的草房，又同二史、王、马也都见过了。从此李小四便住在庙内，白天出去做生意，晚间回到庙里同一班军人鬼混。在他本是醉翁之意不在酒，专为的是结交军队，过了三五天就渐渐地亲热起来。

哪知他正在得意之时，竟自出了意外大祸。原来杨得胜自从杀了瑞方之后，本打算即日折回湖北，是罗秋士替他出主意，叫他派人回去请示。去了许多日子，不见回音，心中正在急躁，忽然总司令部章兴文，派了一个军官、一个马弁，假扮作商人模样，赶到资州，调这一旅军队回鄂。这军官复姓东方，单名一个雄字，现充十三镇中队教练官，为人极其精细，所以才派到这个差使，连夜赶到资州，直奔大佛寺见杨得胜。得胜听说是总司令部派来，怎敢怠慢，立刻请到后院他的住室会见。东方雄先向他声明，你派去请示的那两个人，全被总司令部留用了，有意给统领来电报，又怕半路转差了，走漏消息，因此派末将扮作商人，兼程而来。一者是调统领急速回鄂，好帮同防御北军；二者因为瑞钦差死在这里，主帅李公知道了，很动感慨，念当日僚属之情，叫用上好棺木，把他弟兄装殓了，带回湖北去，俟等时局平定，仍令他家属领回。这原是李帅宽仁大度，不料荀、章两位统领全不赞成。说咱们此番起义，原是“兴汉灭胡”，瑞方既系胡人，便不能因私情而害公义，必须将他首级带回武昌，悬挂在城门上，做一个杀胡的榜样。至于他的尸身，暂为保存，将来由他家属领去，也就算格外的宽典了。李帅依他两人之言，叫末弁告知统领，此番回鄂，务必将瑞方的首级一同携回，要紧要紧，并吩咐浸在火酒里，免其损坏。杨得胜道：“到底还是李帅想得周到。”便赶紧派人到药房去买火酒。 少时火酒买来，得胜吩咐差官王强，快去到跨院中，把首级拿来。王强来至跨院，会同王、马二史四人，用钥匙将房门开了，一同进至屋中，来到放首级的瓦盆旁边。王万胜一伸手，将头提起，只听他哎呀了一声，又撒手放下了，抹头便跑。口中山嚷怪叫的，说不好了，有鬼有鬼，快跑快跑。这一来，把那四个人也吓慌了，随着他夺门而奔，霎时间闹得全军都知道了。杨得胜、张成功、东方雄及罗秋士一干人，全跑出来，喝问是什么事情，恰同那五个人撞在一处。五人见统领出来，吓得全立住脚。王只得上来回话，说：“沐恩同他四个人看管首级的，到屋中去提取，也不知因为什么，王万胜竟自大惊小怪地喊起来，说有鬼快跑，所以大家全随着他跑出来了。”得胜啐了一口，骂道：“混账糊涂东西，你们要到了两军阵前，也怕鬼吗！快随我一同去看看，到底鬼是个什么样儿。”他一壁说着，便向前走。众人见统领不怕，也都壮起胆子来了，跟随他一同到那屋中。罗秋士又出主意，说这间屋子光线太黑，快点两支洋烛来，照一照，自然就不怕了。少时洋烛点进来，大家不约而同地向那盆中观看。oops!是有点蹊跷，为何这头颅竟涨大了，胡子也长了。大家虽然乱说，却没人敢去提动。高低还是统领胆大，他一伸手抓住胡子，向起一提，失声道：“怎么这样轻啊！”提着对烛光一看，不觉勃然大怒，用力向地下一掷，喝道：“快把看头的四个人，给我绑起来，连同这假头，到前边问话。”众人到此时，才认出是假的来了。可怜王、马、二史，全吓得目瞪口呆。众军官士卒，见统领动了真气，哪个还敢怠慢，立时把王、马、二史，全用五花大绑绑起来，押到统领住的院子。杨得胜升了公座，四人跪在面前。得胜拍着桌子，喝问你们受了何人运动，使了多少钱财，将钦差的首级盗走，却拿这假套头前来顶替，快快实招，如有半字隐瞒，即刻用军棍打死。四个人此时早吓得软瘫在地上。王万胜本是头目，只得硬着头皮回道：“回统领的话，小卒四人，自奉命后，时刻不敢出这院子，并且锁门的钥匙，也在小卒手中。凭空竟会失去头颅，连小卒们也莫名其妙。要说到勾结外人，暗中顶替，小卒们天大胆子，也不敢做这事。谁不知统领军法森严，难道我们拿自己的脑袋当儿戏吗？再说我们如果贪图贿赂，得钱之后，还不快快逃走，难道等着犯案不成？当时王差官叫我们开门取头，小卒连一刻也不曾停留，直待开门之后，我提起头来，看着很大，掂着很轻，这才疑心生暗鬼，吓得跑出来了。假使小卒们要预先受贿，还能这样吗？统领圣明，小卒们失察之罪，万死不辞，要说到勾通受贿，可真冤枉极了。”回罢又连连叩头。杨得胜一想，他这话很近情理，大概绝不是他四人监守自盗。便又改口问道：“你们说并无勾通，我暂时也不深究。如今只问你们，这个院子，可有什么人时常往来？你们要说实话，如有隐瞒，便是同那人勾通。”杨得胜这几句话，提醒了马得英。原来李小四自进庙之后，虽同那四个人极力联络，唯有马得英却看不起，说他是流氓地痞，轻易不同他交谈。小四本是小人之流，见那三人全同他要好，便不把得英放在眼里，因此两个人益发有了嫌隙。如今得胜一问这话，他便首先回道：“小卒们住的院子，并无他人往来，只有一个卖洋广货的李小四，也住在这庙里，而且他住的屋子，就紧靠着院门。或者是此人有什么毛病，总怨小卒们防范不周，请统领把他抓来，问一问就知道了。”得胜即刻传令，快抓李小四前来问话。

可怜这倒霉的李小四，才卖货回来，高高兴兴地进了庙门，就被大兵一把揪住，硬往后面拉扯。小四不知是什么事，连说老总有话慢讲，怎么动起手来？大兵骂道：“混账泼贼，你把钦差的脑袋拿到哪里去了？快随我去见统领，走慢了，先踢出你的肚肠子来。”小四听他所说，简直摸不着头脑，只有大声呼冤。大兵也不理他，一直拉到公案前，喝道跪下。小四举目一看，见上面端坐着杨统领，地下跪着的，正是终日同他见面的那四个人，茫然也不知是为什么事情。只听上面一拍桌子喝道：“你就叫李小四吗？”小四回道：“小人便是李小四，不知统领大人呼唤有什么差遣？”得胜冷笑道：“你还想讨差事吗？我差你去偷脑袋，你可以去吧。”小四回道：“统领叫小人去偷脑袋，但不知是什么样的脑袋？要是死人脑袋，可以偷着看，如是活人脑袋，小人可不敢偷。”这几句话，把旁边听审的人，全招笑了。马得英益发得着把柄大声叫道：“统领大人可听明白了，他已经招认，那死人脑袋，是他偷去的，可没有我们的关系了。”得胜喝道：“不许多嘴！”又拍着桌子问李小四道：“你既自己说会偷死人脑袋，那钦差瑞方的脑袋，是你几时偷去的？转卖与何人？受了多少贿赂？可从实招上来，免得用刑拷你。”小四听了这话，虽然害怕却仍然是茫然不解，哭着回道：“我的统领大人，你叫小人招些什么？小人并不知瑞方是何许人，怎能够偷他的脑袋呢？况且他的脑袋，放在何处小人并不曾见过，却从何处偷起呢？”得胜大怒，说你倒推得干净，不动刑，谅你也不肯招，先打他二百军棍再问。一声令下，立时有掌刑军人，不由分说，把小四的中衣褪下来，高举军棍，一五一十地便打起来。小四虽是一个地痞，却从来未受过官刑。如今雨点一般的军棍，向两片肥臀上直砸下来，他哪里受得了？又是哭，又是喊，比杀猪还难听。一壁打着，一壁问他招不招。小四实在挨不过了，喊道：“我招我招。”得胜吩咐住刑，问道：“瑞方的脑袋，是你偷去的啊？”小四只得含糊应道：“是小人偷去的。”得胜又追问，交与何人，现放在什么地方？小四道：“不曾交与旁人，也不曾放起来，是小人把他吃在肚里了。”这句话，又把两旁观审的人，招得哈哈大笑。杨得胜听了，却非常震怒，拍着桌子，吆喝左右兵士，给我着实地打。这些当兵的，仰体上意，一个按着小四，一个把军棍抡圆了，如雨点一般打下。始而小四还爹妈乱叫，后来声息渐微。得胜吩咐停刑，又喝着叫他实招，那知小四直挺挺躺在地上，连哼也不哼了。还是罗秋士在旁边看着不对，自己走下去，用手抚摸，四肢已经冷了。再用耳朵听一听，出入气也没了。不觉顿足，向得胜道：“坏了坏了，这人已经打死了，还用问吗？”得胜忙叫兵士用草纸薰，薰了多时，仍然缓不过气来，眼睁睁地是死了，没有一点指望了。得胜又抱怨掌刑的兵，不该下此重手，又抱怨王、马、二史看守不严，硬往别人身上栽赃，吩咐每人重责二百军棍。但事已至此，仍然无处去寻钦差的头颅，只得将错就错，把李小四的头砍下来，给他戴上假胡须，冒充钦差的头。恳求东方雄，千万不要说穿，暗中还送了二百块钱。可怜李小四只图一时便宜，上了月空一个大当，白白饶上条性命，死后还把脑袋割去。 这其中却含着一段秘史。原来月空私通的妇人汤氏，从前本同李小四相好，后来交上月空，便把小四撇了。小四虽然恨怨，一者惧怕大佛寺的势力，二者月空面子上很敷衍他，又接济他钱，因此两人尚未至公然决裂。可是小四在背后，提起月空来，便破口大骂，说不定那一天，老爷翻了脸，叫他那驴头上，添几个透明的窟窿。后来有人把这话传给月空，月空记在心里，时刻盘算，总是先下手为强。偏偏遇着了李虎臣这个机会，月空便借剑杀人，把李小四轻轻诳进庙中，却又在军队面前，脱卸了一个干干净净。果然过了没三天，盗头的案便发现了。李小四的性命，就此轻轻断送。月空算是去了一个情敌，从此在五柳店中，可以横行无忌，再没有反抗他的人了。这一段小小历史，便是由奸淫酿成惨杀的一个榜样。凡好女色贪便宜的，不可不引为殷鉴了。 闲言少叙，如今转入正文。再说那盗头逃走的李虎臣，他出了五柳店，一壁走着，一壁算计路程。还是得先到重庆，由重庆上江轮，经过宜昌、沙市，再由汉阳转入上海。走这一条江路，平稳得多。主意打定，便连夜直奔重庆。重庆本是四川第一个大商埠，又是江轮一个水路大码头。所有各省货物，到四川的，必由江路先到重庆。四川货物，到各省去的，也是由重庆用江轮向外输送。因此轮船公司很多。上海招商局，特备几条江轮，专为走这条路。虎臣到了重庆，不敢耽搁，托人买了一张上海的三等票，即日便上船开行。沿路之上，他是小心谨慎，恐怕被人看出破绽来，终日里埋头在三等舱里，只装作有病，轻易也不同人交谈。却没料到，这一天船到宜昌，竟出了意外波折。这宜昌关监督，姓李名清臣，是当日的北洋候补道，瑞方最赏识的人物。后来瑞方革职，李清臣在直隶有些立脚不住，便在部里花了两万银子，运动了这个宜昌关监督的缺。又在祥呈手里，花了一万两银子，方才安然到任。在李清臣，既花了三万本钱，当然要将本图利，对于过往江轮，征收税款的事异常认真。所有查货的人役，俱是他从北京崇文门税关、天津海关常关选来的熟手，因此往来客商，休想有一丝偷漏。不但落地捐格外认真，甚至过路税，也要照例征收，丝毫不得通融。无如宜昌口岸，开辟太晚，又是一个江关，自然不能同津沪海关相提并论。清臣无论怎样稽查搜括，一年的工夫，究竟剩不到三万洋钱。他心中很不高兴，买上买下，花了三万多块，一年工夫，连成本还捞不回来，总觉着是上了当。不时地面谕委员查役，要认真搜查，从重罚办。各委员查役，仰体监督的意思，瞪起眼来，真是滴水不漏。 也是活该虎臣应当受这一次惊吓。船到了宜昌，这只江轮忽然出了毛病，管船的大班，声明请客人登岸，少住一两日，便有本局轮船，向上海开，可以持票乘坐，本船是不能载了。这些客人无法，只得弃船登岸。江关查役，知道此船暂不开行，客人俱上岸了，便挨着个地搜检。偏巧虎臣遇着一个最著名的查役，名叫皮笤篁郭珍的。此人在北京崇文门税关当过十七年巡查关役，无论怎样能偷税的客商，只要遇着他，休想逃出手去，因此大家送了他这个绰号，表示丝毫不能漏出的意思。此次清臣到宜昌来，特出重金，约他随来帮忙，派了江关总巡的差使。他倒是竭力报效，哪一个月经他查出来的私货，或充公，或罚办的，为数总不在少数，因此清臣益发刮目相待。这次虎臣背着木柜从税关铁栏前经过，郭珍一眼便看上他了。横身把他拦住，说慢着点走，你那柜子里是什么货，趁早说明了，拿出检验，该当怎样报税，我们决不难为你。你要是不说，查出来可就要充公了。虎臣被这一拦，心中立刻慌起来，还极力镇定着，对郭珍笑道：“小人是到四川卖洋广货的，如今全卖净了，空身回家。柜子里只有几十块钱并无他物，你这位老爷高抬贵手，放我过去吧。”郭珍道：“既是洋钱，还怕人看吗？你把木柜打开，如果没有货物，立时就放你走，决不留难。空央求会子，也当不得公事。”虎臣心中非常着急，这柜子里的宝货，是不能见人了的，如今他非看不可，这可怎么好呢？只得又低声下气地求他放行。哪知虎臣越央求，郭珍的疑心越甚，后来索性翻脸了，说你不打开，我们可要自己开了。虎臣到此时，直是水尽山穷，无法可想。郭珍在一旁，仍是厉声吆喝，叫左右人役把这木柜的锁拧下来，到底看一看里面是什么东西。虎臣生怕当着众人翻出那颗头来，风声闹大，被湖北军队知道了，不但自己性命难保，瑞钦差的首级，从此也再无回乡之望了。想到这里，便向郭珍道：“你老一定要看，可请到屋里，我自己打开柜子，再细细地检查吧。”郭珍本是老于此道的人，听虎臣这样说，知道他那木柜里边，必有很贵重的实物，恐怕在外边打开，人多手杂，再遗失了，因此要求在屋中观看，便立刻应允，说好好，随我来吧。便自己一个人，把虎臣领到税关紧后边一间密室，乃是郭珍吃饭吸鸦片的所在，极其幽静，只有一个茶房看屋子。二人行来，虎臣不等他催，便先用钥匙把锁捅开，揭开柜盖，里面乱蓬蓬的，只有几件旧衣服。虎臣道：“实在没有旁的东西，你老不信，自己翻一翻。”这时候虎臣还想侥幸搪塞过去。哪知当查役的，如何肯听这一套，果然不客气，自己动起手来。这一来，虎臣的脸全吓白了。只见他把几件旧衣服掏出来放在一边，见这木柜当中，尚有一层隔板，心说实货一定在这隔板之下，便将隔板揭起来，看见下面一个油布包裹。郭珍心说，一定是最值钱的东西。伸手便将那油布包提出来，觉着很沉重的，一定是什么金石古玩。细看这个包儿，还密密地用线缝着，不觉冷笑道：“你太仔细了！”好在随身带有尖刀，三挑五挑，便把麻线挑开，把两层油布撕开。oops!一股腐烂尸气，直冲鼻端，把郭珍熏了一个倒仰。定睛细看，赫然是一颗很大的人头，须发蓬松，龇牙咧嘴，看着好不怕人。幸亏郭珍是一个久经大敌的查役，生平甚样事全都遇过，所以镇定得住，要放在旁人，早就吓跑了。他见着这东西，倒不朝虎臣说话了，喊屋中的茶房，把人犯看住了，不要放他逃跑。自己却仍把头颅用油布裹好，将木柜盖上，用锁锁好。却将钥匙藏在自己身边，然后朝虎臣说道：“朋友，你随我见监督，打官司去吧。”此时虎臣心中，真说不出是一种什么滋味。只见他热泪交流，双膝跪在郭珍面前，哭着说道：“这位老爷，你要知道，这颗人头并不是我害的，乃是我的同伴，半路上遇着盗贼，被人杀死，我要将他尸首搬回，千山万水，太不容易，只得把头颅带回，却没料到半途上，被老爷查出。小人随身带有四十元钱，情愿孝敬老爷，只求你老高抬贵手，把我放了，不要惊动官府，小人就感激不尽了。”说罢咚咚直磕头。郭珍冷笑道：“你说得太容易了！不要说四十元，便是四千四万，我也不敢私放杀人要犯。你有什么委曲，等见了官去诉吧。” 虎臣听他这样说，知道再求也是无益，只好听命由天，随着他去打官司。郭珍一刻也不敢停留，叫来四名查役，押着虎臣，一同到监督衙门。表面上只说他是漏税，又暗暗嘱咐茶房，不准声张，这事须格外细心，恐怕牵制出大事故来，得预先给监督留脚步。连同木柜一直提进衙门，叫查役好好看守，自己先到内堂，回明了李清臣。清臣也很诧异，难道还有贩运人头的不成？这事看起来内中定有蹊跷，我必须秘密地提讯一番。如果关系人命，再转咨有司衙门追究，我也不便多事。随吩咐自己贴身的长班王升，随郭珍出去，把人赃一并提进来，在后花厅审讯，其余人役，一概不准进来。王升答应着出去，清臣便在后花厅升了公座。不大工夫，人犯提进来了。虎臣低着头，不敢仰视。王升喊他跪下，他只得跪下，清臣道：“你叫什么名字？”虎臣道：“小人叫李虎。”他这一开口，清臣听了耳音很熟，说你抬起头来，虎臣把头一抬，彼此一对眼光，不约而同地哎呀了一声。清臣立刻从座位上跳下来，一把将虎臣拉起，说李老爷，你怎会到这里来了？虎臣起来，拉住清臣的衣袖，放声大哭，哭得十分悲惨