Chapter 83 Chapter 80: A Gambling Couple Suicides Each Other

Because Zang Zhizhu was angry for a while, and also received this severe reprimand from her father in front of the servants, she felt very embarrassed, and ran out of the living room at that time, really thinking of throwing herself into the river to find a well.He was pulled back by the flying boat, and pistols and bombs also helped to persuade him.The potter's wheel came in from the outside with a vegetable basket in his hand. Seeing the situation, he was even more puzzled, so he hurried over to inquire, and when he knew what was going on, he immediately put down the vegetable basket, knelt down to Zhizhu, and said, "I My dear lady! You must not die, old man. If you die, I will not be able to work in this kitchen. The master regards a copper dollar as big as a wheel, and receives food money from the lady every day. No need to pay, if I get money from his old man in the future, I'm afraid I won't be able to pull out nine cows. Wouldn't it be hard for us to be cooks!" After finishing speaking, he kowtowed his head and drew a pistol The bomb and the airship all pursed their lips and smiled.But Zhizhu raised her face and said nothing, and said with a smile: "Miss, don't be angry with him anymore, you see how pitiful what he said!" She took a bowl of sugar water and said, "Miss, drink a little first to calm down. I'll ask the potter's wheel to make it for you." It's getting late, if you want to rest, just go and rest!" The flying boat said: "My aunt hasn't come back yet, when he comes back, it's not too late for us to go to bed." The mention of the flying boat aroused Zhi Zhu again Seeing her heart disease, she frowned, her almond eyes straightened, snorted, and said, "What do you still mention him for? He didn't come home for three nights in a week. When I asked him what he did, he always said yes." Important entertainment. Even if there is an important entertainment, there is no need to spend the night outside! Either whoring or gambling, with such a father and such a husband, what is the meaning of my life in this world?" said with two eyes The teardrops in my eyes flowed down like broken pearls.The flying boat earnestly persuaded him once more, but Tang Wenhuan still did not come back after the sky was almost two drums.The flying boat had to go back to her room to rest, and Zhizhu was the only one left in the upper room. Originally, women were narrow-minded, and their father's anger during the day could not be resolved. If Wen Huan could come back early at night, Zhizhu would take this Telling him about her grievances, no matter how well Wen Huan can comfort her, it doesn't mean that she will definitely die.However, Wen Huan lived outside again, and did not come back until the third watch.The more Zhizhu thought about it, the more angry she became, and the more angry she became, the more she became narrow-minded, and there was almost no way out.It was also her fate, and when she saw a white crepe sweat towel draped over the back of the chair, she immediately changed her mind. Readers can understand the following things, and we don't want to talk about her anymore.

But why doesn't Tang Wenhuan go home often?As mentioned above, since he joined the printing and casting bureau, he has made two good friends, one is Pei Hongqing and the other is Zhong Ziying.Hong Qing is a gangster in Shanghai, while Ziying is a Beijing dude. These two have always been very fond of Tang Wenhuan.Because Wen Huan is the son-in-law of Zang Hanhuo, he wanted to use this clue to get into Hanhuo's way.Knowing that Han Huo is the most feared person in power, he has more power than anyone else when he says a word, so he treats Wen Huan very well.After work every day, eating restaurants and listening to plays, these two people always waited for the bill. For a month and twenty days in a row, Wen Huan got it wrong, thinking that these two people were out of sincerity and wanted to curry favor with him.He was originally a bit of a hooligan, in foreign countries and in Shanghai, he had been cheating food and money constantly.Now I met these two meat heads in Beijing, and I thought I was lucky, so I ate them boldly, not only without politeness, but also from time to time.Eat Zhimeizhai today, eat Dongxingju tomorrow, whenever Tan Xinpei and Mei Lanfang starred, he would not let it go, he would definitely pull the two of them to listen, but he never bought a ticket.At first, Pei and Zhong were dedicated to serving others, but later they experienced slowly that although Wen Huan and Han Huo were Weng's son-in-law, they didn't like each other very much, and they couldn't even get along with each other easily. Go farther and farther.They were originally talking about cannibalism, but now they are sent to other people's mouths for nothing. After thinking about it, how can they be reconciled?But they still maintain the good looks of each other in face, but they are thinking about how to think of a way to get back what was eaten by him.Just in time for the State Council to pay the salary, because it is at the end of the year, and it will be sent out in two months.Wen Huan was promoted to the first level, and his monthly salary was 240 yuan, and he received a total of 480 yuan in two months.Pei Hongqing and Zhong Ziying had a secret meeting and decided to take all of Wen Huan's 480 yuan to make up for their previous losses.Poor Wen Huan is still sleeping and dreaming, happily getting 480 yuan, and wants to buy some clothes, so that he can shine in the new year.Pei Hongqing suggested first, saying: "We have all the money in our pockets, and we will have dinner at Fuxingju tonight. We have eaten, and we are looking for a place to go for entertainment. A friend who just came from Shanghai brought a lot of big money with him. Tugong ointment is indeed from Vietnam, and everyone is happy to taste it. This is a good thing that can’t be found in Beijing. Let’s not miss this opportunity to go.” Wen Huan is used to eating Pei Hongqing, and now he heard that there is a big soil Yan became more and more happy, jumping up and down and shouting: "Let's go! Let's go right away! Since I came to Beijing, I haven't eaten a big tobacco for half a year, and the bird is almost fading out of my mouth. Today is really big. Let's go and eat." He pulled Zhong Ziying and said, "Let's go first." Ziying smiled and said, "Why are you in such a hurry. Go a moment later, won't the food taste better?" Hongqing said: "Okay There are no outsiders, except for the three of us, that is the friend from Shanghai. There is no need to wait for drinks, we can eat as soon as we arrive. What are you busy with?" After waiting for a while, Hong Qing ordered two things business, and then the three left the State Council together.

Pei and Zhong both had chartered cars, and Wen Huan also hailed a very beautiful rickshaw, which drove like lightning, went out the front door, turned around to the door of Fuxingju on Yangmeizhu Xie Street, and got off together.I found an elegant seat at the back, and the waiter recognized Zhong Ziying, and said with a smile, "Second Master has not been here for many days, maybe he is busy with business and hasn't left the city?" Ziying said, "You guessed it right, since Prime Minister Zhao came to the State Council, A lot of things have been added out of thin air. Call me several times a day, and there is simply no time to eat and listen to the theater." The waiter said: "This is Mr. Zhong Er's official fortune, sooner or later, I am afraid that he will not be promoted to servant?" Ziying laughed and said: "Corruption! Corruption! It's the Republic of China now, where did the servant come from? Quickly get the paper, we have a treat! Don't repeat the text here." The waiter smiled and took a few red cards. Paper, pen and ink are also placed on the table.Pei Hongqing wrote one first, to invite Master Yu to Zhang's house at No. 4 Cherry Xie Street, and bet on Pei Shanqing's appointment; Zhong Ziying also wrote one, to invite Master Li Hegeng to Wailangying, and bet on Zhong Ziying's appointment.The waiter took it down, and it didn't take long. Li Hegeng arrived first. Ziying introduced it to Wenhuan, saying, "This third brother Li is a well-known fancier in Beijing. He is good at playing, playing and singing. Even Tan Jiaotian admires him. You Don’t you want to learn from Pi Huang? The closer you get to him in the future, the better you will be than learning from me!” Seeing He Geng’s gorgeous clothes and radiant spirit, he really looked like a good man in troubled times, so he couldn’t help feeling envious .The two talked for a few words, and the more they talked, the more speculative they became, and they hated seeing each other too late.While talking happily, the waiter suddenly heard shouting: "Master Yu is here! Open the curtain on the 9th." When the curtain opened, a middle-aged man came in. He looked like he was over forty, wearing a suit and a mink coat , gold-rimmed glasses, a cane carved with gold-threaded Weixian County, Hailong Western-style cap, and yellow leather shoes, they walked in all the time.He shook hands with Hongqing and Ziying first, and He Geng stood up early to greet him. The man laughed and said, "It turns out that Mr. Li has come to the end." Seeing Wen Huan again, he hurriedly asked your surname, Hongqing said: "This is Mr. Tang Wenhuan, and this is Mr. Yu Huating. You are from Zhejiang, and we will get closer in the future." The two shook hands and changed their business cards. Hong Qing said, "Brother Huating just arrived from Shanghai yesterday. It is on behalf of Chen Dudu to come to Beijing to discuss a matter. He and Ziying and He Geng are all old friends. Brother Wen Huan is not an outsider, and the younger brother specially invited a few bosom friends to welcome him. After dinner, we will have a long night What about talking about it! Huating lives in their Lingqin Zhang’s house, and it’s convenient for everyone to go.” Yu Huating also said: “As long as you guys are willing to show your face, don’t think that my younger brother is a guest, just like my own home. It’s rare for everyone to have a lively night. It’s better than sitting and being bored.” As the waiter put out the cups and chopsticks, Fuxingju was originally a well-known old restaurant in Beijing, and the coordination was very good. The five people each had their own concerns, so the meal was not slow.

After dinner, everyone went to Zhang's house on Cherry Xie Street to chat.The house that Zhang Zhai rented was originally the house of Wang Huifang, who sang Huadan. It was divided into one house and two courtyards. The building is very beautiful.There are three halls in the front yard, next to the hall is a small study, and Huating lives in this small study.He took a footman with him, named Lu Sheng.When Lu Sheng saw his master came back, he took four distinguished guests with him, and was busy turning the lamps, closing the curtains, making tea, and lighting the big smoke lamps.Huating's addiction to cigarettes was very strong, and he couldn't wait, and he didn't care about others, so he lay down on his side, saw that the two guns were all filled with cigarettes, snorted and smoked them all in one go, and then took the ready-made cigarettes Soak it, put it on again and continue to eat, eating eight mouthfuls in a row.Lu Sheng handed over a bowl of hot tea, Huating just sat up, drank the tea, smiled and said to the crowd: "This is so disrespectful! Please smoke as you please!" He also asked Lu Sheng to dig out the ashes and said: "Brother Wen Huan, please take a sip first. Brother, this cigarette is brought from Shanghai. It is an authentic Vietnamese Qingshuigong ointment. You are in Beijing, and you have nowhere to buy it." Wen Huan was already salivating. Lie down and smoke unceremoniously.As he smoked, he praised how good the fragrance of the cigarette was and how strong his eloquence was. Zhong Ziying said with a smile: "Today, this big soil has met a bosom friend. Once it has been tasted, the sound price is ten times." Huating said: "It's not just the big soil. Like smoke, my brother also brought two treasures from Shanghai, and today, taking advantage of the bosom friend here, I also took them out to appreciate." Hong Qing said: "What treasure? Take it out quickly, and we will also open our eyes!" Huating grew up from a small A hardwood box was brought out of the suitcase, but before it was opened, Li Hegeng smiled and said: "I just thought it was some kind of treasure, it turned out to be a pair of mahjong cards, what's so rare about it?" Huating said seriously: "No, no , how can mahjong cards be generalized? My set of mahjong cards is different, please take a look if you don’t believe me!” As he spoke, he opened it and poured it on the table.Take an electric light and look like silver snow, dazzling and glamorous. When you pick it up, you can see that it is not bone inlaid with bamboo, but carved from a whole piece of ivory, but it is whiter and smoother than ivory. There are more than 100 pieces, all of the same color. The yellow silk and black spots can't be seen.Wen Huan said: "It really is a treasure! I have never seen such a fine mahjong tile in my life. Whether it is ivory or not, I really dare not make a firm decision!" He Geng said: "It is definitely not ivory! But it is not ivory! It's not Oriental chemical ivory, it's not so smooth. I'm afraid it's not made in China!" Huating said: "Brother He Geng, you really have eyesight. To tell you the truth, it's made in the United States. Our sparrow study has become very popular in the United States in recent years , They thought our cards were not well-made, so they used chemical imitation. This is the latest product. In addition to sparrows, there are also dominoes. I bought a pair of each and took it with me. Cards can really enhance people's aesthetic spirit. You see, there is a small box inside this box, and the small box is where the dominoes are placed." Then he pulled out the small box, and sure enough there were thirty-two This domino is small in size, but the board is very thick, exquisite and compact, and it is more exquisitely made than the pair of mahjong tiles.Wen Huan had already smoked enough cigarettes at this time, picked up the dominoes, looked at them carefully, saw thirty-two dominoes, white and crystal clear, and there was no difference at all, and said: "There are such good cards, but it's a pity that there are no gamblers. This is a beautiful gambling tool." He Geng said: "Brother Wen Huan is very excited, you really want to have fun, brother can accompany you." Pei and Zhong also joined in the fun, saying that it is rare for everyone to gather together, and it happened to be borrowed by Brother Huating These two treasures spend the long night.Huating also laughed, and said: "I deserve these two decks. If I want to make a profit today, I don't want to think too much. If I can win back the price of the cards, that's what I want. My two decks cost more than one hundred yuan!" "Ziying said: "You can't win others, don't you even output all the cards?" Hong Qing said: "Let's be serious, how do we gamble?" Do you agree or not?" Everyone said in unison, agreeing.When Lu Sheng saw his master playing a game, he immediately became happy, set up all the tables and seats, pulled over the lamp, and fastened it.Huating sat down in the middle, surrounded by four people on three sides, they all took out the whole roll of tickets, vying to bet first.Wen Huan was very happy, so he confidently and boldly made more bets, and added soft and hard, one side won twenty or thirty yuan.Unexpectedly, one party was not as good as the other party, and after the ten parties finished betting, Wen Huan lost more than one hundred and forty yuan.Pei and Zhong also lost tens of dollars each, and only the dealer and He Geng won.Unconvinced, Wen Huan continued ten parties, but still lost, 480 yuan, half of which had already been paid.At this time, the four drums have been delivered, and I can't go to the city to go home, so I have to rest here.

The next day, I went to work in the State Council with Pei and Zhong.After get off work in the evening, he never went home, and still went out of the city to gamble. For three nights in a row, he not only lost his two-month salary, but also owed more than 100 yuan in gambling debts.The more I thought about it, the more worried I became, and two days later, I paid 200 yuan in advance to the accounting department of the Printing and Foundry Bureau, and I calculated in my heart: I am not lucky betting on Pai Gow, and I will ask them to play mahjong tonight. grasp.He told Pei and Zhong Yi that they strongly agreed, saying: "These two days, He Geng and Huating won a lot of money from us. The three of us have to try to make some money. Your mahjong is a national player. We I can also support you, and today we work hard overnight, and even if it doesn’t work, we can get back half of the output.” Wen Huan was happy again after hearing this, and he didn’t go home that night. It was Zhizhu who was angry with her father. One day, Wen Huan spent another night playing mahjong in Zhang Zhai, and lost all 200 yuan again.In the morning, I washed my face and went to work with Pei and Zhong. When I arrived at the gate of the State Council, I saw the bomb standing there. I looked up and saw Wen Huan coming back. He shouted loudly: "My aunt, stop! Something happened at home, I'm waiting for you to go back!" Wen Huan was taken aback for a moment, jumped out of the car, and asked Bomb, "What's the panic?" I was about to cry, and said: "Grandpa, you don't need to inquire, you will naturally know when you get home, let's go!"

Wen Huan was in the presence of Pei and Zhong, and it was inconvenient to inquire further, so he still took this car and drove all the way to Dongsi Pailou.When he entered his home, he heard the deafening crying inside, the voices of a man and a woman. Wen Huan was in a state of confusion at this time, and ran into the upper room in three steps at a time. Only then did he step into the door with his left foot. With an "oops", he almost fell to the ground on his back.It turned out that there was a woman hanging on the beam, which was his wife Zhizhu.The pulley gun and the flying boat were standing on one side, crying loudly, but sitting with their pistols staring straight at the side. When Wen Huan came back, they shouted: "Okay! Okay! My uncle is back!" The two men Also stopped crying, Wen Huan ran over, hugged Zhizhu's body, unloaded her, hugged her tightly, and cried loudly.The three persuaded him from the side, saying: "You can't come back to life after death. It's important for my aunt to deal with the funeral." Wen Huan stopped crying and asked the three of them, "Why did Miss commit suicide?" Wen Huan jumped up and said, "It's okay! As a father, he threatens people's lives, and he has to pay for it! Why doesn't the old man come here?" The pistol said: "Still mentioning him Well! The lady is dead, we told him, he said he died well, he should have died a long time ago. When her son-in-law comes back, he will buy a coffin and bury it. Ask me what to do? Listen, my lord, this man’s heart, I’m afraid He is harder than iron, so why bother to get angry with him? You can do whatever you see to do."

Wen Huan was angry, sad, and embarrassed. He didn't have any money in his hands, so what would he use for the funeral?Clothes, quilts, and coffins cost four or five hundred yuan at worst. Where can I borrow them?There is no other way but to bite the bullet and find the old man.Running to the front hall, I saw Han Huo lying on the bed, holding a book, reading it with great interest, as if there was no such thing.Wen Huan wanted to have a fit, but when he came in front of him, he was frightened by the majesty of Han Huo, so he didn't dare to speak again.Treading quietly, in front of Han Huo's bed, he whispered, "Your lady has passed away. I have no money to pay for the funeral. You take out 1,800. It's important for us to get things done first." Han Huo raised his head and saw Wen Huan sternly said: "It's good that you are here! Your woman stole one or two thousand yuan from me, so you can pay me back exactly! Instead, you asked me for money for mourning. You are really robbers!" He slapped his head, and he became even more timid, hesitantly said: "I don't have any money on me, should I still tell her to expose her body?" Go and invite the landlord here, I have something important to discuss with him."

It didn't take long for the pistol to go, so I brought Fumian here.Fumian only woke up at this time, and he didn't know that something bad happened to Zang's house. He thought it was Hanhuo who gave him the rent, or maybe he was going to move, so he was happy to send this sticky cake away early, so he was very happy, and he followed suit. The pistol came to the antechamber.As soon as he entered the house, Han Huo sat up from the bed and said sharply to Fumian, "It's good that you're here. Let me ask you, why didn't you tell me that you committed five ghosts in this house? My eyes widened. The lady is dead, I will kill your landlord! If you don’t pay my lady, I will have to send you to the police station, arrest you first, and then fight this life lawsuit.” Fu Mian stared, not knowing what was going on. .When Wen Huan saw the situation, he also understood his father-in-law's intentions, and immediately widened his eyes, pulling Fu Mian desperately.Said: "Letting out this house where the five ghosts committed crimes killed my wife. We must do our best!" Then he took Fumian to the upper room to see, and Fumian was so frightened that he was at a loss. Later, he helped with pistols and bombs. Give me some advice, and say: "Master Fu, you are in bad luck! Get your clothes, quilts and coffins ready quickly, and if you have anything to say, speak slowly. Otherwise, Mr. Zang sent you to the police station, wouldn't it be self-inflicted?" Distressed?" Fu Mian was so wronged that he almost burst into tears, and said: "Our good house was hanged by you, and it was hard to be dirty, but instead you beat it and sent us to prepare clothes, quilts and coffins. How can there be such unreasonable things in the world? The bomb said: "You want to open some! With your family property, if you want to file a lawsuit with the Revolutionary Party, you will not have your family property wiped out? You prepare a coffin and coffin, but it costs a few hundred yuan. Let me make a safe one first, and I think it can’t be cheaper, and I feel wronged!" Fu Mian had no choice but to accompany Wen Huan to buy clothes, quilts and coffins. In Muchangzi, the bar rooms are all ready-made.Wen Huan picked out a well-fitting quilt and spent 160 yuan in total. Then he went to Muchangzi and bought a fir coffin for 13 yuan, a total of 300 yuan.Fortunately, all the shops recognize Master Fu and write it on his account.When Wen Huan came back, he immediately prepared the coffin. According to his intention, he wanted to receive three chanting sutras and put it in the mouth of the flames.Weng and his son-in-law fought for a long time, but they still followed Hanhuo's wishes and carried them to Zhejiang Yidi for burial today.The bar room was also found by Fumian, and the landlord has become a filial son.He felt wronged, so he sought out Xu Lingguang to vent.

Besides, after Tang Wenhuan and others buried his wife, he learned from the pain, he died, and his foreign money was gone. Because of his daughter's death, Hanhuo expelled him and did not allow him to live together. He also sent a letter to the State Council, saying that Wenhuan went whoring and gambling. , misbehavior, has severed the relationship with his husband and son-in-law, and asks the State Council to suspend his post immediately.Prime Minister Zhao originally assigned Wen Huan this assignment for the sake of Hanhuo's face. Now that he saw Hanhuo's letter, he was happy to go along with it.Immediately ordered to dismiss Tang Wenhuan.Because he had paid two hundred yuan in advance, the accounting department had now dismissed him, but where did he get the money? Feeling very sad, I had no choice but to use good words to put the chief accountant away.The more I think about it, the more I have no way out, and I intend to go back to the south, and I don't even have a place to borrow money. Hanhuo's house doesn't allow him to live, so I walked out alone, walked out of the front door, and silently calculated that there would be no place to eat for dinner today. Let alone a residence.After thinking about it, there was no way out, and I felt ruthless in my heart, saying that I would follow Zhizhu to the ground too!But how to die is still uncertain for a while, throwing oneself into a river to find a well is not easy to implement under the eyes of everyone in Beijing.When he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard the sound of the siren at the station. He had an idea and said, why don’t I lie on the sleepers, as soon as the train passes by, I will immediately become a fan, and I will die without even feeling the pain. This is really the first magic way of liberation. .Thinking of this, he went straight to the station and walked back and forth on the platform. The railway police still thought he was on the train, so they didn't pay much attention.When the express train from Tianjin arrived when I was young, the police used batons to direct the people on the platform to stand back. This is a routine article, but Wen Huan stood still on the stone steps. People in the society didn't dare to drive him away, just said: "Sir, stand back, and the car has already entered the station." Wen Huan suddenly jumped down and lay down on the sleepers waiting to die. All the passengers on the station were frightened, and everyone yelled in unison: "Help me!" On the platform, mentioning Wen Huanlai, he jumped up.The train was already approaching, and the people on the same train who stood on it shouted in unison: "Okay!" At this time, Wen Huan had already held his breath, and the police arrested four coolies and carried him to the next place.

The security police outside the station heard that there was a commotion at the station and there were people who wanted to die, so they also ran in to inquire.The leader of the railway police has already woken up Wen Huan and asked him why he wanted to die, but he refused to say.It just so happened that the security police came and said: "We rescued him, and it is inconvenient for us to ask about future matters. Please send him to the police station! Please ask Director Wu to ask him, and we will ignore it. As for saving him The railway policeman, named Xianglu, will follow you to the hall, ready to be questioned by the director." The security policeman, originally the inspector of the outer right area, was named Mi Degong, and he was always greedy for meritorious service. How can you let go of such a thing now?So he hired a car to take Tang Wenhuan, accompanied by himself and Xianglu, and sent him to the police station.Fortunately, the Police Department was remodeled from the former official office, and it is not far from the front gate.They went to the administrative office to register first, and then entrusted the field staff on duty to go up and return them. At this time, it was time to light the lights, and the field staff said impatiently to Mi Degong: "What kind of important case is this? It is worth sending Come in the hall! You district chiefs, just punish them casually, don’t bother the director!” Mi Degong said cautiously: “Masters in the field, don’t be angry. If the district can be finished, no one will be happy. Send it to the hall of intent. Because this person who wants to die has a very high status. He is the son-in-law of Mr. Zang, the consolation envoy of the three eastern provinces. He is the top priority of the Printing and Casting Bureau of the State Council. How can we, the district official, punish him? Sorry, I have to invite the gentlemen Go up and answer!" The field staff frowned and said, "How do you know that the director went to the government and has not come back yet! The president personally called to call, and I heard that there is a very important business, and he will sit in court to ask questions when he comes back What! Where can I go back for you? You must trouble the director, so I have to wait in the hall for a while!" Mi Degong had no choice but to wait in the field office.

It turned out that Wu Bixiang, the chief police officer, was reading documents in his office in the afternoon. Suddenly the electric bell rang, and he went to answer it himself. He said "yes", and then said: "The President asked you to come to the mansion immediately, and have an important interview!" Bixiang agreed repeatedly, saying: "I'll go right away!" Putting down the earphones, he immediately called for a car , Immediately to the Presidential Palace.First come to the Propaganda Office to register, and then the Propaganda Officer will take him to see the president.Xiang Zicheng was talking with Yun Lei, the director of the Law Enforcement Department. When he saw Bixiang coming in, he smiled and said, "Okay! You two can discuss it!" Bixiang sat down next to him, looked at Yunlei with his eyes, Yunlei Said: "Just now the president asked you and me to discuss how to deal with the leader of the Zongsha Party, Lianxing. This case was originally handled by your court, and it is now being remanded in the court. I heard that you have also taken all the confessions. What about him? People, how do we do it? The president asked us to consider it. I have no prejudices, so please make a decision." Wu Bixiang said in his heart: Director Yun is really slippery, and he wants to take confessions from me, so why should I commit crimes? What about being a villain?With a smile, he said: "Brother, I don't have any prejudices in my heart. I think this case is of great importance. We should ask the president for instructions. We will follow the orders. I don't know what the director thinks?" Yun Lei said: "You are very right. Just ask Let the president make it clear!" Xiang Zicheng said, "It is an unforgivable crime to talk about Lianxing, to organize organizations in secret, to revive the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and to overthrow the Republic of China!" At this point, Yunlei interjected : "Since the president sees that his crime is unforgivable, he will be taken up by the office and shot!" Xiang Zicheng shook his head slightly and said: "This matter is another matter. I thought that people like Lianxing, among their Manchus, He really deserves to be a strong and outstanding servant. The President loves him very much. But if he can try to save him, he always saves his life. He used to be a member of the Imperial Guard. If I can sincerely repent, I would like to transfer him to To be given the position of battalion commander in the Gongwei Army is a breakthrough. You two must respect my intentions and persuade him with good words to make him follow suit. This is also a good thing." Wu Bixiang said with Yun Renuo Nuo repeatedly said: "The President loves talents so much, we must try our best to persuade him to be grateful." Bixiang replied alone, saying: "Lian Xing is stubborn, and he was interrogated by the judicial department in the hall. He did it several times, but he never showed any remorse. If the office persuaded him to not be effective, should he go back to the president? Or should Director Jiaoyun dispose of it freely?" Xiang Zicheng said: "It's not a big deal, It is not worth going back and forth again. If he refuses to obey, he will transfer it to the Law Enforcement Office and handle it according to the law." The two got the president's order, and it was inconvenient to sit for a long time, so they left the house immediately and went back to their respective yamen. When Bixiang came to his office, he told the Judicial Section: "Sit in the evening hall today, and bring Lianxing to interrogation." The Section hastened to prepare everything.Tie Jinsheng obeyed the order and prepared all the papers, waiting for the director to be promoted to the hall for interrogation.At this time, the field worker on duty came back and forth, briefly recounting the incident of Tang Wenhuan's death. Bi Xiang frowned and said, "Where did this bad luck come from! Last time, his old man pretended to be crazy and made a mess. I don't know if I'm tired." How many miles have I traveled, and now he is playing this kind of trick again? He really deliberately joked with me! How can I have time to ask him at this time? You said that he has no money to go back to the south because he lost his job, so I will take it. If you pay fifty yuan, I will send you to escort him to Tianjin, book a Shanghai ferry ticket for him, and give him the rest of the money. Since he goes back to the south by boat, we don’t care if he dies and lives again. " After finishing speaking, he wrote a check for fifty yuan and handed it to the field office to collect it.The field staff was happy to borrow the ready-made money to take a trip to Tianjin.Wen Huan took this opportunity to go back to the south, which was finally unfortunate, so we will not mention him for the time being. Besides, the judiciary department is ready, and when he came up to answer, Bixiang left the office, rose to the public seat, picked up a pen, and called out: "Bring Lianxing!" Two policemen helped Lianxing up, and Bixiang ordered: Set up a seat in front of the case and ask him to sit down.Then he asked kindly, "Is your name Lian Xing?" Lian Xing replied loudly, "I'm Lian Xing. I've drawn all the confessions. I don't know if the director asked me to ask any more questions." Xiang said: "Mr. Lian, I think you are really a wonderful man. I admire you from the bottom of my heart, so I invite you to the hall. Let's talk carefully. Don't get it wrong and think that I am trying to deceive you." Confession, I am purely out of goodwill, and I really hope that you can have a frank and honest talk with me." Lian Xing replied respectfully after hearing Bixiang finished speaking: "Of course I don't care about the meaning of the director cherishing me. Forget, even after death, I still have to recognize you as my confidant. But I am a dying person, and I have nothing to talk about. The director really loves me. Please call my old mother, brother and wife over on the day of my execution. Meeting with them and talking a few words is the extraordinary kindness of the director. I will know after I die, and I will not forget your benefits!" Bixiang laughed and said: "You are talking too far! I see you He is a young man with specialized military knowledge. If he is willing to serve in the Republic of China, he will be a pillar in the future. Why do you want to die?" Lian Xing sneered twice, and said: "The meaning of the director is to say that you should surrender. Me! I quoted an ancient saying and said to the director: Lianxing can only be a beheaded general, not a subdued general. Please give up your mind!" Bixiang coughed and said: "You are too pedantic , although you are a Manchu, neither relatives nor dignitaries, why do you have to die to clear the room? Don't you open your eyes and see that all the relatives and dignitaries of the Manchu Dynasty sponsored the Republic of China, and no one was willing to Do your best to support the Manchu Qing, why do you, a small company commander, show such stupid loyalty?" Lian Xing said: "Everyone has his own ambitions, those relatives and nobles are all inferior to dogs, you still mention him What to do! We, Aixinjueluo, have been in the world for 300 years, and now when the country is destroyed, there is not even a single person who dies. With the strength of one person, it is absolutely impossible to insist on building mountains and rivers and reorganizing the country, but breaking out of this body can wash away the shame of my five million people, so that future generations will know the time when the Manchu Dynasty fell. , there is also a United Star trying to revive, and die for the country with my life, I will be satisfied. As for killing or cutting, I will die without complaint if I deal with it in the right way!" Bi Xiang shook his head and said: "You admit your mistake The question is over! You must know that the Qing Dynasty has not subjugated the country now, he is just abdicating. All the titles and honors of the emperor and royal funds are kept. This is absolutely different from the previous kings who subjugated the country. Martyrdom! You understand this kind of truth, so naturally you will no longer be stubborn." Lianxing laughed loudly and said: "Director Wu! You can only fool three-year-old children with your words. How can I, Lianxing, listen to this. I I would like to ask you: You said that the Manchu Qing Dynasty did not subjugate the country. Why is this year's almanac clearly marked as the first year of the Republic of China, and why all the decrees issued are marked with interim presidential decrees? Isn't this a very obvious example? As for the emperor's title of vanity, it is just It is a means of defrauding orphans and widows, and the annual funding is even more empty talk. I can guarantee that the name is four million taels, and there will be nowhere to receive four hundred thousand, forty thousand, or four thousand. But use this empty hope In exchange for your realin the regime.Once the power is taken, who cares about the future? Bixiang listened to his words, the more he talked, the less speculative he was, so he simply opened it up and said: "Lian Xing, don't be obsessed with your mind. The crime you committed should be sentenced to death immediately, just because President Xiang loves you very much. I want to save your life, and I will give you extra favors, and I will transfer you to the Guards to be the battalion commander.This kind of opportunity is something you can't dream of even in your dreams. You don't say you are grateful for your repentance, but you are born from the outside.You must be willing to die, this is not very difficult, I will send you to the law enforcement office today, and tomorrow you can taste the taste of bullets.But by then, it was too late to regret.You'd better calculate this account carefully, don't show your courage for a while! When Bixiang said it so bluntly, he thought that Lianxing had heard it. He was afraid, and of course his tone softened. Unexpectedly, Lianxing laughed wildly after hearing this, and said, "You don't mention the old thief in Xiangzi City, I Lianxing Also thank you for your kindness.Now that you bring up Xiangzicheng, I think you are all his lackeys, just like Zhang Liao and Cheng Yu under Cao Aman, and I, Lian Xing, are upright and worthy of You Zhengping back then.Even if you fight to the death, you will still be famous in history for thousands of years in the future, and your personality is much stronger than that group of you who are stalking and helping usurper!If you want to send me to the Law Enforcement Office, you should send it quickly without hesitation.My Lianxing died a day earlier, and my wish was a day earlier, lest I live in this dirty world and listen to your heads and animals. "Lian Xing's swearing, Wu Bixiang's meaning, has been decided. He said in his heart that no matter what, this person can't surrender, and I don't need to talk nonsense. It's better to send the person file to the law enforcement department as soon as possible. How should he deal with it? , asked Lao Yun to finish it. Then he said: "Lian Xing!You don't have to swear.Since you are willing to die early, I will definitely fulfill your wish!Come!Come!Ask the Judicial Section to quickly prepare official documents, and send the case to the Law Enforcement Office tomorrow, so I don't have to ask anymore. ”他说完这一句，便立刻退堂，仍回他的办公室去。铁金声忙备了一套公文，特派巡官干警，于次日早晨押解联星一同出南城，送往执法处，面见云处长，将差事交代清楚。 却说云雷自从公府出来，回到执法处。他心中越想越气，到底是他们喝过墨水的人格外厉害，这一次老吴不动声色，便想邀功，如果把联星说降了，这完全是他一个人的功劳。假如说不降便给我送来，我却砰然一弹，把人家送了性命，徒然杀人，赚不着两把血。我这是何苦来呢？看起来，他们文人的心眼儿真多，像我这扛枪把子出身的，怎能斗得过他们呢！云雷本是当兵出身，当年随项子城在朝鲜当过卫队。后来子城做督抚，又升他做武巡捕。他总看着武官的身份太低，不及文官体面，便再三恳求子城，将他改为文职。子城在保案中，保了他一个候补知县，指省直隶，又改委他为文巡捕，云雷总算是如了志愿。后来又花钱运动，过班试用道，仍在直省效力。自项子城丢了官，他兢兢业业，总怕自己的前程也要连带保持不住，奇想天开，在银行开了两万块钱汇票，秘密地寄给摄政王载沣，说是孝敬王爷，随便赏人的。哪知这一来倒坏了，那时载沣正在炙手可热，两万块钱如何放在眼里？便借题发挥，说他公然行贿，即行革职。所有贿款一律充公，这位先生是赔了夫人又折兵，从此回家隐藏。在满清时代，不敢再出风头。后来子城起用，他便追到北京来效力。及至子城做了总统，他再三求赏差事，子城想他是一个粗人，脑子里就知有项宫保，不知其他，这样人叫他办精细事他一定办不了，莫若叫他当一条看门狗吧！北京这地方，潜藏的革命党很多，派他为执法处处长，拿住革命党，便以军法从事，借此吓唬吓唬他们，省得我在北京住着不安，他这人干这种事一定能够尽心尽力。像上次炸弹的事，一定不会再发生了，因此便派云雷为北京军事执法处处长。云雷自到差以来，用了一二百个恶侦探，终日散布在九城，凡看见形迹可疑的人，立刻便拘了来，加上乱党两个字，神不知鬼不觉地拉到执法处后院，用手枪“砰”的一声，送他归阴。然后花几块钱，买一口薄皮棺材，装在里面，抬到南下洼乱草岗子，浅浅地一埋，就算完事大吉。这样不知断送了多少英雄好汉，更不知冤死了多少好人！这就是云雷的德政。因为这个，项子城反倒格外喜欢他，说他忠于任事，勇于拿贼。联星这一案，所以请他去商量，是怕他仿照前案不清不白地也给毙了。所以明白吩示，叫吴必翔先劝降，如果不降，再交给云雷去办。云雷误会了意，以为总统看不起他，所以责成必翔。必翔又贪功多事，把劝降的责任完全揽到自己身上。他回到执法处来越想越有气，直气了半夜。到次日早晨，正在闷闷之时，忽见卫兵上来回话，手里还拿着一角公文，恭恭敬敬地放在处长桌上，回道：“现有吴总监派来巡官警察，押解联星到处里来，请处长的示下！”云雷把公文略略看了一遍，说：“你叫值日军官先把差事收下，由秘书处速备回文，就说我已经收到了。”卫兵答应一声下去，遵谕办理。 云雷心中计算，原来你这功也邀不上了，你以为送到我这里来，除去结果人家性命别无办法，我也叫你知道知道，偏要把联星说降了，我再面见总统，报告他不能劝人家降顺，送到我处里来，硬派我执行死刑，我费了多少话，用了多少手段，居然说他回心转意，这样一办，也叫总统看看倒是谁能办事，以后自然就不小看我们武人了。他想到这里，不觉又高兴起来，大声喊听差的进来，吩咐如此这般，快到下面，去叫司法官熊老爷急速办理。听差的下去，传谕首席司法宫熊飞，熊飞得了处长的话，便即刻叫厨房中备了几样极可口的菜蔬，然后传知值日军官，把联先生陪到我屋里来，不许带刑具，不许侮慢。军官答应一声，先把适才联星从警厅带上的手铐脚镣全卸下来，说：“我们熊司法官，请你先生到他屋中谈话。”联星道：“我是一名死囚，送到这里来，就是专等执行枪毙，还有什么可谈的！烦你二位上去回话，熊老爷如果真心爱惜我，就请给我一个简洁痛快，早早执行死刑，我就感激不尽了。旁的话尽可不必再谈。”两个军官听了他的话，彼此相视而笑，说：“世界上竟有这样人！我们不能替你回这个话，你还是同我们去见他，有什么话，你当面说不好吗？”联星道：“这也使得！但是我的两条腿麻木了，你二位能架着我吗？”军官道：“这有何难！”于是一左一右，把联星扶到熊法官屋中，熊飞一见他进来，立刻迎上去，握了他的手说：“久仰！久仰！兄弟想慕你不是一天了，难得今天在此相会，这也要算三生有幸，快请坐吧！”于是自己将联星扶着，扶到上首的椅子上坐下。又喊听差的快倒茶，联星道：“熊老爷！你这样同我亲近，倒叫我心里不安。有什么话请你直截了当地说，说过了，我还回我的囚室，也省得打搅你的公事。”熊飞笑道：“联先生，你忙的是什么？我今天没有公事，咱们慢慢地谈。”联星尚未答言，忽见进来两个听差的，调开桌椅，安放杯箸，他心里更觉诧异，这是做什么呢？莫非请我吃饭？我是死囚，也不敢劳动官儿作陪啊！正思索着，各样菜蔬已经摆在桌上，熊飞手执酒壶，让联星入席上座。联星到此时益发莫名其妙，继而一转念，自己的命运，已经来到眼前，乐得乘这三分气在，痛痛快快地饱餐一顿，也不辜负这个肚子。想到这里，便毫不谦让，坐在正面椅子上。熊飞一边给他斟酒，一边笑着说：“联先生请你开怀畅饮！我们不拘形迹。”联星干了一杯，哈哈一阵狂笑，说：“熊老爷！你今天是给我联星预备送行酒，送我到鄷都城，我喝了你的酒，能长十分气力，将来到了鄷都，还可借醉后余兴做平原十日之游，我这里谢谢你了！”熊飞正颜厉色地答道：“联先生！你不要错会意，你以为我这一席酒，是死囚的赠别酒，那真是想入非非了。实对你说，这是一杯喜酒，预备给你庆贺的！”联星又是一阵狂笑，这一笑却把熊飞笑得摸不着头脑，忙问道：“你还笑什么？莫非笑我这话说得不对吗？”联星又干了一杯，方才答道：“我不笑旁的，我笑你拿我当三岁小儿看待！你以为我全不明白吗？你不知道死囚处决的这一天，官狱执事人们全朝着他道喜，道喜是速死的一种代名词。你如今公然提出喜酒来，岂不是明明告诉我吗！怎么还说我猜得不对呢？”联星这一解释，倒把熊飞僵住了，瞪着眼，半晌答不上来。迟了一刻，忽然“哧”的一声笑了，说：“我真该死！怎么说话就这样不检点！偏偏又遇着你这爱多心的人，闹得张冠李戴，驴唇不对马嘴，这真成了笑话了。实对你联先生说，完全不是这种意思。简直揭亮了，是云处长看你是一个英雄，想要保全你，叫你死里得生，还另外想位置你一份优差，你请想这不是天大的喜事吗？再说我们这一座执法处，只有生入的门，没有生出的门，如今为你联先生，居然要破格改例，这是从来未有的，可喜可贺，所以我才预备这一席喜酒，请你吃过酒后，咱们一同去见处长。也不用旁的手续，只需你亲笔给一纸悔过书，处长拿着这一纸书，便可以面见总统，替你担保一切。你就稳稳地坐在我们处中，静候佳音好了。”在熊飞这样说，自以为立言得体，在联星听了，一定要说几句感谢的话儿，哪知人家仿佛没听见似的，一手执着酒杯，一手拿着筷子，大杯的酒，一仰脖便干；大箸的菜，夹了往嘴里送，狼吞虎咽，把可口的菜，顷刻吃了一个精光。熊飞一看这神气，心里说：这位先生，多半是在警察厅中多日未吃饱饭，看他越吃越勇，越吃越高兴，一定是听了我方才的话，心中格外欢喜，所以食量也因之倍增。俟等他吃完了，我再拉他去见处长，料想没有不成功的。想到这里，又给他斟酒布菜，联星毫不谦让，见酒就干，见菜就吃。直吃了有一点钟工夫，忽然立起身来，把手中的酒杯向地上一摔，啪啦啦摔了一个粉碎，紧跟着两手一扶桌子用力向前一推，就听稀里哗啦，桌子也倒了，桌上的几十件细瓷盘碗，也一律摔了个稀碎。熊飞本是在一旁陪他，一碗很肥的片肉正在桌子边上，桌子一倒，整个儿扣在他身上，把一件簇崭新二蓝库缎面的狐腿皮袄，油渍了一大片。在突然间发生了这意外的情景，把熊飞反倒吓愣了。联星大声说道：“这一席酒，是我联星临死的送别酒，我已经酒足饭饱，请你们这就执行死刑吧！我并非有意要脏你熊老爷的衣裳，因为我们死囚，应当有最后表示。况且我不这样表示，你们劝降我的意思，也不能根本打消，这就是请你们不必游移，赶紧把我置之死地，也可免去后患。要不然，今天把我放出来，明天我仍然组织宗社党，与民国反对，你们岂不是自寻麻烦！将来在项子城面前，还要担一个妄保叛党的罪名，那又是何苦呢？”联星演说完了，熊飞倒也不曾发作，只喊来几个卫兵，把联星架下去，听候处置。自己把衣裳换了，去见处长，将适才联星的举动，对云雷说了。 云雷本是一个粗暴武人，方才是为邀功心所迫，所以才那样虚心下气。如今知道联星是绝不能以口舌劝降的，又加上推桌子摔碗，更触动了自己的怒气，便也拍着桌子喊道：“这还了得！你快下去写一张牌示，悬在门外，今晚便在处里，把他执行枪毙。这样的反叛，不要再留着他了！”熊飞答应一声，来到自己办公室中，遵谕而行。先把牌示悬在本处门前，这牌示一挂出去，当日便轰动了九城，全知道今天晚上，执法处要枪毙宗社党联星。内中有一个最关心的得着这个消息，便如中了疯狂一般，你道此人是谁？便是联星的乃弟联桂。他在禁卫军中，当着炮兵连长，倒是规规矩矩的，服从长官，不问外事。他在当日，面子上虽然不敢反对哥哥，心里却很不以联星为然。他以为我们虽系满人，却不曾受过清室什么恩惠，小小一个武职末弁，偏要下死命报一家一姓的私恩，简直是其愚不可及了。况且五族平等，我们满人正好乘此机会解脱皇室的束缚，谋一个长久自立之道，难道还希望恢复了他，我们好做千秋万代的奴才吗？他因为抱着这种思想，所以对于他哥哥的事，避之唯恐不及。因此与联星同谋的一班人，看出这种神气来，便也把联桂视同汉奸，凡机密一点的事，总不叫他知道。自从联星被捕，禁卫军中同谋的人，心虚胆怯，差不多全偷着跑了。唯独联桂，倒是坦坦然当他的差使，并不现丝毫惊恐之意。冯国华在暗中调查，也知道联桂并无嫌疑，便暗中嘱咐他的上级官，对于联桂，反要格外优待。但是自从他哥哥被捕，他虽然得着一点消息，却不敢公然去探问，恐怕招出麻烦来，有损无益。回到家中，也不敢对他母亲同嫂嫂说，这样闷了许多日子，他心中总好像放着一块病。每逢星期，他必从南苑折回京城，在警察厅左近探听他哥的消息。这一天，也是活该凑巧，他在警察厅旁边一个小茶馆中喝茶，就见乱哄哄的，有许多人向前跑着，口中说：“快去看宗社党！今天往执法处解，大概许活不成了！”联桂听见这话，直刺他的心，哪里还能安坐喝茶！立刻会了茶钱，随在众人后边，暗暗窥看。不大工夫果然由厅里出来一辆马车，四名警察，荷枪实弹，在车的左右随着，后面跟定一名巡官，挎着刀，在车后押着。联桂向车里观看，正是他的哥哥联星，上着手镣脚铐，身旁还坐着一名警察，手执盒枪，目不转睛地监视着，恐怕发生意外。再看他哥哥，只低着头，并不向车外观看，面上却很冷静的。联桂见了，心中自然是万分难过，但又不敢过去同他交谈，只好随在后面，倒看一个水落石出。及至马车拉进执法处，看热闹的人围在门前，却不能进去。联桂也只有伸着头向里张望，望了很久工夫，不见有什么动静。自己想：这里也非久站之处，莫若寻一个地方慢慢等候，倒看有何举动。大半这一进执法处，总是凶多吉少，我做弟弟的，又焉能不闻不问呢？想到这里，向四外一望，见斜对执法处，有一家饭馆，字号是“会英楼”，临街三间楼房，正对执法处大门。联桂便一直奔这饭馆，进门上楼，寻了一间紧靠街的雅座，倚在楼窗旁坐下，堂倌过来伺候，联桂此时，哪还吃得下饭去？只要了两壶烧酒，两碟冷荤，所为是挨延时刻，好看执法处有什么举动。从午后直候到三四点钟，两壶酒还不曾喝完，堂倌催问好几次，他只说不忙，你耐点性儿，回头我多给酒钱。堂倌也不好意思再催了，但是看他这种举动，实在又有些蹊跷。 联桂在楼上，目不转睛地向下看，忽见值日卫兵，手提着一块牌示，挂在门前，立刻拥过许多人来观看。内中有好多说话的，大声喊道：“哎呀！又要枪毙人了！什么宗社党联星！”这两句话刺入联桂耳中，比辘轳炮的刺激力还大十倍。他身子一抖颤，几乎摔倒，连忙定了定神，掏出一块钱来，放在桌上说：“不用找，连小账都有了。”堂倌才说了一个“谢”字，他已经飞步下楼出饭馆门，直跑到执法处门前，观看牌示。见上面写着：为牌示事：宗社党联星，现经本处审讯确实，依照军法于本日下午执行枪决，合行牌示周知，此布。 联桂正在看着，忽听身背后有人“哎呀”了一声，他忙回头观看，不看犹可，这一看，不觉怒从心上起，恶向胆边生，当胸一把便把那个人抓住，说：“好啊！你还忍心来看热闹！我替你出首，你随我哥哥一路去吧！”你道此人是谁？原来正是当日捉弄联星同人拼命，后来又主谋发起宗社党的纯卓先。他后来见机而作，投身于平民党，替人家运动议员，向拉同的七小姐，敲了三千块钱，正在得意洋洋，在前门一带奔走买票的事，行经执法处门前，看见许多人，围着牌示观看，他便喊车夫停住车子，跳下来挤在人群中观看。这一看，不觉吓了个透心凉，脱口喊了一声“哎呀！”这一哎呀不要紧，竟“哎呀”出一个对头来，联桂一回头，正同卓先的眼光对成一条直线。卓先本来心虚，又看见联桂，好像鼠子遇着狸奴，立刻缩身回头就想逃跑，偏偏身后还挡着许多人，哪能跑得快？又兼联桂是一个武人，身手捷便，一扭身，向前一赶步，劈胸把卓先抓住，说：“好啊！你哪里走！我正要出首你呢！你陪我哥哥，一同上天国去吧！”卓先哪里挣得脱，只好央告道：“好二爷，有话咱们外边去说，你千万不要在这里乱嚷！”联桂说：“使得！咱们到会英楼去说吧！”一手扭住了他，便一直扭进会英楼，堂倌一看，心说怎么又回来了？ 二人一同上楼，仍在联桂方才坐的那一间雅座里一同坐下，堂倌进来，联桂一摆手，说：“我同朋友谈几句话，你们听唤再来。”堂倌只得出去，这里卓先低声下气地说道：“联二爷，咱们是老朋友，你真好意思出首我吗？令兄的事，我万分难过，实在觉着对他不起，不过事情已经逼到这里，又叫我有什么法子呢？”联桂一阵冷笑，说：“你不要猫哭耗子假慈悲了！今天的事，咱们是有死有活，你们这一群丧尽天良的东西，把我哥哥架到火炉上去，你们躲到一旁看热闹。听说还投到平民党去，给旗人卖底，你们就中取利，你们这些人，真是狼心狗肺，天生的亡国奴、下贱种子。今天犯到我联桂手里，我也替大家出一口怨气。没有旁的说，咱们就是一同去见云雷，乘我哥哥三分气在，你们也对质一下子，倒得揭开了，这个宗社党是何人发起的？我们弟兄也犯不上掠人之美，你就走吧！”卓先听联桂说得这样坚决，毫没有一点松动口气，把脸全吓白了，万分无奈，只得双膝跪下，哭着说道：“我的联二爷，二祖宗，二爸爸，您就这样狠心吗？您把我送进执法处，那一枚硬邦邦、火辣辣的黑枣儿就算吃定了！我死了不要紧，我家里还有七十三岁的老娘，就是我一个儿子，她老人家，岂不就要苦死了！”说罢几乎要放声大哭。联桂“呸”的一口唾沫正啐在他脸上，骂道：“不要脸的东西！你以为抬出老娘来，我就放你吗？你知道有老娘，我们家里也有老娘，我哥哥死了，我的老娘难道就不心疼吗？”卓先得着这老娘的机会，便乘势说道：“二爷，你不必为这件事忧虑。大爷既然为国捐躯，以后我情愿替他侍奉老娘，每月拿出钱来孝敬甘旨。但求你保全我的生命，怎样侍奉我的老娘，也怎样侍奉你的老娘，这是两全其美的事，你难道还有什么不乐意吗？” 卓先这样一哀求，联桂可就转了念头，心想我就是举发了他，也未见得准能把他置之死地，徒然自己多找许多麻烦。况且眼前我哥哥一死，我当然得去收尸，一切衣衾棺椁，当时就得拿出钱来置备，我哪里有这一笔现成钱？要等临时寻他们这些东西恳求帮忙，只怕比登天还难！现在既然捉住了他，我乐得如此这般，先叫他当一回孝子。想到这里，便一把将卓先拉起来，说：“你坐下！我有话问你。”卓先在一旁坐定，联桂冷笑道：“你方才说的话，倒是很好听，但恐怕事过之后，你口不应心，我难道还能寻上门去，叫你孝敬我的老娘吗？”卓先正色道：“岂有此理！二爷，你看我太不是人了！我再重重地发个誓，你总可以放心吧！”联桂道：“这年头发誓不如牙疼咒，当日你们成立宗社党，歃血为盟，到后来还都不算了，何况是私人的事呢？你如果有诚心，眼前我哥哥殉难，你就应当有一个对得起他的办法，眼前尚且办不到，何论后日？对死者尚且不肯尽心，又何有于死者的老娘？你这哄小孩子的手段，趁早不必向我使用。”卓先何等机警，还听不出他的话来吗？忙说道：“二爷，你请放宽心，所有令兄身后的事，全由我承首办理。我这就去寻当日同盟的人，大家量力而行，一切衣衾棺椁，全要挑选上品，哪一样不好，请二爷啐我、打我、踢我，我也甘心忍受。你看这还不满意吗？”几句话才说完，联桂左右开弓，先打了他两个嘴巴，打得卓先白瞪着眼，只是倒吸气，却不敢问他因为什么。联桂咬着牙恶狠狠地说道：“你死到眼前，还要学孙悟空，一个筋斗折十万八千里啦！我放你去寻他们，买衣衾棺椁，这一份衣衾棺椁，还不得民国五十年才买到啊！你死了这一条心吧！我也不愿同你多废话，咱们还是手拉手儿，去见云雷。”卓先当这生死关头，他哪里肯动一动，说：“二爷，你是怕我逃跑，不容我去寻别人，有什么事全由我自己担承，还不成吗？”联桂松了手，说：“卓先，你现在是发了财的人，卖清皇室，卖宗社党，全是你们这几个人包办，我想你手里，至少也要有个一万八千的。并非我联某借端敲诈，不过你们来的钱不正，乐得借此叫你多多地破费几个。你如果想得开，咱们还有磋商余地，你要是要钱不要命，我也不愿再同你废话。干干脆脆，咱们就是到执法处去说吧！”卓先听他揭开了，提出钱字来，有心再用油滑手段，一定闹僵了不得下台；若是矢口应承，听他的口气很大，倘然办不到，依然还是得破裂，我莫如先稳住他，再慢慢地揉搓，便答道：“二爷吩咐我怎样办，只是我力量做得到的，无不唯命是从。不过发财的话，实在太冤屈我了，假如我要真发了财，这一点小事，还值得去寻他们吗？”联桂道：“你既这样说，我提出三个条件来，你完全答应了，咱们万事皆休。你要有一件不能认可，我的话算没说。仍然有咱们的事在，一言一句，这是再爽快没有的了。”卓先道：“好！好！就请你把这三个条件，完全说明，我情愿洗耳静听。只要我能够做得到的，我决不推诿。”联桂这才从从容容地说出三个条件来，却把纯卓先吓了一跳，要问条件的内容全是些个什么？且看下回分解。