Chapter 2 The first trip to the dangerous country and the road of Shu, the Great Wall in troubled times
In August Yiwei, the sixth year of Yongle, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, Manaragananai, the king of the mud country in the southwest overseas, led his concubines, younger brothers, younger sisters, sons and accompanying officials to the court, and paid tribute to borneol (the most exquisite of camphor), crane tops, Tortoiseshell, rhino horn, gold and silver treasures and other things.Emperor Chengzu was very happy, and he had worked hard for a long time, and gave a banquet to Fengtianmen.
That Luni country is now Borneo in northern Borneo, also known as Brunei (Luni, Borneo, Brunei and English Brunei are all transliterations of the same place name). Although it is thousands of miles away from China, it has always admired China.In the second year of Taiping Xingguo in the Song Dynasty, its king Xiangda (that is, Sudan, transliterated as "Xiangda" in Chinese history books) sent envoys to the court to pay tribute to dragon brains, ivory, sandalwood and other things, and thereafter the tribute continued.
The king of Manaraganana saw the richness of the people in the sky, culture and education, clothing and utensils, all of which made him happy and praised. The Ming emperor treated him very well, so he couldn't let go of it.By November of that year, firstly, he was old and afraid of the cold, and secondly, he was not acclimatized to the water and soil, and died of illness.Cheng Zu felt deeply sorry for him, and for three days, he was buried outside Andemen, Nanjing (now at the foot of Jubao Mountain outside Zhonghuamen, Nanjing, there is the site of the king's tomb, and the common Huma Huihui tomb), and ordered his son Xia Wang to attack Feng Yuni The king sent envoys to escort him back home, and rewarded him with a large amount of gold and silver, utensils, brocade, gauze and other things.Since then, during the Hongxi, Zhengde, and Jiajing years, the kings of the country all paid tribute.Some of the Chinese who went to Luni State became high officials and were named "Nadu".
In the Wanli period, civil strife suddenly broke out in Heni. "History of the Ming Dynasty · Heni Biography" stated: "The king died without heirs. The clansman fought for the throne, and the country killed a lot, but his daughter was made king. Zhangzhou native Zhang The person with the surname was originally the governor of the country, and Huayan was an honorable official. He ran away due to chaos, and the queen stood up to welcome him back. His daughter went in and out of the palace, got a heart attack, and lied about her father's conspiracy. The mistress was afraid, so she sent someone to ask The governor of his family committed suicide. The people of the country sued for injustice. The heroine repented, strangled her daughter, and appointed her son an official."
The reason why Zhang Nadu's daughter was insane and falsely accused her father of rebellion to the queen, which led to this tragedy, must have other twists and turns. History books have not detailed it, and future generations will not know.The Zhang family of Zhangzhou, Fujian Province has been appointed Nadu for many generations in the Luni Kingdom. He is close to the people and kind, quite powerful, and respected by the people of his country.
There are also quite a few Chinese doing business and farming in that country. They have made great achievements in overcoming obstacles and getting along well with the local natives.Fei Xin's "Xingcha Shenglan" records: "Heni country... the people of the country worship Buddha statues and like to fast and bathe. Anyone who sees Tang people coming to his country will love and respect them very much. If there are drunk people, they will help them go home. Sleep and stay, treat it with courtesy as if it were old." There is a poem as evidence, and the poem says:
Zhang Xin, the governor of the Luni Kingdom, was later named Zhang Xin, with only one son under his knees.Not forgetting his homeland, Zhang Xin named his son Chaotang.When Zhang Chaotang was 12 years old, there was a scholar in Fujian who failed in many trials, abandoned Confucianism to start a business, and followed the villagers to the country of Luni.This person is not good at management, his capital has been wiped out, and he has no face to return to his hometown, so he is exiled in a foreign country.Someone recommended him to meet Zhang Xin in order to make a living.After Zhang Xin talked with him, he was overjoyed, so he hired him as a teacher to teach his son to read.
Although Zhang Chao and Tang Kaimeng were late, they were talented and intelligent. In ten years, they had mastered all four books and five classics.The teacher urged Zhang Xin to send his son back to Zhongtu to take the exam. If he can pass the exam as a scholar, raise people, and gain fame in China, he will be very honorable when he returns to Luni.Zhang Xin also hoped that his son would go back to his hometown to visit the country's scenic spots, so he rewarded the teacher heavily, provided him with gold and bank deposits, and sent his boy Zhang Kang to follow him, and ordered Zhang Chaotang and his teacher to go back to his hometown of Zhangzhou to take the exam.
It was the sixth year of Chongzhen. Although the rebellious eunuch Wei Zhongxian had been put to death, during the seven years of the Tianqi Dynasty, he harmed the country and the people, killed Zhongliang, and severely damaged the vitality of the Ming Dynasty.Zhang Chaotang and other three people went ashore from Xiamen and hired a boat to go west to Zhangzhou.Unexpectedly, after only a few tens of li, there was a sudden chaos in the four villages, a group of thieves rushed onto the boat, and without any explanation, they killed the teacher.Fortunately, Zhang Chaotang's master and servant knew the nature of water, so they jumped into the water to escape for their lives, so they were saved from a knife.
The two hid in the countryside for three days, and heard that the hungry people from the four villages gathered to attack Zhangzhou and Xiamen.This only frightened Zhang Chaotang to be full of ambitions, and he turned into nothing.Seeing that the country is in danger and uninhabitable, it is better to go home quickly.At that time Xiamen could no longer go to Xiamen. After discussing with the master and the servant, they decided to go west to Guangzhou by land, and then go out to sea by sea.The two bought two horses, trembling with fear, inquired along the way, and headed to Guangdong.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with the journey. After passing through Nanjing and Pinghe, we came to Sanheba, which is already in the border of Guangdong Province. After passing through Meizhou and Shuikou, we walked westward.Zhang Chaotang had heard that Guangdong was a land of prosperity, but all he saw along the way was starving people. He thought that China is vast and rich in resources, and the lives of the people are tied to the front line. Luni is just a small overseas country, but men, women, old and young live and work in peace and contentment. sigh.I thought that China's mountains and rivers are majestic, and those who see them will never get one, but it is so precarious, so I go to sing and sleep under the coconut trees in the mud, and I am much more comfortable.
This day, they passed Hongtuzhang, the mountain road was rugged, and it was getting late. The two became anxious and urged their horses to gallop.He ran for more than ten miles in one breath, and arrived at a small town. The master and servant were overjoyed, and wanted to find an inn to stay overnight, but they didn't know that there was no one in the quiet town.Zhang Kang got off his horse, walked outside an inn with the signboard of "Yuedong Inn", and shouted loudly: "Hello, shopkeeper, shopkeeper!" The shop was against the mountain, and the valley responded, only to hear "Hello, shopkeeper, shopkeeper! " echoed, but there was no movement in the shop.At this moment, a gust of north wind blew, making the sound of hunting, both of them felt creepy.
Zhang Chaotang pulled out his sword and rushed into the store, only to see two corpses lying on the ground in the courtyard, bleeding a pool of black blood, flies flying around the corpses.The rancid smell was tangy, and it seemed that the two had been dead for many days.Zhang Kang yelled in horror, turned around and fled out of the shop.
Zhang Chaotang looked around and saw that the boxes and cages were scattered everywhere, the doors and windows were broken, as if they had been looted by bandits.Zhang Kang saw that the master did not come out, so he went back into the shop step by step.Zhang Chaotang said: "Look elsewhere." He went to three more shops, and every one of them was like this.Some female corpses were naked, apparently having been raped and then killed.In a small town, there is a gloomy wind everywhere, and the smell of corpses bursts out.The two dared not stay, and hurriedly mounted their horses and headed west.
The master and the servant walked for more than ten miles. It was completely dark, hungry and afraid, and Zhang Kang suddenly said, "Young master, look!" Zhang Chaotang followed his fingers and saw a little fire in the distance. , Xi said: "Let's spend the night."
The two left the avenue and walked towards the fire, the road became narrower as they walked.Zhang Chaotang suddenly said: "If it is a den of thieves, wouldn't it be a dead end?" Zhang Kang was startled, and said, "Then don't go." Go quietly and take a look." Dismounted from the horse, tied the horse to a roadside tree, and tiptoed towards the fire.
As he got closer, he saw two thatched huts. Zhang Chaotang wanted to peek in through the window, when suddenly a dog barked loudly and rushed over.Zhang Chaotang waved his saber, the dog didn't dare to approach, it just barked.
When the door opened, an old woman came out, holding an oil lamp in her hand, and asked tremblingly.Zhang Chaotang said: "We are passing guests and want to spend the night at the house." The old woman hesitated a little, and said, "Please come in." Zhang Chaotang walked into the hut, and saw that there was only an earthen bed in the room, and there were no tables and chairs.An old man was lying on the bed, coughing constantly.Zhang Chaotang ordered Zhang Kang to bring the horse.Zhang Kang thought of the tragic situation of the dead he had just seen, and he hesitated to go out.The old man got out of bed and accompanied him to lead the horse and tie it to the house.The old woman took out some corn cakes to serve the guests, and boiled a pot of hot water for them to drink.
Zhang Chaotang ate a cornbread and asked, "The town ahead has killed a lot of people, what kind of gang did it?" The old man sighed, and said, "What kind of gang? Are the bandits so ruthless? That's what the officers and soldiers did." Good thing." Zhang Chaotang was taken aback, and said: "Officers and soldiers? How could officers and soldiers be so lawless, rape and plunder? Are their chiefs ignoring it?"
The old man sneered, and said: "It seems that you are the first time to go out, young gentleman, and you don't know anything about the world. Sir? Sir, take the lead. He will take the good things first, and he will take the good-looking girls first." " Zhang Chaotang said: "Why don't the common people sue the government?" The old man said: "What's the use of suing? Once you sue, nine out of ten you will have to pay for your own life." Zhang Chaotang said: "What do you say?" The old man said: "Isn't that the official's mutual protection? Don't say that the official will not approve your case, and even put you in jail. If you have no money to be filial, don't even think about it."
Zhang Chaotang couldn't help shaking his head, and asked again: "What are the officers and soldiers doing in the mountains?" The old man said: "It is said that they are here to suppress bandits and thieves, but in fact, eight out of ten of the thieves in the mountains are forced to die by the government. The officers and soldiers went to the countryside to catch the robbers, took them captive for a while, and then killed some ordinary people indiscriminately, and brought their heads up to repay their meritorious service, and made a fortune, so they could be promoted.” The old man gritted his teeth and coughed continuously.The old lady kept gesturing to him, telling him to stop talking, lest Zhang Chaotang would know the official family and cause trouble by talking too much.
Zhang Chaotang was unhappy when he heard this, and he didn't expect the world situation to be so corrupt. He thought to himself: "Daddy often said that China is a country of cultural relics and etiquette. Kings and Taoists are enlightened. They don't pick up lost things on the road, and they don't close their doors at night. Everyone respects faith and harmony, benevolence, righteousness and love. Seeing it today, it is completely different. , is far worse than the barbarian land of Luni Country." After sighing for a while, he fell asleep on a bench.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he suddenly heard the sound of dogs barking outside the door, followed by someone shouting and swearing angrily, and banging on the door violently.The old woman got out of bed to open the door, but the old man stopped him by shaking his hand, and said softly to Zhang Chaotang: "My lord, go and hide behind."
Zhang Chaotang and Zhang Kang walked to the back of the house and smelled a fresh smell of straw, thinking it was where the firewood was piled up, they huddled in the pile of straw.There was a rattling sound, the door was knocked down, and a person yelled, "Why don't you open the door?" Without waiting for an answer, there was a slap, and someone slapped the face.
The old woman said: "Master, I... our old couple are old and confused, our ears are not good, so we didn't hear it." Unexpectedly, another slap was slapped on the face, and the man cursed: "If you don't hear it, you should hit it. Kill the chicken and do it!" Food for four." The old man said: "We are all starving to death, how can there be any chickens?" There was a bang, as if the old man was pushed to the ground, and the old woman began to cry.
Another voice said: "Old Wang, forget it. I ran for a whole day today and only received three taels of tax money. Everyone is unhappy. It is useless for you to vent your anger on him." The old king said: " This kind of person, you don’t have to force it? Is it not that I broke the dog’s leg of the countryman, would these old folks be willing to take it out?” Another hoarse voice said: “These countrymen also Really, I’m so poor that there are only a dozen or so grains of rice in the rice jar, no matter how realistic it is, I can’t force anything out, but the old man has to scold our brothers for being useless..."
While talking, Zhang Chaotang's horse suddenly neighed.A few servants were startled, and went out to check. They saw two horses, and they started talking, saying that the horse riders would spend the night in the house.
Zhang Chaotang was shocked, pulled Zhang Kang's hand, and slipped out through the back door gently.One foot was high and the other was low, they walked around in the mountains, and they were relieved when they saw that no one was chasing them. Fortunately, the silver and Zhang Kang they brought were carried on their backs.
The two of them hid in the bushes for a whole night, and waited for the sky to brighten before slowly touching the avenue.The master and servant traveled more than ten miles, and discussed to buy the walking power in the town ahead.Zhang Kang couldn't help scolding Tolerance for harming people.Just as they were cursing happily, suddenly four servants walked up the slanting path, holding a chain and iron ruler in their hands, and the two behind each led a horse, which was their mount.
Zhang Chaotang and Zhang Kang looked at each other, it was too late to avoid them, so they had to pretend nothing happened and continue walking.
The four Tolerances couldn't stop looking at them, and one Tolerance with a sultry face squinted and asked, "Hey, friend, what are you doing?"
When Zhang Chaotang heard the accent, it was the old Wang who beat someone last night.Zhang Kang took a step forward and said, "That's our son, who is going to study in Guangzhou."
Old Wang grabbed it, grabbed the package on his back with his hands, opened it, and saw that it was full of gold and silver, he couldn't help being surprised, and shouted: "What son? You two are not good people! These Where did the gold and silver come from? It must have been stolen and defrauded, okay, now I have the stolen goods, come with me to see the old man." Seeing that the two were young and easy to deceive, he wanted to scare them away.Unexpectedly, Zhang Kang said: "Our young master is a high-ranking foreign official, and the magistrate must be polite when he sees him. It would be the best thing to see you grand lord!"
Hearing this, a middle-aged official frowned, thinking that there might be future troubles in this matter, so he would not stop doing anything, so he simply killed the two young children, and after making a fortune, he suddenly drew a knife and stabbed Zhang Kang. hack away.Zhang Kang was terrified, he quickly retracted his head, and the knife passed over his head.He stood up to block the tolerance, and shouted: "Young master, run away." Zhang Chaotang turned and ran.
Tolerance made another backhand strike, this time Zhang Kang took precautions and dodged sideways, but still missed.Both the master and the servant ran away with their lives.Four tolerance officers held weapons and chased after them, yelling.
Zhang Chaotang is usually pampered, and he is frightened, so he can't run fast. Seeing that he is about to be overtaken by Tolerance, he suddenly gallops towards him on horseback.Seeing someone coming, the middle-aged Tolerance shouted loudly: "Reverse, rebellious, bold thief, how dare you resist arrest?" Several other Tolerances also shouted: "Catch the robber, catch the robber." Bandits, who would dare to intervene if they wanted to kill someone?
The horse riding in front of him was getting closer and closer.Immediately, the passengers saw the two people in front running away, and the four tolerance officers in the back yelled and chased after them, thinking that they really wanted to catch a strong man.Urging the horse to gallop, he rushed to Zhang Chaotang's master and servant, leaned over and stretched his arms, one hand in each hand, grabbed the back collar of the two men, and lifted them up.The four tolerance officers also arrived panting.
Immediately, the rider threw Zhang Chaotang's master and servant on the ground, and said with a smile, "the robber has caught it." He jumped off the horse.This man was tall and tall, with a loud voice and a thick beard. He was about forty years old.
Seeing his agility and strength, the four servants thanked him with a smile, and pulled Zhang Chaotang's master and servant up.
The horse rider saw that Zhang Chaotang was dressed in Confucian clothes, and Zhang Kang was dressed in green clothes and a small hat. He was a book boy, who looked like a robber, so he couldn't help being startled.Zhang Kang shouted: "Heroes help! They want to seek wealth and kill their lives." The man shouted: "What are you doing?" Zhang Kang shouted: "This is my son. He is going to Guangzhou to catch the exam..." Before he finished speaking, Has been held down by a tolerance.
The middle-aged tolerance said to the rider, "brother, go your own way, and don't worry about our yamen's business." The rider said, "let go of your hand and let him talk." Zhang Chaotang said, "in the next session Scholar, if you don't have the strength to restrain a chicken, how can you be a strong man..." A tolerance shouted: "You need to talk too much?" Turning around, he slapped him.
The rider swung his whip, and the leather rope on the whip was wrapped around Tolerance's wrist, but he didn't strike with the palm.The horse rider asked, "What's the matter?" Zhang Kang said, "My son is going to Guangzhou to take an examination for a scholar. He met these four people. When they saw our silver, they wanted to kill people." At this point, he knelt down and called Said: "Heroes help!"
The rider asked the Tolerance, "Is this true?" All the Tolerances sneered and did not answer.The old king stood behind him, and when he didn't realize it, he suddenly raised his knife and chopped off his head.
Hearing this, the horse rider heard the wind blowing in the back of his head, let alone turning his head, he turned slightly to the left, his right foot swept out, hit Lao Wang's shin, and kicked him a few steps away.The remaining three servants shouted: "The real robber is here." Two raised their iron rulers, and one waved an iron chain, and besieged the riders.
Seeing that he was unarmed, Zhang Chaotang couldn't help worrying secretly.The horse rider was not afraid, dodging left and right, but the weapons of the three tolerances could not hurt him.The old king stood up, swung his saber and stepped forward to attack.The horse rider yelled, and Pharaoh was taken aback. He missed the cut with the knife, and the horse rider punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed.Lao Wang only cared about protecting his pain, covered his face with his hands, and with a clang, the sword fell from his hand.The rider on horseback snatched the sword, swung it back, and slashed the right shoulder of a Tolerance holding an iron ruler.With a weapon in his hand, he was like a tiger with wings added. When the knife flashed, Tolerance, who was holding an iron chain, was stabbed in his left leg and fell to the ground.The remaining one Tolerance did not dare to fight any more, regardless of his companion's life or death, he and Lao Wang fled as fast as they could.The horse rider laughed loudly, threw the single knife to the ground, and jumped on the horseback.
Zhang Chaotang hurriedly stepped forward to thank him, and asked for his name.Seeing the two servants lying on the ground whining and screaming in pain, the rider glared at him and said, "This is not a place to talk, let's talk after getting on the horse." Zhang Kang led the horse, and the three of them walked side by side.
Zhang Chaotang said his family name.The horse rider said: "It turned out to be Mr. Zhang. My surname is Yang, and my name is Pengju. People in the rivers and lakes call it Moyun Jinchi. He is the head of the Martial Arts Escort." People are dead."
Yang Pengju said: "This area is really chaotic, soldiers and bandits can't be separated, young master should go back to foreign countries as soon as possible. I'm going to Guangzhou now, if young master doesn't mind, we can go together."
Zhang Chaotang was overjoyed and thanked him again and again.For the past few days, he has been frightened and restless, now he has to travel with an escort, and seeing his martial arts skills just now, he felt very relieved.
The three of them traveled more than 20 miles, but they couldn't find a top-notch store.Yang Pengju was carrying dry food with him, and he took it out and shared it with the two of them.Zhang Kang found a broken earthen jar, picked up some dry firewood, and wanted to boil some water to drink, when suddenly someone behind him shouted: "The robber is here!" Splash on firewood.
Yang Pengju turned his head and saw that the Tolerance who had escaped just now led the way, led more than ten soldiers, and came on horseback.Yang Pengju shouted: "Get on your horse quickly." The three of them got on their horses hastily.Yang Pengju let the two of them go first, drew out the single sword hanging beside the saddle, and covered behind.All the sergeants shouted: "Catch the robber!" They rushed after them on horseback.
Yang Pengju and others fled for a while. Seeing the pursuers approaching, the sergeants shot arrows one after another.Yang Pengju swung his knife to dial, and suddenly saw a fork in the road ahead, and shouted: "Take the path!" Zhang Chaotang galloped towards the path, Zhang Kang and Yang Pengju followed, and the pursuers did not relax.The tolerance yelled: "Chasing, the robber was caught, everyone will share his gold and silver."
Yang Pengju simply reined in his horse, shouted, and chopped off with a knife.The officer backed away in fright, while the rest of the sergeants were stabbing with their guns.Yang Pengju was outnumbered, he was shot in the leg during the scuffle, although he was only slightly wounded, he didn't dare to fight anymore.Clamping his legs, he lifted the reins and galloped forward, cutting off the left arm of a sergeant with a knife.The rest of the soldiers backed away in fright, and Yang Peng went back to Ma Shun Xiaolu and galloped.Seeing him running away, all the soldiers were courageous and shouted to chase him.
In a short while Yang Pengju had caught up with Zhang's master and servant, the road became narrower, all the soldiers feared Yang Pengju's bravery and did not dare to get very close.
The three of them galloped on horseback for a while, the mountain path was curved, the shouts of the pursuers could be heard clearly, but no one was there.Three small forks suddenly appeared in front of the gallop, Yang Peng raised his hand and shouted: "Get off the horse!" The three of them led the horse into the bushes and hid, and the pursuers had arrived in a while.The tolerance hesitated for a moment, and led the sergeant to a fork in the road.
Yang Pengju said: "They have been chasing for a while and have disappeared, so they must turn around. Let's go quickly." Tear off the skirt of the clothes to wrap up the injured leg, and the three of them got on their horses and galloped to another fork in the road.
Not long after, the sound of chasing soldiers came from behind again, Yang Pengju was very anxious.Seeing three tile-roofed houses in front of the house, a farmer was digging the ground, so he dismounted and walked up to the farmer, saying, "Brother, there are officers and soldiers behind us trying to kill us, please find a place to hide." The farmer just hoeed the ground. , I didn't seem to hear him speak.Zhang Chaotang also dismounted and appealed. The farmer looked up at them carefully.At this time, the sound of cow's hooves trampling the soil came from the bushes ahead, and a shepherd boy came out riding on the back of the cow.The shepherd boy was about ten years old, with a small braid tied with a red string on the top of his head. He had a dark complexion, a smile, and a pair of big eyes that were piercing.The farmer said to the shepherd boy: "You take the horses to the mountains to graze grass, and come back after dark." The little shepherd boy glanced at Zhang Chaotang and the other three, and said, "Okay!" He took the three horses and left. Yang Pengju didn't know what the farmer's intention was, but there seemed to be a sense of power in his words and expressions, and he didn't dare to say anything to stop the shepherd boy from leading the horse.At this time, the sound of chasing soldiers got closer, and Zhang Chaotang said anxiously, "What should I do, what should I do?" The farmer said: "Follow me." He led the three of them into the house.There are wooden tables and benches in the hall, and coir raincoats and plowshares hanging on the wall. They are clean and tidy, unlike ordinary farmhouses.The farmer went straight to the back, and the three of them followed, walked across the courtyard, and came to a bedroom.The farmer raised the curtain and exposed the wall.Stretching out his hand and pushing against the wall, a big rock fell in, and a hole appeared in the wall.The farmer said: "Go in!" The three of them entered as they said, and it turned out to be a spacious cave.This house was built against the mountain, just before the cave, if the house was not demolished, no one would have guessed that there was such a hiding place. The three of them hid, and the farmer closed the secret door and went out to hoe the ground by himself.Not a moment later, Tolerance Pharaoh had led his soldiers to catch up.The old king yelled at the farmer: "Hey, are there three people riding past here?" The farmer pointed to the side of the path and said, "It's already gone!" The tolerance sergeant ran seven or eight miles away, but without seeing Zhang Chaotang and others, he turned his horse's head and came to ask again.The farmer pretended to be deaf and dumb, and couldn't speak clearly.A sergeant scolded: "Damn it, what's the point of asking this idiot? Let's go!" The group chased another fork in the road. Zhang Chaotang, Yang Pengju, and Zhang Kang hid in the cave, and faintly heard the sound of galloping horses.After a while, the sound disappeared, and the farmer never came to open the door.Yang Pengju became anxious and pulled the door hard. After pushing for a long time, the Shimen didn't move at all.The three had to sit on the ground and take a nap.Yang Peng raised his wound in pain and couldn't stop cursing the sergeant Tolerance. I don't know how many hours later, the stone door suddenly opened with a creaking sound, letting in light.The farmer held a candlestick and said, "Come out and eat." Yang Pengju jumped up first and walked out, and Zhang's master and servant walked to the hall afterward.I saw hot food on the table, besides the big pot of vegetables and tofu, there were actually two fat chickens.Yang Pengju and Zhang's master and servant were secretly happy. In addition to the farmer and shepherd boy seen during the day, there were three other people in the hall, all dressed as farmers.Zhang Chaotang and Yang Peng raised their hands to thank each other, said their own names, and then asked each other's names. A clear-faced farmer in his fifties said: "The villain's surname is Ying." Pointing to the human who guided them to hide during the day, he said: "This is Zhu." A very tall and thin man called himself Ni, and a fat and short man The short one said his surname was Luo.Zhang Chaotang said: "I also said that you are a family, so you don't have the same surname." The surname answered: "We are all good friends." Seeing that they didn't talk much, Zhang Chaotang looked awe-inspiring and behaved dignifiedly, not like ordinary farmers.Those surnamed Zhu and Ni were particularly powerful, while the one surnamed Ying was elegant, like a scholar who had read poetry and books, and they all spoke northern mandarin.Zhang Chaotang tried a few words, but the only one whose surname should be no was no, and he didn't say anything. After dinner, the surname Ying asked why the officers and soldiers were chasing him, and Zhang Chaotang said it all.He spoke eloquently, describing the miserable conditions he saw on the way, and all kinds of abhorrent situations in which the tolerance oppressed the people and falsely accused them of being robbers.The man surnamed Ni was so angry that he slapped the table violently, his eyebrows were all open, and he wanted to curse.The surname Ying winked, but he fell silent. Zhang Chaotang also talked about how Yang Pengju came to help, and complimented him greatly for a while.Yang Pengju was very proud, and said: "What is this? I think I killed the three murderers in Poyang alone in Jiangxi, that's called showing my face." He talked about how critical the situation was at that time, how brave he was, and how he won the defeat. Foam flies.The more he talked, the more complacent he was, bragging about his encounters in the Jianghu for more than ten years, adding fuel to the sauce, saying that he was a hero and invincible in the world.He kept talking about the deeds of the world.Zhang Chaotang had never heard of it, and was very interested. Zhang Kang had a childish temper, and wondered and asked again and again. When Yang Pengju talked about martial arts later, he raised his hands and feet, and made gestures while talking.A few farmers seemed not to be very pleased with what they heard, and the fat man surnamed Luo yawned and said, "It's getting late, everyone, go to bed!" The little shepherd boy went to close the door, and Zhu took out a big stone from the dark place and put it behind the door.When Yang Pengju saw it, he couldn't help gasping, and said to himself: "This man has great strength, this stone weighs at least three hundred catties, and he can lift it around effortlessly." The surname Ying saw that his expression was different, and said: "There are many tigers in the mountains, and sometimes they break into the door in the middle of the night, so we have to block the door with stones." That night Zhang Chaotang was in the same room with Yang Pengju and Zhang Kang.Zhang Kang fell asleep immediately after putting his pillow on his pillow.Zhang Chaotang thought of the turmoil of this trip, he was terrified in vain, wondering if it would be dangerous to go to Guangzhou.The tide of thought was ups and downs, and it was difficult to fall asleep for a while.After a while, the sound of books was suddenly heard, and the little shepherd boy began to read. Zhang Chaotang listened carefully, the sound of the book seemed to be about a battle in a military formation, he couldn't help being curious, put on his clothes and got out of bed, and walked to the hall.I saw bright candles on the table, and the little shepherd boy was reading by himself.The one surnamed Ying sat aside to teach. When he saw him coming out, he just nodded to him, then lowered his head and pointed to the book to explain. Zhang Chaotang approached and saw a few books on the table. He picked it up and saw that there were four words "Ji Xiaoxin Book" written on it. It turned out to be the art of war written by General Qi Jiguang of this dynasty.Zhang Chaotang also heard about Qi Jiguang's name in Luni country. He knew that he was a famous general who defeated Japanese pirates. Later, he guarded Jizhou. Zhang Chaotang said to the surname Ying: "You are definitely not ordinary people, but you don't know why you live here in seclusion. Can you tell me?" The surname Ying said: "We are ordinary people, farming and hunting, reading and writing, that is the most common thing. Why do you think it is strange? Is it true that only the sons of officials can study?" Zhang Chaotang thought to himself: "It turns out that ordinary peasants in the middle land are also educated like this, and they are not comparable to people from barbaric countries." He admired him very much and said: " Excuse me," and went back to sleep. He fell into a sleepy sleep for a while, and suddenly felt someone push him, woke up and sat up, only to hear Yang Pengju whisper: "I'm afraid this is a cottage, let's go!" Zhang Chaotang was shocked, and asked in a low voice: "How is it?" Yang Peng lit a candle, walked to a wooden box, lifted the lid and said, "Look." Zhang Chaotang took a look and saw that the box was full of gold, silver and jewels. He was startled and kept silent. Yang Peng gave him the candle holder, moved the wooden box, and there was another wooden box underneath, and stretched out his hand to twist the copper lock on the box.Zhang Chaotang said: "Don't look at the privacy of others, I'm afraid you will cause trouble." Yang Pengju said: "The smell here is weird." Zhang Chaotang asked quickly: "What kind of smell?" Yang Pengju said: "Blood smell." Yang Pengju twisted the lock, listened to the silence outside the room, opened the lid of the box, and moved closer to the candlestick to take a picture, the two were stunned in shock. There are two heads in the box, one has been cut off for a long time, the blood has turned black, but it has not rotted.The other one was newly cut.The two heads are marinated with lime and medicinal materials, so they are both male and female, and they look the same.Yang Pengju has been through the rivers and lakes for a long time, so he couldn't help feeling weak, Zhang Chaotang couldn't speak. Yang Pengju gently put the box back and put it away, and said, "Go!" He pushed Zhang Kang to wake up on the kang, and touched the hall.The three of them tiptoed to the door, Yang Pengju touched the boulder, complained secretly, tried his best, how could he move it?Just about a foot away, suddenly the flames flickered, and the man surnamed Zhu came out holding a candlestick. Yang Peng raised his hand to press the handle of the knife, knowing that he was invincible, in this situation, he had no choice but to brace himself and fight.However, the surname Zhu ignored it and said, "Are you leaving?" He stretched out his hand and lifted the big stone aside, and opened the door. Yang Pengju and Zhang Chaotang didn't dare to say more, they murmured a few words of thanks, bowed their heads and went out, got on their horses and galloped westward. After running for more than ten miles, he was expected to be out of danger.Feeling relieved, suddenly there was a sound of horseshoes behind, and someone shouted sharply: "Hey, stop, stop!" Suddenly, a black shadow flickered, and a man passed by the horse, scrambling in front of him. With a move of his hand, Yang Peng raised his mount in surprise, hissed, and stood up.Yang Pengju brandished his knife and slashed at the man.The man unleashed several moves with his bare hands, suddenly leaped high, stretched out his left fist and knocked down Yang Pengju's right temple.Yang Peng raised his single sword and "crossed the golden beam" and slashed at his arm.Unexpectedly, that person's fist was a false move, he turned his fist into a palm on the way, before he landed, he had hooked Yang Peng and raised his wrist, shouting: "Get down!" He dragged him off the horse, snatched the sword from his hand, and threw it underground. When Xingguang Xiwei saw that person, it was the farmer surnamed Zhu. The man said coldly: "Go back!" Turning around, he got on his horse and left first, ignoring whether the three of them followed.Yang Pengju knew that it was useless to resist and he couldn't escape, so he got on his horse obediently, and the three of them followed him back. As soon as he entered the door, he saw bright candles in the hall, the little shepherd boy and the other three were sitting and waiting for each other, their expressions solemn, without saying a word. Yang Pengju thought to himself that he would die, so he decided to be more stubborn, and said boldly: "Uncle Yang is in your hands today, you can kill him if you want, no need to say anything." The one surnamed Zhu said: "Brother Ying, what do you think should be done?" The one surnamed Ying fell silent.The one surnamed Ni said: "Master Zhang let the master and servant go, and slaughtered the one surnamed Yang." The one surnamed Ying said: "This man surnamed Yang worked as a bodyguard and was a lackey of the rich. , I finally did a good deed, so I will spare his life. Brother Luo, cancel his two tricks." The one surnamed Luo stood up, and Yang Pengju's expression changed miserably. Zhang Chaotang didn't understand the sayings in Jianghu, he didn't know that "abolishing the trick" meant to pluck out the eyes, but seeing the expressions of everyone, he presumably wanted to hurt Yang Pengju.Just about to plead for mercy, the little shepherd boy said: "Uncle Ying, I think he is very pitiful, let him be spared!" The person surnamed Ying looked at each other, paused, and said to Yang Pengju: "Since someone pleaded for you, why not, can you make an oath that you will never reveal a word about what you saw tonight? " Yang Pengju was overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "I didn't intend to spy on what happened tonight, but since I saw it, I blame Yang for being blind and ignorant of all heroes. I swear to keep my mouth shut about your affairs. If you violate this oath in the future, heaven and earth will perish. Died terribly." The surname Ying said: "Okay, we can trust you as a man, you can go." Yang Peng raised his hand and turned to leave.The man surnamed Ni suddenly stood up and shouted sharply, "Do you want to leave like this?" Yang Pengju was taken aback, understood what he meant, smiled wryly, and said, "Okay, please lend me a knife." The surname Zhu pulled out a sharp knife from under the table, and threw it lightly.Yang Peng raised his hand to catch it, walked a few steps closer, put his left hand flat on the table, cut off two fingers with a swishing knife, and said with a smile: "You are a bachelor who works all the time, this matter has nothing to do with Mr. Zhang..." Everyone saw that his hands were bleeding profusely, but he still stood up, and they all admired his courage.The surname Ni gave a thumbs up and said, "Okay, that's the end of tonight's affairs." Turning around and entering, he took out the knife wound medicine and a white cloth, stopped the bleeding, and bound the wound. Yang Pengju didn't want to stay any longer, turned to Zhang Chaotang and said, "Let's go." Seeing his pale face, Zhang Chaotang was in extreme pain, and wanted to tell him to rest here, but he couldn't say anything. The surname Ying said: "Mr. Zhang is from thousands of miles away. We are very sorry for scaring the distant guests. Don't let you go back to foreign countries and say that we Chinese people are vicious people. This friend Yang is also very bachelor. I'll give you this." He took out a piece from his bag and handed it to Zhang Chaotang. Zhang Chaotang took it and took a look. It was a bamboo tablet with the word "Shanzong" branded on it, and some patterns were branded on the back of the card, but it didn't seem to be of any use. The surname Ying said: "The world is in chaos right now. You, a frail scholar, should not wander around outside. I advise you to go home quickly. If you encounter any danger on the road these days, it may be of some use to take out this bamboo card." A few years... Alas, maybe ten years, twenty years, you have heard that Middle-earth is peaceful, so let’s come again. Fame and fame in troubled times are useless, but turn into trouble.” Zhang Chaotang looked at the bamboo tablet again, but he didn't see anything special about it, he didn't believe it had any mysterious magic power, thought it was an auspicious thing, thanked it casually, and handed it to Zhang Kang to put it in his pocket.The three said their goodbyes, got on their horses and walked slowly.Going back to the place where he and the surnamed Zhu fought just now, he saw the steel knife lying on the ground, gleaming, Yang Pengju picked it up, thinking: "I boast that I am a hero, but it is worthless to touch it in other people's hands!" At dawn, when he arrived in a small town, Zhang Chaotang found an inn, and let Yang Pengju sleep peacefully for a day and a night, and then went on his way again the next morning.At noon, after hitting the tip, I got on the horse and traveled for more than 20 miles.Suddenly, at the sound of hoofbeats, a horse galloped towards him, passed by, glanced at the three of them, and left in a hurry.After traveling for five or six miles, the sound of horseshoes sounded again, and it was still the horseman chasing after him.This time both Yang Pengju and Zhang Chaotang could see clearly. Immediately, the man covered his head with a blue scarf, with a heroic look in his brows, passed by the three of them, and galloped forward. Zhang Chaotang said: "This man is strange. Why did he go and come back?" Yang Pengju said, "Mr. Zhang, you can run for your own life later, don't wait for me." Zhang Chaotang said in surprise, "Why? Is there another robber?" Yang Pengju said Said: "If we can't go five miles, there must be an accident, but we have no way out, we can only go forward." The three of them were anxious and moved forward slowly.只走了两里多路，只听得嘘哩哩一声，一支响箭射上天空，三乘马从林中蹿出，拦在当路。 杨鹏举催马上前，抱拳说道：“在下武会镖局姓杨，路经贵地，并非保镖，没向各位当家投帖拜谒。这位张相公来自外国，他是读书人，请各位高抬贵手，让一条道。”他在江湖上本来略有名头，手上武艺也自不弱，不过刚断了手指，又想这一带道上的朋友多半与姓应的是一伙，是以措词谦恭，好言相求。 三乘中当中一人双手空空，笑道：“我们少了盘缠，要借一百两银子。”他说的是浙南土话，杨鹏举和张朝唐愕然相对，不知他说些什么。 刚才骑马来回相探的那人喝道：“借一百两银子，懂了没有？”杨鹏举见他们如此无礼，不禁大怒，喝道：“要借银子，须凭本事！”当先那人喝道：“好！这本事值不值一百两银子？”从背上取下弹弓，叭叭叭，三粒弹子打上天空，等弹子势完落下，又是连珠三弹，六颗弹子在空中分成三对，互相撞得粉碎，变成碎泥纷纷下坠。 杨鹏举见到这神弹绝技，刚只一呆，突觉左腕剧痛，单刀当的一声落在地下，才知已给他弹子打中了手。 对面第三人持软鞭，纵马过来，一招“枯藤缠树”，向他腰间盘打而至。杨鹏举勒马避开。那人软鞭鞭头乘势在地下卷起单刀，抄在手中，长笑一声，纵马疾驰。掠过张康身边时，白光闪动，钢刀挥了两挥，已割断他背上包裹两端布条。他却毫不停留，催马向前。 包裹正从张康背上滑落，打弹子那人恰好驰到，手臂探出，不待包裹落地，已俯身提起，掂了掂重量，笑道：“多谢了。”转眼间三人跑得无影无踪。 杨鹏举只是叹气，无话可说。张康急道：“我们的盘费银两都在包裹，这……这……怎么回家呢？”杨鹏举道：“留下你这条小命，已算不错的啦，走着瞧吧。”三人垂头丧气地又行。 走不到一顿饭时分，忽然身后蹄声杂沓，回头望时，只见尘头起处，那三人又追了转来。杨鹏举和张朝唐都倒抽一口凉气，心想：“抢了金银也就罢了，难道当真还非要了性命不成？” 那三人驰到跟前，一齐滚鞍下马，当先一人抱拳说道：“原来是自己人，得罪，得罪。我们不知，多有冒犯，请勿见怪。”另一人双手托住包裹，交给张康。张康却不敢接，眼望主人。张朝唐点点头，张康这才接过。 当先那人道：“刚才听得这位言道，一位是杨镖头，一位是张公子，都是真姓么？”张朝唐道：“正是！”说了两人的姓名来历。 三人听了，均有诧异之色，互相望了一眼。当先那人说道：“在下姓黄，这两位是亲兄弟，姓刘。张公子，你早拿出竹牌来就好了，免得我们无礼。”张朝唐听了这话，才知道这块竹牌果真效力不小，心神不定之际，也不知说什么话好。 那姓黄的又道：“两位一定也是去圣峰嶂了，咱们一路走吧。” 张朝唐和杨鹏举都料想他们是一帮声势浩大的盗伙，远避之唯恐不及，怎敢再去招惹？张朝唐道：“我和这位朋友要赶赴广州，圣峰嶂是不去了。” 姓黄的脸带怒色道：“再过三天就是八月十六，我们千里迢迢地赶来粤东，你们到了这里，怎不上山？”上山做什么，八月十六是什么日子，张朝唐和杨鹏举两人全不知情，可是又不敢直认。张朝唐硬了头皮，说道：“兄弟家有急事，须得马上回去。” 姓黄的怒道：“上山也耽搁不了你两天。督师的忌辰你们过山不拜，算得什么山宗的朋友？”张朝唐更加摸不着头脑，不知“督师忌辰”和“山宗”是什么东西。 杨鹏举毕竟阅历多，情知圣峰嶂是非去不可的了。虽有凶险，也只有听天由命，而且瞧他们神色语气，也似并无恶意，便道：“三位既如此美意，我和张公子同上山去便是。”说着向张朝唐使个眼色，示意不可违拗。 姓黄的霁然色喜，笑道：“本来嘛，我想你们也不会这般不讲义气。” 六人结伴同行，一路打尖住店，都由那姓黄的出头，他只做几个手势，说了几句古里古怪的话，沿途饭馆客店便都不收钱，而且招待得加意的周到客气。 走了两天，前面一座高山耸立入云，姓黄的说道便是圣峰嶂。只见沿途劲装结束之人络绎不绝，都是向圣峰嶂而去，肥瘦高矮，各色各样的人都有，神色举止，显得都是武人。这些人与姓黄的以及刘氏兄弟大半熟识，见了面就执手道故。 张杨两人抱定宗旨决不再窥探别人隐私，见他们谈话，就站得远远的。杨鹏举听这些人招呼的声音南腔北调，辽东河朔，两湖川陕各地都有。瞧他们的行装打扮，大都是来自远地，人人都是风尘仆仆。张杨两人暗暗纳罕，又是栗栗危惧。 杨鹏举心想：“看来这些人是各地山寨的大盗，多半要聚众造反。我是身家清白的良民，跟众反贼混在一起，走又走不脱，真是倒霉之极了。” 这天晚上，张朝唐等歇在圣峰嶂山脚下的一所店房里，待次日一早上山。众人正要吃晚饭，忽然一人奔进店来，叫道：“孙相公到啦！”此言一出，店中客人十之八九都立即站起，涌出店去。杨鹏举一扯张朝唐的衣袖，说道：“瞧瞧去。” 走出店房，只见众人夹道垂手肃立，似在等什么人。过了一阵，西面山道上传来一阵马蹄声，众人都提高了脚跟张望，只见一个四十来岁的书生骑在马上，缓缓而来。他见众人站在道旁迎接，催马快行，驰到跟前，跳下马来。 那书生一路过来，和众人逐一点头招呼。他走到张朝唐跟前，见他也是书生打扮，微微一愕，双手一拱，问道：“这位是谁？”张朝唐道：“在下姓张，请教阁下尊姓大名。”那书生道：“在下姓孙，名仲寿。”张朝唐拱手说道：“久仰，久仰。”孙仲寿微微一笑，进店房去了。 晚饭过后，杨鹏举低声对张朝唐道：“这姓孙的书生相公显是很有权势。张公子，你去跟他说说，请他放咱们走。大家是读书人，话总容易说得通。” 张朝唐心想不错，踱到孙仲寿门口，咳嗽一声，举手敲门。只听到房里有诵读诗文之声，他敲了几下，读书声就停了。 房门打开，孙仲寿迎了出来，说道：“客店寂寞，张兄来谈谈，最好不过。”张朝唐一揖进去，见桌上放着一本摊开的手抄书本，一瞥之下，见写着“辽东”、“宁远”、“臣”、“皇上”等等字样，似是一篇奏章。张朝唐只怕又触人所忌，不敢多看，便坐了下来。 孙仲寿先请问他家世渊源，张朝唐据实说了。孙仲寿说道：“张兄这番可来得不巧了。中华朝政糜烂，不知何日方得清明。以兄弟之见，张兄还是暂回浡泥，俟中华圣天子在位，再来应试的为是。”张朝唐称是，说道正要归去。接着把自己如何躲避官差、杨鹏举如何相救、如何得到竹牌等事说了一遍，只是夜中见到箱内人头一事略去不提。 孙仲寿道：“我们在此相遇，可算有缘。明日张兄随小弟上山，也好知道我中土的一件千古奇冤。只要不向外人泄露此行所见所闻，小弟担保张兄决无灾害。”张朝唐谢了，却不敢多问。 孙仲寿问起浡泥国人的风土人情，听张朝唐所述，皆是闻所未闻，喟然说道：“不知几时我中华百姓才得如浡泥国一般，安居乐业，不忧温饱，共享太平之福？” 两人直谈到二更天时，张朝唐才告别回房。杨鹏举已等得十分心焦，听他转告了孙仲寿之言，才放下了心。
次日正是中秋佳节，张朝唐、杨鹏举和张康随着大众一早上山。中午时分，半山里有十多人担着饭菜等候，都是素菜，众人吃了，休息一阵，继续再行。 此后一路都有人把守，盘查甚严。查到张杨三人时，孙仲寿点一点头，把守的人便不问了。张朝唐暗叫：“好险！要是昨晚没跟他这一夕谈话，今日是死是活，实所难料。” 傍晚时分，已到山顶，数百名汉子排队相迎。 山上疏疏落落有数十间房屋，最大的一座似是所寺庙。这些屋宇模样也甚平常，并无碉堡望楼等守御设施，不像是盗帮山寨。 杨鹏举在山下见了众人的势派，料想山上建构必定雄伟威武，壁垒森严，哪知浑不是这么回事，暗暗称奇。他在江湖上混了十多年，见闻算得广博，这一次却半点摸不着头脑。更有一桩奇事，这些人万里来会，瞧各人神情亲密，都是知交好友，但相见时却殊无欢愉之意，并不大声谈笑，每人神色间都显悲戚愤慨。 张杨三人给引进一间小房，一会儿送进饭菜。四盘都是素菜。张朝唐和杨鹏举悄悄议论，猜不透这些人到底在干什么，对孙仲寿所说“千古奇冤”云云，更难明所指。 次日张杨二人起身后，用过早点，在山边漫步，只见到处都是长大汉子。有的头上疤痕累累，有的断手折足，个个是身经百战、饱历风霜的模样。张杨两人怕生事惹祸，走了一会便即回房，不再出去。这天整日吃的仍是素菜。杨鹏举肚里暗骂：“他妈的贼强盗死了老祖宗，叫老子吃这般嘴里淡出鸟来的青菜豆腐。” 傍晚时分，忽听得钟声嘡嘡。不久一名汉子走进房来，说道：“孙相公请两位到殿上观礼。”张杨二人跟他出去。张康也想跟去，那人道：“小兄弟，你早些睡吧。” 张杨二人随着他绕过几间瓦屋，来到寺庙之前。张朝唐抬头看时，见一块横匾上写着“忠烈祠”三个大字，心想：“原来是座祠堂，不知供的是谁？”随着那汉子穿过前堂和院子，见两旁陈列着兵器架子，架上刀枪斧钺、叉矛戟鞭，十八般兵刃一应俱全，都擦得雪亮耀眼。 来到大殿，但见殿上黑压压地坐满了人，总有两三千之众。张杨二人暗暗心惊，不料想这荒山之上，竟聚集了这许多人。 张朝唐抬头看时，只见殿中塑着一座神像，本朝文官装束，但头戴金盔，身穿绯袍，外加黄色罩甲，左手捧着一柄宝剑，右手手执令旗。那神像脸容清癯，三绺长须，状貌威严，身子稍侧，目视远方，眉梢眼角之间，似乎带有忧思。神像两侧供着两排灵位。张朝唐隔得远了，看不清楚神主上所书的名讳。大殿四壁挂满了旌旗、盔甲、兵刃、马具之类，旌旗或黄或白、或红或蓝，也有黄色镶红边的，有的是白色镶红边。 张朝唐满腹狐疑，但见满殿人众容色悲戚，肃静无声。忽然神像旁一个身材瘦长的汉子站了起来，点烛执香，高声叫道：“致祭。”殿上登时黑压压地跪得满地，张朝唐和杨鹏举也只得跟着跪下。 孙仲寿越众而前，捧住祭文朗诵起来。杨鹏举不懂祭文中文绉绉的说些什么，张朝唐却愈听愈惊。 只听得祭文文意甚是愤慨激昂，既把满清鞑子骂了个狗血淋头，而对当今崇祯皇帝竟也丝毫不留情面，说他“昏庸无道，不辨忠奸”、“刚愎自用，伤我元戎”、“自坏神州万里长城，甘为炎黄苗裔罪人”。对当今皇上如此肆口痛诋，岂不是公然要造反了吗？张朝唐听得惊疑不定。哪知祭文后面愈来愈凶，竟把崇祯皇帝的列祖列宗也骂了个痛快，什么“功勋盖世则魏公被毒，底定中土而青田受鸩”，那是说明太祖杀害徐达、刘基等功臣之事；后来又骂神宗乱征矿税，荼毒百姓；熹宗任用阉党，朝中清流君子，不是杀头，便是入狱，如熊廷弼等守土抗敌大臣，都惨遭杀害。 这篇祭文理直气壮，一字一句都打入张朝唐心坎里去，他虽远在外国，但中土大事，也曾知闻。祭文后半段是“我督师威震宁远，歼彼巨酋”等一大段颂扬武功的文字，更后来又再痛骂崇祯杀害忠良。 张朝唐听到这里，才知道这神像原来是连破清兵、击败清太祖努尔哈赤、使清人闻名丧胆的蓟辽督师袁崇焕。他抬头再看，见那神像栩栩如生，双目远瞩，似是痛惜异族入侵，占我河山，伤我黎民，恨不能复生而督师辽东，以御外侮。 这时祭文行将读完，张朝唐却听得更加心惊，原来祭文最后一段是与祭各人的誓言，立誓：“并诛明帝清酋，以雪此千古奇冤，而慰我督师在天之灵。”祭文读毕，赞礼的人唱道：“对督师神像暨列位殉难将军神主叩首。”众人俯身叩头。 一个幼童全身缟素，站在前列，转身伏在地下向众人还礼。张朝唐和杨鹏举又吃了一惊，原来这幼童便是那天农舍中所遇的小小牧童。 众人叩拜已毕，站起身来，都是泪痕满面，悲愤难禁。孙仲寿对张朝唐道：“张兄大才，小弟这篇祭文有何不妥之处，请予删削。”张朝唐连称：“不敢。”孙仲寿命人拿过文房四宝来，说道：“小弟邀张兄上山，便是要借重海外才子大手笔，于我袁督师的勋业更增光华。也好叫世人知道，袁督师蒙冤遭难，普天共愤，中外同悲，并非只是我们旧部的一番私心。” 张朝唐心想，你叫我上山，原来为此，不由得好生为难。袁崇焕被朝廷处死，是因崇祯糊涂昏庸，不明忠奸是非，听信奸臣和太监的挑拨，天下都知冤枉。自己在浡泥之时，也曾听得几个广东商人痛哭流涕地说起过。但既由皇帝下旨而明正典刑，再说冤枉，便是诽谤今上。皇帝若是知道了，一纸诏书来到浡泥国，连父亲都不免大受牵累。可是孙仲寿既这么说，在势又不能拒绝，情急之下，灵机忽动，想起在浡泥国时所看过的两部小说，一部是，一部是《精忠岳传》。他读书有限，不能如孙仲寿那么骈四骊六地大做文章，当下微一沉吟，振笔直书：“黄龙未捣，武穆蒙冤。汉祚待复，诸葛星殒。呜呼痛哉，伏维尚飨。”他说的是古人，万一这篇短短的祭文落入皇帝手中，也不能据此而定罪名。 孙仲寿本想他是一个海外士人，没什么学问，也写不出什么好句子来，只盼他称赞几句袁督师的功绩，也就是了，待见他写下了这六句，十分高兴。张朝唐把袁崇焕比之于诸葛亮和岳飞，自是推崇备至，无以复加。清人为金人后裔，皆为女真族，自称后金，满清初立国时，国号便仍称为“金”。岳飞与袁崇焕皆抗金有功而死于昏君奸臣之手，两人才略遭遇，颇有相同之处，倒不是胡乱瞎比的。 孙仲寿把这几句话向众人解释了，大家轰然致谢，对张杨两人神态登时便亲热得多，不再以外人相待了。孙仲寿道：“张兄文笔不凡，武穆诸葛这两句话，荣宠九泉。小弟待会叫他们刻在祠堂旁边的石上，要令后人得知，我们袁督师英名远播，连万里之外的异邦士民也尽皆仰慕。”张朝唐作揖逊谢。 各人叩拜已毕，各就原位坐下。那赞礼的人又喊了起来：“某某营某将军”、“某某镇某总兵”，喊了一个武将官衔，便有一人站起来大声说话。张朝唐听了官衔和言中之意，得知这些人都是袁崇焕的旧部。他被害之后，各人愤而离军，散处四方，今日是袁督师遭难的三周年忌辰，是以在他故乡广东东莞附近的圣峰嶂相聚，祭奠旧帅。听他们话中之意，似乎尚有什么重大图谋。 当赞礼人叫到“蓟镇副总兵朱安国”时，一人站了起来。张朝唐和杨鹏举都心头一震，原来这人便是引导他们躲入密室的那个农夫，杨鹏举心想：“原来他是抗清的蓟辽大将，那么我败在他手里，也不枉了。” 只听他朗声说道：“袁公子这三年来身子壮健，武艺大有进步，书也读了不少，我和倪、罗两位兄弟的武功已尽数传给了他，请各位另推明师。”孙仲寿道：“咱们兄弟中，还有谁武功更高得过你们三位的，朱将军不必太谦。”朱安国道：“袁公子学武聪明得很，我们三个已掏完了袋底身家，真的没货色啦，的确要另请名师，以免耽误他功夫。”孙仲寿道：“好吧，这事待会儿再议，诛奸的事怎么了？”
Not long after, the sound of chasing soldiers came from behind again, Yang Pengju was very anxious.Seeing three tile-roofed houses in front of the house, a farmer was digging the ground, so he dismounted and walked up to the farmer, saying, "Brother, there are officers and soldiers behind us trying to kill us, please find a place to hide." The farmer just hoeed the ground. , I didn't seem to hear him speak.Zhang Chaotang also dismounted and appealed. The farmer looked up at them carefully.At this time, the sound of cow's hooves trampling the soil came from the bushes ahead, and a shepherd boy came out riding on the back of the cow.The shepherd boy was about ten years old, with a small braid tied with a red string on the top of his head. He had a dark complexion, a smile, and a pair of big eyes that were piercing.The farmer said to the shepherd boy: "You take the horses to the mountains to graze grass, and come back after dark." The little shepherd boy glanced at Zhang Chaotang and the other three, and said, "Okay!" He took the three horses and left. Yang Pengju didn't know what the farmer's intention was, but there seemed to be a sense of power in his words and expressions, and he didn't dare to say anything to stop the shepherd boy from leading the horse.At this time, the sound of chasing soldiers got closer, and Zhang Chaotang said anxiously, "What should I do, what should I do?" The farmer said: "Follow me." He led the three of them into the house.There are wooden tables and benches in the hall, and coir raincoats and plowshares hanging on the wall. They are clean and tidy, unlike ordinary farmhouses.The farmer went straight to the back, and the three of them followed, walked across the courtyard, and came to a bedroom.The farmer raised the curtain and exposed the wall.Stretching out his hand and pushing against the wall, a big rock fell in, and a hole appeared in the wall.The farmer said: "Go in!" The three of them entered as they said, and it turned out to be a spacious cave.This house was built against the mountain, just before the cave, if the house was not demolished, no one would have guessed that there was such a hiding place. The three of them hid, and the farmer closed the secret door and went out to hoe the ground by himself.Not a moment later, Tolerance Pharaoh had led his soldiers to catch up.The old king yelled at the farmer: "Hey, are there three people riding past here?" The farmer pointed to the side of the path and said, "It's already gone!" The tolerance sergeant ran seven or eight miles away, but without seeing Zhang Chaotang and others, he turned his horse's head and came to ask again.The farmer pretended to be deaf and dumb, and couldn't speak clearly.A sergeant scolded: "Damn it, what's the point of asking this idiot? Let's go!" The group chased another fork in the road. Zhang Chaotang, Yang Pengju, and Zhang Kang hid in the cave, and faintly heard the sound of galloping horses.After a while, the sound disappeared, and the farmer never came to open the door.Yang Pengju became anxious and pulled the door hard. After pushing for a long time, the Shimen didn't move at all.The three had to sit on the ground and take a nap.Yang Peng raised his wound in pain and couldn't stop cursing the sergeant Tolerance. I don't know how many hours later, the stone door suddenly opened with a creaking sound, letting in light.The farmer held a candlestick and said, "Come out and eat." Yang Pengju jumped up first and walked out, and Zhang's master and servant walked to the hall afterward.I saw hot food on the table, besides the big pot of vegetables and tofu, there were actually two fat chickens.Yang Pengju and Zhang's master and servant were secretly happy. In addition to the farmer and shepherd boy seen during the day, there were three other people in the hall, all dressed as farmers.Zhang Chaotang and Yang Peng raised their hands to thank each other, said their own names, and then asked each other's names. A clear-faced farmer in his fifties said: "The villain's surname is Ying." Pointing to the human who guided them to hide during the day, he said: "This is Zhu." A very tall and thin man called himself Ni, and a fat and short man The short one said his surname was Luo.Zhang Chaotang said: "I also said that you are a family, so you don't have the same surname." The surname answered: "We are all good friends." Seeing that they didn't talk much, Zhang Chaotang looked awe-inspiring and behaved dignifiedly, not like ordinary farmers.Those surnamed Zhu and Ni were particularly powerful, while the one surnamed Ying was elegant, like a scholar who had read poetry and books, and they all spoke northern mandarin.Zhang Chaotang tried a few words, but the only one whose surname should be no was no, and he didn't say anything. After dinner, the surname Ying asked why the officers and soldiers were chasing him, and Zhang Chaotang said it all.He spoke eloquently, describing the miserable conditions he saw on the way, and all kinds of abhorrent situations in which the tolerance oppressed the people and falsely accused them of being robbers.The man surnamed Ni was so angry that he slapped the table violently, his eyebrows were all open, and he wanted to curse.The surname Ying winked, but he fell silent. Zhang Chaotang also talked about how Yang Pengju came to help, and complimented him greatly for a while.Yang Pengju was very proud, and said: "What is this? I think I killed the three murderers in Poyang alone in Jiangxi, that's called showing my face." He talked about how critical the situation was at that time, how brave he was, and how he won the defeat. Foam flies.The more he talked, the more complacent he was, bragging about his encounters in the Jianghu for more than ten years, adding fuel to the sauce, saying that he was a hero and invincible in the world.He kept talking about the deeds of the world.Zhang Chaotang had never heard of it, and was very interested. Zhang Kang had a childish temper, and wondered and asked again and again. When Yang Pengju talked about martial arts later, he raised his hands and feet, and made gestures while talking.A few farmers seemed not to be very pleased with what they heard, and the fat man surnamed Luo yawned and said, "It's getting late, everyone, go to bed!" The little shepherd boy went to close the door, and Zhu took out a big stone from the dark place and put it behind the door.When Yang Pengju saw it, he couldn't help gasping, and said to himself: "This man has great strength, this stone weighs at least three hundred catties, and he can lift it around effortlessly." The surname Ying saw that his expression was different, and said: "There are many tigers in the mountains, and sometimes they break into the door in the middle of the night, so we have to block the door with stones." That night Zhang Chaotang was in the same room with Yang Pengju and Zhang Kang.Zhang Kang fell asleep immediately after putting his pillow on his pillow.Zhang Chaotang thought of the turmoil of this trip, he was terrified in vain, wondering if it would be dangerous to go to Guangzhou.The tide of thought was ups and downs, and it was difficult to fall asleep for a while.After a while, the sound of books was suddenly heard, and the little shepherd boy began to read. Zhang Chaotang listened carefully, the sound of the book seemed to be about a battle in a military formation, he couldn't help being curious, put on his clothes and got out of bed, and walked to the hall.I saw bright candles on the table, and the little shepherd boy was reading by himself.The one surnamed Ying sat aside to teach. When he saw him coming out, he just nodded to him, then lowered his head and pointed to the book to explain. Zhang Chaotang approached and saw a few books on the table. He picked it up and saw that there were four words "Ji Xiaoxin Book" written on it. It turned out to be the art of war written by General Qi Jiguang of this dynasty.Zhang Chaotang also heard about Qi Jiguang's name in Luni country. He knew that he was a famous general who defeated Japanese pirates. Later, he guarded Jizhou. Zhang Chaotang said to the surname Ying: "You are definitely not ordinary people, but you don't know why you live here in seclusion. Can you tell me?" The surname Ying said: "We are ordinary people, farming and hunting, reading and writing, that is the most common thing. Why do you think it is strange? Is it true that only the sons of officials can study?" Zhang Chaotang thought to himself: "It turns out that ordinary peasants in the middle land are also educated like this, and they are not comparable to people from barbaric countries." He admired him very much and said: " Excuse me," and went back to sleep. He fell into a sleepy sleep for a while, and suddenly felt someone push him, woke up and sat up, only to hear Yang Pengju whisper: "I'm afraid this is a cottage, let's go!" Zhang Chaotang was shocked, and asked in a low voice: "How is it?" Yang Peng lit a candle, walked to a wooden box, lifted the lid and said, "Look." Zhang Chaotang took a look and saw that the box was full of gold, silver and jewels. He was startled and kept silent. Yang Peng gave him the candle holder, moved the wooden box, and there was another wooden box underneath, and stretched out his hand to twist the copper lock on the box.Zhang Chaotang said: "Don't look at the privacy of others, I'm afraid you will cause trouble." Yang Pengju said: "The smell here is weird." Zhang Chaotang asked quickly: "What kind of smell?" Yang Pengju said: "Blood smell." Yang Pengju twisted the lock, listened to the silence outside the room, opened the lid of the box, and moved closer to the candlestick to take a picture, the two were stunned in shock. There are two heads in the box, one has been cut off for a long time, the blood has turned black, but it has not rotted.The other one was newly cut.The two heads are marinated with lime and medicinal materials, so they are both male and female, and they look the same.Yang Pengju has been through the rivers and lakes for a long time, so he couldn't help feeling weak, Zhang Chaotang couldn't speak. Yang Pengju gently put the box back and put it away, and said, "Go!" He pushed Zhang Kang to wake up on the kang, and touched the hall.The three of them tiptoed to the door, Yang Pengju touched the boulder, complained secretly, tried his best, how could he move it?Just about a foot away, suddenly the flames flickered, and the man surnamed Zhu came out holding a candlestick. Yang Peng raised his hand to press the handle of the knife, knowing that he was invincible, in this situation, he had no choice but to brace himself and fight.However, the surname Zhu ignored it and said, "Are you leaving?" He stretched out his hand and lifted the big stone aside, and opened the door. Yang Pengju and Zhang Chaotang didn't dare to say more, they murmured a few words of thanks, bowed their heads and went out, got on their horses and galloped westward. After running for more than ten miles, he was expected to be out of danger.Feeling relieved, suddenly there was a sound of horseshoes behind, and someone shouted sharply: "Hey, stop, stop!" Suddenly, a black shadow flickered, and a man passed by the horse, scrambling in front of him. With a move of his hand, Yang Peng raised his mount in surprise, hissed, and stood up.Yang Pengju brandished his knife and slashed at the man.The man unleashed several moves with his bare hands, suddenly leaped high, stretched out his left fist and knocked down Yang Pengju's right temple.Yang Peng raised his single sword and "crossed the golden beam" and slashed at his arm.Unexpectedly, that person's fist was a false move, he turned his fist into a palm on the way, before he landed, he had hooked Yang Peng and raised his wrist, shouting: "Get down!" He dragged him off the horse, snatched the sword from his hand, and threw it underground. When Xingguang Xiwei saw that person, it was the farmer surnamed Zhu. The man said coldly: "Go back!" Turning around, he got on his horse and left first, ignoring whether the three of them followed.Yang Pengju knew that it was useless to resist and he couldn't escape, so he got on his horse obediently, and the three of them followed him back. As soon as he entered the door, he saw bright candles in the hall, the little shepherd boy and the other three were sitting and waiting for each other, their expressions solemn, without saying a word. Yang Pengju thought to himself that he would die, so he decided to be more stubborn, and said boldly: "Uncle Yang is in your hands today, you can kill him if you want, no need to say anything." The one surnamed Zhu said: "Brother Ying, what do you think should be done?" The one surnamed Ying fell silent.The one surnamed Ni said: "Master Zhang let the master and servant go, and slaughtered the one surnamed Yang." The one surnamed Ying said: "This man surnamed Yang worked as a bodyguard and was a lackey of the rich. , I finally did a good deed, so I will spare his life. Brother Luo, cancel his two tricks." The one surnamed Luo stood up, and Yang Pengju's expression changed miserably. Zhang Chaotang didn't understand the sayings in Jianghu, he didn't know that "abolishing the trick" meant to pluck out the eyes, but seeing the expressions of everyone, he presumably wanted to hurt Yang Pengju.Just about to plead for mercy, the little shepherd boy said: "Uncle Ying, I think he is very pitiful, let him be spared!" The person surnamed Ying looked at each other, paused, and said to Yang Pengju: "Since someone pleaded for you, why not, can you make an oath that you will never reveal a word about what you saw tonight? " Yang Pengju was overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "I didn't intend to spy on what happened tonight, but since I saw it, I blame Yang for being blind and ignorant of all heroes. I swear to keep my mouth shut about your affairs. If you violate this oath in the future, heaven and earth will perish. Died terribly." The surname Ying said: "Okay, we can trust you as a man, you can go." Yang Peng raised his hand and turned to leave.The man surnamed Ni suddenly stood up and shouted sharply, "Do you want to leave like this?" Yang Pengju was taken aback, understood what he meant, smiled wryly, and said, "Okay, please lend me a knife." The surname Zhu pulled out a sharp knife from under the table, and threw it lightly.Yang Peng raised his hand to catch it, walked a few steps closer, put his left hand flat on the table, cut off two fingers with a swishing knife, and said with a smile: "You are a bachelor who works all the time, this matter has nothing to do with Mr. Zhang..." Everyone saw that his hands were bleeding profusely, but he still stood up, and they all admired his courage.The surname Ni gave a thumbs up and said, "Okay, that's the end of tonight's affairs." Turning around and entering, he took out the knife wound medicine and a white cloth, stopped the bleeding, and bound the wound. Yang Pengju didn't want to stay any longer, turned to Zhang Chaotang and said, "Let's go." Seeing his pale face, Zhang Chaotang was in extreme pain, and wanted to tell him to rest here, but he couldn't say anything. The surname Ying said: "Mr. Zhang is from thousands of miles away. We are very sorry for scaring the distant guests. Don't let you go back to foreign countries and say that we Chinese people are vicious people. This friend Yang is also very bachelor. I'll give you this." He took out a piece from his bag and handed it to Zhang Chaotang. Zhang Chaotang took it and took a look. It was a bamboo tablet with the word "Shanzong" branded on it, and some patterns were branded on the back of the card, but it didn't seem to be of any use. The surname Ying said: "The world is in chaos right now. You, a frail scholar, should not wander around outside. I advise you to go home quickly. If you encounter any danger on the road these days, it may be of some use to take out this bamboo card." A few years... Alas, maybe ten years, twenty years, you have heard that Middle-earth is peaceful, so let’s come again. Fame and fame in troubled times are useless, but turn into trouble.” Zhang Chaotang looked at the bamboo tablet again, but he didn't see anything special about it, he didn't believe it had any mysterious magic power, thought it was an auspicious thing, thanked it casually, and handed it to Zhang Kang to put it in his pocket.The three said their goodbyes, got on their horses and walked slowly.Going back to the place where he and the surnamed Zhu fought just now, he saw the steel knife lying on the ground, gleaming, Yang Pengju picked it up, thinking: "I boast that I am a hero, but it is worthless to touch it in other people's hands!" At dawn, when he arrived in a small town, Zhang Chaotang found an inn, and let Yang Pengju sleep peacefully for a day and a night, and then went on his way again the next morning.At noon, after hitting the tip, I got on the horse and traveled for more than 20 miles.Suddenly, at the sound of hoofbeats, a horse galloped towards him, passed by, glanced at the three of them, and left in a hurry.After traveling for five or six miles, the sound of horseshoes sounded again, and it was still the horseman chasing after him.This time both Yang Pengju and Zhang Chaotang could see clearly. Immediately, the man covered his head with a blue scarf, with a heroic look in his brows, passed by the three of them, and galloped forward. Zhang Chaotang said: "This man is strange. Why did he go and come back?" Yang Pengju said, "Mr. Zhang, you can run for your own life later, don't wait for me." Zhang Chaotang said in surprise, "Why? Is there another robber?" Yang Pengju said Said: "If we can't go five miles, there must be an accident, but we have no way out, we can only go forward." The three of them were anxious and moved forward slowly.只走了两里多路，只听得嘘哩哩一声，一支响箭射上天空，三乘马从林中蹿出，拦在当路。 杨鹏举催马上前，抱拳说道：“在下武会镖局姓杨，路经贵地，并非保镖，没向各位当家投帖拜谒。这位张相公来自外国，他是读书人，请各位高抬贵手，让一条道。”他在江湖上本来略有名头，手上武艺也自不弱，不过刚断了手指，又想这一带道上的朋友多半与姓应的是一伙，是以措词谦恭，好言相求。 三乘中当中一人双手空空，笑道：“我们少了盘缠，要借一百两银子。”他说的是浙南土话，杨鹏举和张朝唐愕然相对，不知他说些什么。 刚才骑马来回相探的那人喝道：“借一百两银子，懂了没有？”杨鹏举见他们如此无礼，不禁大怒，喝道：“要借银子，须凭本事！”当先那人喝道：“好！这本事值不值一百两银子？”从背上取下弹弓，叭叭叭，三粒弹子打上天空，等弹子势完落下，又是连珠三弹，六颗弹子在空中分成三对，互相撞得粉碎，变成碎泥纷纷下坠。 杨鹏举见到这神弹绝技，刚只一呆，突觉左腕剧痛，单刀当的一声落在地下，才知已给他弹子打中了手。 对面第三人持软鞭，纵马过来，一招“枯藤缠树”，向他腰间盘打而至。杨鹏举勒马避开。那人软鞭鞭头乘势在地下卷起单刀，抄在手中，长笑一声，纵马疾驰。掠过张康身边时，白光闪动，钢刀挥了两挥，已割断他背上包裹两端布条。他却毫不停留，催马向前。 包裹正从张康背上滑落，打弹子那人恰好驰到，手臂探出，不待包裹落地，已俯身提起，掂了掂重量，笑道：“多谢了。”转眼间三人跑得无影无踪。 杨鹏举只是叹气，无话可说。张康急道：“我们的盘费银两都在包裹，这……这……怎么回家呢？”杨鹏举道：“留下你这条小命，已算不错的啦，走着瞧吧。”三人垂头丧气地又行。 走不到一顿饭时分，忽然身后蹄声杂沓，回头望时，只见尘头起处，那三人又追了转来。杨鹏举和张朝唐都倒抽一口凉气，心想：“抢了金银也就罢了，难道当真还非要了性命不成？” 那三人驰到跟前，一齐滚鞍下马，当先一人抱拳说道：“原来是自己人，得罪，得罪。我们不知，多有冒犯，请勿见怪。”另一人双手托住包裹，交给张康。张康却不敢接，眼望主人。张朝唐点点头，张康这才接过。 当先那人道：“刚才听得这位言道，一位是杨镖头，一位是张公子，都是真姓么？”张朝唐道：“正是！”说了两人的姓名来历。 三人听了，均有诧异之色，互相望了一眼。当先那人说道：“在下姓黄，这两位是亲兄弟，姓刘。张公子，你早拿出竹牌来就好了，免得我们无礼。”张朝唐听了这话，才知道这块竹牌果真效力不小，心神不定之际，也不知说什么话好。 那姓黄的又道：“两位一定也是去圣峰嶂了，咱们一路走吧。” 张朝唐和杨鹏举都料想他们是一帮声势浩大的盗伙，远避之唯恐不及，怎敢再去招惹？张朝唐道：“我和这位朋友要赶赴广州，圣峰嶂是不去了。” 姓黄的脸带怒色道：“再过三天就是八月十六，我们千里迢迢地赶来粤东，你们到了这里，怎不上山？”上山做什么，八月十六是什么日子，张朝唐和杨鹏举两人全不知情，可是又不敢直认。张朝唐硬了头皮，说道：“兄弟家有急事，须得马上回去。” 姓黄的怒道：“上山也耽搁不了你两天。督师的忌辰你们过山不拜，算得什么山宗的朋友？”张朝唐更加摸不着头脑，不知“督师忌辰”和“山宗”是什么东西。 杨鹏举毕竟阅历多，情知圣峰嶂是非去不可的了。虽有凶险，也只有听天由命，而且瞧他们神色语气，也似并无恶意，便道：“三位既如此美意，我和张公子同上山去便是。”说着向张朝唐使个眼色，示意不可违拗。 姓黄的霁然色喜，笑道：“本来嘛，我想你们也不会这般不讲义气。” 六人结伴同行，一路打尖住店，都由那姓黄的出头，他只做几个手势，说了几句古里古怪的话，沿途饭馆客店便都不收钱，而且招待得加意的周到客气。 走了两天，前面一座高山耸立入云，姓黄的说道便是圣峰嶂。只见沿途劲装结束之人络绎不绝，都是向圣峰嶂而去，肥瘦高矮，各色各样的人都有，神色举止，显得都是武人。这些人与姓黄的以及刘氏兄弟大半熟识，见了面就执手道故。 张杨两人抱定宗旨决不再窥探别人隐私，见他们谈话，就站得远远的。杨鹏举听这些人招呼的声音南腔北调，辽东河朔，两湖川陕各地都有。瞧他们的行装打扮，大都是来自远地，人人都是风尘仆仆。张杨两人暗暗纳罕，又是栗栗危惧。 杨鹏举心想：“看来这些人是各地山寨的大盗，多半要聚众造反。我是身家清白的良民，跟众反贼混在一起，走又走不脱，真是倒霉之极了。” 这天晚上，张朝唐等歇在圣峰嶂山脚下的一所店房里，待次日一早上山。众人正要吃晚饭，忽然一人奔进店来，叫道：“孙相公到啦！”此言一出，店中客人十之八九都立即站起，涌出店去。杨鹏举一扯张朝唐的衣袖，说道：“瞧瞧去。” 走出店房，只见众人夹道垂手肃立，似在等什么人。过了一阵，西面山道上传来一阵马蹄声，众人都提高了脚跟张望，只见一个四十来岁的书生骑在马上，缓缓而来。他见众人站在道旁迎接，催马快行，驰到跟前，跳下马来。 那书生一路过来，和众人逐一点头招呼。他走到张朝唐跟前，见他也是书生打扮，微微一愕，双手一拱，问道：“这位是谁？”张朝唐道：“在下姓张，请教阁下尊姓大名。”那书生道：“在下姓孙，名仲寿。”张朝唐拱手说道：“久仰，久仰。”孙仲寿微微一笑，进店房去了。 晚饭过后，杨鹏举低声对张朝唐道：“这姓孙的书生相公显是很有权势。张公子，你去跟他说说，请他放咱们走。大家是读书人，话总容易说得通。” 张朝唐心想不错，踱到孙仲寿门口，咳嗽一声，举手敲门。只听到房里有诵读诗文之声，他敲了几下，读书声就停了。 房门打开，孙仲寿迎了出来，说道：“客店寂寞，张兄来谈谈，最好不过。”张朝唐一揖进去，见桌上放着一本摊开的手抄书本，一瞥之下，见写着“辽东”、“宁远”、“臣”、“皇上”等等字样，似是一篇奏章。张朝唐只怕又触人所忌，不敢多看，便坐了下来。 孙仲寿先请问他家世渊源，张朝唐据实说了。孙仲寿说道：“张兄这番可来得不巧了。中华朝政糜烂，不知何日方得清明。以兄弟之见，张兄还是暂回浡泥，俟中华圣天子在位，再来应试的为是。”张朝唐称是，说道正要归去。接着把自己如何躲避官差、杨鹏举如何相救、如何得到竹牌等事说了一遍，只是夜中见到箱内人头一事略去不提。 孙仲寿道：“我们在此相遇，可算有缘。明日张兄随小弟上山，也好知道我中土的一件千古奇冤。只要不向外人泄露此行所见所闻，小弟担保张兄决无灾害。”张朝唐谢了，却不敢多问。 孙仲寿问起浡泥国人的风土人情，听张朝唐所述，皆是闻所未闻，喟然说道：“不知几时我中华百姓才得如浡泥国一般，安居乐业，不忧温饱，共享太平之福？” 两人直谈到二更天时，张朝唐才告别回房。杨鹏举已等得十分心焦，听他转告了孙仲寿之言，才放下了心。
次日正是中秋佳节，张朝唐、杨鹏举和张康随着大众一早上山。中午时分，半山里有十多人担着饭菜等候，都是素菜，众人吃了，休息一阵，继续再行。 此后一路都有人把守，盘查甚严。查到张杨三人时，孙仲寿点一点头，把守的人便不问了。张朝唐暗叫：“好险！要是昨晚没跟他这一夕谈话，今日是死是活，实所难料。” 傍晚时分，已到山顶，数百名汉子排队相迎。 山上疏疏落落有数十间房屋，最大的一座似是所寺庙。这些屋宇模样也甚平常，并无碉堡望楼等守御设施，不像是盗帮山寨。 杨鹏举在山下见了众人的势派，料想山上建构必定雄伟威武，壁垒森严，哪知浑不是这么回事，暗暗称奇。他在江湖上混了十多年，见闻算得广博，这一次却半点摸不着头脑。更有一桩奇事，这些人万里来会，瞧各人神情亲密，都是知交好友，但相见时却殊无欢愉之意，并不大声谈笑，每人神色间都显悲戚愤慨。 张杨三人给引进一间小房，一会儿送进饭菜。四盘都是素菜。张朝唐和杨鹏举悄悄议论，猜不透这些人到底在干什么，对孙仲寿所说“千古奇冤”云云，更难明所指。 次日张杨二人起身后，用过早点，在山边漫步，只见到处都是长大汉子。有的头上疤痕累累，有的断手折足，个个是身经百战、饱历风霜的模样。张杨两人怕生事惹祸，走了一会便即回房，不再出去。这天整日吃的仍是素菜。杨鹏举肚里暗骂：“他妈的贼强盗死了老祖宗，叫老子吃这般嘴里淡出鸟来的青菜豆腐。” 傍晚时分，忽听得钟声嘡嘡。不久一名汉子走进房来，说道：“孙相公请两位到殿上观礼。”张杨二人跟他出去。张康也想跟去，那人道：“小兄弟，你早些睡吧。” 张杨二人随着他绕过几间瓦屋，来到寺庙之前。张朝唐抬头看时，见一块横匾上写着“忠烈祠”三个大字，心想：“原来是座祠堂，不知供的是谁？”随着那汉子穿过前堂和院子，见两旁陈列着兵器架子，架上刀枪斧钺、叉矛戟鞭，十八般兵刃一应俱全，都擦得雪亮耀眼。 来到大殿，但见殿上黑压压地坐满了人，总有两三千之众。张杨二人暗暗心惊，不料想这荒山之上，竟聚集了这许多人。 张朝唐抬头看时，只见殿中塑着一座神像，本朝文官装束，但头戴金盔，身穿绯袍，外加黄色罩甲，左手捧着一柄宝剑，右手手执令旗。那神像脸容清癯，三绺长须，状貌威严，身子稍侧，目视远方，眉梢眼角之间，似乎带有忧思。神像两侧供着两排灵位。张朝唐隔得远了，看不清楚神主上所书的名讳。大殿四壁挂满了旌旗、盔甲、兵刃、马具之类，旌旗或黄或白、或红或蓝，也有黄色镶红边的，有的是白色镶红边。 张朝唐满腹狐疑，但见满殿人众容色悲戚，肃静无声。忽然神像旁一个身材瘦长的汉子站了起来，点烛执香，高声叫道：“致祭。”殿上登时黑压压地跪得满地，张朝唐和杨鹏举也只得跟着跪下。 孙仲寿越众而前，捧住祭文朗诵起来。杨鹏举不懂祭文中文绉绉的说些什么，张朝唐却愈听愈惊。 只听得祭文文意甚是愤慨激昂，既把满清鞑子骂了个狗血淋头，而对当今崇祯皇帝竟也丝毫不留情面，说他“昏庸无道，不辨忠奸”、“刚愎自用，伤我元戎”、“自坏神州万里长城，甘为炎黄苗裔罪人”。对当今皇上如此肆口痛诋，岂不是公然要造反了吗？张朝唐听得惊疑不定。哪知祭文后面愈来愈凶，竟把崇祯皇帝的列祖列宗也骂了个痛快，什么“功勋盖世则魏公被毒，底定中土而青田受鸩”，那是说明太祖杀害徐达、刘基等功臣之事；后来又骂神宗乱征矿税，荼毒百姓；熹宗任用阉党，朝中清流君子，不是杀头，便是入狱，如熊廷弼等守土抗敌大臣，都惨遭杀害。 这篇祭文理直气壮，一字一句都打入张朝唐心坎里去，他虽远在外国，但中土大事，也曾知闻。祭文后半段是“我督师威震宁远，歼彼巨酋”等一大段颂扬武功的文字，更后来又再痛骂崇祯杀害忠良。 张朝唐听到这里，才知道这神像原来是连破清兵、击败清太祖努尔哈赤、使清人闻名丧胆的蓟辽督师袁崇焕。他抬头再看，见那神像栩栩如生，双目远瞩，似是痛惜异族入侵，占我河山，伤我黎民，恨不能复生而督师辽东，以御外侮。 这时祭文行将读完，张朝唐却听得更加心惊，原来祭文最后一段是与祭各人的誓言，立誓：“并诛明帝清酋，以雪此千古奇冤，而慰我督师在天之灵。”祭文读毕，赞礼的人唱道：“对督师神像暨列位殉难将军神主叩首。”众人俯身叩头。 一个幼童全身缟素，站在前列，转身伏在地下向众人还礼。张朝唐和杨鹏举又吃了一惊，原来这幼童便是那天农舍中所遇的小小牧童。 众人叩拜已毕，站起身来，都是泪痕满面，悲愤难禁。孙仲寿对张朝唐道：“张兄大才，小弟这篇祭文有何不妥之处，请予删削。”张朝唐连称：“不敢。”孙仲寿命人拿过文房四宝来，说道：“小弟邀张兄上山，便是要借重海外才子大手笔，于我袁督师的勋业更增光华。也好叫世人知道，袁督师蒙冤遭难，普天共愤，中外同悲，并非只是我们旧部的一番私心。” 张朝唐心想，你叫我上山，原来为此，不由得好生为难。袁崇焕被朝廷处死，是因崇祯糊涂昏庸，不明忠奸是非，听信奸臣和太监的挑拨，天下都知冤枉。自己在浡泥之时，也曾听得几个广东商人痛哭流涕地说起过。但既由皇帝下旨而明正典刑，再说冤枉，便是诽谤今上。皇帝若是知道了，一纸诏书来到浡泥国，连父亲都不免大受牵累。可是孙仲寿既这么说，在势又不能拒绝，情急之下，灵机忽动，想起在浡泥国时所看过的两部小说，一部是，一部是《精忠岳传》。他读书有限，不能如孙仲寿那么骈四骊六地大做文章，当下微一沉吟，振笔直书：“黄龙未捣，武穆蒙冤。汉祚待复，诸葛星殒。呜呼痛哉，伏维尚飨。”他说的是古人，万一这篇短短的祭文落入皇帝手中，也不能据此而定罪名。 孙仲寿本想他是一个海外士人，没什么学问，也写不出什么好句子来，只盼他称赞几句袁督师的功绩，也就是了，待见他写下了这六句，十分高兴。张朝唐把袁崇焕比之于诸葛亮和岳飞，自是推崇备至，无以复加。清人为金人后裔，皆为女真族，自称后金，满清初立国时，国号便仍称为“金”。岳飞与袁崇焕皆抗金有功而死于昏君奸臣之手，两人才略遭遇，颇有相同之处，倒不是胡乱瞎比的。 孙仲寿把这几句话向众人解释了，大家轰然致谢，对张杨两人神态登时便亲热得多，不再以外人相待了。孙仲寿道：“张兄文笔不凡，武穆诸葛这两句话，荣宠九泉。小弟待会叫他们刻在祠堂旁边的石上，要令后人得知，我们袁督师英名远播，连万里之外的异邦士民也尽皆仰慕。”张朝唐作揖逊谢。 各人叩拜已毕，各就原位坐下。那赞礼的人又喊了起来：“某某营某将军”、“某某镇某总兵”，喊了一个武将官衔，便有一人站起来大声说话。张朝唐听了官衔和言中之意，得知这些人都是袁崇焕的旧部。他被害之后，各人愤而离军，散处四方，今日是袁督师遭难的三周年忌辰，是以在他故乡广东东莞附近的圣峰嶂相聚，祭奠旧帅。听他们话中之意，似乎尚有什么重大图谋。 当赞礼人叫到“蓟镇副总兵朱安国”时，一人站了起来。张朝唐和杨鹏举都心头一震，原来这人便是引导他们躲入密室的那个农夫，杨鹏举心想：“原来他是抗清的蓟辽大将，那么我败在他手里，也不枉了。” 只听他朗声说道：“袁公子这三年来身子壮健，武艺大有进步，书也读了不少，我和倪、罗两位兄弟的武功已尽数传给了他，请各位另推明师。”孙仲寿道：“咱们兄弟中，还有谁武功更高得过你们三位的，朱将军不必太谦。”朱安国道：“袁公子学武聪明得很，我们三个已掏完了袋底身家，真的没货色啦，的确要另请名师，以免耽误他功夫。”孙仲寿道：“好吧，这事待会儿再议，诛奸的事怎么了？”