Chapter 78 The 75th round of digging Tibetan silver, a joy in vain, breaking dense caves and leveling the ground, a big storm

Xu Lingguang was full of money and wanted to knock Zang Hanhuo's five hundred yuan, so he made up his mind and walked into the infirmary all the time.As soon as he entered the door, he saw Han Huo walking back and forth on the ground with bare feet.His eyes were like a chicken, and he was holding a large roll of notes tightly in his hand, as if he was suffering from a mental illness.When Lingguang saw this situation, he was taken aback for a moment, and thought that this gentleman had some kind of illness again, don't let it be burned for five hundred yuan, so he hurried over and patted him on the shoulder, saying: "Sir, you What are you going to do? Wait for me to help you." Han Huo had never seen him before, but he was slapped by him, and he shouted loudly: "No! Someone robbed my money!" The bills were thrown into his arms, and Ling Guang laughed and said, "Don't be a money fan! I, Xu Lingguang, will not steal your money. I have a lot of money!" Only then did Han Huo understand, and his face was full of embarrassment. Feeling very sad, he struck up a conversation and said, "So it's you. It's good that you're here. Quickly find me a small box with a lock key, so I can collect the five hundred dollars." Ling Guang hurriedly shouted Response: "Yes! Yes! The little one serves the adults!" After saying that, he ran into the inner house with a bump.After a while, he took a small Fujian-carved lacquer box, just over a foot long, with a yellow brass lock hanging on the outside, handed it to Han Huo with a smile, and said, "Sir, do you think this box is good? It is sturdy and elegant, and it is the most suitable for holding silver bills." Han Huo took it, and without saying a word of thanks, he put the five hundred yuan bills completely into the box, and with a "bang", he pinched the lock and put it in the box. in his bed.Then he bowed his hands to Lingguang.Said: "Thank you! Thank you!" Ling Guang smiled and said: "The young one should serve the adults, and I can't say thank you. But according to the young ones, it is not appropriate for the adults to put the five hundred yuan in the convalescent room. Leave it to the little one to keep it for you. When the adults want to use it, please tell me, and the little one will be brought immediately, and you will never miss your use." Before he finished speaking, Han Huo jumped up early and said, "No way. No way! You have made a lot of trouble in the past half a day. I was very surprised. What did you flatter me for no reason? It turned out that you wanted to count my five hundred yuan. To tell you the truth, I died as soon as possible. Be careful, money is life, and life is money, if you want to take my money, you have to take my life first." After finishing speaking, he still groaned, his anger still lingering.Ling Guang never expected him to be so stubborn, and he was not accommodating when it comes to money.He flicked his sleeves angrily and walked out of the sick room.He kept saying: "Okay! Okay! You can watch it for yourself, don't watch someone steal it." What is a big celebrity, a great scholar, he is simply a big money fan!When a person came out, the more I thought about it, the more angry I became. I invited such an old ancestor here for no reason, and I provided him with good food and food all day long, and I had to be excluded by him. Forget it, I will send the Buddha back Dian, invite him out early.Out of sight, out of mind, okay, okay, that's how it is done.Thinking of this, he immediately went to look for Wu Bixiang, saying that Han Huo's madness had recovered and he could move out of the hospital.Wu Bixiang said: "It's easy to leave the hospital, but where can we release him? The president has assigned him to monitor him at all times and not to let him go out of Beijing. I want to live in your hospital, so I can rest assured. You don't want to If you want to get him out of the hospital, you have to find another place for him. There is no place for him in my police station." Xu Lingguang had no choice but to agree, saying: "I can rent a house for him. After the rent is complete, Please ask the director to send someone to monitor his move. When he moves over, he can send a few capable policemen from the hall, the name is to guard him in front of the door, and secretly monitor his actions. This way, it is considered appropriate. "Wu Bixiang nodded in agreement.

Ling Guang withdrew, thinking to himself: He is a famous lunatic, whoever has a house would rent it to him!This has become a problem.Suddenly, he had an idea, so he ordered the cart puller to pull it all the way to the gate of a big house in Liutiao Hutong, Dongsi Pailou, jumped out of the cart, and walked straight inside without the porter answering.Do you know who this family is?It turned out to be a banner man named Fu and Mian. His father, Fu Hai, had worked as a weaver in Hangzhou for a while. He had more than one million silver left over and bought a lot of property in Beijing.After Fuhai's death, his son Fumian worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and guarded the property of his ancestors.But he was born with the least courage.Since the Wuhan uprising was changed to the Republic of China, the Qing royal family had abdicated, and a group of bannermen lost their power like an iceberg. In addition, some bad people threatened with empty words, saying that once the revolutionary party arrived in Beijing, all properties in the banner would be completely confiscated.When the news came, Fu Mian was so frightened that he was at a loss what to do, and went to seek Ling Guang again and again to discuss ideas.Because Lingguang was a family friend with his family, and he also knew that Lingguang was working in the police station, and he was acquainted with both officials and privates, there was almost everyone he didn't recognize.Therefore, I came here to ask Ling Guang for advice on how to preserve his private property.Seeing an opportunity to take advantage of it, the inspiration simply exaggerated, saying how powerful the Revolutionary Party was. When they arrived in Beijing, they not only confiscated the bannermen's property, but also killed the bannermen's lives.Fumian was frightened by him, and didn't know what to do.Lingguang promised to have the opportunity to unblock him, but he had to bribe him with some money for a while before it would be effective.In order to preserve the family business, Fu Mian fully agreed.This time, because Lingguang wanted to expel Zang Hanhuo, he had no house to house him. Suddenly, he had an idea, thinking that Fumian's family had plenty of houses, and his cross-yard house was enough for Hanhuo to live in. Why didn't he do this, not only Hanhuo had Housing, I can also benefit from it.Thinking of this, I kept looking for Fumian.Seeing him coming, Fu Mian naturally welcomed him very much.As soon as we met, I asked him if there was a chance for the entrusted task. Ling Guang laughed and said, "It's really your luck to have such a coincidence. Do you know that Mr. Zang Hanhuo, the consolation envoy of the three eastern provinces, was in the revolutionary In the party, President Sun Da belongs to him. A few days ago, because he was insane, President Xiang Da sent him to my hospital for recuperation. Hired him as a senior consultant, and soon moved out of the hospital, wanting to find a style of room to live in for yourself. I think you have a lot of spare rooms here, why don't you make a room for him to live in? You will be in the future Landlord and landlord, of course he has to take care of you. Not only is the Revolutionary Party trying to save his face, it’s not easy to make decisions on you, but even a group of people in the presidential palace are gradually getting in touch. Sure enough, the relationship is good, and he In the future, I will play sports for you, and maybe get a job to fool around! This kind of opportunity can't be bought even ten thousand taels of gold, I don't know what you like?" Fu Mian was originally a child, how could Ling Guang be so extravagant? With a sigh of relief, he was already so happy that there was nothing wrong with it. He bowed to the uncle again and again, begging him to complete this matter.Lingguang said: "Since I told you, how can I not do it for you? But there are two conditions attached to it, and I must get your full permission before I can carry out this matter." Fu Mian said: "Uncle only Please tell me! As long as my nephew can do anything, I will not refuse." Ling Guang said: "You don't know, Mr. Zang is very fond of small things, but he is very benevolent in face, you give him the Xikua Institute For living, the same is written for discounts and rents, but the rent cannot be based on the ordinary market price, and must be specially reduced. There are more than 20 tile-roofed houses in your Xikuayuan, and if you rent them at present, you can rent at least 50 1 yuan, but Mr. Zang lives there, and he will never pay such a high rent price, you can only charge half of the rent for 25 yuan, this is the first condition, I wonder if you are willing or not?" If you are looking for a bodyguard, it doesn't matter if you give the rental money or not, let alone half of it?Absolutely yes of course.Asking about the second matter again, Ling Guang said: "Mr. Zang has a servant under his command, and he presides over all trivial matters. If you don't buy him first, this matter may not succeed. You'd better take out three hundred yuan Come on, as long as the rent has not been collected for a year, I will entrust the money to his servant, and there will be no change in the safekeeping. You can move here within two or three days." Fu Mian also fully agreed to the second point, and ordered at that time He bought three hundred yuan bills and handed them over to Ling Guang.Said: "I ask uncle to work hard for everything, and I will always reward you in the future." Lingguang laughed and said, "Do you still need to thank me?"

At that time, I said goodbye to Fumian and went home happily.As soon as he entered the door, he saw a beggar-like man in ragged clothes standing in the doorway. When Ling Guang came back, he went up to him and greeted him: "Master Liu!" He asked loudly, "Why are you looking for me again? Last time you said you didn't have any cotton trousers to wear, I gave you two dollars. It's only been a few days, and you came here again, and I have no more coins." The man laughed. He smiled happily and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Liu. I'm not asking you for money this time. I have a lot of money, and Tete will always send it to your door. You just say a few words, then There is a hope of 100,000 yuan. I think such a big fortune, if it is not for the sixth master, who can afford it! How is it? Do you always have any intentions?" Xu Lingguang was originally a big fan of money, but when he heard that there was such a large sum of money, how could he? Is there any reason to let it go?Immediately there was a smile on his face, and he said: "Okay! Okay! Tell me in the living room. I'm sure you must be talking in your sleep again. How can there be such an easy thing in the world?" Said, but let this poor boy who is equivalent to a beggar be brought into his living room.The person who came here was a neighbor of Lingguang, and he lived in a ruined government office opposite Lingguang.He is a member of the Han army banner.His old surname is Niu, and his name is Li Tian.His father opened a wood factory in Beijing, worked as a government worker, and made a lot of money.After his death, Niu Litian messed with his uncle Niu Er and spent hundreds of thousands of household belongings.Niu Erhun was charged with exile by the government for injuring someone, and was sent to Guangxi.Niu Litian was the only one left in the family, because he was familiar with all the wood factories in Beijing, and sometimes he would win a small business and run around, earn some money from it, and just make ends meet.He also took care of a errand in the yamen, so he placed his family members in this dilapidated yamen.Tong Lingguang is the opposite door, and sometimes he is too poor, so he asks Lingguang to borrow money, one yuan or two, and has helped him several times.He came here again this time, thinking that he must have borrowed money again, but he guessed completely wrong.He didn't borrow money, but he had a big money obsession, so he came here to discuss a solution with Ling Guang.If you want to ask him why he became such a money fan, I have to describe it in detail.

It turns out that in the Tongguang period of the former Qing Dynasty, there was a large wood factory in Beijing called Changxing Wood Factory.The owner of the factory, surnamed Sun Mingzhong, styled Zihe, was originally a carpenter. Because of his exquisite craftsmanship, everyone gave him the nickname Sai Luban.Once he was in Prince Gong's mansion, carving all kinds of bells and tripods as desired. The old King Gong looked at him and saw that the flowers and figures he carved were lifelike. In China, I have only been a carpenter all my life; if I was born in the West, wouldn’t I be a great artist?" Sun Tzu was so blessed at that time, he deeply greeted King Gong, saying: "I don’t know how to ask for my master’s praise because of my ordinary craftsmanship. But according to the villain, to be able to receive this compliment in front of the master, and finally to meet the benefactor of a bosom friend, is much more honorable than being a great artist!" King Gong laughed and said, "It's rare that you can say He is really an ambitious worker who said such a thing. In the future, you don’t have to do this kind of hard work anymore. If you step on the ground and open a factory, I will tell the official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to allocate a sum of money to you, and you will do it in the future. Be an official worker!" Sun Tzu kowtowed to thank him, and the next day he found a large courtyard in Xisi Pailou and opened the Changxing Wood Factory.The House of Internal Affairs was appointed by Prince Gong, so how dare they neglect it, they allocated funds to him one after another, and asked him to contract labor, within a few years, Sun Tzuhe made a lot of money.Later, when he got old, he handed over the wood factory to his son Sun Xiaohe to manage it.Unexpectedly, Sun Xiaohe is actually a big prodigal son. Since he took over the wood factory, he has gambled wildly and spent a lot of money. Seeing this situation, Zihe hurriedly took the wood factory back under his own management.But since then, he has suffered from a serious illness. He always thinks in his heart that if I die in the future, the family business must be wiped out, and the wood factory will not last long.My son is worthless, even if he is reduced to begging for food, he will not be wronged.Only my old wife, together with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren, will suffer with him in the future.I feel uneasy after my death!I have to think of a way so that after his family property is wiped out, my old wife and weak grandchildren will not go hungry, which is my wish.But how can it be done?He planned this way for two or three years, and this year also deserved a coincidence. The Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to build a stage in the Summer Palace that could be moved up and down, left and right, and it happened that this project was contracted by Changxing Wood Factory. went.The construction fee was 1 million taels of silver from Kupingwen, and the conditions for the secret settlement were 20% for the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 20% for the minister of the Ministry of Industry, 10% for the eunuch in Da Nei, and 50% for the wood factory.This sum of money was drawn from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and everyone took it away according to their share, but Sun Tzu and Shi had other plans.He moved all his family members out of the house early on, not even leaving a child behind.Only four honest coolies were selected from the wood factory and called to his home, each with a copper pick, a shovel, and five hundred thousand taels of silver, a total of ten thousand ingots.Pulled them all to his home.He closed the gate and supervised the four people by himself. He didn't know what kind of work he was doing. He closed the gate for seven whole days before opening it to let people in.Everyone came in and took a look, but couldn't see any signs, but the half a million grains of silver went to nowhere.The next day he drove all four workers back to his hometown. He heard that each worker bought him 50 acres of good land, and there was a secret agreement that the workers were not allowed to say a word about his family affairs.If the news is leaked, in addition to claiming the land mother back, you will have to be punished.Although his family members came back, he didn't mention a word, even when his old wife asked him, he refused to reveal a word.But from then on, everyone in the family and outsiders knew that five hundred thousand taels of silver was buried in his home, but the four or five mu yard, seventy to eighty houses, which yard and house were to be buried, except him himself. I knew with the four coolies that no sixth person could be found.The four coolies were sent back to their hometowns by him. They were all from Dengzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province. They were more than 2,000 miles away.Even if they ask, they won't say anything if conditions come first!The meaning of Sun Zihe was that he wanted to tell his wife when he was dying.Unexpectedly, there was an accident, and Zihe fell a somersault that year, because he was fat, and he had a stroke at that time, his mouth and eyes were crooked, and he died when he was helped to the bed. and.After his death, as expected, a few years later, all the family property was completely spent by his son Xiaohe, leaving only one house.According to his wishes, he still wanted to sell it, but his mother insisted on refusing, saying that there were five hundred thousand taels of silver in the house, and he couldn't just take advantage of others.The mother and son made a big fuss, and within a year, they all died of illness one after another.Only Xiaohe's wife, son and daughter are left in the family, spending time hard.Specifically pointing to the demolition of houses to make a living, he would rather demolish and sell all seventy or eighty houses than sacrifice that piece of land, for fear that the five hundred thousand taels of silver buried in the ground would be cheap for others.After wasting time and time again like this, more than ten years later, the five hundred thousand silver still could not be found.But for a house, there are only three or five rooms left that can be demolished.Xiaohe's wife, Mrs. Ding, is a very well-behaved woman. She never leaves the house, never walks out of the house. There are few relatives in her family, so she only raises these two children and lives in peace.The most hateful thing is that group of runners in the wood factory, seeing that his house is full of good materials, urged Ding to dismantle and sell it.If the value is three hundred yuan, one hundred yuan will be settled.In the wood factory, since they got a lot of money, those who ran well also got more rewards, so Niu Litian was also one of them, and he also got a lot of money.Seeing that all the houses have been demolished recently, he thought about the half a million grains of silver in the ground. He suggested to Mrs. Ding, saying: "There is a face-to-face Mr. Hu in Beijing, whose nickname is Three Eyes, because he looks at the ground with both eyes. , the other eye can see the ground. If you invite him here, he can point out where the five hundred thousand taels of silver are, and you can get it at a glance. How about starving with pancakes?" Ding was a woman, and she believed it when she heard what he said, and immediately begged him to ask for the third eye.Niu Litian said: "How can it be so easy? You must first determine the conditions, and then you can invite. Besides, even if you can see the current situation of your family, you don't have the money to start excavation!" He asked for advice, and Litian said: "The first thing is that you can get the five hundred thousand taels of silver by yourself. You can't do it. You have to divide the five hundred thousand taels into ten or fifty thousand. The first step is to report to the official." The family is 20%, this is the most important thing. Otherwise, the streets are full of patrolmen, and your family is digging holes for nothing. You need to let the government know that you planted landmines to prepare to blow up the city of Beijing. This crime is acceptable. Is it? In the end, this kind of matter should be reported directly to the government, and it will definitely be refuted, saying that you are bewitching the public, and you must ask someone who can talk privately with the police chief to clear it up first, and then it will be effective. People, at least you have to give 10% to others. The three-eyed Mr. Hu, who looks at the earth, also gets 10% of the reward, which is 40%. The remaining 60% cannot belong to your family. I will replace it. I don’t want 10% of the money, just give me half of it. There are 25,000 silver, which is enough for our family to eat. But digging the ground, your family doesn’t have the money, so I thought of a way for you , It’s best to raise shares. Almost all major factories know about this period of your family’s history. I went to tell them that if they are willing to give out one hundred yuan now, they will be divided into seven thousand five hundred taels of silver in the future. If you spare 75,000 taels of silver, you can recruit ten shares. With this thousand dollars, isn’t it enough to start construction and all expenses? The big event will be over in the future, and your family will be worth two hundred thousand taels of snowflakes. Wenyin, isn’t it enough for you, mother and child, to have food and clothing for the rest of your life? I’m planning everything for you from top to bottom, and you have to do as I do, and you’re guaranteed to restore your former rich man within a month.” Of course Ding heard that there was nothing wrong with it, so he entrusted Niu Litian to find shareholders.After going to more than a dozen wood factories, most of them said that they were not sure and refused to join.Only Mi Boss of Zhenxing Wood Factory, who is a big fan of money, promised to invest 800 yuan in shares, but the digging of the workers must be supervised and directed by him, and Niu Litian agreed.I went to look for Xu Lingguang again, and asked him to communicate with Director Wu and ask for a notice.Explaining the purpose of his visit, Ling Guang laughed and said, "How can there be such a thing in the world! Are you crazy about money? Sure enough, as you said, the money is not enough for you to send, can you still come to me?" Niu Litian laughed and said: "You I don’t know, there are things that you can’t do here, so naturally you have to bring the money to your door. If we can find the director to talk to, of course you don’t need it.” The general explained the method this time to Ling Guang in detail again.Ling Guang said: "Director Wu is my brother-in-law. I told him that none of them was unsuccessful. But I can't afford to just give me 10% of the money. You still have to tell him that I have two One hundred thousand taels of silver, even one less can not be done." Niu Litian said: "Twenty percent is afraid I can't do it. Because the landlord is only at forty percent, can we ask him to get less?" Lingguang insisted He threatened Litian with words, saying: "If you don't get my hands on this matter, if you want to go to another side to drill the door, I will tell Director Wu in the future that you have deceived the public with your lies, and not only have you dug it out. The government will confiscate all the money, and in addition, the landlord will have to be expelled, and you, the one who made the first move, will be taken to court for punishment." Li Tian was taken aback by his words, and begged again and again, adding another 20,000 yuan, and promised to let him Give Lingguang two shares, and ask him to contribute 200 yuan in capital, and an additional 15,000 silver will be distributed in the future. Lingguang agreed, and said that in addition to the police from the police department to monitor, Lingguang will send two monitors to monitor the situation. Watching the excavation from the side, in order to avoid the disadvantages of repaying more for less in the future, Li Tian also agrees, and Ling Guang fully agrees.

That night, I went to see Director Wu to talk.Ling Guang has worked tirelessly to get rich.That night, he went to Wu Bixiang's residence to discuss this matter, but he didn't dare to mention it directly to Bixiang. What's the reason?Because Wu Bixiang has a strange temper, and because he is from Hefei County, he is from the same town as Bao Xiaosu. Bao Xiaosu was the governor of Kaifeng in the Song Dynasty, and he was the director of the Police Department in the Republic of China. Their status is roughly the same. So he wholeheartedly wanted to learn from Bao Gong.When talking to people, you must also boast that you have no color in your life, and your smile is clearer than the Yellow River.I will never be entrusted by others, and I will never make a private money.In fact, deep down, I also admire the big foreign money very much.Lingguang knew his temper, and if he wanted to talk to him directly, he would hit a snag.I have to send someone out, and I can guarantee that it will be done.Do you know who this person is?It turned out to be Bixiang's aunt Sakura.That Sakura is originally Japanese, she has lived in China for many years, she speaks fluent Tianjin dialect, and she is fluent in Chinese, because she gave birth to a son for Bi Xiang, she has been favored and proud ever since.Regardless of family affairs and foreign affairs, she would interfere in everything, especially door-to-door, bribery, and sports errands, and she was especially active in such things.Bixiang was afraid because of love, and he obeyed what the aunt said, never daring to say no.Because Lingguang often sees the doctor for his concubine, he also asks for favors from time to time, and he also enjoys a little discount for his concubine's big money in lawsuits. He introduced his aunt's embroidery room.If he wanted to make a fortune this time, he had to go through the hurdle of his concubine.At this time, Wu Bixiang hadn't come back yet, so the maid asked him to be a guest here.When she was young, Yinghua came out to meet him in person, and Lingguang entrusted her again and again, begging her to complete the matter in front of the director, and the one hundred thousand taels of silver could be safely held in her hands. When Yinghua heard that there was such a big fortune, how could she let it go lightly? However, of course it is full of promises.Ling Guang said that he had to ask the director to issue a notice on this matter, and sent four other policemen to suppress it.In the future, if the silver is dug up, there will be no fear of robbing and fighting, and then the landlord will be willing to pay 100,000 silver.Otherwise, with an empty sentence, why should people repay it?Sakura laughed and said, "It's a waste of time! I can do it when the time comes. You can reply to the landlord and ask him to prepare the manpower, and wait for the notice to be issued, and then the work can start immediately. But I am a little worried, if When they dug up the silver, they either secretly transported it away, or reported more than less, and settled their black hearts. Where can I go to investigate? In the future, I will send one or two people to supervise the work according to the notice. The work of these two people They also have to bear the food expenses completely. Can you promise me this matter?" Ling Guang repeatedly agreed, saying: "It can be done." The two of them made an oral contract, and this was considered a stipulation.

After Ling Guang left, Wu Bixiang came back, so naturally he went to his aunt's room first.Sakura was holding her three-year-old child, playing on the bed.Bixiang also leaned over to tease the child.Sakura took advantage of the momentum and said to Bixiang: "Our mother and son are planning to go back to Japan by boat. We have booked all the cabins. We will get up and go around tomorrow or the day after tomorrow!" One Jiao Lei was immediately at a loss for what to do with fright, and hurriedly asked: "Where did you say that? After living a good life, why do you suddenly think of going back to your mother's house? How can a three-year-old child be able to bear it? Come on? If there is a high mountain and low water, it will not be too late to regret it!" Sakura sneered, and said: "You old man, it sounds really nice! You don't even think about it yourself, you are almost sixty years old now How many days can I live? I am only in my twenties, and my child is only three years old and two weeks old. In the future, if you straighten your legs, we, mother and child, will have to make a living under the hands of the eldest wife. When will she be unhappy, So she drove us out, and all the silver and money were in her hands. We, mother and son, left your house and had to go to beg for food. Is there any other way? So why don't you give us some money while you are alive? Let us escape early, this is also your evil deed, why do you have to be that hypocritical?" Bixiang said: "It's unreasonable! I don't have three or five in front of me, just his root, the eldest wife is his aunt, You have to rely on him in the future! There will be no words of expulsion! You are really delusional." Yinghua said: "People's hearts are separated from each other, but you can trust me but you can't. When the future is really difficult, can you still manage it? Bixiang said: "No matter what you say, you can't let your mother and child go! I live a day, and you have to live in my eyes for a day. Besides, although this child is young, he is a member of the Chinese people, and he must not be called Become your Japanese citizens. You don’t have to think about it.” Sakura said: “Since you must not let us go, you have to promise me two conditions. If there is one thing that you don’t agree with, we will still go. You will be troubled by the president’s favor. , is also invalid." Bixiang said: "Just say it, don't say two conditions, that is, ten or eight, as long as I can do it, I will promise you all. You can say it quickly!" Sakura said: "The first condition , you have to allocate one hundred thousand taels of silver to me in cash, and I will not be successful if I lack one, can you promise me this?" Bixiang took a breath and said, "I am an upright official, where did you get all this money? Isn't this intentional to make me difficult?" Sakura said with a smile: "I also know that you are an upright official, but you don't need to pay for the one hundred thousand taels of silver I mentioned, you just agree to do it for others, and they can do it for you. Substitute it for you. Look at how cheap it is.” Bixiang knew that Sakura was easy to take on the lawsuit, and thought that this might be a big problem, so he asked me to do it.Then he said: "Who is willing to pay a hundred thousand taels of silver so easily? This is probably a fatal lawsuit. I have never accepted stolen money. You must not promise others casually." Yinghua spat and said: "Bah! Before you explain it clearly, you force yourself to judge, do you know that it is a lawsuit? Do you know that the 100,000 silver is stolen money?" Seeing that Yinghua was angry, Bi Xiang hurriedly comforted him: "Don't be angry, I'm just guessing. Please explain why it worked, so that I won't be confused." Then Sakura told Bixiang what Lingguang entrusted to him in detail, and Bixiang shook his head while listening Before she finished speaking, she stopped her and said, "Don't be obsessed with money. There is no such thing in the world! There are five hundred thousand taels of silver hidden in the ground, but you are willing to be poor. Waiting until twenty years later to discover it. Things that are close to humanity can only be fooled by your wives. I will never believe it. Besides, the man of Lingguang is unreliable. He has always been calm and wants to make a fortune. Why do you listen to him? "Sakura said: "You are worrying too much. People dig their money whenever they want, and you don't care if they are reasonable or not? Anyway, you can dig it out with a hundred thousand. If you can't dig it out, it doesn't take much money You have only one money. What is your intention behind pushing back and forth? Are you afraid that I will get it? Are you envious?" Bixiang said, "That's unreasonable! You want the same thing as me, why am I envious? I'm just speculating. You must be willing to do it, and what is it costing me? You tell him to hand over the letter, and I will approve it. I will send the police to suppress and excavate it tomorrow, isn’t it okay?” Sakura heard that he had fully agreed, and was immediately delighted. Raising his eyebrows, he took out the report from his bosom, opened the ink cartridge, pulled out the pen, and said, "Approve it!" Bixiang briefly read the report, and then approved with a pen: "Report. Please handle it, and send police officers to suppress and monitor." After approval, hand it over to Sakura.He also called two field policemen from his house, one named Changxing and the other named Fushun, they were all from the Banners, and they were usually trusted by Bixiang, so they sent two excellent officers, and repeatedly asked them to work hard. They are carefully monitored to prevent more reporting and less reporting after excavation.In the future, the two of you will also get some benefits.The two policemen went happily, but Yinghua was still worried, so she called a young servant named Luer who ran up to her room into her room, and told him closely: "You represent me to find Mr. He went to the place where the silver was dug, and watched with wide eyes. If you dig it out, you must implicitly record a number, so as not to be fooled by them in the future, and you can share some money with him. I think you are reliable. , that’s why I sent you this kind of talent. If it wasn’t someone else, I wouldn’t be able to exercise even if I spent money on it!”

Lu'er was originally a very naughty and tricky child, but now he was entrusted by his aunt and openly acted as the representative of his aunt, his status immediately improved, he left the mansion happily, and went to look for Xu Lingguang.As soon as I entered the door of the mansion, I saw a man who looked like a madman, unkempt, but wearing a muddy and tattered foreign suit.When he walked, he swayed, and his mouth was full of words that he didn't know.Ling Guang supported him to go out, but because Lu'er couldn't dodge in time, he bumped into his arms.The lunatic raised his hand, then slapped Lu'er across the face, and cursed: "What thing! How dare you come to block the master's way." Lu'er had never been slapped in front of his master, and now he was slapped by a stranger. The lunatic hit, how could he let it go!Immediately, he also went crazy, grabbed the man's clothes, bumped his head, and cursed: "Stinky beggar Hanako, dare to reach out to beat someone! You don't even open your eyes, I will send you to the police station I'll keep you in custody for three months!" Who would have thought that Lu'er would be fine if he didn't mention the Police Department, but his mention of the Police Department angered the lunatic even more, and he scolded: "So you are the dog of the Police Department. You can't hit you dog." While speaking, the fists came down like raindrops.Lu'er also reached out to slap him on the mouth, Xu Lingguang hurriedly stopped him: "Second Master Lu! You must not be rude! This is Mr. Zang, the consolation envoy!" No matter. I've never seen such a beggar adult! You don't have to use the word "adult" to scare me! I haven't seen anything!" The two servants pulled the deer aside, and then they were relieved.

Ling Guang sent Zang Hanhuo outside the gate, as if sending a ghost, put him in a carriage and dragged him to the newly rented house.Then he came in to receive the aunt's representative, Lu'er still cried and refused, saying that he tore his Kusatin cotton robe and stepped on his Wubeizhai boots dirty, I am not a representative anymore, I have to return I went to see my aunt at home and told my grievance face to face.Ling Guang couldn't help it, so he had to take out twenty foreign dollars as compensation for his cotton robe and boots, so he didn't say anything.Knowing his position here, Lingguang said to him, "I also have a supervisor here, it's best for you two to go with me. I'll introduce you." Then he led Lu'er to the study, and went with his family. Meet an old master who teaches reading.The old master in Lingguang's family is from Fangshan County in the west of Beijing. His surname is Shangguan, and his name is Zhonglu.Although he is also a school scholar, he is definitely not the behavior of a scholar, he can do all kinds of mischievous and rascal activities.Why did Lingguang invite such an old master?There is also a little origin: Bian Zikang, the health director of the Police Department, is also from Fangshan County, and he and Shangguanxi are classmates and friends.And before he made his fortune, he and Shangguanxi were in the same place who prostituted and gambled wildly, and together they cheated to get money.This year, Fangshan really couldn't stand up. It was Shangguanxi who cheated Shanxi people of a fortune at the station.Want to ask how he cheated?It's ridiculous to say that it turns out that Shangguan Xi's family was originally a rich man, with four or five coal kilns and six or seven businesses. One of the shopkeepers was Lao Guo, who was from Yuci County, Shanxi.He lived in their shop for ten years, never went home, and saved three thousand taels of silver in his hands.This year, I suddenly wanted to go home, but refused to remit the money back. One was reluctant to spend the remittance fee, and the other was afraid that something might go wrong on the road.So he took the three thousand pieces of silver with him, how should he take it?He was so whimsical, he decided to make ten foreign iron pots, put three hundred silver in each pot, put them all into the train, and take them with him.This is really inseparable from the body, and the goods are inseparable from the body.I thought it could not be more appropriate, but I didn't know that before I left, Shaodong knew about it and paid attention to it.On the day before he left, Shangguanxi prepared excellent wine for his farewell party, and when he got a little tipsy, he personally sent him to the train.Guo Laoxi was so drunk that he got into the car.When he was looking for a seat, Shangguanxi jumped out of the car with an iron pot in one hand, handed it to Bian Zikang, and carried one by himself, and disappeared in a hurry.He ran to Tianjin by himself and spent all three hundred taels of silver in half a month.But Bian Zikang took this as money and ran all the way to Shenyang.At that time, it was Yu Shuangren who was the governor of the three eastern provinces, so he entered Shuangren's shogunate by fate.Later, when Shuangren returned to Beijing, he followed him.After a few years of work, he actually became the director of the Sanitation Department of the Beijing Police Department.上官喜知道他发迹了，便从房山跑到北京，寻卞子康求差使。子康面子上虽然敷衍他，心里却非常讨厌他。心想这个坏小子，要把他拉到警察厅中，他不定又要闯什么祸，丢什么人。但是不给他想法子，他倘然翻了脸，把当日的情形，和盘托出，我的颜面何在？还能在北京混吗？踌躇了几天，忽然徐灵光托他请老夫子，他灵机一动，便把上官喜荐了去。从此便在徐家教读。

灵光看他人很精明，于是把那监视掘银的优差，就派到他头上。这一天，鹿儿来了，灵光给他两人介绍，并叫他们即刻就到西城去，看一看动静。上官喜正在憋得难过，听东家这样说，如同奉到赦旨一般，挽了鹿儿的手，一同出门。叫了两部车子飞也似的一直拉到西四牌楼，在孙家门前下了车，高视阔步地走进去。恰同牛力田打了一个照面，力田正在指挥工人，在那里掘地，见上官喜领着一个青年进来，知道这必是徐灵光派来的监视人，赶忙过来招呼。把他们领进院中，二人抬头一看，只见满目荒凉，空落落的好大一片场院，足有五六亩地，破砖烂瓦，举足绊人，荆棘丛生，也无人剪除。房间全都拆毁了，只有将倒未倒的破墙壁，还依然存留着。看那接连不断的一片房基，当日总在百间以外，如今孤零零的只剩了三间矮小的房，靠着院子的尽南边。牛力田把他两人一直引到屋中，屋子是两明一暗，里间是孙家的卧室，外间也是厨房，也是客厅，已有两个人在这里坐着喝茶。牛力田忙给引见，说这两位就是徐先生派来的监视人，这位是有名的三只眼先生。上官喜望了望他，见他宽袍大袖，戴着一副大眼镜，倒是很有个先生的派头，只可惜是一双眼睛，那只眼早就瞎了。上官喜本是一个调皮不过的人，当时便笑道：“这位先生，当然是三只眼睛，因为原来的两只眼睛全并到这一只眼里去了，这就跟聊斋上的瞳仁语是一样道理。怪不得他能上彻三光，下透重泉呢！”三只眼本是一个不通文理的粗人，听了这话，还以为是夸赞他呢！高兴得了不得。连连说：“过奖！过奖！”力田又给引见那一位，说：“这位米先生，是振兴木厂老板，此次掘银子的大股东。他一位拿出八百块钱来，做这一本万利的生意，真不愧一位大商业家。”上官喜仔细看这一位米老板，只见他年纪就在四十上下，矮矮的身量，却是横宽，极其肥胖。这时正在十月初旬的天气，并不十分寒冷，这位先生却穿着一件狐狸的袍子，是枣红宁绸的袍面，又宽又大。他穿在身上，仿佛又受不了那热度的威胁，头上已经涔涔滴汗，一面用手巾拭着，一面同上官喜、鹿儿两人打招呼。两人看他的神气，都觉着可笑。鹿儿便发坏，问上官喜道：“上官先生，你曾看见过旱魃是个什么样儿吗？”上官喜笑道：“鹿二爷，你怎地这样不开眼？连早魃全不曾见过！听我告诉你，那早魃是高不满三尺，宽有二尺半，一身的红毛净出汗，你要看见他，一定得吓得向后站。”他这一形容，把在座的人全招笑了。牛力田明白他两人是打趣米老板，心想这是一位大股东，掘银子的事，专指他出钱，倘然招他不乐意，他赌气不拿钱了，这种工作，立时就得告停。于是用旁的话打岔，说：“你二位不是来监工吗？我领着去看看吧！多亏三只眼先生，已经指给了一条明路。据他在三更时分，星斗俱都出全之际，站在房顶上，瞭望了一番，说是东北角上，有一股金银气，直冒了几百丈高，上冲霄汉，那一万大元宝，确确在东北角的地基之下，认准了向下刨，不出三天，准能发现。如今正在那里动工呢！请你两位贵人，亲往看一看，或者即时发现也说不定。”

上官喜同鹿儿随着牛力田到院中，看视了一回，果见东北角上，掘了很大一个坑，足有五六丈深，一律全是三黄土和石灰，底上已湿润润的，看神气是要出水。上官喜道：“啊呀！不好，这眼看要掘到泉眼上了，再掘几下子，就要变成井了。好危险，别再掘了！再说当年他埋银子，绝不会埋得那样深，你们快快改变方向，不要瞎胡闹啦！”几句话说得牛力田俯首无言。鹿儿本是借着这种差使想在外边足逛一气，他焉肯在这土坑边长久地立着？一把手揪了上官喜，说：“上官先生，咱们寻个地方喝茶去吧！谁耐烦在这里看掘坑的？”上官喜也是一样的想去玩，听鹿儿这般说，正是恰合孤意，连声应道：“好！好！我陪二爷去玩。”他一壁说着，心中一壁打算，现有二十块大洋钱在他腰中，我得想法子把他哄喜欢了，然后吃喝嫖赌吸大烟，可以足乐一气，却用不着我出一个钱，这就叫作架秧子，吃哥儿，难得我今天走着这样幸运。他心中打算好了，面上便做出极亲恳样子，说：“鹿二爷，我看你真是一位漂亮人物，怎能不得姨太太的欢心？难得我今天交着你这样好朋友，只可惜我手中无钱，要不然，咱们一同到南城外先上元兴堂吃过饭，我认识一家私门头，他那里有很美的大妞儿，还有上好的鸦片烟，咱们在他家高兴一天一夜，也花不了几个钱，你看多好啊！”鹿儿听他这样说，立刻便眉飞色舞，用手拍着上官喜的肩头，笑道：“上官先生，你有这样好地方，为什么不早说？咱们在这里，瞎耽误半天工夫，有多么可惜啊！你不要发愁没钱，我身上带着四五十块呢！我出门时候，姨太太就赏了十块，我自己还有钱，再加上你们东家那二十元，还不够咱们花的吗？快走！快走！”上官喜听了，愈加欢喜，在街头上叫了两部很干净的人力车，也不讲价钱，便跳上去。拉车的知道这是财神爷，问明了是到南城，便撒开了在马路上一跑，转眼就出了顺治门，一直拉到石头胡同元兴堂。这时候天已四点多了，鹿儿叫柜上开付车钱，每人四毛。两个人直到后边雅座，跑堂的认得鹿儿，知道是警察厅吴大人面前最红的小厮，哪敢怠慢，把二爷叫得震天响，说：“难得二爷今天公事不忙，到城外消遣消遣。这天气还早呢，我先给二爷沏一壶张一元的小叶茶，您二位慢慢地喝着。想吃什么，您早一点吩咐下来，好叫他们加意地做，省得二爷吃着不适口。”鹿儿点头说：“好！好！就是这样。”少时小叶茶沏上来，鹿儿同上官喜，一边喝茶，一边谈那私门头的妞儿长得怎样美丽，伺候人怎样周到，评头论足，正在津津有味，忽听外面有人招呼鹿二爷，紧跟着就掀帘进来，一见面就深深请安，说：“难得二爷这般高兴，我们也来凑凑趣儿。”鹿儿看见这个人，似理不理的，只点了一点头，说：“你怎么知道我在这里呢？”那人却仍是笑着巴结，说：“我们当侦探的，连二爷大驾到什么地方全探不出来，这差事还能当吗？”原来这一位是警察厅侦探队队长袁庆三。他们当着警察厅的差使，对于总监面前的红人，千方百计想巴结，还怕巴结不上，如今看见鹿儿同着朋友跑来元兴堂吃饭，这真是千载遇不着的机会，怎能轻轻放过。一个人跑过来，又是张罗烟，又是张罗茶，又问二爷想吃什么，我来替你代要。这位鹿二爷，哪把他们这些人放在眼里，仰着脸，说三句不准应一句，仿佛对待奴才似的。袁庆三却仍然是殷勤献媚，非把鹿二爷哄欢喜了，决然不肯出这屋子。后来还是说梅兰芳在第一舞台，今天白日唱《戏凤》，二爷吃过饭去听戏，正是时候。我给您定好了包厢，在那里候。鹿儿点点头，说：“扰你这一出戏吧。”袁庆三听他答应了，直比得着什么优差，脸上还觉着光彩，匆匆地跑出去，要包厢，又对元兴堂柜上说：“回头鹿二爷无论吃多少钱，满记在我的账上，连酒钱全由我开，不许收他一文。”柜上连声答应，他这才到第一舞台去了。鹿儿同上官喜在元兴堂一路大吃大喝，吃完了一算账，一共是六元八毛五，鹿儿掏出十块钱来，叫堂倌拿到柜上去找，堂倌笑嘻嘻地说：“二爷请您收起来吧！袁老爷早已候了账啦！”鹿儿也不客气，仍然将钱带起。门外早已有人雇好了两部车子，二人出元兴堂，坐上车，直奔骡马市大街，到第一舞台门前。袁庆三正从里面出来，一把手挽了鹿儿，直拉到包厢中。此时杨小楼的《恶虎村》已经成了尾声，只听他哭了一声仁兄，便进去了。紧跟着是《戏凤》开场，满园的电灯，已经明亮，梅兰芳的凤姐一上场，台下便如春潮般地喊了一声。王凤卿的正德皇帝，扮出来倒是雍容华贵。这出戏唱完，已经快九点了，鹿儿同上官喜本来无心听戏，一个想着逛暗门，一个想着吸大烟，只因碍于袁庆三的面子，不得不敷衍一场。没等散戏，他两个人就先溜了。

鹿儿问上官喜：“私门子在什么地方？”上官喜用手指着，说：“不远，不远，就在粉房琉璃街。我们连车全不用坐，几步就到了。”他在前走，鹿儿后面跟着，果然没有多远，已经来到门前。上官喜伸手在上门槛上一按，里面电铃响了，一连按了三长一短，就听得里面有人招呼，紧跟着两扇门开了，是一个二十多岁油头粉面的老妈子，穿着一身头蓝裤褂，却打扮得非常俏皮。她一看见上官喜，便表示出不大欢迎的神气，不笑强笑地说道：“上官老爷，您今天来得真不巧，我家姑娘已经出条子去了。”（按：北平娼妓被叫陪酒谓之出条子，天津谓之上买卖。）上官喜也不理她，拉着鹿儿，一直往里走。老妈子关上门，在后面跟着他们。她的院子本来很深，三人尚未进正院的门，老妈子便高声喊道：“上官老爷来啦！”她这一声喊，明是报告与屋中人，及早躲避。上官喜本是窑皮，焉能不明白这种戏法？他拉着鹿儿，一直往上房跑，正想掀帘闯进屋中，屋中早出来一个四十来岁的妇人，在门前将两臂一抬，便把二人横住，不能越雷池一步。妇人嘻嘻地笑道：“两位老爷！略候一候，二姑娘屋里有人坐着。少时便腾出来，请您先西屋坐吧。”上官喜听说屋里有客，也不敢过于冒昧，便一同先到西屋。 西屋便是这妇人的卧房，陈设得也极其讲究，铜床上挂着蛋青洋绉的帐子，帐子内摆着整副的烟具，烟灯还在点着，象牙枪上安着一枚广东允鸣氏的大烟斗，烟斗上装着一粒有黑枣大小的烟泡。上官喜此时已经瘾得涕泗滂沱，也顾不得让人躺在床上，呼啦呼啦地先把一口烟吸净，拿起签子来，想烧第二口，却没有烟，只好立起身来，招呼拿烟。哪知才站起来，却见玻璃窗外一个穿制服的军人向外走着，上官喜当时便注上了意，朝着鹿儿向外努嘴，鹿儿也向外观看，那军人已经走出正院去了。紧跟着老妈子过来让，说：“客已经走啦，请到东屋坐吧！”二人又来到东屋。那中年妇人，正在拿着大烟盒子抹烟膏，一面又周旋，请二位老爷随便坐。两人分坐在两边椅子上，却看不见二姑娘在哪里。鹿儿有些不耐烦了，说：“你们家里就是这两个活人吗？年轻的妞儿，都跑到哪里去了？”妇人笑道：“老爷别心急，我已经派人去接她，少时就来。您先吃一口大烟，慢慢地候着吧。”随让他两人在床上躺着，自己亲手给他们烧烟。上官喜一连吸了四五口，瘾过足了，又喝了一杯茶，立刻精神焕发，鹿儿只吸了一小口，便坐起来，口中衔着烟卷，问妇人道：“方才出去的那个军人，他是什么营头的？怎么也来逛私门子？”妇人听鹿儿问到军人，立刻脸上现出一种恐慌的神气，说：“他……他是禁卫军的连长锡老爷，只同朋友来过一次。今天也是来寻朋友，他在这里并不认识谁。”鹿儿听她这样吞吞吐吐的，也不便再往下问。正想说旁的，忽见门帘一动，走进一个十七八岁的妞儿，穿着鹦哥绿绮霞缎的袍子，青花缎的皂鞋，梳着黑光的一条大辫子，面上虽不施脂粉，却天生的白皙，五官非常秀媚，两只眼尤其顾盼生姿。上官喜一见了她，便蓦地跳起来，说：“我的二小姐，二姑娘，你可来了！我今天给你陪来一位好客，你看模样儿有多俊俏。”说着便用手指点鹿儿给她看，二姑娘笑吟吟地，说：“谢谢你！”随坐在鹿儿身旁，问他贵姓，鹿儿回说：“姓鹿。”二姑娘见他人物漂亮，当然格外周旋，彼此说说笑笑的，直到夜间十一点钟。鹿儿说：“我还得进城呢！”便留下了五块钱票子，一定要走。依着上官喜的意思，想把他留到这里，鹿儿却执意非走不可。二姑娘再三叮嘱，明日早来。鹿儿一面答应着，已经走出门外。到大门外，又回过头来，看清了她的门牌号数。上官喜还认着他明天想自己来，便说：“二爷再来时候，可不要忘了我这冰人月老啊！”鹿儿道：“我决不单走，再来时候，一定先到你书房去。不过明天怕来不了，因为明天是姨太太的三十整庆，我哪有工夫能出宅呢？她这家姓什么？我也忘记问了。”上官喜道：“这是有名的冯二混家里。凡是逛过私门子的谁不知道？那个中年妇人，就叫二混。当年是口袋底有名的人物，后来嫁得一个唱戏的，如今男人死了，她本人又已老大，便指着她女儿生活。别看她操这种下贱事业，手眼却很大，差不多当道的文官武将，没一个不认识她的。”鹿儿点点头，便急忙抓了一辆人力车，跑进城里，一直回到宅中。 次早向姨太太报告一切，把掘银子的事报告完了，樱花说：“既然这样，你今天吃过早饭，再去看看。或者他们欺负你是小孩子，指东说西，明是在那边掘，偏告诉你在这边，叫你捉摸不定，他们好暗中捣鬼，这样也是说不定的。”鹿儿笑道：“这一层姨太太倒不必过虑。因为徐先生派去的监视人很精明呢！他们纵能瞒过我，也瞒不过他。不过据我看，这件事有多一半靠不住，将来掘出来，我们是白捡，掘不出来，我们也不必指望他。如今倒是有一桩事，我无意中发现了这件事，要真能办一个水落石出，咱们老爷立刻可以升官，姨太太也可以随着发财，便是我小鹿儿，也要算有功之人，多少也可以沾一点光。不过这件事我可不敢向老爷去回，姨太太要能担任起来，咱们就办；你要不能担任，只好作为毋庸议，我也就不必说了。”樱花笑道：“你这小鬼真刁钻！我有什么不能担任的？你何必拿这反面的话来激我呢？快快地说是什么事情，可得有凭有据，空放屁是不行的。”鹿儿道：“自然有凭有据，没有凭据，我敢说吗？前几天我听老爷对姨太太说闲话儿，什么项大总统暗地里有交派，说是据公府的高等侦探报告，目前有什么军头，勾结关外的宗社党，想在北京起事，军人入党的已经有了不少，叫咱们老爷随时侦察，务须早早破获才好。这是我听老爷亲口对姨太太说的，不知姨太太可还记得吗？”樱花道：“你莫非得着了什么消息吗？快快对我说。我今天晚上便报告给老爷，叫他连夜拿人，别放跑了一个。这件事老爷正在发愁，恐怕总统催下来，无法交代。如果能从你身上破获，将来不但得一笔重赏，遇巧了还许保你一个官做呢！”鹿儿向四外看了看，屋中并没有旁人，他便从怀中取出一封信来，递在樱花手中，说：“太太一看就知道了。”樱花在日本中学毕过业，又在中国住了十几年，汉文是很通的，拿过信来见信皮上写的是：“北京前门外粉房琉璃街二十八号冯宅收下，转交锡老爷次印文年台启”，下款落的是：“自吉林长春联缄”。樱花先问道：“你认识那姓锡的吗？”鹿儿道：“我并不认识他。”樱花道：“你既不认识他，这封信怎会到了你手中呢？”鹿儿道：“姨太太，你怎么这样啰唆！你快看信里的事，管我认识他不认识他呢？”正说到这里，忽然帘子一动，鹿儿伸手把信抢过来，仍然揣在怀里。原来是女仆郭嫂，来请示姨太太开饭不开，樱花说：“我不饿呢！你快到老爷书房，打一个电话，请老爷今晚早一点回来，我有要紧的事同他商量。”郭嫂答应一声是，便扭头去了。鹿儿又把信取出，自己伸手抽出信瓤儿来，给樱花看，只见上面写道： 文年仁兄大鉴：弟在此间，广为招募，入股者已有数百人，皆我族中之好男儿，急欲恢复旧业者。敬、恭两君，颇肯解囊相助，唯敬君甚窘，所助无多。恭君远在青岛，输送不易，弟之客栈，营业尚佳，然不过用作机关，以之挹注款项，购买利器，甚不可恃。吾辈旧店中，尽多热心伙友，望兄广为劝募，源源寄来。若各部中能有少半数入股赞成者，即不妨冒险一试，合族兴亡，在此一举，兄其努力为之。并会同福海诸君，暗中促进。唯马二人极狡桧，彼效忠当途，不能与我等并立，若令知之，即根本破坏矣！再我之客栈，近又改名光福旅馆，取光复之义也。此信系托吉林解款弁兵科林布带来，送交冯家转递。彼为蒙古人，而忠于田家，决无二志。如有回信，仍可托彼带回，书不尽意，即请，忠安！同盟弟联星举手。某月日。 樱花看完了这封信，却有点茫然，说：“人家这信上，并没有十分犯禁的语啊！你怎么知道他是宗社党呢？”鹿儿也不理她，先把信纳在函中，说：“姨太太你看不透，等老爷家来，你当面交给他，自然就明白了。老爷要问，就说是我在冯家门口捡的，我自有话回复。” 正说着郭嫂已经打电话回来，笑嘻嘻地说：“姨太太时气真好，老爷这就回来，因为今天太暖，老爷穿的灰鼠袍子，过于热了，想回家来换换衣裳，你及早预备下吧。”樱花连忙打开箱子取出一件库缎棉袍来，还不曾折好，吴必翔已经从外面进来，笑着对樱花说：“今天真热，你一定叫我穿皮袄，又老远地罚我跑一趟。”樱花道：“你不换衣裳，也得叫你早回来，我还有事呢！”必翔一边脱衣裳，一边问她什么事，樱花向外一努嘴，鹿儿同丫鬟仆妇全退出去，她便将方才从鹿儿手中取过的信递与必翔观看。必翔抽出来看了一遍，立刻喜上眉梢，问樱花：“这一封宝贝信，你是从哪儿得来的？真比那掘地的十万银子还值得多呢！”樱花道：“既然这样，你就给我十万银子作代价，我再告诉你怎样来的。”必翔道：“十万银子，将来由大总统给你。我们如今先说正事要紧，这事少迟一步，就叫别人占了头功咧！”樱花道：“这信是鹿儿拿来的，你一问他就知道了。”必翔忙招呼鹿儿，鹿儿进来，必翔和颜悦色地对他说：“好孩子，你真是有心人，能够替主人分忧，我早晚一定提拔你。你可详细告诉我，这封信是怎么得的？”鹿儿先请安谢过了，然后回道：“昨天我出城，到骡马市大街给姨太太买东西去，从粉房琉璃街经过，在一家门口拾得这封信。我看他内中言辞，仿佛很有关系，因此呈给姨太太，转呈老爷阅一阅。至于内幕是什么情形，连我也不知道。”必翔哈哈大笑，说：“你这孩子太精了！你怕我怪你逛私门头，因此不敢明说，是不是啊？”小鹿儿一听必翔这样问他，不觉吓得跪了下去，说：“老爷，小厮可不敢逛私门头，你这太冤枉我了。”必翔笑道：“你起来不用害怕。我决不怪你。”鹿儿站起来，在一旁垂手侍立。必翔道：“你那谎话只能瞒旁人，如何能瞒我呢？粉房琉璃街二十八号是冯二混家里，我早已就知道，你那信一定是从她家里拾的。要在门口外，如何能到了你手里？这必是因为那姓锡的也去逛私门子，他因走得匆忙，把信遗落在地上，被你拾了起来。你因看他是一个军人，便格外注意，把信藏在身边，因此才发现了这一种秘密，对不对啊？”小鹿儿到此时，知道隐瞒不住了，便回道：“老爷真是明鉴万里。这事如同你亲眼看见一般，小厮也没得说了。”必翔才要往下再问，樱花早指着鹿儿的脸骂道：“你这该死的小鬼，竟敢钻狗洞，逛暗门子，真真的不要脸。等回头我非用鞭子抽你，不能出这一口气！”吓得鹿儿直给姨太太磕头，央求饶了他。必翔道：“你先慢着管小厮，咱们办正事要紧。”又问鹿儿：“你可曾看见那个姓锡的吗？”鹿儿回道：“看是看见了，他穿着一身军装，看肩章仿佛是一个连长。”必翔又问：“是他一个人，还同着有人呢？”鹿儿回说：“只有他一个人。”必翔点点头，说：“你今天还得去逛一趟，要不然，他们丢的信，一定疑惑是你拾去。一有防备，就不好办了。”说罢取出四十元钞票来递给鹿儿，说：“你今天去了，只管放开手花钱，好稳住了他们的心。”鹿儿喜滋滋的，把钱票接过来，才要向外走，樱花喊一声：“回来！”吓得鹿儿忙站住，垂手侍立，笑着问道：“姨太太还有什么吩咐？”樱花冷笑道：“你这逛暗门子，算是奉了旨意咧！我告诉你，今天晚上，给我早早地滚回来。如果过了九点钟，你提防着两条腿，我不把你打折了，你也不认得我是谁。”鹿儿笑道：“我一定早回来，姨太太自请万安。”樱花这才说一声：“你走吧！”鹿儿匆匆地出来，暂且不提。再说必翔换好了衣服，拿着这封信，一直赴总统府。见了项子城，将信呈上。子城看完了，问这信是怎么得来的，必翔回说：“是职厅的高等侦探鹿得贵破了一个月工夫，贴上数千元消耗，同该军的人结交来往，乘锡某醉后用种种手段窃出来的。”子城听了大喜，吩咐先赏鹿得贵两万元，必翔代谢了。子城又吩咐传宣官：“快给禁卫军军统冯国华打电话，叫他马上就来。我有紧要的事，同他商量。”传宣官答应下去，打电话，眼前便引起了一段很大的风波。要知后事如何，且看下回分解。