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Chapter 64 The 61st round: tigers and leopards grind their teeth and eat each other, mandarin ducks play in the water, gesticulate and get married

Although Ding Yuanzhen is shrewd and sophisticated, his temperament is very straightforward, and he is very loyal when making friends, he is definitely not as sinister as Chunzhuo Xian.For no reason, he was tricked by Chunzhuo first, and of course he felt very unhappy in his heart.In addition, Jin Ge Er went to find him and questioned him face to face, which made Yuan Zhen even more embarrassed.He immediately scolded Zhuo Xian severely, and declared that he would get a chance sooner or later, he had to scold Zhuo Xian quickly in front of Zhuo Xian, and he could not express his grievances.Ge Er gave him an idea, saying that if you want to swear, it's best to go crazy with alcohol before the banquet.Rao scolded him and told him not to open his mouth or answer, but to endure it honestly.Yuanzhen said: "I don't know anything else, but drinking madness is a good show, you just wait and see the excitement sooner or later." The two were talking happily, when suddenly a person came in and said, "Okay! I plan to scold the dead for not paying for my life!" Suddenly, Ding Jin and the two were taken aback.He looked up and saw that it was Hu Biren.Do you know why Hu Biren appeared here? Didn't he almost die because of the case of Wang Dujuan and was imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Justice?It turned out that more than a year had passed since Biren was imprisoned, because he was pardoned by the empress dowager, although he could not regain his freedom at that time, he was treated differently in prison, and a hut was specially cleaned up for him.The bed curtains, curtains, bedding and utensils were all brought from his home.The morning and evening meals are also delivered by his family.And bring in a lot of calligraphy and painting, you can read calligraphy and painting, free entertainment.Compared with running around outside and spending time with friends all day long, I am much quieter than before.In Biren, I still feel lonely from the beginning.Because he was a revolutionary prisoner, although he was granted an amnesty, no one could meet with him, even his own brother, who was a compatriot of the same mother, wanted to see him, but was refuted by the court officials.The only ones who can meet him are the warden and the prison guard.These three people can meet with him every day, and if you find another person, there will be no more.Among these three people, the one who was most close to him was naturally the jailer.The jailer's nickname is also called the jailer.In the past, in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice in Beijing, anyone who was the head of the prison had to have three qualifications before he could take on this kind of job.The first qualification is that he himself has committed a felony, beheaded or hanged, and has been suspended once or twice; the second qualification is that he has a family in Beijing, has property, and relatives and friends There are many; the third qualification is that I am shrewd and capable, donate money and donate to justice, love and make friends, and I am admired by all the people in the prison.With these three qualifications, there is hope of becoming a cell boss.After being recommended by the prisoners, everyone submits to the warden for approval, and the next appointment note indicates that someone is appointed as the jailer, and then they can officially take over the job.He himself took up such an errand, although he was also a criminal, he could not wear chains, handcuffs and shackles.In prison, his office alone was also very luxuriously arranged, and there was also a manservant and a kitchen to serve him.All the prisoners in the prison, old and young, were under his jurisdiction.If he ordered someone to be punished, he would execute the sentence immediately; if he told someone to unlock the lock, he would immediately unlock it.All prisoners who have been released from prison on the first day must be placed wherever they are told to be placed.Those who don't spend money, either sleep on a bed of nails, watch a drowning barrel, or ask you to dig into a bed of bedbugs.What is a bed of nails?It is a wooden bed, nailed with hundreds of bamboo nails, which are three to four, five or six, seven or eight minutes higher than the wooden board, of different lengths, and bedding is not allowed on it.When a criminal enters the prison, the jailer sends two men to lift you up and throw you on the bed of nails.This blow made you dizzy.Then, you will be tied to this bed with a rope, and you will not be able to move at all.Don't say that a night's sleep is unbearable, even for an hour, the bamboo nails on the bed can pierce your skin to pieces and make you feel unbearable pain.This is called sleeping on a bed of nails.What is watching the drowning barrel?This kind of criminal law is always carried out mostly during the three-volt period.There are a lot of people in the prison, and the drowning barrels are tall and big. During the three-volt period, the smell is fumigated and makes people want to vomit.Every prisoner who enters the prison for the first time, you are chained to the drowning barrel.The chain of the iron lock is very short, and it is locked on it. You can only lower your head and bend your waist, and you can't stand upright.The smell in the drowning barrel is impartial, rushing right into your nose.While smelling the smell, you have to bow to the drowning barrel at the same time, and you will never be allowed to be Liu Zhen's eye level.How can inmates endure such torture?This is called looking at the drowning barrel.What is drilling a bedbug nest?In the past, hygiene was not respected in prisons, and the most frequent ones were bedbugs.There are tens of thousands of houses for ordinary prisoners.There is also a special kind of prison cell, in which all the bedbugs have long tails, and if you just grab them with your hands, you can grab half a bowl.Newcomers, those who spend less money, will send you into the prison and let you have a taste of the bedbug.This is called drilling a bed bug nest.The first two are for those that don’t cost money, and the latter one is for those that cost less.Even if you are a diamond made of iron or an arhat made of copper, even if you come to prison, you will be melted away, so there is no room for support and resistance.But since I can ask my friends to come and see the prison boss, and spend all the money up and down, I can have a comfortable place for you on the same day.If you don't spend money to unblock it, you don't have to wait for the death sentence to be pronounced, and you have to cut off your way of life.This is the bad government in prisons in the former Qing Dynasty. Until now, although it has improved on the surface, it is not much better than that in the former Qing Dynasty.

But he said that although Hu Biren hadn't suffered any pain since he was imprisoned, he couldn't communicate with his family and friends. He lived alone in a hut, lonely and deserted, and always felt very lonely.Later, I became acquainted with the cell boss, and the two often chatted about family affairs and gossip.The prison boss often came to his room, and he also went to the prison boss' room from time to time.This cell boss is an old aborigine from Beijing, whose surname is Huo, whose name is Zheng, and whose surname is Shanming. He lives in Qihua Gate.He has been in the warehouse since he was a teenager, doing small things with the leader of the flower household.When he was young, he once stabbed a black dragon on his left arm, and later someone gave him a nickname, Wulong jacket.Although he has been in warehouses since he was a child, he is born with a heroic spirit.Later, when he was in his thirties, in terms of qualifications, it was his turn to be a flower householder, but he gave up to a colleague's friend, and twice in a row.By the third time, he was already forty years old, and he was determined not to give up any more.At this time, someone who is slightly less qualified than him, whose surname is Xue and whose name is Yunzi, is his brother, and they are very close on weekdays.This year's incumbent Huahu, because of his loud voice, the servant of the storehouse wanted to punish him, so he was too scared to do it.In terms of qualifications, Huo Shanming should take the role, and Xue Buyiao tried his best to support him, saying that this burden must be shouldered by the elder brother.Huo Shanming didn't doubt it, and discussed with Xiao the procedures for taking over the matter.On the surface, Bu Xiao tried his best to help, but in his heart, he had a bad intention to use evil tricks to harm Shanming's life.At this time, it is in the dog days and the weather is hot.At that time, there were no parks in Beijing, only the second gate of Jingdong, which was a good place to spend summer.The second gate is only a dozen miles away from Qihua Gate, and it takes more than an hour to get there by boat.The second gate is close to the river bank, and there is a very wide flat land. There are tea sheds, restaurants, and various game fields on the flat land, such as storytelling, cross talk, lotus falling, juggling, etc. It is very lively.Then look at the many small boats in the river, which are like shuttles back and forth, which is really beautiful.Rich people in Beijing flock to Erzha to escape the heat in summer.Or go against the wind in a small boat, or drink tea under a tree, or listen to games in various game venues, or go to a picnic restaurant to drink and guess the game.When the sun set on the western mountain, it was almost dark, and then I took the boat back to Beijing.Therefore, the second gate has always been a natural park in the Qing Dynasty.Because Huo Shanming lives in Qihuamen, which is very close to the second gate, he often runs to play, and Xue Buxiao goes with him from time to time.This time, because of picking up the flower household, Bu Xiao had calculated that Shanming would let him pick it up, but he didn't expect that he would not let it go.Bu Xiao couldn't help being greatly disappointed, although he was holding Shanming on the surface, but he wanted to hurt him in his heart.As long as Shanming is eliminated, it is expected that there will be no second person to fight.So he bought a Puhu who is good at battling camps. His surname is Zhang Mingyong, who lives in the second gate. He is tall and strong.Bu Xiao promised to give him three hundred taels of silver, and gave him a secret plan, telling him to do this, to spare Shanming, and not show any trace.

When Zhang Yong returned home, he waited to follow the plan.Unexpectedly, there was a driver in Xue's family, named Geng Da, who was watching and paying attention, and he understood the eavesdropping.He greatly disapproved in his heart, saying that our master was so poor that he had no pants to wear, and with the help of Uncle Meng Huo, he was led into the warehouse and became a small boss.In the past two years, I have made a lot of money to buy a house and a big saddle cart, and I am very angry.Drinking water and thinking about the source is all promoted by Uncle Huo.Not only does he not know how to repay his kindness, but he also wants to harm others because he competes for the head of the flower household. People like this are really wolf-hearted, what else do I serve him for.If Mo Ruo reported this information to Uncle Huo and told him to take precautions early, it would be considered as saving a life.Thinking of this, Geng Da went to find Huo Shanming and told the whole story.Shanming rewarded him with twenty taels of silver, but he refused to accept it, saying: "I revealed this because of my conscience, not just for reward. If I want to take your old silver, I will betray our master. Am I still alone!" Hearing what he said, Shanming had no choice but to let it go.After saying a few words of thanks, I still told him to go back to Xue's house, don't make any noise, I have my own way to deal with everything.Geng Da went, and Shan Ming secretly found two martial arts masters, all of whom were Muslims from Tongzhou Changying.One surnamed Bai and the other surnamed Hei, they were all well-known practitioners, not only had great strength, but also had a light body.There is also a special ability, which is good at swimming, being able to hide in the water and go two miles away.Shanming invited these two people to discuss with them how to prevent resistance.The surname Bai came up with a strategy, Shanming agreed with it very much, he acted according to his principles, but he was still on good terms with Xue Buxiao in face, and he didn't show any signs of it.

On this day, Shanming drove a small boat to the second gate to enjoy the cool.The boat is rippling in the midstream, and it doesn't dock.There was only Shanming and the helmsman on board, and no one else.At this time, there are many boats in the river, and they come and go like shuttles.All of a sudden, a small boat, as fast as an arrow, rushed straight, unbiased, and collided with Shanming's boat, knocking the boat upside down.Immediately afterwards, a big man on the boat jumped onto the Shanming boat.It was really powerful, as soon as his foot touched the plank of the boat, the boat lost its center of gravity, with a splash, the bottom of the boat turned upside down, and all three of them fell into the water.The big man let out an "Aiya" and said, "It's amazing, save people!" He said so, and he took advantage of the momentum of the water to go forward and grab Shanming.Since it is said to save people, it should be raised to a high place, which is the principle of saving people. Who knows that he does not lift to a high place, but presses down to the bottom of the water.As a result, Shanming really suffered a lot, and within three to five minutes like this, he was sure to drown.In the midst of life and death, two people drilled out from the bottom of the water, one unscrewed the big man's hand, the other raised Shanming, and went straight to the other shore like an arrow.At this time, the poor big man was caught head down and feet up, and lifted up and down in the water, making him drink up.More and more people gathered on the shore and on the boat to watch.Some meddler yelled loudly: "You still haven't brought him to the shore! If you do this, wouldn't you be soaked to death?" The man dragged him from one side to the other as if he didn't hear it. He dragged it half a mile in the water, and then dragged it back again, before lifting the big man to the shore.At this time, the big man was unconscious by the water.The person who dragged him lifted him upside down and emptied the water.But when he heard the wah-wah sound, the big man spit out a lot of clear water before he woke up slowly.At this time, Huo Shanming spit out a few sips of water, and he had recovered to the original state, sitting under the shade of the willow tree, resting with his eyes closed.The person who rescued him and the person who made fun of the big man said loudly in front of the audience: "My neighbors, please don't get me wrong. The two of us are both punters, and there is no difference between the two people who were drowned together." He hired my boat to swim here. The big man drove the empty boat and rammed into my boat. Falling into the water, the big man shouted for help, but he grabbed the passenger and forced him under the water. It was me and the big brother who couldn't see it, so we rescued the passenger ashore while catching the big man, and immediately Treat him in the same way as a man, and punish him to drink a few sips of water. We are confident that there is no malice. As for the feud between the big man and the passengers, we don't know." Said the punter. After hearing this set of words, all the onlookers complained one after another, saying that the big man intentionally harmed people, which is really nothing.The two boatmen did a great job, not only saving the lives of the passengers, but also letting everyone out.

The big man came to his senses, and he felt a little ashamed, so he wanted to slip away slowly.Huo Shanming had recovered to his original state at this moment, walked from under the willow shade, clasped his fists to the big man, and said with an apologetic smile: "My friend, I lost my body and fell into the water just now, and I am very grateful for your brother's rescue. Let's go to Liuquanju for a drink together. One is my brother's reward, and the other is to scare your elder brother, so don't refuse." Hearing this, the big man became more and more ashamed and couldn't bear it. At that time, his conscience realized that he knelt on the ground and said: "The villain is really Damn it! Uncle Huo, forgive me, how dare you talk about your food again." Shanming laughed loudly and said, "That's unreasonable. I, Huo Zheng, am an upright and upright man, and I never know how to complain. I'll ask you brother Eating is indeed a matter of sincerity to make friends, and there is absolutely no evil intention, you must not misunderstand." After saying that, he helped the big man up, held his hand, and went to Liuquanju for dinner together.The two found a very quiet and elegant seat, and the waiter saw that Shanming was coming, and yelled at the uncle loudly, running back and forth, not knowing how to serve him, so as to satisfy the uncle.Shanming ordered a few dishes, ordered two large jugs of white wine, and had a drink with the big man.He also told the waiter not to come in unless called.The waiter went nonuo.Shanming persuaded the big man to have two glasses of wine, and then said with a pleasant face, "Brothers are the best friends in life. Although they dare not compare with the ancient Meng Changjun, they are confident that they can subdue themselves and solve problems for friends. Ten or twenty years of work, except I have never offended a good person except for the local ruffian. I met your brother today, and seeing his behavior in the water, it seems that there is something wrong with the brother. In fact, the brother and you don’t know each other. It's not like a first-rate local ruffian. Based on various evidences, brother dare to say that you are definitely instigated and fooled by others. Brother, since you don't think about the past, your elder brother might as well say it outright. One said, brother will keep the secret for you, never report to the other party is what you said, and we two will become confidantes from now on. Guess your brother will be able to speak out without any concealment." The big man heard Shanming say this Unconsciously, shame and disgust arose spontaneously, and tears flowed from his eyes first.Said: "I knew that uncle is such a person, so I gave me 60,000 purple gold, and I will never do this! I see you as a person, listen to your words, and I am grateful and admire you from the bottom of my heart. I want Gao Pan to worship you Brother, I don't know if you are willing or not?" Shanming said with a smile: "Since my brother will not abandon me, brother Yu will never doubt me. But you have a high name and a high name, and you have never been taught. This is too ridiculous." The big man said: " My younger brother, surnamed Zhang Mingyong, lives in this village and eats a ration in Shanpuying." Shanming laughed and said, "Then it's no wonder that the fault is not from Shanpuying. How can there be such great power under his feet? A big boat capsizes at a touch of its feet, how can ordinary people do it?" Zhang Yong said: "Don't praise me, brother, if you praise me again, I will die of embarrassment. Please sit still and accept my worship! "After that, he kowtowed to Shanming.Shanming hurriedly stood up, received four bows from him, and then returned to his seat to drink.Zhang Yong said: "I told the origin of this incident, brother, don't be angry. To tell you the truth, the one who hurt you is also your brother who has been in the alliance, and it is Xue Buxiao who has worked with you for several years. He gave me three hundred Two silver coins, tell me to be so and so, after drowning you, I didn’t show any signs of it. I was greedy for profit for a while, and I promised him myself. It’s also the eldest brother who is lucky and lucky to meet a good person, otherwise, it would be unimaginable.” Shanming was not angry when he heard his words, but he thought he was wrong: "There is always something to offend him, and we just need to be careful in the future. Fortunately, my brother has done it for him. It is a blessing that people don't die. , he has nothing to say. If you and I drink and eat, we should keep it a secret for the time being." Zhang Yong nodded knowingly.The two had dinner and went their separate ways.

Shanming returned home, pretending to be sick, saying that he fell into the water after falling into the water, and was ruined by the water, with cold and strong fever, so he couldn't get up.I took seven days off in a row, but never went to the warehouse.Xue Buxiao went home to visit him twice, but he remained calm and tried his best to put off his face.After a few days, he fed a sharp knife with poison, and then posted a message to invite friends in the warehouse, a total of seventy or eighty people, to have dinner at Liuquanju, Erzha.On the surface, it is because he wants to take over the head of Huahu, and ask everyone for help, but in his heart, he wants to duel with Xue Buxiao.He agreed with Bu Xiao in advance to entertain him.In Bu Xiao, the scheme failed, and he was very annoyed, but on the surface he didn't dare to offend Shan Ming, so he just dealt with him perfunctorily, and waited for the opportunity to think of other ideas.Wan never expected that Shanming would fight him desperately.It was Shanming's treat, but he went early.There is three o'clock in the sky, and all the guests are present, so Shanming urged them to be seated.Food and wine were served, and after the dinner was over at five o'clock, Shanming said to everyone: "Brothers, please wait. Brothers have important matters to discuss." Everyone had to wait.Shanming drank a cup of tea, then stood up, and reported everything to everyone: how Xue Buxiao planned to kill him, how he fell into the water and was rescued, and how Buxiao was promoted by him before, so that he is today.For such an ungrateful person, I, Huo Zheng, must not be born with him in this world!I invite you to come here today and be a witness for us. The two of us are dueling in front of you.I stabbed him to death and paid for his life. He stabbed me to death.But please be careful, whoever has a bad heart will be stabbed to death.After he finished speaking, he took out two daggers from his side, and put them on the table.When everyone heard this, they were all indignant.Those who are a little reckless will come out and beat Xue Buxiao.He was stopped by Shanming, and said: "We two see each other, and I don't need your help." If Bu Xiao wanted to know the truth at this time, he knelt on the ground, admitting that he was not, or he could save his life, but he became angry and said good If you want to fight a duel, you will fight a duel. I am not afraid of it!After finishing speaking, he picked up a dagger and jumped to the empty field outside the back door of Liuquanju, preparing for a duel.When Shanming saw this look, the anger in his heart increased by two thousand zhang.He picked up the dagger in front of him and said to everyone: "Please go outside and watch." The crowd rushed out and stood on all sides of the empty field.Shan Ming stood in the center holding a dagger, nodded to Bu Xiao, and said, please stab first.Bu Xiao rushed forward unexpectedly, and the gleaming dagger came straight to Shanming's chest.Shanming turned slightly to one side, and then dodged.The two fought each other for a quarter of an hour, and they still couldn't decide the outcome.Shanming used a trick to lure the enemy, and purposely made a loophole, Rong Buyiao ruthlessly plunged in, but he leaped five or six feet away with one stride.Bu Xiao was in the air, because the strength was too strong, and there was no root under his feet, so he couldn't stand still, and staggered forward two steps.Shanming took advantage of the momentum and rubbed in from the side, spotted the thick fleshy part of his leg, and with a puff, he stabbed straight in.With an "ouch", Bu Xiao fell down on the ground.The onlookers cheered like a thunderstorm.Shan Ming put down the knife and said to the crowd: "Brother, this action is just to prove that I have never done anything wrong. Now that he is wounded, please send him home. All the medical care will be provided by me, Huo Zheng. Take charge. It doesn’t matter if it’s well-raised or not, if something happens, I’ll sue for my life.” Everyone hurriedly borrowed a large basket from the countryside, put Xue Buxiao in it, and carried it to the boat to transport him home.

The dagger that Huo Shanming fed with poison was originally handled by a doctor for him.Although this kind of poison is powerful, it will not kill the other party, but it will fester and cause pain for a few more days.If it is not cured in the future, it is difficult to guarantee that it will not be disabled, and it is definitely not life-threatening.That's why Shanming stabbed him in the leg.Unexpectedly, this doctor had ulterior motives, he took this opportunity to find another client, and got a thousand gold, but invisibly, he cost the lives of Xue Huo and his wife.Because besides Xue Huo, there is a third party who wants to be the head of the flower account, but he is worried about his lack of qualifications and refuses to engage in useless competition.But this kind of thing happened. When Shanming discussed with the doctor about feeding the knife, the doctor repeatedly asked: "Who is it for? If I don't say it clearly, I will never do this." Shanming had to tell him the truth.The doctor was angry and said a lot of injustice: "I will help you." Unexpectedly, he turned to a third party.The third person is also a well-known bachelor in Beijing, whose surname is Hua and whose name is Chunming.He is also considered a veteran in the warehouse, but he is not as good as Huo and Xue. Apart from these two, no one can resist him.The doctor got this opportunity, so he went to see Hua Chunming, and offered him a plan to kill two birds with one stone: first, Huo Shanming stabbed Xue Buxiao to death, and then Shanming paid for Bu Xiao's life.But you must ask for a thousand silver rewards in advance.Chunming thought about it, this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At that time, he took out 1,000 taels to make up the flower account in the future. Every year, if he behaves properly, he will have 60,000 to 70,000 silver deposits.Such a lucrative business, why not do it in the past?So he readily agreed.On the same day, he exchanged one thousand taels of silver to the doctor.The doctor got a bribe, and went to Huo's house to feed the knife the next day. The medicine used was all poisonous gas returning to the heart, and it would be fatal within three days.Where did Shan Ming know, he stabbed Bu Xiao in a daze, thinking it would not kill him, but he would pay some medical expenses and have a good friend come out to mediate, it would not be difficult to deal with it perfunctorily.Unexpectedly, after carrying it home, Bu Xiao felt sorry for him before he could treat his wounds and take medicine.As a result, it is natural to go to court.Fortunately, what Shan Mingyuan said was that death will pay for life, so he surrendered himself to the crime without fear.At that time, there were no interrogation halls, so it was natural to report to Daxing County first, and the county magistrate summoned witnesses for interrogation.County magistrate Guo Dingkui originally had a friendship with Shanming, and the housing classes in the county are also good friends of Shanming on weekdays.Everyone had already made a bunch of strings, and asked him to think that he was in a drunken coma in the hall, quarreling with each other, grabbing a small knife for cutting fruit, stabbing his leg, and dying from the wind.All the witnesses testified in the same way.Although the crying master protested, but at that time, the official power was still limited, and he was confused, and he decided to accidentally injure himself and die.The county magistrate took a detailed look at the various constitutions, and the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture reviewed it again.The crying master submitted a complaint, but never turned it over, so he went to the Ministry of Criminal Justice to file a complaint.Shuntian Mansion handed over the case to the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and it took two sessions.The fallen leaves returned to their roots, and they still died of accidental injuries. They were ordered to be sent to the extreme edge of the miasma, and the army would never return. Instead, they would be imprisoned forever.This is the reason why Huo Shanming was imprisoned.Since he was imprisoned, he has been very popular and has never been wronged.The former cell boss also became a brother of a different surname with him and asked him to help supervise the prisoners.Later, the former head of the prison was changed from the prison supervisor to the Yongjun, and he was sent to Yunnan.When he was about to leave, he declared to everyone that he was willing to give up this task to Shanming.The prison officer agreed very much, and all the prisoners agreed unanimously, and Shanming has since filled up the job of the jailer.Although he wants money, he is not very mean.Anyone who is in prison, he hates to commit adultery. If such a person commits a crime, even if he is willing to spend money to deal with it, he will never make you feel comfortable.The rest of the robbers, robbers and murderers of all kinds of homicides were almost all treated preferentially by him, and there was no dispute about the amount of money.Therefore, everyone admires him more and more.

Since Hu Biren was imprisoned, because he was a hero of the revolution and was specially ordered by the empress dowager to save him from death, he has been extraordinarily considerate.The privilege room prepared for Bi Ren is the house where Yi Airen lived in the past. Although the room is small, it is very elegantly arranged.Bi Ren lives in this house, still constantly reviewing his old lessons, and painting at his desk all day long.The results of the drawing are looted on the desk.Shanming came over to chat with him from time to time, and when he saw the drawing on the case, he couldn't put it down.It is said that Mr. Hu's paintings are number one in Beijing.Bi Ren said with a smile: "Your old man is so ashamed of the award. I am still studying, how dare I compare with the seniors in Beijing?" Shanming said: "I also know a good painter. This man is very young, and although his paintings are not as good as yours, he is still very handsome." Bi Ren said, "Your old man, why don't you borrow a few of this gentleman's precious paintings, and the students will also open their eyes." Shanming said: "Okay, okay, I'll bring it tomorrow." On the second day, Shanming took this drawing to Biren's house and asked him to look at it.Bi Ren took it over and opened it for a look, and he couldn't help but praise: "It's so good! It's rare to see such feathered flowers in Beijing city painters. It's really very bright!" Shanming heard Bi Ren's words. He praised him like that, and immediately showed a smug expression on his face, and said with a smile: "Mr. Hu, I was asked to bring it for your advice, not for your approval. Don't be polite, just pick on his shortcomings." He must be very grateful when I pass it on to him later.” Bi Ren said, “Looking at this sketch, the owner of the painting must be extremely clever. But his paintings are all his own research. Gradually improve and gradually learn to be like this. I have never been instructed by a famous teacher. Therefore, the use of color is either too much or not enough. As for the composition, it is also a bit rigid, and the size is not uniform. These are all shortcomings. But his talent is high, so there is a kind of vigor in his brushwork, which is much higher than that of the painter who copied the mold!" Shanming nodded unconsciously when he heard what Biren said: "Mr. Hu's Criticism, don’t mention how right it is. Your set of words, as if you saw this person with your own eyes, shows that you are also extremely smart. But I don’t know if you are willing to accept apprentices? If you are willing to accept apprentices, I will introduce him to you as a teacher. After a year of work, the preservation of the green is blue!" The wall man laughed and said: "Don't say that the art is good or bad, I am still a child, how can I be a teacher? You old man, don't make fun of it. If you never give up, we will become friends with each other. I am very happy to correct each other for a while. It is really impossible to talk about being a teacher." Shanming said: "Mr. Hu is too modest. You are not willing to be a teacher, but it is also very good for you to be friends with each other. But people can't come to the prison, they can only exchange drawings and pass them on to each other. If you see something illegal, please correct yourself. Don't be polite. I will take a few of your drawings today, also called It will open your eyes to the future, guess it will be okay, right?" Bi Ren said: "What's the matter, you just take it and show it to him."

From then on, Shanming passed on paintings to the two from time to time.Bi Ren asked him, "What's the surname of this good painter? What's his name? What does he have to do with you?" Shanming strictly kept the secret and refused to say a word.When Biren saw that he refused to speak, he would not ask any more questions in the future. He only added a few words of criticism to this person's sketches.In addition to correction, there is also a little bit of praise.He saw Biren's drawings there, and he didn't know how much he admired them. He took a few and left a few, and never returned them once.Biren didn't pay much attention at first, but later he knew he had been duped, so he asked Shanming for the money back.Shanming just verbally perfunctory, and after three months, he never paid it back once.Bi Ren was not happy, and angrily left two copies of the sent drawings, insisting on refusing to return them.Shanming didn't ask him for it either.A few days later, Shanming sent a drawing, but it was not finished, and asked him to finish the drawing.Biren took it and looked at it. It was mandarin ducks playing in the water. There were a few lotuses in the water, which were very brightly painted.Next to the lotus, there is only a duck drawn, with its body bent and its neck sideways, showing the air of playing with the opposite, but no mandarin duck is drawn.Shanming conveyed the intention of coming, saying that he asked him to make up for it.Bi Ren said with a smile: "The only thing missing in this painting is a mandarin duck, and the rest is finished. There is nothing difficult to make up for, but what does the future mean? It is really puzzling." Ming said: "Never mind him! Since he entrusts you to make up the painting, you can make up for him, or because mandarin ducks are more difficult to draw than ducks, he dare not draw by himself. It is also true." Bi Ren said: "Not necessarily. This It’s just that he paints like a living man, and I may not be able to catch up with others if I want to paint. It’s really a beautiful jade, and I’m ashamed of this stubborn stone.” Shanming laughed and said: “You don’t need to be modest, but you want to use it to get rid of it. Lazy. To tell you the truth, within three days, you must make it up for others. I will come to supervise you face to face tomorrow." After saying that, he left.Bi Ren held this painting and couldn't put it down, but he couldn't figure out what it meant.I was happy at the time, adjusted the colors, picked up the pen, and completely completed an unpainted mandarin bird.A mandarin duck and a duck seem to be neck-to-neck rather than neck-to-neck, presenting a natural state of mutual love.I saw it myself, and I was very proud of it.He simply went to the jailer's office to find Shanming, and when they met, he laughed and said, "Your old man has three days to supervise me for such a trivial matter. It's a big deal. Look, the painting has been completed. Please appreciate it, does it look like it was painted by two people?" Shanming heard that the painting was finished, he jumped up happily and said, "It's so fast! You really deserve to be a master of painting." Quickly took it over and opened it for a closer look , praised in a low voice: "Good! These two birds are alive! It can be said that the workmanship is the enemy, and whoever he is, I can't tell that the two of them painted it." Thank you again and again.In the evening of the same day, the messenger sent it to Qianqian.A few days later, Shanming took out a painted beauty, which was "Autumn Lady Worshiping the Moon Picture": under the tung tree stood a beauty with light make-up, a bright moon in the sky, and the beauty turned towards the moon for good fortune.Over there is a house with red rafters and blue tiles, the curtains are rolled up high, and through the glass window, you can see the brocade quilt gums inside.There are a few words inscribed on the painting, which read "Under the crystal curtain, looking exquisitely at the autumn moon", but it has never been written who painted it.Shanming handed the painting to Bi Ren and said, "Look carefully at this painting, how does it look? What's the talent and appearance of the person in this painting?" Bi Ren looked at it solemnly for a quarter of an hour. Suddenly Xiang Shanming asked: "The woman in this painting is a real person. Not only is there a real person, but the person who painted this picture is this woman. Is what I said right?" Shanming applauded He laughed and said, "My lord, you have such poisonous eyes! How did you see it?" Biren also laughed, and said, "The secret here is one that can be understood, but not expressed in words. There may not be no clues in the end." Xun: First, this woman's demeanor is indeed a boudoir atmosphere, a kind of demure and chaste, which is revealed in Chu Mo. She is not a woman, and she must not be so considerate. Saying a arrogant word is like I am wishing The museum specializes in painting beauties, and they can't paint to this extent. There are two small cinnabar moles on the temples of the two beauties. If you look closely, you can't see them. If you don't paint your own portrait, why bother? Add this kind of mark? From these two things, it can be seen that this person is in this painting, and this painting must be made of this person. It is not worth a penny, but a careless person must not be considerate of this." Shanming listened He nodded in admiration unconsciously, and said, "Mr. Hu, you can be called a beauty with great eyes! After all, this beauty is also a celebrity with great eyes! Please take this painting as a treasure and hide it, and then please put yourself I will also draw a small photo according to the size of this painting, and give it to me quickly. If I hand it over to others, the purpose of exchange will be achieved." Bi Ren said: "Why is that so unreasonable? What does this mean? I don't know Knowing someone, and for no reason, exchanging portraits with the same person, and the other person is a woman, this seems inappropriate." Shanming smiled and said: "Don't worry about it. I asked you to draw, you draw, I call you Change, you change, there is absolutely no malice, and it will definitely not harm your morality. You can rest assured, I have never lied to others." Hearing him speak so earnestly, Bi Ren couldn't say no.In the end, I was always full of doubts in my heart, and it was inconvenient to ask down again and again, so I had no choice but to agree.There is one thing to say, I can't draw mandarin ducks as fast as last time, this is my true face, and it's a bit difficult to write.Shanming said: "What are you busy with? You can draw slowly, and you will always succeed sooner or later." After seven or eight days of deliberation, the Bi people finished the draft, and after another three days of work, they finished it with fine brushwork.It is a picture of "Testing a Horse in the Spring Suburbs": I am riding a striped horse, galloping on a piece of green grass.Wearing a sky-blue Ningxia silk jacket, a purple satin vest, a silk whip in his hand, and short boots on his feet.The face is full of spring breeze, showing a kind of smug color.After finishing the painting, I also wrote two lines of poems on it, which are "The spring breeze is proud of the horseshoe disease, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day".After finishing the question, I took out the "Picture of Autumn Maiden Worshiping the Moon" and compared them with each other: one is full of affection; the other is high ambition.I also care about it leisurely.While watching, Shanming lifted the curtain and came in, took a few steps, stood in front of the painting table, and gave a round of applause.Bi Ren was startled, looked up and saw Shanming, felt very embarrassed, hurriedly rolled up the "Picture of Autumn Girl Worshiping the Moon" and put it aside.善鸣道:“怎么收起来呢?这两张画儿,真是蓝田双玉,有美必合。无那一张的旖旎,也显不出这一张的英俊;无这一张的英俊,也衬不起那一张的旖旎。况且春郊试马,秋闺拜月,真是天造地设的妙对,难为你怎么想得出呢!”璧人道:“你老先生不要嘉奖了,再嘉奖我更无地自容了。”善鸣也不再答言,拿起新画的图,向外便走。璧人道:“你请回来,我还有话说呢。”善鸣连头也不回,径自去了。当日璧人坐在屋中,闷闷不乐,心里盘算:善鸣种种举动,离奇变幻,令人莫测。始而同我交换画稿,继而令我补画鸳鸯,最后又拿这《秋闺拜月图》,强迫着叫我画自己小像,同他交换。这究竟是一种什么意思呢?问他画画的姓名履历,他又不肯说,但就眼前猜度,定是一个女子无疑。但是这女子是他什么人?却又无从揣测。他闷闷地盘算了多半夜,方才合眼睡去。

第二天吃过早饭,善鸣笑吟吟的,寻了他来。见面之后,便从怀中取出一张六寸的相片,递给璧人观看。璧人接过来,才一着眼,便失声道:“这位小姐不是《秋闺拜月图》上的人吗?可我眼力不差。”善鸣道:“这个哑谜,足足叫你猜了三四个月。今天我来可要打开壁子说亮话,同你正式谈判了。”璧人道:“啊呀!我可熬出来了!这三四个月的闷罐子,真要把我憋闷坏了。我如今要先问你,那位女画家,到底是你什么人?”善鸣道:“你问她吗?是我嫡亲的妹妹,与我同父不同母,是继母生的。她单名一个锦字,小字文娘,今年二十三岁了,还不曾许给人家。她不但能文能诗,而且画得真好。凡这三四个月拿来的画稿,全是她亲手画的。她在家母面前立过誓,非有名的青年画家不嫁,而且非经她品题,绘画的程度确高出于她之上的,她也不嫁。因此一再蹭蹬,直耽误到现在,未定婚约。我们做兄嫂的,又未便十分主持,只可隐许慢慢替她寻找。也是活该姻缘前定,自从你入狱之后,时常以画自遣,我便格外注上了意。上次的画稿,是我专人拿回家去,请锦妹阅看。她见了便倾倒到五体投地,专门写信进来,向我打听画家姓什么,叫什么,多大年纪,是哪里人氏。你请想,她问得这样详细,能说是无意吗?我复信之后,她又写信来,并附着一本画稿,请我转交给你,愿求指正,信中并说了许多惋惜的话。我因此才向你要求彼此换观画稿。承你不弃,交换了许多次,万分对不起,是舍妹把你的画稿留下不还,叫我也无可奈何。后来家母到这里来,当面对我说,你妹妹看中了胡君的绘画,向我谈起来,大有舍此人不嫁之意。只是不知胡君的相貌如何,他家中曾否娶过妻室,你得闲务必代为询问才好。我听了母亲的话,便问她老人家,说胡君的品行艺术,固然很好。至于相貌,更是一位美男子,而且非常英发,毫无女气,保管妹妹见了,一定中意。但是有一样难处,他乃是奉旨的钦犯,虽经皇太后特赦,不至于死,但是什么时候放出来,可不敢预定。倘然定了这门亲,他十年不出狱,那可怎么好呢?家母道:这一层不必你虑,我早已虑到了。也曾向她诘问,她说得更好:如果胡君未有妻室,肯允许这门亲事,不要说等十年八年,我决不着急,便是永远禁监,我同他做一对精神上的夫妻,也是甘心乐意的。我说既然这样,那就好办了。第二天我同你闲谈,知道你尚未娶妻。过了几天,便拿了那张有鸯无鸳画稿来,请你补画,这正是锦妹求上天代为判断的一种表示:假如你们两人,能正式结婚,成为夫妇,你便补画那鸳;要不能正式结婚,成为夫妇,仅仅担一个虚名,便成了孤鸾寡鹄,你一定不画那个鸳。她是这样意思来的。万没料到你一时高兴,当天便补画完足。我派人送回家去,锦妹见了,真是大喜过望。最后一着,便是要同你交换画像。如今像也换了,两幅画图,便是千金定礼。我今天详详细细对你说明,料想这门亲事,是可以邀允的了。”善鸣说完了这一套话,再看璧人,竟是满面泪痕,泣不能抑。善鸣诧异道:“这可怪了!如此大喜的事,你为何倒哭起来?莫不是有什么难言之隐吗?”壁人道:“小弟哭泣,是因为我活了二十一岁,自信画有专长,却不曾遇着一位知己。甚至如意馆中的长官,也不过把我看成画匠。如今令妹小姐,于风惊浪骇之中,居然有此巨眼,能赏识到我胡璧人,竟以终身相托,而且甘作精神上的夫妻,矢志不贰。我胡璧人何幸得此知己!所以思前想后,不由得感极而泣。至于这门亲事,既承贤母子见许,我上无父母,尽可自己做主,完全承诺。”说罢,便朝着善鸣深深一揖,说:“烦老姻兄转达岳母座前,等我官事完毕,先到府上去叩见长亲。虽说画图可做定礼,到底觉着不甚郑重。我桌上摆着的白玉笔洗,还是先祖在安徽宁池太兵备道任上,一个属员送的。确是出土的汉玉,下有五凤元年制五个篆字,洗内有玉音珍赏四个篆字。玉音是五侯之一,这必是他心爱之物。实在晶莹温润,不比寻常。请老姻兄拿去,作为聘礼,才对得住小姐赏识我的雅意。”善鸣接过来细看,果然是一宗宝物。向璧人道:“妹倩真不愧雅人深致,也不枉舍妹这般垂青!看起来,你两人一定富贵白头,决然不至久羁囹圄。那张相片,请你保存起来,就算同这美玉的交换品吧。”璧人道:“那是自然,不劳姻兄嘱咐。”善鸣欢欢喜善地,给他母亲写了一封贺禀,连同白玉送回家中。从此胡霍两人,结了姻亲,当然益形亲密。

转过年来,便是辛亥武汉革命这一年,当湖北起义之始,李天洪假托祥呈的口气,递了一封奏折,说怎样把革命军已经打平,所为稳住清廷,好进行革命事业。可怜昏天黑地的摄政王,还信以为真,居然传旨嘉奖祥呈,说他戡乱迅速。这时候北京城法部狱中,正收着几个革命党,如汪杜鹃、白重光、胡璧人,这三人乃是真革命。其余还有三四个,乃是形迹可疑的嫌疑犯,并非真正革命党:一个叫高天放,一个叫陈碧血,一个叫朱复明,一个叫汤沃胡。这四个人,还是铁木贤在南京时候,查拿革命党,按照册子搜出来的。因为这四个人的姓名,在册子上格外招人注目,因此铁木贤悬赏通缉,居然被他拿住了。拿住之后,他便想借此邀功,故意大张其词,说这四人是革命首领、孙文部下的大将,本想在南京纠众起事,是奴才手下侦探发觉得早,奴才亲自率领官兵将这四人擒住。应当怎样发落,请皇上特旨遵行。此外还开了一起保案,教读先生保到试用知府,提夜壶的小厮,全保到花翎都司。摄政王见他说得这般厉害,以为四个人必然与众不同,当时传旨,叫从南京解至北京,交法部严刑审讯,究问革命的根源,以便搜剿,早清乱本。铁木贤使专差把四人解来北京。彼时法部尚书,还是廷杰。他知是奉旨的钦犯,怎敢怠慢,第二天便自己开庭审讯。头一个提上高天放来,廷杰一见愕然,心说这大年纪的老头子,还有气力革命?原来天放须发糁白,看神气有六十多岁了。廷杰问他:“你这大年纪,为何勾通革命,谋为不轨?”天放哭诉道:“大人啊,可把买卖人冤枉死了!我在南京秦淮河旁,开洋广杂货店。因为我放印子钱,天天走取,大家便送我这个名儿,管我叫高天放。我并不懂得什么叫革命党。因为陈碧血同我住街坊,常赊我的货,到了年节,向他讨账,他不但不还,反倒怀恨在心。也不知什么时候,硬把我的名,填入一本册子里。后来发现了这本册子,官府硬指我是革命党。大人请想,小的今年六十七岁了,还能造反吗?真真冤杀了我!真真屈杀了我!”供罢又连连叩头。廷杰听他说,料想那陈碧血,必是革命党无疑。立刻提陈碧血上堂,举目观看,不觉又倒吸了一口凉气。What is your reason?原来这陈碧血,年纪不足二十岁,滑头滑脑,一看便知是个市井流氓。头上留着孩儿发,穿一身似男非男似女非女的衣裳,革命党中要有这样人物,可真把革命党糟蹋苦了。廷杰厉声问道:“你叫陈碧血吗?”碧血向上叩头回道:“学生名叫陈必学,他们硬给改成陈碧血。我还恢复老名字,叫必学,不叫碧血了。”廷杰道:“胡说!你在革命党中,充什么角色?你们同党,一共有多少人?可从实招来!”陈碧血道:“学生何曾入过革命党?是被人家骗了。我在南京小学校肄业,我们校长请了一位教习,说是东洋留学生,学问好极了。哪知他进入学校来,也不讲什么功课,开宗明义,便请我们学生加入什么同盟会。人家知道底细的,全都望望然去了,不肯加入,唯独学生,是一时糊涂,受了他的骗,方才加入的。”廷杰又问他:“那教习叫什么名字?他是用什么方法教的你?可从实招来!”碧血道:“他就是汤沃胡。要说起骗我的方法,真真可笑极了。他见我很好修饰打扮,便问我可曾娶妻室没有?我说尚不曾娶妻。他便对我说,这个同盟会中,凡无妻的党员,会中首领代为作伐,择那女会员中未许给人的,便说给你为妻,并且这些女会员,全是毕过业的留学生。她们嫁过之后,还能充当教习,不但用不着男人花一个钱,而且能供给男人的饮食衣着,及一切零用。我听了他这话,以为这样的事,在世界上真是再便宜没有的了,便即刻应许入会。将姓名籍贯三代,全开给人家,另外还花两块钱的入会费,结果只换了一张会证。我三番五次催问他,给我说的亲事怎么样了?这个月内能否娶过来?他此时便不照前那样热心了,只淡淡地对我说,你忙的是什么?到时候自然会成功。又过了几天,我忍不住了,又催问他,他说你虽然入会,并没有一点功劳,怎能享着得妻的权利?就是我们替你说,人家也不肯嫁你啊。我急了,问他必须怎样,才算有功呢?汤沃胡说,像你这样懦弱,开手枪、掷炸弹的勾当,当然是干不了,到底去拉几个会员,这是很容易的事,你总可以做得到了吧?你在一个月内,如能拉进二十名会员,我便替你说亲。我一想,二十名会员,还没有什么难办的,立刻应许。撒开了,到各处拉拢,自然也得说许多诳话。比如,遇着一个学生,便对他说,入了会能够得妻;遇着一个买卖人,便对他说,入了会便有增股。那高天放,便是贪图招股才加入的,如今他又不认账,硬说是学生挟嫌嫁祸。真冤枉极了。”廷杰听完了这一套供,又可气,又好笑,问陈碧血:“你到底得着妻室没有?”碧血道:“什么妻室,连一个娶媳妇的梦也没做着啊!”廷杰又问他:“那个朱复明,跟你可是同党吗?”碧血道:“提起朱复明来,更冤枉极了。他本是一个卖猪头肉的,天天从我们学校门前经过。我们几十个学生,差不多全照顾他。尤其是我欠他的钱最多,他一再向我讨账。正赶上我大拉会员,便说了一套诳话骗他,说同盟会乃是一个赚钱会,比如你今年拿进两块钱去,到明年便有四块,到后年便有八块,到第三年便有十六块。朱复明本是财迷,听见有这样便宜事,极端赞成。况且当时不用他花钱,不过由我欠的猪肉账上拨一笔就算是入了会。我当时只图拉够了二十人,好骗个媳妇享用。哪知费一个月工夫,只拉了十九个,单单少一个。我没了法子,索性偷偷地连我父亲名字写上,又把自己衣服当了两块钱,总算是完全交卷了。汤沃胡对我说,你不要性急,我已经替你物色着一个,是日本东京女子职业学校毕业,再有两个月就要回国了。她本是苏州人,容貌很秀美,并会刺绣,每一天能得两三块钱的工钱,你就等着做新郎享艳福吧。我有了这大希望,今天盼到明天,明天盼到后天。盼来盼去,同盟会的事已经犯了案,册子被人搜得,可怜我糊里糊涂的,就被人捉了去。原来是本校教员同汤沃胡不睦,暗暗向官府告密,说他是革命党,有首领的委任状,有同盟会的花名册子。官府知道了,立刻派军警把学校围了,先把汤沃胡捉了去。果然从他屋中,搜出委任状一纸,人名册子一本,另外还有几封信,全是革命党人互通消息的。汤沃胡被捕之后,便完全招认,自己是奉着革命领袖命令,特到内地招引各界人民入同盟会,好为将来起事之用。依着铁钦差的主意,本想按图索骥,照着册子上的人名分头逮捕,是两江总督张大帅存心厚道,不愿多事株连,主张只就册子内引人注目的人名,逮捕三五个,也算戒一惩百,从此罢手。铁大人看了看册子,便相中我们三个人,派了几个警察,手到擒来,连问也不曾问一句,便解至北京。恳求大人笔下超生,救我三人的性命吧! ”廷杰又提朱复明来讯问,果然是个做小买卖的样子,连“革命”两个字还不懂得作何解释,略略问了两句。最后提汤沃胡,一见面便勃然大怒。你道因为什么?原来沃胡光着头顶,早已剪了发。那时清廷对于剪发的人,除去和尚,便认为革命党。今见沃胡光着头顶,知道是革命党无疑,立刻拍着桌子喝道:“你这目无王法的乱党,自己背叛国家,起意谋反,还不算数,又敢引诱良民,骗人入党,真乃是穷凶大恶,快快从实招来,免得用刑!要不然,我先打你三百屁股板子! ”廷杰大拍了一阵,汤沃胡全然不怕,反倒破口大骂:“你这满清的狗官,吓吓旁人还可以,要想吓吓汤爷爷,是做梦呢!不要说打屁股板子,便是砍头碎剐,你汤爷爷也满不放在心上。 ”廷杰白挨了一顿骂。有意打他几下,出一出气,回想这种人,打他也是白打,反倒封住他的嘴,一个字也不肯招了。莫若先押在狱中,圈圈他的性气,等有工夫,再慢慢地问不迟。随吩咐退堂,把四人下狱候讯。这四人到狱中,因为事关革命,当然没人敢出头替他们运动。霍善鸣本是豪杰之士,知道四人为革命下狱,无形中便有了一种爱惜之念,处处关照他们,并不曾受着什么痛苦。廷杰又问了几回,也不曾问出口供来,只得糊涂回奏,说汤沃胡是奉孙文所派,诱人入会。那三个全是被诱之人,若分首从,汤沃胡当然科为首犯,这三人全是从犯。奴才按律定拟:汤沃胡斩监候,高天放、陈碧血、朱复明,俱拟绞监候,请旨遵行。摄政王照准下来。从此四人便在狱中,专等秋后处决。 偏偏这一年便起了武汉革命,也是四个人生命该绝,摄政王单单想起他们来,召见法部尚书张仁普,当面交派,快把南京解来的四个革命党处决,免得将来留为后患。张仁普奉到旨意,哪敢怠慢,下朝之后,便到法部,看一看天光已到日落,当日是不能办事了,便下了一道手谕:“明日早晨,提前决囚。”吩咐管狱的早早预备,并且手谕上标的是重要人犯,不得疏懈。按照前清规例,每逢冬至前后,刑部处决囚犯,是彻夜不得安息。狱中点着胳臂粗的绿油大蜡,预备很好的酒席,还叫进唱莲花落、八角鼓的,在狱中彻夜弹唱。所有狱囚,一律是好酒好菜,开怀畅饮,并听各种弹唱,以为娱乐。直唱到鸡鸣五更,天光将亮,只听狱中的铃铛一响,便立刻散席收场。所有唱玩意的,把一班乐器收拾收拾,扭头便走。牢头指挥散卒,将各囚犯的手铐脚镣,也一齐上好。此时静悄悄鸦雀无声,专等左右堂侍郎到来,立刻升公座,将朱笔勾下的人犯簿子取出来。凡经朱笔勾过的,一律处决。这个簿子名叫勾到本,是刑部尚官拟好,进呈到皇上面前。内中人犯,俱都是死囚,不过有三种分别:最重的叫作情实,其次的叫作可矜,再次的叫作缓决。当这三项拟定后,刑部得预备许多份通知书,凡京官中六部九卿翰詹科道,每一个人有一份通知,请他们斟酌案情,看本部拟定的是否公允。如有可疑之点,尽管签注意见,将原案驳回。如一案破驳三人以上,刑部的原议便要完全推翻,重新再议再定。必须经过这种手续,然后才能将勾到本呈到皇上面前。皇上又从头阅一遍,看情实之中,有什么疑义,也许挪到可矜、缓决;看可矜之中,有什么弊窦,也许提到情实。一切安配好了,然后用朱笔向那情实人犯的姓名上,圈过来一勾。凡被朱笔勾到,一律是处决。至于可矜的姓名上,写一个矜字,缓决的姓名上,写一个缓字,便全保住生命了。由这些地方看起来,从古专制帝王,未尝不知慎重人命。像这样的善政,到了共和民国,反倒一笔勾销了。共和国的军阀,杀人如草不闻声,哪里还用得着勾到本呢! 闲言少叙,却说张仁普在部中下了手谕,他便匆匆回宅去了。部中各机关,全都很诧异的,说现在才八月下旬,离冬至还远得很呢,怎么忽然要提前决囚?还是什么重要人犯!既然堂官有谕,大家只好分头预备。最忙的是狱卒,霍善鸣同管狱的各班役,先叫了七八桌上好的酒席,然后传莲花落、八角鼓,同各种相声、单弦等种种玩意,进狱来弹唱。各狱囚一看见这种举动,凡斩监候、绞监候各种重罪人犯,全有点提心吊胆,变貌变色。内中最担心的,并不是狱囚,反倒是狱卒霍善鸣。What is your reason?他看见堂官的手谕上,标“重要人犯”,心里便有点打鼓。因为这一座狱中,最重要的案子,当然以谋炸摄政王为第一了。这一案中的要犯,除去汪杜鹃、白重光,便要数胡璧人。璧人同他妹妹文娘,订婚约已经半年,如今忽然出了意外。倘然璧人有一个山高水低,我的母亲同妹妹,心中何以为情。但事到而今,隐瞒是隐瞒不了,只可同璧人商量,趁今夜纷乱之际,将文娘领进来,使他们未婚的夫妻,得以晤面谈几句话。就是将来出了意外,也算对得起母亲妹妹。主意打好,立刻写信,派专差到他家中,请老太太同小姐即刻前来。一面又到璧人屋中,将这意思委婉地说了。璧人听了,并无丝毫畏惧之意,只说:“大哥这样办也好。可惜岳母台前,未能少尽半子之心,实在感愧得很。至于贤妹正在青春,我死之后,千万不可拘那守贞的老套,最好另择佳偶,早早婚嫁为是。”善鸣道:“老弟太多虑了,我也不过是防备万一的意思。其实上边,也并不曾指名道姓,要处决某人。”璧人道:“这还用指名道姓,当然是小弟同汪、白二君了。”善鸣此时忙得不得了,一面招呼酒席,一面周旋唱玩意的老板,一面又迎接他母亲妹妹,领到璧人屋中。璧人恭恭敬敬地给岳母行过礼,又向未婚之妻文娘,深深作揖。说:“鄙人以一技微长,得蒙小姐垂青,许以终身,鄙人感激知己的心,非可言喻。不幸身负重罪,恐难与小姐订白头之盟。窃愿身死之后,小姐莫误青春,另择良匹,鄙人亦可瞑目九泉。”文娘道:“君这话太不对了。妾若抱人尽可夫的心,北京尽多佳婿,何必选及狱囚?君要知道,妾所爱的是艺术。纵然人有不测,艺术仍存,妾情愿抱艺术终老,决不能再嫁他人。请君安心静养,或者天可怜见,终有出险之日,也说不定。妾母女在此,徒乱君的心曲,请从此辞,改日再会吧。”说罢拉着她母亲,一同出狱。璧人想要再说几句,直不知从何说起,只得送她母女出门。紧跟着,汪杜鹃、白重光同来寻他,彼此见面大笑。重光道:“我们快熬出来了。在狱里死不死活不活,终年不见天日,倒不如早早回去的好。”杜鹃道:“你先不必说这些话。今夜霍大哥对咱三人,特别优待。听说预备的是鸭翅席,在璧人屋中吃,还有他本人同提牢官作陪,所以我们先就到这里,管他三七二十一,先给他一个开怀畅饮,尽醉方休。”杜鹃正说着,善鸣已经走来,一见面便道:“好极了!二位在这里稍候,酒席就开过来。提牢季老爷,少时就来,我还得照应那边。今夜一共七八桌,他们在大屋子里吃,各种弹唱也在那里,虽说有伙计张罗,我也得去周旋周旋。”三人各说大哥请便,我们自己朋友,用不着周旋。少时酒菜送过来,有狱中夫役,调桌凳,摆杯箸。善鸣同提牢官季友兰,拉着手儿走来,三人忙起身让座。友兰笑道:“三位先生,不要客气。咱们随便喝酒,随便谈话,你们要一拘束,便不是英雄本色了。”五个人坐了一桌,猜拳行令,放开量一喝。少时那边也开了弹唱,但听丝管和鸣八音齐奏,唱的声音最大,便是徐狗子的莲花落。各狱犯听到高兴之处,便大声喊好,声震屋壁。一直喝到四更,善鸣早吩咐各小卒,把手镣脚铐铁锁等,按着狱犯人数俱都预备齐楚,等候着临时应用。 天才交五更,但听喔喔的一声鸡唱,提牢官传令:“闭门查狱!”狱卒扯开了嗓子,高叫一声,在天色昏冥中,听了真令人惊心动魄。所有各弹唱的人,一听见闭门两个字
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