Chapter 75 Chapter 72: Making a Miraculous Change and Letting the Tigers Into the Flock of Sheep to Fulfill Prostitution

In the new first month of the first year of the Republic of China and the Yuan Dynasty, Beijing's merchants and people were bustling with each other, all containing a new atmosphere.They thought that from now on, they would be able to enjoy freedom and happiness after getting rid of the autocratic monarchy, so everyone was elated.All Xiangchangchang stores, Luozi halls in various theaters, and various entertainment venues are full of holes and valleys, crowded and immobile.Even restaurants, large and small, outside the front door, down to a snack shop outside the front door, are not three times disadvantageous.From the first day to the eleventh day of the lunar new year, during these ten days, Jin Wu couldn't help singing and singing everywhere, which was truly indescribably prosperous and magnificent.Unexpectedly, extreme joy begets sorrow, and a catastrophe is about to happen right in front of you.But Jin Geer, Tian Nianren, and Yu Liangwu have been feeling very happy since Ding Yuanzhen made wine at the banquet in Juxing hall on the second day of junior high school.On the second day after returning home, the three gathered together again.Jin Ge Er suggested that we have nothing to do in our free time, and we will start wandering from today until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.All the theaters outside Qianmen took turns to listen to him for a day; they went to small restaurants for dinner, and they ate all of the famous small restaurants outside Qianmen.Both Tian and Yu agreed with this proposal.So from the third day of junior high school, I started to play.It was already the twelfth day of the first lunar month, and the three of them got up very early to go to the station to see Representative Nan.But the army and police were so strict that they couldn't enter the station, so they had to watch from a distance.The car that only saw the third representative ran into the front door like a lightning bolt.The three of them were melancholy.Jin Geer said: "At the beginning, Wang Dujuan plotted to bomb the regent and was imprisoned. He almost lost his life. Now he has become the representative of the southern government. He is so powerful. It seems that people's ups and downs are not certain!" Liangwu said: "Nowadays, the Republic of China has been reformed. Since it is a Republic of China, the people should be the main body. Of course, there is no room for all the official pomp and circumstance of the previous monarchy era. Looking at them welcoming the Three Representatives today, it is almost the same as the former government receiving imperial envoys. Isn’t this a joke?” Tian Nianren sneered slightly and said, “My silly brother, why are you talking nonsense. You must know that this country has been changed to a democratic republic. How can there be a democratic republic in the mind of a person who controls the country and holds great power? For example, President Sun wants to be in Beijing and assume the position of head of state. Even if you are dreaming, you can’t dream of this phenomenon. The current one is an old bureaucrat for many years. Since he was a few years old, what he heard and saw was nothing but bureaucratic habits. If you want him to eradicate the bureaucracy, how can he do it! Besides, he still has ulterior motives in his extravagance today. You are welcome to be different." Yu Liangwu said with a smile: "You are very reasonable. But he has an ulterior motive, what kind of intention is he using? Can you explain it clearly so that we can understand it." Tian Nianren said: "We are on the road Talking about state affairs, be careful not to let the detectives listen to it, and ask for trouble, let's find a place to talk." Yu Liangwu said: "Where are we going?" Tian Nianren thought for a while and said that it was almost noon at this time. It's time to have breakfast too, why don't we go to Dongxingju of the polishing factory and have a meal of braised pork, the private seats there are still clean.Both Jin and Yu agreed.Fortunately, the grinding factory is next to the East Railway Station, and the three of them never took a car, only walking slowly.After entering the Dongxing Pavilion, I found an elegant seat, and the waiter first made tea.The two of us continued with the previous draft and asked Nian Renxiang Zicheng what was the purpose of such a welcome.Nian Ren smiled and said: "It's hard to guess. The first three representatives were sent by President Sun Da. To welcome them is to welcome President Sun Da. This is the first step of the North-South cooperation. Zenghua is better than a group of people in the south. Second, Xiang Zicheng is a man who loves talents. He knows that these three representatives are all the top figures in the Democratic Party. Preferential treatment, so as to win their hearts and use them for myself in the future." Liang Wu said: "Do you think these three people can be won by him?" Nian Ren said: "People's hearts are separated by belly, who dares to judge this? But as far as I think, I'm afraid it's still in vain. In Xiangzi City, he can really be open and honest, make the country rich and powerful, and benefit the people, and he doesn't have to win over the Democratic Party. All members of the Democratic Party are naturally willing to work for him. If he is dedicated to Expansion of power by yourself, obviously it is the Republic of China, but secretly trying to attack the remaining power of the monarch, it is useless to win over." Yu Liangwu nodded, saying that you are right.Jin Ge Er said: "You gentlemen don't need to talk about state affairs, let's eat." Then he ordered the waiter to bring three pots of white wine, a plate of sauced chicken, a plate of bean fish, a big bowl of yellow stewed meat, and purple rice.The three of them were drinking while discussing where to spend their time after dinner.Yu Liangwu said: "I have listened to enough plays these days. Let's change our ears today and go to Sanqing Garden to listen to Wang Yufeng's Sanxian. Do you agree or not?" Tian Nianren said: "I agree very much. Listening to the play is much better."

It turns out that Wang Yufeng is a blind man with double blindness, but he has a unique skill, that is, he can play all kinds of tones with the three-stringed string. , the same as the big drama.This is not a novelty, the most surprising thing is that the famous actors in Beijing, such as Tan Xinpei, He Guishan, Wang Yaoqing, Chen Shitou and others, Wang Yufeng can imitate their accents and tunes on the Sanxian, and the charm and taste are not bad at all.If you know opera words are the same as banyan, close your eyes and listen, not only the sound, but also the words, and the banyan will not go away at all.Because when he sang, all the gongs and drums, huqin, xianzi, yueqin, etc., all played along with him, without leaving the stage at all.Not only can play, the most wonderful thing is to play Fengliuyankou, accompanied by foreign drums and foreign numbers in the army.The four words Merry Flame Mouth sound very novel, and it is not a person who has lived in Beijing for a long time, so he definitely cannot explain the history of these four words.Because it contains a background of Beijing social customs, it is really a medium for prostitution.According to the rules, it should have been strictly prohibited a long time ago, but it was very popular at that time.What is Yankou?That is, if there is a dead person in the household, on the night of the third day after the death, a group of monks are invited to recite the scriptures, which is called Jiesan.On the surface, it is to save the dead and ascend to the Paradise of Ultimate Bliss early, but in fact, it is to coax a group of guests, relatives and friends to be happy.There is no fixed number of monks, at least seven, there are also nine, eleven, and thirteen.I have to prepare a few plates of ghost buns for them.This kind of steamed bun is made of steamed white flour, about the size of a walnut, piled up layer by layer.When they read in the middle of the night, they light a few lamps and tell those with high flames to pick up steamed buns and throw them on the ground while reciting scriptures. This is called the mouth of flames.For the sake of pardoning orphans and summoning souls, I gave steamed buns to a group of poor gods and hungry ghosts, so that they can take care of the newly deceased, and don't argue and fight with them.Although this behavior is superstitious, there are still some reasons to say.The most ridiculous and incomprehensible thing is that this group of monks, whose title is the Canon, actually sing ditty tunes.Although what they recited were scriptures, the tones they uttered were the same as those they sang.And before they sing, they have to go through some procedures.If you ask what the procedures are, it is the same behavior as the birthday celebrations, singing hall operas, singing octagonal drums, and singing Luozi in various mansions and houses.In the opera troupes and lotus troupes that do business, there are all handwritten scriptures.There are various opera names on the handfold, and the names of various tunes, which are presented by the head class to the master, who is invited to read and read, and order whatever he likes to listen to.And the master forwarded it to all relatives and friends present, please ask them to sing at will.If the master ordered, there is no need to reward money. If relatives and friends ordered, after the singing, they must be rewarded.According to the rules of the opera troupe, another family member has to be dressed in the clothes of a book boy in ancient costumes or an old courtyard, and kowtow to the guests on the stage to thank them.This style has been practiced in Beijing for a long time, and it is not surprising at all. How did you know that monks chanting sutras and performing them over and over again, also developed in this form.When they went to the flame opening of a certain house, they brought a handfold with them, and before going to the altar to recite the scriptures, they also followed the procedures of singing opera and singing, and presented the handfold to the owner of the house.It's not about asking the owner of the house to sing, because the owner is a bereaved family, and no matter what, he can't look for entertainment anymore, but I beg the owner to forward it to relatives and friends, and invite them to come and order.The ones on the handfold are all the names of the tunes of the seasons, such as "Five Changes", "Ten Flowers", "Mother's Twenty-Four Confused", "Single Crying Wife", "Old Mother Opening" and so on.All in all, there are dozens of kinds. Please ask relatives and friends to sing at will.For the most part, women make up the majority. For men who understand a little bit of reason, they uphold the righteousness of mourning and not singing, and of course they refuse to rejoice in such unreasonable behavior.Helplessly, most of the women and girls in Beijing like to listen to playing and singing, and they go to do favors on birthdays and celebrations.Only this kind of trivial matter, logically, can't hold a concert, so how can there be any way to entertain it?I had to think about these monks.So this group of monks catered to women's psychology and researched this kind of speculative business.All the women who sing must also be rewarded, but it is not called a reward in face, it is called a confession money, and the amount is very meager.After clicking down, they sang loudly.Don't be afraid to order ten or twenty kinds, they don't miss any one, just like changing brands of octagonal drums.Sing a few lines of this tune, and then change to that one.Among these monks, there are really good voices, which are almost the same as listening to Yanle Shengping.This is really a strange custom, which leads to prostitution and corruption, nothing more so.However, in Beijing, it is taken for granted, not surprising.At the beginning of the Republic of China, when Wang Yufeng of the Yuan Dynasty played the Sanxian, it was still very popular.Therefore, Wang Yufeng's flamboyant flame mouth at that time was still considered a unique skill.His string, played from the last breath of the dead, is followed by the sounds of men crying, women crying, and children crying.Then the shed builder built the shed, the sound of bamboo poles, the sound of relatives and friends coming to mourn, the sound of chariots and horses, cooking in the kitchen, the sound of pots and spoons, you have to listen carefully, all of them are vivid.Until the monks came to chant scriptures, the gongs and drums sounded together, and various ditty tunes were played outside. During the singing and chanting, there were also the voices of women laughing.That's why it's called Merry Flame Mouth.There is also the foreign drum and foreign horn, playing military music with three strings, which is also one of his special skills.His playing of military music did not come suddenly, first from far to near, as if separated by miles, the sound of drums and horns increased from small to large.But it got bigger and bigger, as if it was approaching step by step, and slowly came to the front, the sound was very loud, it really seemed like the silver bottle was about to break and the water would pour over.But when it comes to the front, when the sound is loud, it has to move forward slowly, from loud to small.This kind of sound from loud to small is also small and gradual.If you listen carefully, you will find that you are walking forward step by step, but one step is far away like a step, until the sound is so small and indistinct that you don’t even hear it.But if you listen carefully, it is indeed a foreign drum and foreign horn, not another sound.The most wonderful thing is that the sound of the drums and horns was sent far into the eardrums by a sudden gust of wind, which is really amazing and inconceivable.There are such great musicians in our country, but it is a pity that the people at that time knew that pictures were pleasing to the eye and ears at the moment, and did not know how to promote research, make full use of them, pass on his unique skills, and shine in the music world.So once Wang Yufeng died, there was no one who could continue, which is a pity.If Wang Yufeng were to be born in a Western country, with such a superb skill, he might not be able to enjoy such a great reputation.His own skills are by no means limited to these kinds of inferior gadgets that are popular in the market.This is Wang Yufeng's misfortune again.

There are few gossips, but it is said that Tian, ​​Jin and Yu had eaten at Dongxingju, and Jin Geer paid the money and came out together.Walk to the Sanqing Tea Garden, find a table in the middle of the pond and sit down, watching the tea being served.At this time, Wang Yufeng hadn't come yet, and he waited for a while before seeing him come on stage.Before going on the stage, a follower took out the string and put it flat on the table, and then put the teapot and tea bowl that he brought on the table, and then Wang Yufeng walked out slowly.Even though she was blind, she didn't need anyone to support her, and she walked from the backstage to the front desk, all the way to her desk, which was not a bad step.I saw him wearing a fox fur jacket with sapphire blue satin face, a large mandarin jacket with blue satin double breasts, an otter bucket, two full-style cotton shoes with blue satin under his feet, and a mink autumn cap on his head.It depends on the air, just like the Bulang's house in the former Qing Dynasty.Every entertainer in Beijing has this kind of ostentation.The corruption of his habits can be imagined.No matter what kind of great person he is, as long as he is invited to live in Beijing for three years, he will be able to assimilate with the people of Beijing.If you want to ask what is the reason, it is not worth a penny if it is broken.Because people are born with the spirit of innateness, they have a kind of evil root in their innate nature.If you ask what this evil root is, it is that you like comfort and hate toil; you like entertainment and hate worry; you like ostentation and hate frugality; you like delicious food and hate innocence;This kind of likes and dislikes, unless it is a great sage of wisdom, does not change with the situation, and other ordinary human beings, regardless of wisdom, foolishness, virtuous, or unworthy, can never jump out of the scope of this kind of likes and dislikes.When it comes to the city of Beijing, all eating and drinking, daily life, entertainment, and all occasions that are pleasing to the eye and the heart, and timely entertainment, all of them are in perfect harmony with the evil habits of human beings.And it came very naturally, without any reluctance.Anyone who lives here, even if they have the courage to cultivate, will definitely not be able to stop this kind of infiltration and nourishment.At the beginning, I can still be reserved, but as the days go by, I feel no discomfort at all, and this assimilation power is considered a success.Don't say that the natives can't escape, even foreigners from the East and the West, who have lived in Beijing for more than five years, you see, they always have a little bit of Chinese official air, and their behavior is also relaxed, and they definitely don't look like they can't wait.It can be seen that with this assimilation power, even foreigners cannot escape, let alone Chinese.If you don't believe me, I can still give you another kind of evidence, and this kind of evidence is still very powerful evidence, and it is by no means just speculation.At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Manchurians dominated outside the customs. They were really strong and strong, and they were all alive and well.At that time, the Han people looked at the Manchurians in the same way that we look at the powerful countries in the East and West today.Unexpectedly, since they arrived in Beijing and became emperors, they were finally full of ambition and extremely happy.I have been happy for more than two hundred years, and unconsciously, I have been forged by the assimilation force of Beijing, turning the incomparably powerful and fierce Manchurian nation into a kind of sluggish, powerless waste living.Isn't this a strong proof?If they had not been in charge of Zhongxia in that day, Dingding Yandu would still be entrenched outside the pass, even if Aixinjueluo's status might change, after all his spirit of the whole nation would not be completely wiped out.From this point of view, Beijing is really not a good place.If you want to become a big business, you must not fall in love with this land.Now that the national government has established its capital in Nanjing and changed Beijing to Beiping, we cannot but admire their far-sightedness and deep planning.But in terms of terrain, Nanjing is far behind Beijing.If we want to control the whole country in the future, we still have to pay attention to this.But in the past few years, the map cannot be changed suddenly.A transformation method must be prepared in advance to completely transform this area of ​​Beijing all at once.All kinds of bad habits, bad customs, and all kinds of strange phenomena left over from history are all destroyed and cleared up, and a kind of good customs and habits are cultivated.After ten or twenty years like this, we will discuss the procedures for restoring the old capital. This is a great plan.But on the one hand, in Nanjing, we must pay special attention, because no matter where in the country, if you want to rebuild the capital, you will naturally develop all kinds of bad customs and habits, and it is not because of the monarchy and democracy that you will change them less. direction.However, the monarch has the track of the deterioration of the monarch, and the democracy has the track of the deterioration of democracy.It would be fundamentally wrong to assume that the capital of a democratic country is free from bad customs.Therefore, people in power must be particularly vigilant about the future of Nanjing. They should conceal sanctions in the invisible, lure them in nature, and always make them fall into the good side and not flow into the evil side. That's not to lose the painstaking effort to move the capital.Otherwise, although one side avoids danger, the other side suffers from a serious illness. Wouldn't it be a waste of time?

After Wang Yufeng came on the stage, he still refused to open the string suddenly. He poured himself a bowl of tea and drank it slowly, showing a calm look.After drinking enough tea, I just picked up the string, set the string, and played it slowly.The first one was "Dragon and Tiger Fight", which imitated Wang Guifen and He Guishan.But I feel that the voice is loud and full of breath, just like Wang and He's duet.Especially the suona's voice, following the singing tune, sounds lifelike.This cannot help but admire his magical technique. "Dragon and Tiger Fight" was sung, followed by "Wujiapo".If you close your eyes and listen, it will be Tan Xinpei and Wang Yaoqing singing in unison.After singing a few plays, he played a set of city sounds.The sound of the market is the sound of all kinds of small businesses and hawkers on the street, with nine tunes and eighteen tunes, full of surprises.Use the three strings to support it, and it seems to be messed up when you listen hard, but when you listen carefully, each has its own rhythm and charm, and there is no mess at all.Anyone who has lived in Beijing for a long time, hearing this kind of sound, feels like walking in a busy street.The name City Sound is indeed good.After the sound of the city was played, it was getting late, and the foreign drum and foreign horn were played again, which was the end.Wang Yufeng put down the string, bowed to everyone, and then went to the backstage, and the crowd slowly dispersed.

Tian, ​​Jin, and Yu left the Sanqing tea garden, walked west slowly, and came to Meishi Street.Jin Ge Er suggested that we go to Fuhaiju to eat and take a bag. Do you two agree?The two said it was good, so they entered Fuhai Residence together.The diners were already crowded, so we had to find a small table next to the window upstairs and sit down.Fortunately, eating in a small restaurant doesn't require any extravagance, just put out a few dishes of wine and vegetables, warm up half a catty of white wine, and the three of them drank slowly.Urge the waiter to quickly set up a bag and light the fire, so that they are ready to go home when they are full.At this time, the sky was already dark, and the electric lights in the restaurant had already been turned on.It's just because there are too many seats, and I have to burn it several times, but it still can't be served.Jin Geer was in a hurry, so he got angry at the waiter and told him to serve it quickly.After waiting for another moment, the waiter panickedly brought a plate of tassels to the table and said, please hurry up and eat.Hearing this, Ge Er felt angry, and said: "It's really unreasonable. We are ordering very early. You can't bring it up. You can't bring it up. You are urging us to eat quickly. Are you allowed to be slow? Why don't we be slow?!" The waiter saw Ge Er lose his temper, and with a wry smile on his face, he replied, "Don't be angry, sir, it's not that the trumpet is urging you three to eat quickly in order to sell more seats. , It’s really because of the mutiny in Dongcheng, Lianhua City Street is all on fire. Shops on the left and right are all closed, and the trumpet is also waiting to open, so please eat and go quickly, gentlemen.” Upon hearing this, the three of them, Quan was taken aback, and then looked at the seats upstairs, and sure enough, they were collecting money and hurried downstairs.Yu Liangwu said: "Let's eat quickly, too!" Tian Nianren pointed to the outside of the building with sharp eyes, and said to Jin Yu and the other two: "Look at the East City, it really is on fire, and the fire is not small!" Following his hand, he saw the black smoke and red flames of the east city rising up to the thin clouds, and the aura and fire were really not small.Jin Geer said: "Let's eat quickly, don't look at it." The three of them ate a few each in a hurry, and Tian Nianren paid the money and went downstairs together.Yu Liangwu said: "We are far away from home, let's find a place to avoid the limelight for a while. Don't go against the rebels, you are asking for danger!" Ge Er said, "Where are we going?" Liangwu said: " Let's go to the Fire God Temple in Liulichang and look for Erzhuang. His place is very quiet, and it's the most suitable place to hide. If it's too late, it's very generous and convenient to stay with him." Both Jin and Tian agreed.At that time, I caught three rubber cars, got on them and left.Tell him to hurry to the Temple of Fire and give him a lot of money.The three coachmen were all young and strong, they pulled up like flying, and ran straight to Liulichang.Along the road, the people who came and went were all flustered, showing a look of fear.Looking at the shops again, most of the doors have been closed; those who have not, are also taking off their covers, picking up lanterns, and holding up the door panels, preparing to close quickly.At this moment, gunshots were heard in the distance.Those who were timid threw the cover on the ground, the lantern was also smashed, and the door panel was broken, and they were in a hurry.The cars of Jin, Tian, ​​and Yu arrived at the Huoshen Temple in a blink of an eye, and each of them paid 30 cents.He knocked on the temple door and hurried in.Fortunately, Zhou Zhuang's bedroom is in the front yard of the Huoshen Temple.

In other words, is Zhouzhuang a monk or a Taoist this week?Otherwise, why not live at home, but live in the temple.Everyone guessed wrong, he is neither a monk nor a Taoist priest, but the rich man of the first household in Liulichang, who runs several large shops, has two or three hundred net properties in his family, and lives in a large house. Tile-roofed house.Er Zhuang is a martial artist from the Qing Dynasty, although he is a martial artist, he has a good temperament, he loves all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, bamboo orchid, plum and chrysanthemum, all of them are very good, and he likes to associate with the same group of celebrities.He thought the house was unclean, so Tete moved to live in this fire temple.Three rooms were cleaned up, one was used as a living room, and the other two were clearly marked for painting and receiving guests.Erzhuang is very friendly, so the house is always full of guests.Jin, Tian, ​​and Yu entered his room and saw that the electric lights were very bright, and Er Zhuang was painting orchids on his desk.There were two people sitting on the side, one of them was reading an old book, the other was smoking a cigarette and was in a trance.When they saw the three of them coming in, they all stood up to greet them. It turned out that Ding Yuanzhen and Zhang Guanqing were sitting.Zhang Guanqing is also a halal teacher, good at writing and painting, and Zhou Zhuang is a painting friend.Tian Nianren ran over and said Guan Weng, what inscriptions did you see, can we also appreciate them.Guan Qing hurriedly handed it to him and said, "Nian Ren, you are very experienced in making inscriptions and have seen many of them. Please take a look. What kind of Nian Tuo is this? Is it real? How much is it worth? "Nian Ren took it over and looked at it. They were three types of statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty, bound together in one volume.The first is the grottoes built in Yuanjing, the second is the red gold Sakyamuni statue made by Seng Yun, and the third is the white jade Sakyamuni statue made by Gao Guiyan.Nian Ren said: "These three kinds of statues are all the top grade in Wei steles. Although the original scene is a bit blurred, the spirit has not gone away at all. His structure is like Zhang Menglong, and his appearance is extravagant, and it is above Zhang Menglong. It seems to be similar to Wei Pin Let's make a hand together. The monk halo is ancient and luxuriant, which has the meaning of Gulanghuifu Temple. Gao Guiyan's font is a recent one in the Wei stele. If you look at it suddenly, it is almost the same as Zhao Wuxing's. In fact, it is This is not the case, because the ancients were most concerned with the astringent brush strokes when writing books. Wu Xing's calligraphy is very good at the astringent strokes, but it is a pity that he uses smooth brushes instead of astringent brushes. , so his structure, although similar to Wu Xing's, is very different in charm and bone strength. Is this post by Guan Weng newly purchased?" Guanqing said: "The price has not yet been settled. This is from Liulichang's Guzhai Things, how much do you want to break them off?" Nian Ren said: "The original stones of these three kinds of statues all have depositors, as if I remember that the original scene in Yuanjing is the deposit of Yuan's family in Henan, but those two stones can only be remembered. I don’t know. All these three kinds of steles can be bought for only six or seven yuan. If you add the mounting work, it won’t cost you ten yuan. He can ask you for ten yuan at most, can you ask for more?” Guan Qing stuck out his tongue and said that it was amazing, he wanted thirty-five yuan!Nian Ren said: "Give it back to him as soon as possible. If you like to buy five or six yuan, you won't be able to pay any more." The two were talking, Zhou Zhouzhuang had already brewed very good small-leaf tea, and each toasted a cup.

They chatted eloquently with each other and were so excited that they forgot about the mutiny outside.Suddenly, a person ran in in a panic and said, "It's amazing, the mutiny has come to Liulichang. All the businesses in Yanshousi Street have been snatched up, even Wang Zhi and the stinky tofu shop have not been missed. You are still drinking tea and chatting freely like this, how courageous you are!" The person in everyone's eyes is Li Juxian, the editor-in-chief of "Beijing Pictorial".Juxian is a well-known painter in Beijing and specializes in pictorials.All kinds of news that he painted in the pictorials are really vivid, and all of them are wonderful and moving.At this time, he was in the Huoshen Temple, renting three houses and publishing "Beijing Pictorial".He lived in Dongcheng, and every day at six or seven o'clock in the afternoon, he had dinner at home before coming to the Huoshen Temple by car to collect news and draft drawings.Relying on his quick hands, he can draw a newspaper in three hours.There is a lithography bureau in the temple, which can make printed newspapers immediately.He just had dinner today, and he caught up with the mutiny.If you don't want to come, no one can replace this pictorial matter; if you want to come, there are mutinies everywhere, and I'm really a little scared.After hesitating for a while, he still bit the bullet, got into a car, passed through the chaos of soldiers, and went straight from the east city to the west city.The cart driver didn't want to take the risk, but Jing Juxian promised him three foreign dollars, then he picked up the handlebar and ran forward desperately.Along the road, I saw groups of mutinies, all with guns in their hands, smashing the doors of various shops.Those who refused to shoot, they fired.But if you look carefully, they are all open to the air, and none of them are targeting people.There is no detention for rickshaws coming and going.Li Juxian was originally a very alert person, when he saw this situation, he felt much more at ease, he only urged his car to go quickly, and ran to the Temple of Fire in a fit of anger.When he was about to enter Liulichang, he saw that mutinies had filled Yanshou Temple Street.Most of the shops on Yanshou Temple Street were smashed open by them.Those with foreign money robbed money, and those without foreign money robbed all kinds of goods.The most ridiculous thing was to smash open the door of Wang Zhihe's pickle shop and ask the shopkeeper for foreign money.The shopkeeper said, we only have stinky tofu in our shop and no foreign money. I beg the boss to be a master, please forgive us.Da Bing stared and said that he couldn't do without money.The shopkeeper begged again and again, but the boss was always stubborn and refused to leave because he couldn't see the foreign money.The shopkeeper was in a hurry, and said, boss, you can get it yourself. In front of my counter, there are several large leather tanks filled with foreign money. Please carry it yourself as much as you want.The soldier believed it was true, turned his head and went to open the tank.The shopkeeper was taken aback, ran to the backyard and jumped over the wall.The soldier lifted the cylinder head and grabbed it with his hand, but felt that the inside was soft, not foreign money.Grab a handful, haha, it's broken, the smell is so strong, it rushes straight into your nostrils.Just watch it under the lamp, it turns out that it is stinky tofu, where is the foreign money!Unconsciously, the soldier bumped up, found an iron spoon, dug out the stinky tofu in the vat, and threw it on the street. He threw the whole vat of stinky tofu on the street, causing the stench to rise. , People passing by covered their noses.Li Juxian was passing by in front, the cart puller was slipped by the stinky tofu, almost fell down, and managed to pull over.Juxian held his nose and urged him to leave quickly.Pull into the east gate of the factory and come to the Temple of Fire.Before he went to the newspaper office, he entered Erzhuang's house first.Seeing that the guests are full of guests and chatting there, Juxian said that you are really courageous, and the rebels have already arrived at Liulichang.

Just as he was talking, he heard more than a dozen shots rang out in succession outside.All the people present were somewhat disfigured.Only Li Juxian and Ding Yuanzhen still acted freely, doing whatever they wanted, without any air of fear.Zhou Zhouzhuang first asked: "Juxian, you just walked through the street, have you ever seen them hurt anyone?" Juxian said: "At this level, please rest assured, their guns are all open to the air , and never hurt a single person.” Yuanzhen said: “That’s right, I have long expected that this is a demonstration ordered by the authority, and it is by no means automatic. It is self-evident to see them emptying their guns.” Er Zhuang said: "How do you dare to conclude that it was ordered by the authority?" Yuan Zhen said: "There is nothing difficult to explain. You think the troops stationed in Beijing are not in arrears with their salaries, so why should they take such a big risk? Besides, it won't change sooner or later. Change, just on the day when Representative Nan came to Beijing, they changed. Isn't this clear and has political effects? What kind of people are you afraid of!" Jin Ge Er said: "Although you say that, in the end Beijing merchants, the losses this time are not small. I just saw that the fire in the flower market may have spread to many families. It is also the essence of Dongcheng, so it would be a pity to burn it like this." Yuanzhen sneered He said: "What is business and people, what is loss, and the power still cares about those things. He tried to make use of the current issue to frighten the Southern representative, so as to cancel the original proposal of moving the capital. In fact, this is not the case. You sit firmly in Beijing. It's not a problem, why make such a fuss, causing the merchants to suffer huge losses, but benefiting from this group of soldiers who are like wolves and tigers. Being so cruel and cruel, really complies with the sentence of letting tigers into sheep." Zhang Guanqing said: " Since you can see it so clearly, why don't you publish an opinion in your newspaper tomorrow, expose it to him, and swear a few more words, it will be regarded as a sigh of relief for the merchants!" Yuan Zhen waved her hands in fright when she heard this. Shaking his head, he said, "Guanweng, there is no hatred between the two of us. Why did you trick me into taking hygiene pills? Is this something that can be exposed in the newspaper? If you expose it to him, you can guarantee that the newspaper office will be closed that day. , The next day, even the prime minister and the editors were sent to Caishikou. Those who were light were shot, and those who were serious were beheaded. Could it be that they were tired of work? You must know that Xiangzicheng’s autocratic methods are much more powerful than those of the former Qing Dynasty. Lah. To run a newspaper under his influence, one must be cautious, and there is no guarantee that something will go wrong. If you want to vent your anger on the people, you are not far from dying." Guanqing said: "Doesn't the newspaper represent public opinion? According to your theory, what's the use?" Yuan Zhen said: "It's true that newspapers represent public opinion, but it also depends on the era, where you live, and who is powerful. Quan observes and understands. Only then can we set the policy of making a statement. If there are few mistakes in observation, the future of this newspaper will inevitably be full of thorns." Guanqing said: "If there are obstacles in time, place and people, what should we do with this newspaper Well, don’t you just learn to fight like a horse, and keep silent?” Yuan Zhen laughed and said, “Your words are too roundabout, and you can’t just go one way when making newspapers. There are positive sides, negative sides, sideways, and high sides. There is a low side, there is a far side, there is a close side, there is a side that does not say anything, and there is a side that does not say anything. Those who are experienced in the newspaper industry can deal with it at will, and it is suitable for them. However, the purpose is only to hold Set one: for politics, just induce it and make it on track; for social customs, just correct it and make it goodThat's all.For example, Dang Dao is not a person who can receive kindness, so when you speak to him, you can't be less generous.He is going to do an evil thing, we know that, if you want to expose his evil directly, not only will it be detrimental to this newspaper, but you may also become angry from embarrassment, and on the contrary, it will arouse this evil thing.It's best to calmly give all kinds of reasons, saying that he would never commit such a crime.On the surface, it seemed as if he was defending him, but in fact, in his heart, it was just sealing him up, making him unable to embarrass himself to do it.If he wants to do a good deed, you must encourage him, encourage him, and trust him when it is about to be accomplished.There are few people in him, so he will never give up halfway.The rest are either knocking on the side, or sarcasm on the opposite side, which can sometimes have a great effect.Why do you always have to say fierce words and swear at others to count this tone? Guanqing said: "This is really a story of experience, I admire it very much." "The two talked for more than an hour, and it was almost midnight at this time. Yuan Zhen looked at his watch and said that I had to go back to the newspaper office to have a look. You guys, if it is inconvenient to live here, all of you will follow me to the newspaper office Let's go. Er Zhuang said with a smile: "If you say it like this, I really want to take a walk on the street and see what kind of situation those Qiuba uncles robbed the shops. " Jin Ge Er said: "You are really gloating. Er Zhuang said: "I'm not gloating, I'm taking sketches."The future will be peaceful, so I carefully drew a picture of mutiny and burning, and kept it as a souvenir.Can't you see it? "

Everyone talked and laughed and left the Fire Temple.Yuanzhen said: "Since we want to investigate and investigate, we don't have to go west. It's better to go east, go out of Guangdong Gate, go around the Guizi Temple, and then go to Nanliu Lane. On the way, we can always pass a few shifts. I'll let you watch until you're full." Everyone agreed.Erzhuang was tall and tall, leading the way ahead.After walking not far, they bumped into seven or eight mutinies, all of them were fully armed, with big guns in their hands, like fierce gods.Followed by more than a dozen short-clothed people, each of them had a bag in their hands, and some with a small box. They looked like they were captured by mutinous soldiers, so that they could share the looted items for them.When everyone saw this situation, they felt bad. If we were arrested by him, he would rob Liulichang Street right in front of his eyes. All the shops on this street are all acquaintances. I will take them for the mutiny What kind of face can you show to others after the incident.Thinking of this, they coincidentally leaned against the north wall and stopped moving forward.Fortunately, this group of Qiuba all walked forward with straight eyes, never paying attention to these people in front of them.Everyone waited for them to walk past, and then slowly moved forward.行了没有三五步，就听脑后一阵擂鼓的声音，紧跟着又是一枪，把大家吓了一个魂惊胆落，忙停住脚步，向后偷看。原来是路南有一家小钱铺，这些变兵前去照顾，他偏偏不肯开门，用力擂了一阵，仍然无效。变兵急了，便施用威吓手段，向空中开了一枪。此时也顾不得细看，二庄催大家快走出了厂东门，向南穿过皈子庙，绕背胡同，才来到南柳巷爱国报馆。进了门一直来到楼上，看一看钟已经交十二点了。元珍吩咐厨房，预备了几样消夜的点心，又开了一瓶白兰地，大家做竟夜之谈。直到天光发亮，各人才躺下休息了片时。十点钟起来，净过面，全要回家。元珍却坚持着留吃早饭，大家执意不肯。

正在推让之间，外面忽进来一人。元珍一见笑道：“这可活该，你们不要走了，听新闻吧。”原来来的这人，是北京一个著名的大访员黎茂林。他对于总统府内阁一切消息，比别人格外灵通。因为他是内阁的一名茶房，而且专伺候总协理大臣。后来项子城当选总统，因为看他机灵，又把他调进府中当差。因此总统府中无论大小事情，他全知道得很详细，随时报告与各报馆，因此报馆对于他的稿子，非常欢迎。他这一次到《爱国报》来，就是为报告变兵的情形，所以元珍见了，如获至宝一般。当时将大家也留住了，一面催茂林述说此番事变的经过，他却在一旁用笔记录。茂林道：“这话说起来很长了，内幕情形如何，我也不敢妄加猜测。如今只将我耳所闻目所见的，述说一番吧。”当昨晚七八点钟起祸之始，总统知道了，非常焦急，立刻亲自通电话，告诉九门提督乌谨，同巡警总厅朱起秦，叫他们速派得力军警，到东城金鱼胡同，保护南来的三位代表。却始终不曾给曹虎臣通电话，叫他制止部下叛兵，不许暴动。这是一件最可疑的事。夜间九十点钟，变兵竟跑进城里来，连总统府左近，也是枪声断续。十一点钟，索性跑到总统府前，连放了好几排枪。守门的卫队急了，还放数枪，这才将他们赶散。今天一早，总统就派汽车，将三代表接进府来，给他们压惊，据伺候代表的茶房对我说，夜间真险极了。变兵在门前放枪，眼看着就要攻进来，幸而守卫军警很卖气力，破出死命地拒敌，枪声比鼓点儿还密，费了很大工夫，变兵才退了。却没料到拉中堂东边的宅子，被攻进来。我们住的是西所，东所被人攻破，这西所仅剩一墙之隔。就听见闹嚷嚷的，孩子哭，大人喊，鸡叫狗吠，可把我们真吓坏了，连三位代表也有些坐立不安。好在守卫的军警，又续派了几百人来，全都端枪实弹，在墙这边防御着。幸而不曾跳墙过来，算是免了这一场灾难。第二天早晨，总统特派杨志奇为代表，登门慰问。又叫汽车来接他们三位进府。三位代表来至总统府，早有许多人围着问候。少时项子城亲自出来，握着三代表的手，连说抱歉抱歉，这真是意外想不到的事，叫你三位受惊。总怨曹虎臣纪律不严，我非重重地办他不可。说到这里，便问左右侍从武官，曹虎臣可曾叫来了吗？左右回道：“已经来了。他因身犯重罪，不敢上来面见总统。”项子城冷笑道：“他不见我，难道这事便能挨过不成？叫他上来，我有话问他。”少时虎臣带着一种战战兢兢的神气，慢慢走进屋中。一见了项子城，连忙屈膝跪下，口中只说得一句末将该死。子城冷笑了一声，说：“虎臣，你带兵也不是一天半天了，我所以把你的队伍调至北京，是因为平素纪律还好，怎么如今竟变成这种样子？！在这禁城重地，又恰恰赶上南政府代表北来，我事前还再三训嘱你一番，就怕的是发生变故，哪知不先不后，偏偏就在这时候，发生这样大变。居然敢跑到我的府门前，同代表的行辕，鸣枪示威，这还了得吗？！你身为镇统，所司何事，似这样纵兵溺职，不但惊了代表的驾，我二十年北洋练兵的威名，全被你破坏净尽了。”项子城是越说越有气，最后拍着桌子，叫左右侍从武官，把曹虎臣绑起来，执行枪毙。吓得虎臣伏在地上，只是磕头求饶。左右文官武将上来讨情，项子城一概不理。最后还是三位南代表立起身来，一同说道：“此次事变，出人不意。在曹镇统事前疏于防范，诚属罪有应得。但是这一次总算初犯，曹君又是我国著名的勇将，可否请总统原情略迹，看在我三人薄面上，饶恕了他，再策后效。”项子城见三代表求情，立时面上和霁了许多。一面拱手让代表坐下，一面对虎臣说：“你的罪本是不能容恕的，只因三位代表替你求情，本大总统看在三代表面上，姑且赦你的死罪，褫职留任，以观后效，你就谢谢他们三位吧。”虎臣先谢过总统，然后立起身来，向三代表行了一个致敬的军礼，口中说谢三位替虎臣求情。三代表连忙还礼。

项子城请三代表在府中吃早饭。正在宴会之际，谢大福上来回话，说都御史张大人，前来拜会。项子城好不耐烦，说：“这老头子又来寻我做什么。你对他说，我现有公事，改天再会吧。”大福道：“家人本是这样回复他，怎奈他气势汹汹的，非见不可。他并且说，总统如不见他，他便撞死在府门前。这个家人如何能担得起，只好请总统裁酌。”子城道：“这真是哪里来的晦气。他倚老卖老的，见了我，又不定要发什么疯。”三代表齐说道：“既然是老前辈，总统不可不见。好在我们也不是外人，何必劳总统久陪。”子城道：“也好，我先去会一会他，你三位随意吃喝，千万不要客气。”随吩咐谢大福，将张大人请到内客厅会见。这位张大人，名叫荫林，现年已经七十多了。他还是同治年的老翰林，很当过几次学试差，现任都察院都御史。当年同项子城的伯父项保恒换过帖，论起来还是子城的老盟叔呢。此番清廷逊位，子城当权，本不是他的意思，也曾写过信，将子城痛骂一番。子城因为他是老前辈，只好置之不理。今天他又寻上门来，还以为他是为清廷的事，所以懒得见他。偏偏他以死要挟，只得硬着头皮，把他请到内客厅相见。项子城亲自出来，才一走进客厅的门，这位张老先生，迎着他便深深作了一揖，口里说：“谢谢宫保，谢宫保保护的大恩。”项子城也摸不着头脑，说：“老仁叔降临，到底有什么见教，自请明言。”张荫林忽然瞪起眼睛来说：“你说什么见教，如今你做了变相的皇上，谁敢教训你。我今天来，是专诚要请教一件事。那曹虎臣手下的兵丁，是你在北洋时候亲手练的不是？你把他们调到京城来，是为保护人民，还是为残害人民呢？”子城忙赔笑问道：“难道老仁叔宅里，他们也去了不成？”荫林冷笑道：“岂但去了呢，差一点没要了我的老命。我做了四十多年的穷京官，并不曾赚下一个钱，仅仅就有些个破书烂帖，同上朝穿的几件衣裳。他们硬砸开我的大门，一拥而进。我迎着头儿，对他们说，在下是一个穷京官，既不曾放过外任，更没有剩下银钱，请诸位老弟兄，高高手儿，饶过我吧。他们哪里肯信，一定要钱。我后来又对他们说，项宫保同我是世交，你们看在宫保面上，也不应当同我为难啊。哈哈，真怪极了，你猜他们底下说什么，公然说我们这回抢人，是奉宫保命令来的。你这老头子，趁早儿不要拿宫保吓人，快快拿钱来。我看这情形，真是水尽山穷了，只可对他们说，诸位自己下手搜吧，搜出银子钱来，全是你们的。这些东西真不客气，翻箱倒柜，只搜出两包破烂首饰，同十几两花不出去的潮银子，其余任什么硬货也没有。他们真气极了，把我的两箱子衣裳，全抬了去。这个我倒不心疼，最心疼的，是我那几部宋元版的书，同百十部老拓碑帖，他们因为要出气，便扯的扯，烧的烧，全给我毁坏了，这是我一生心血，我看了怎的不难过。今天特来寻你，我到底得问一问，他们这次抢人，可是有你的命令吗？” 项子城听他这样问，登时脸上变了颜色，连忙摆手说：“算了吧，老仁叔不要再问这个啦。你老先生丢的书帖，究竟值多少钱，我如数包赔就是啦。”荫林听子城肯出钱赔他，脸上的颜色便和霁了许多。说：“这个哪有一定的准价呢？再说咱们的交情，也过不着要价还价的，你自当惜老怜贫，成全我这苦老头子，随便多赏几个好了。”子城笑道：“老仁叔怎么说出这样话来。”随吩咐谢大福，你快到内账房，叫他们开两万元支票，注明了是送给张大人的，快快拿来。大福应一声是，去了不大工夫，将支票开来，先送到项子城的手中。子城略看了一看，便恭恭敬敬地双手递与荫林，说一点小意思，聊备老仁叔茶点之需吧。荫林接过来，重新戴上花镜，仔细审视，见是大清银行两万元的支票，并注明了拨付张大人荫林，改手不付。张荫林看明白了，立时眉开眼笑，朝着子城再三致谢。说：“难得宫保这样成全，方才老拙言语冒犯，千万不要见怪才好。”子城道：“话太说远了，但求老仁叔不怪我就很好，怎敢怪你老呢？不过那些变兵，顺口胡说，老仁叔千万不要拿当话柄，逢人辄道，这个晚生就很感激了。”荫林道：“宫保自管放心，我绝不能对人乱说。再者过不了几天，我就回山东原籍，退隐林下了，也没有可以共谈的人。”说罢便起身告辞去了。 项子城送他回来，心里越想越有气。好一个曹虎臣，我派你办这样机密事，关系何等重大，你为何不嘱咐这一班兵丁，都叫他们信口胡说，竟自举出我的旗号来，这还了得吗！幸亏我花了两万块钱，把这老头子的嘴封住，要不然，他乱喊起来，喊到南代表耳中，我的颜面何在？此时三个代表，匆匆吃过饭，全回寓去了。项子城传话，叫武威军统领姜桂题有要事面谕。少时姜桂题来了，便立刻叫到密室中，屏退左右，只剩下两个人，对面谈话。这姜桂题本是一员老将，在满清时代，已经做到直隶提督、武威军统领。他同项子城两个人，关系最深。因为子城在小站练兵时，特派姜桂题为全军翼长，后来子城做直隶总督北洋大臣，又专折密保，将他调到直隶，统带武威右军。他的军部本在通州，自从项子城到京，又把武威军调了三千人来，作为自己的护卫，姜桂题便也随着驻京。此次子城将他叫来，他一见面，便问总统有什么事叫俺。子城道：“昨天夜里，曹虎臣的兵变了，你总该知道。”姜桂题道：“俺早就知道啦。曹虎臣那小子，也带了多少年的兵啦，还会闹出这样的事来，真真不够材料。也不是俺老头子夸口，俺带了一辈子兵，敢说兵就是俺，俺就是兵，除非是俺变，俺不变，兵绝不会变的。”子城笑道：“他们晚生后辈，当然比不了你。我今天叫你来，也就是为这件事。听说虎臣的兵，今天还有出来抢的，这太不成体统了。你回去，自己挑选几十个精壮亲兵，每人全挎上一柄大刀，由你带领着去查街。如看见虎臣的兵，还有抢掠商民的，无论在什么地方，你当时就把他正法，号令示众。我并派你为北京军警总执法，你就去办吧。” 姜桂题领了总统的命令，回到武威军司令部，把本军的执法官稽查等，全叫了来，发表总统的意思，派他们大家，到各街去巡查。内中有一位老资格的稽查，姓包名永胜，在军界四十多年，已经保到记名总兵，赏给巴图鲁勇号。只可惜这位老先生，时运不佳，既不曾拿过印把子，也不曾派过优差。姜桂题因为他是当年的老同事，可怜他年老困穷，便派了他一个稽查的差使，每月给他五十两银子。这不过是一种调剂的办法。哪知这位老先生，天性古板，办事认真。他终日带着几个护兵，每人手中一根鸭嘴儿，无论遇着哪个军头的兵，只要有不法情事，他是毫不客气，按倒了便是二百军棍。因此北京的驻兵，没有不怕他的。又兼他面皮很黑，大家便管他叫包黑子，只要看见包黑子来了，全都早早跑开，不敢惹他。这一次姜桂题派他们巡查曹虎臣的变兵，别人没说什么，包永胜却问道：“我们奉了军门命令，去弹压这些变兵，倘然遇到他们抢掠，当然得就地正法，不能徇情了？”姜桂题听他这样问，不觉皱眉说道：“难为你这老东西，四十多年的军务了，连这一点窍全看不开，怎怪得穷一辈子不发达呢！我们犯得上得罪曹虎臣吗？他们这次兵变，明明是同总统变的戏法儿。等事过之后，又想压一压外边的口风，却把这糊涂差交给俺办。俺要办轻了，说俺放弃职责，有负委任；俺要办重了，却叫曹虎臣恨俺，骂俺多管闲事。老项这种手段，分明是叫俺替他分谤。俺老头子七十多了，还能受这种愚弄吗？最好你们大家大张旗鼓，做出一种严厉的样子来，遇着变兵抢东西，先把他们吓走，你们却拾现成的。不但得罪不着人，还可发一笔小财。你们要想振作振作，最好是看本地穷民，有跟在变兵后头扫营儿的，便以他为法，杀上几个，把头颅号令起来，也算是杀一惩百。既不伤曹虎臣感情，又可敷衍项总统的公事。你们就这样去办，绝没错儿。”众人唯唯听命，唯独包永胜气哼哼地说：“照这样昧心的差使，我当不下去，请军门把我这稽查的差使撤了吧。”姜桂题哈哈大笑，说：“世界上竟会有你这样呆子。你既不愿去，也犯不上辞差，我准你三天假好了。”包永胜说了一声谢谢，便扭头去了。 这里十几位稽查同执法官，如一窝蜂似的，每人带十来个精壮护兵，也有背着大刀的，也有拿了鸭嘴儿的，分路查街。姜桂题自己也带了几名马弁，全挎着自来得，在大街上缓步游行。这时天光已到下午，还有不少的变兵，在西城一带抢掠。因为昨天夜里，东城各铺家，差不多全光顾遍了，所以今天又注意到西城。这一来可给武威军做了饭啦。那些稽查官儿，只要看见变兵手里拿着东西，便大声吆喝：“现奉大总统命令，捕拿变兵正法！左右快把他们捉住，不要放跑了。”左右的护兵，也假作欲捉之势。变兵便把抢的物件丢弃了，抹头便跑。护兵跺脚假追，俟等他们跑远了，便把丢的东西全拾起来，寻个背静地方，同兵官去分赃。就这样，不知拾了有若干东西。凡武威军的稽查执法官，这一天工夫，多则数千，少亦数百，一个个全都财源茂盛。这就叫狼吃狼，狗咬狗，原也没有什么。最可恨的，是他们竟听信了姜桂题的话，公然惨杀人民，在街市上大逞淫威。偏偏遇着一班无知的穷民，自投罗网。本来北京这块地方，人类复杂，贤愚不等。其中专有一种游手好闲的人，平日本无正业，净指着讹赖撞骗为生。他们最欢迎的，就是地方发生兵变，趁火打劫，也跟着发一笔小财，又恰恰遇着那些丘八先生，随地抓夫，好帮同他们，扛抬各种抢来的物件。在那胆小要脸的人，全视为畏途，恨不即刻远远躲开，免得招人唾骂。可是那些不要脸的地痞土棍，被他们抓去，如同得到优差一般，立时扬眉吐气地跟在变兵后边，到处抢掠。他们还替变兵当军师，指点哪一家铺户有钱，哪一家住户殷实。等到抢过之后，老实一点的，把大兵送回营去，向他们讨赏，有那粗笨不很值钱的东西，便给了他们。更有一种机灵的，他拿到值钱的东西，便安了坏心，等到转弯抹角，给变兵一个冷不防，便钻了小胡同。北京地理，这些兵哪有他们熟呢，三绕两绕，便绕得没有影儿了，手里的东西，便完全归他个人享受。十二日的夜里，这样发财的很多。及至十三日，他们见变兵仍然在街市上抢，便毛遂自荐的，同这些兵混一起，仍然想做昨夜的梦。 哪知道今天可真倒霉了。一个姓邬名叫二桂的，本是蒙古旗人，平日以吃腥赌为生，终日提笼架鸟，在南城外充混混儿。十二日的夜里，他给变兵拿着一包袱皮衣裳，后来转影壁跑回家去。看看这包袱衣裳，全是真毛的，足值五六百元。邬二桂心花大开，第二天老早就跑出来，在东城寻了半天，始终不曾得手。后来转到西城，在骡马市大街闲遛，却遇着了七八个变兵，正在砸茶叶店的门，预备行抢。邬二桂走上去，赔着笑脸，说几位老总想发财吗，这是一座穷铺子，开门也得不着什么，再向西走几步，有一处转当局，别看铺子小，又有洋钱，又有值钱东西。老总不认得，我情愿带路，何必在这里白费力呢。变兵说很好，你小子在前头走吧，等发财之后，也分给你一份。邬二桂高高兴兴地把他们带到小当铺门前，两脚便把门踹开，大家一拥而进，果然抢了有二三百块钱。值钱的衣裳，又包了一大包，还是邬二桂扛着。出了小当铺的门，往西走去，意思是想再抢一家。谁知走了没有五步，就听前面一声吆喝：“站住！我们军统，现奉大总统命令，捕拿变兵。你们从当铺出来，拿着这许多东西，一定是抢来的，快把他们捆上，不要放走了一个。”变兵抬头一看，见是武威军的大令，十来个雄赳赳的护兵，也有挎自来得的，也有背大刀的，也有拿着鸭嘴棍儿的，前面一名军官，瞪着眼向他们身上看。变兵一见这情形，不觉“啊呀”了一声，不约而同地扭头向东便跑。邬二桂也跟着跑，却舍不得丢下包袱，哪里跑得动。后面的军官发令道：“把那背包袱的抓过来！”邬二桂吓得忙把包袱扔下。他以为扔下包袱就可以没事了，哪知道几个护兵，仍然不肯放松，一边拾包袱，一边向前紧跑几步，一伸手，抄着邬二桂的发辫，用力向后一扯，扯了一个倒仰，手脚朝天。这一下子，真摔个不轻，二桂哪里还挣扎得动。此时军官已来到面前，吩咐护兵，把他拉起来问话。二桂勉强挣扎起来，又朝着军官跪下。军官厉声问道：“你叫什么名字，这包袱是从哪里抢来的？”邬二桂战战兢兢地回道：“小的名叫邬二桂，是安善良民。因为从这街上走，被变兵抓去，给他拿东西，小的不敢不依。这时遇着青天大人，就求您开恩，把我放了吧。”说罢连连叩头。军官大声喝道：“放屁胡说，你既是良民，就不应当同变兵一处走。方才你背着包袱，没命地向前跑，叫都叫不回来，足见是有意抢人，绝非良善之辈。弟兄们把他砍了，首级就号令在小当铺门前。”这一声令下，邬二桂把真魂全吓冒了，嘭嘭地磕响头哭着喊着地说：“我家有七十岁老爹，六十岁老娘，老爷、大人、祖宗，您自当积阴功，饶了我这一条狗命吧。”他的话没说完，护兵早把刀拉出来，手起刀落，人头滚出好几步远。此时看热闹的，已经围了一大圈子。护兵提着他的发辫，来到小当铺门前，一定要挂在他们门槛上。吓得掌柜的直说好话。后来高低花了四块钱，这才答应不挂在门上，改挂在墙上了。 这个倒霉的邬二桂，总怨他居心不良，死得还不算十分冤枉。最冤枉的，是南城外一家穷住户，姓夏的，老两口子一儿一女。女儿已经出阁，婆家姓傅，家里很有几个钱。儿子名叫夏海，当年才十七岁，身量长得倒是不矮，并且还很有气力，因为家里穷，便投入胶皮行去拉车子。每天拉七八吊大钱，三口儿对付着不至挨饿。偏偏遇着兵变，大街上路净人稀，往来得很少。十三日这一天，差不多全不肯出车子了。夏海的母亲高氏，说海儿，咱们又该挨饿了。看这神气，三五天以内，街面上不准有人，你的车子不能拉，咱们家是住辘干畦，不挨饿还有什么法子呢？夏海道：“娘不用着急，我回头到姐姐家去，多了不成，借个一块八毛的，总不至碰钉子。”老头子说算了吧，豁出挨饿去，也不犯着叫你姐姐为难。她上有公婆，自己不能当家，何必讨人家不乐意呢。夏海嘴里答应着，却抽个冷子，高低跑到他姐姐家。见了姐姐，便诉苦借钱。他姐姐说，我手里哪有现成的钱呢？继而又想了想，说这样吧，我们大爷太太，尚未起床，现有你姐夫两件棉衣，你包了去，可以当上一两块钱。等你拉车赚下钱来，赶紧给他赎好了。夏海为难道：“昨天晚上闹兵变，当铺全关门不收了，你叫我上哪儿当去？”夏氏道：“好笨的东西，有柴还愁得不出火来。你拿着这两件衣裳，不拘押给谁，也能换出钱来，横竖给他出利就是了。快去吧，别耽误工夫啦。”随将衣裳包儿交给夏海。夏海挟在腋下，匆匆地出门回家。谁料到冤家路窄，才走到西单牌楼，遇着武威军查街的军官，见他挟着一个包袱，便大声吆喝住。只这一声，早将夏海吓了一个骨酥肉麻，立刻站住了。军官喝令，把包袱打开看看。护兵一齐上手，等打开一看，是一身青布棉袄裤，棉裤里却夹着一只女子的花鞋。军官瞪眼问道：“你从哪里抢来的？”夏海本是一个孩子，经这一吓，哪里还说得上话来。连问了两三声，这才期期艾艾地答道：“这是姐姐借给我的。”军官喝道胡扯，谁的姐姐，连花鞋都借给你了。这一句把夏海更问得无言可答。军官冷笑道：“