Chapter 14 The Thirteenth Round

I only heard Mr. An grinningly said: "I have been looking for you so hard, are you willing to burn you? Let's talk about the old relationship!" He kicked the door with two feet, and the door latch snapped with a click. up.Yuan Chengzhi heard the sound of kicking the door and knew that his martial arts were quite extraordinary. The light of the knife flickered in the darkness, and Mrs. An swung the knife and slashed straight out.Mrs. An laughed and said: "Okay, murder my husband!" Afraid of other people in the house, he didn't dare to rush in, so he stood outside the door and fought with Mrs. An empty-handed.Yuan Chengzhi slowly climbed closer, watching the battle with his eyes wide open.

Master Na'an's martial arts are really good, he listened to the wind of the knife in the dark, dodged and made moves, and kept making jokes in his mouth.Mrs. An was very angry, beating and scolding.After fighting for a while, Master An suddenly reached out and touched her body.Mrs. An got even angrier, and slashed at her head with a knife. Mrs. An was trying to lure her with this trick, so she stepped forward, twisted her wrist, twisted it back hard, and Mrs. An fell to the ground single-handedly.Mrs. An pinched her hands, her right leg rested on her knees, and Mrs. An couldn't move for a moment.

Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "Listen to the tone of this surname An, so I won't hurt her for a while, I will listen for a while, and then I will help." He got in, touched the wall lightly, performed the "Gecko Swimming Wall Kung Fu" and went straight up, squatting on the beam. Only Mr. An shouted: "Mr. Hu, go in and light a fire!" Hu Laosan lit the fire pocket outside the door, drew his sword to protect himself, first turned the fire into the door, then leaned over to pick up a stone and threw it into the door. After entering the house, there was no movement after a while, and then I found the candlestick on the table and lit the candle.Mrs. An carried Mrs. An into the house and winked. Mr. Hu took out the rope from his side and bound Mrs. An's hands and feet.Mrs. An smiled and said, "You said you would never see me again, is this gone? Look at me, how many more gray hairs do you have?" Mrs. An closed her eyes and did not answer.

Yuan Chengzhi looked down from the beam, and Mrs. An's face could be seen more clearly. Although he was over middle age, he still had a handsome face. He must have been a handsome young man when he was young, and he was the opposite of Mrs. An. Mrs. An stretched out his hand to touch Mrs. An's face, and said with a smile, "Okay, I haven't seen you for more than ten years, but her face is still white and tender." She turned her head and said to Mr. Hu, "Get out!" Mr. Hu agreed with a smile, Close the door when you go out.The two provinces are relatively silent.After a while, Mrs. An sighed: "Where is Xiaohui? I miss her every day these years." Mrs. An still ignored her.Mr. An said: "You and I are young couples, we are very angry, and we have turned against each other for a while. We have been separated for many years, and now we should reconcile as before." After a while, he said: "Look at me for more than ten years. Marry another, why have you ever forgotten you for a moment? Don't you even have a little love between husband and wife?" Mrs. An said sharply: "How did my father and brother die? Have you forgotten?" Mrs. An sighed: "My father-in-law It’s not bad that Jin Yiwei and my brother-in-law were killed. But you can’t kill a boatload of people with a penny. There are good people and bad people in Jin Yiwei. I do my best for the emperor, which is also a decent thing for Guangzong Yaozu..." Before finishing speaking, An The aunt was already spitting on the ground "Bah, bah, bah".

After a while, Mrs. An changed the subject: "I miss Xiaohui, so I asked someone to pick her up. Why are you running around and never letting her meet me?" Mrs. An said, "I told her, her The good father died a long time ago! Her father is so capable and ambitious, but it is a pity that his life is shorter!" His tone was full of resentment.Mrs. An said: "Why did you lie to her? Why bother to curse me?" Mrs. An said: "Her father was really a good man with ambition in the past, how would you know..." At this point, her voice choked up, and then she said bitterly : "You killed my good husband, I wish I could kill you." Mrs. An said: "Hey, this is strange, I am your husband, how can you say that I killed your husband?" Mrs. An said: "My husband was a good man, but for some reason, he suddenly became obsessed with wealth. He didn't want his wife anymore, and he didn't want his daughter anymore. He just wanted to be a high-ranking official and make a fortune... My former good husband died a long time ago, and I will never see him again. It's his time!" Yuan Chengzhi felt sympathetic when he heard this.

Mrs. An said: "My husband's name is An Jianqing. He was a hero in the world. Didn't you, the chief of the Jinyi Guard, Mr. An, kill him? My husband has a mentor, Chu Dadao, an old boxer. It is my father, Mr. An killed him." Dead. The wife and son of the old boxer Chu were forced to death by Mr. An..." Mr. An An Jianqing yelled angrily: "Don't say any more!" Mrs. An said: "You wolf-hearted person, think about it yourself. "An Jianqing said: "The government wants Chu Dadao to ask questions, but it's not certain. It's hard for him. Why did he take the knife to kill me? His wife and son committed suicide, so who's to blame?" Mrs. An said: "Yes. , Chu Dadao is blind, who told him to accept such a good apprentice. This apprentice is freezing and starving to death, Chu Dadao taught him martial arts and raised him..." The more she said, the more resentful she became.An Jianqing slammed the table violently, and shouted: "Today you and I meet each other, what a wonderful event, why mention that dead man?" Mrs. An shouted: "If you want to kill, kill, I just want to mention it!"

Yuan Chengzhi figured it out from the words of the two: Chu Dadao single-handedly raised An Jianqing and taught him martial arts.He also married his daughter, Aunt An, to him. Unexpectedly, An Jianqing was greedy for wealth and honor, and joined Jinyiwei as an errand. Aunt An's parents and elder brothers were killed by Jinyiwei.Mrs. An couldn't help but break up with her husband.In the past, Mrs. Hu came to snatch Xiaohui, and Mrs. An ran around, all because of her vicious husband, Mrs. An Jian Qing'an.Yuan Chengzhi thought to himself: "I think that when he killed his father-in-law and mentor's family that day, the situation must have been miserable. This person died with more than culpability. But I don't know if Mrs. An still has husband and wife feelings for him, so don't be reckless." I want to listen more Talking, in order to decide whether to kill, but they both stopped talking.

After a while, there was a faint sound of horseshoes in the distance.An Jianqing pulled out his saber, and shouted in a low voice: "When someone comes, if you call out to warn me, I don't care about the relationship between husband and wife!" Mrs. An snorted, and said bitterly: "I want to hurt someone again." Knowing his wife's temper, An Jianqing cut off a piece of cloth curtain with a knife and stuffed it into her mouth.At this time, the sound of horseshoes was getting closer, An Jianqing put Mrs. An on the bed, lowered the curtain, and hid behind the door with a knife.

Yuan Chengzhi knew that he was trying to kill him secretly. Although he didn't know who it was, he was always on Mrs. An's side. He wiped some dust on the beam, added some spittle, kneaded it into a small ball of mud, and threw it at the candle. Go, with a snort, the candle was extinguished immediately.An Jianqing muttered curses.Yuan Chengzhi took him to touch the fire, slipped down gently, went around the outside of the house, and saw a Jinyi guard lying on the ground with a knife at the corner of the house, watching the movement in the house intently, so he approached him and whispered: "People are coming!" Lah!" The Jin Yiwei also whispered: "Well, get down quickly." Yuan Chengzhi reached out and touched his acupuncture points, took off his coat, covered himself, then tore off a piece of cloth from his inner coat, and covered his face Go up, tore open two eye holes, then hugged the man and crawled towards the door.

The sound of hoofbeats became louder in the darkness, and Wu rode his horse to the front of the house.The rider jumped off the horse and patted three palms.An Jianqing slapped three palms back in the room, lit the lights, and shrank behind the door, only to hear the sound of the door, and a person poked his head in. He raised his knife and slashed violently, and a human head rolled aside, blood spurting from the neck.Glancing at the head under the candlelight, he was shocked that the one who hacked to death was actually one of his companions.Just as he was about to yell, a masked man jumped in from the door, pointed at his acupoints, and hit Dazhui acupoint on the back of his neck with his backhand.Yuan Chengzhi took the saber in his hand and put it down gently so that no one outside the door could hear him. He went to the bed to help Mrs. An, broke the ropes tied to her hands and feet, and whispered: "Aunt An, I will save you!" You're here!"

Mrs. An saw that he was wearing a brocade uniform and his face was covered with a cloth. She felt suspicious, and just asked, "Who is your honor?" Five people rushed in outside, and the first person greeted Mrs. The situation in the room froze in astonishment. Outside the gate, Jin Yiwei saw that there were many people coming in, and was afraid that An Jianqing would be the only one to lose. Two people rushed in and raised their knives to chop.The enemies outside the door came in one after another, Yuan Chengzhi hacked and grabbed them, lifted them up and threw them out one by one, and some were kicked out as soon as they came in. escaped.Yuan Chengzhi tore off the cloth strips, stuffed them into An Jianqing's ears, and tore off two pieces of clothing from the dead man, wrapped several layers on his head so that he could not hear any sound or see any light, and then tore off the mask. Putting the rag on his face, he smiled at the person who was the first of the five, "Brother, hello. How about King Chuang?" The man was stunned, then laughed loudly, took his hand and shook it again and again.It turned out that this person was none other than Li Yan, a general under King Li Chuang and Yuan Chengzhi who became righteous brothers with him. Yuan Chengzhi accidentally rescued two old friends. He was very happy. He turned to Aunt An and said, "Aunt An, do you still remember me?" How can Mrs. An recognize children when they grow up? Yuan Chengzhi took out the small gold bracelet that Aunt An gave him that day from his underwear pocket, and said, "I take it with me every day." With a scar, he was surprised and happy, and said: "Ah, child, you have grown so tall, and you have learned such a handsome kung fu." Yuan Chengzhi said: "I saw sister Xiaohui in Zhejiang, and she also grew taller." Lah!" Mrs. An said: "Unknowingly, the children are all grown up, and the time passes by so quickly." She glanced at her husband lying on the ground, sighed, and said, "Unexpectedly, it was you, the child, who came to save me. .” Li Yan didn't know that they had an old relationship. Hearing that Mrs. An called him "son, child", he only knew that the two were relatives, and said with a smile: "Today's matter is very dangerous. I was ordered by King Chuang to go to Hebei Come meet with a few people. Jin Yiwei's news is really good, and you will get wind of it and lay an ambush here." Cheng Zhi asked: "Brother, is your friend coming soon?" Before Li Yan could answer, he heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance, and said with a smile, "Isn't it?" He opened the door and went out, and soon three people came in.One of these three people is Tian Jianxiu and the other is Liu Fangliang. They all met at the Shengfengzhang meeting back then.The two of them no longer knew Yuan Chengzhi, but Yuan Chengzhi still remembered their appearance.Another surnamed Hou, named Hou Feiwen, had met him at the Mount Tai Conference.After the three of them greeted Li Yan, Hou Feiwen saluted Yuan Chengzhi respectfully and said, "Hello, leader!" Both Li Yan and Mrs. An said: "You guys know each other?" Hou Feiwen said: "Leader Yuan is the leader of the seven provinces, and all the brothers follow orders." Li Yanxi said: "Ah, I'm busy doing business in Henan. The news has been cut off. It turns out that such a major event has happened, so we are gratifying and congratulatory." Yuan Chengzhi said: "This is what happened last month. Cheng's good friends think highly of it. They gave such a title. In fact, how can brothers afford it? "Hou Feiwen said: "The lord is good at martial arts and has high knowledge. Needless to say, who in the martial arts would not admire this benevolence? In the battle of Qingzhou, our 'Golden Snake King' battalion showed its face, all thanks to lord Yuan lead." Li Yan said happily: "That's great." Immediately, the order of King Chuang was conveyed.It turned out that Li Zicheng had more than 100,000 officers and soldiers under Sun Chuanting's command in Nanyang and Ruzhou, Henan, and entered Tongguan. He ordered Li Yan to come to Hebei secretly and contact Qunhao to respond. Hou Feiwen said: "Leader, what do you think we should do?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Chuang Wang's righteous deeds, the world's heroes will naturally rise up when they hear the wind. The younger brother sent a message. We heroes from the seven provinces are going to fight vigorously!" Six people He spoke impassionedly, with joy in his eyes.Yuan Chengzhi mentioned that there were three battalions stationed in the Magu Mountain area on the Zhilu border, with six or seven thousand troops, who were his subordinates.Li Yan was overjoyed and said: "I have also heard the reputation of the 'Golden Snake Camp', but I can't find out the name of the 'Golden Snake King'. It turns out that it is your virtuous brother. I will report to Ming Chuangwang, and these three battalions are under your command. Our military strength is huge." Li Yan said again: "The government and army are extremely corrupt. Once the righteous soldiers arrive, they will be destroyed and destroyed, but there is a problem in front of them." Yuan Chengzhi said: "What?" Li Yan said : "I just received an urgent report saying that there are ten Western red barbarian cannons that will be transported to Tongguan to give to Sun Chuanting. After Sun's defeat, the soldiers have no fighting spirit, so there is no danger. It's just that the red barbarian cannons are powerful. The bombardment will come out and kill and injure dozens of people at once, which is a hidden worry." Yuan Chengzhi said: "These ten cannons have been seen on the road, and they are indeed formidable. They are very powerful. Couldn't they be transported to Shanhaiguan to defend against the Manchus?" Li Yan said: "These cannons were transported all the way. Originally, we were going to Shanhaiguan to defend against the Manchurian soldiers. But after Chuangwang won every victory, the court changed its mind, and the ten cannons were folded and headed west, and the first journey was to Tongguan.” Yuan Chengzhi frowned and said: "The emperor's suppression of the people is more important than resisting foreign enemies. Brother, what do you say?" Li Yan said: "Once the cannon arrives at Tongguan, when we attack the key, we must use our flesh and blood to resist the artillery weapon, although we may not necessarily lose. , but there will be many losses..." Yuan Chengzhi said: "So we have to stop him halfway." Li Yan held his palm and said with great joy: "I have to work hard for you brother to make this great contribution." Yuan Chengzhi pondered: "The foreign weapons and firearms are very powerful. Brothers have seen it before. To seize the cannon, you need to find another strategy. It is really hard to say whether it will work. But this is the case. It's about the luck of the world, my little brother must do his best, if he can succeed in one fell swoop by relying on the power of King Chuang, it will be a blessing for all people." Everyone talked about the military for a while, and Yuan Chengzhi asked about Li Yan's wife.Li Yan said: "She is in Henan, and she often talks about you." Aunt An interrupted: "General Li's wife is really a heroine. Hey, son, do you have someone you like?" Yuan Chengzhi blushed when he thought of Qingqing , Smile and don't answer.Mrs. An sighed: "A talent like you, I don't know which girl is blessed, alas!" Suddenly she thought of Xiaohui: "Xiaohui and him were old partners in trouble when we were young. If he can be my son-in-law, Xiaohui will be happy forever." Trust me. But she prefers to be with that stupid Cui Ximin, and each has its own fate." Tian, ​​Liu, and Hou heard them talking about private matters, but they couldn't get in, so they stood up and said goodbye.Hou Feiwen said: "Leader, tomorrow morning, I will lead my brothers to listen to the order." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Okay!" Hou Feiwen asked the meeting place, and the three resigned. Li Yan and Yuan Chengzhi sat down, cut candles and talked about the general trend of the world, and the more they talked, the more they fell in love with each other.Yuan Chengzhi knew very little about the rise and fall of national affairs and the changing world situation. Hearing Li Yan's talk, every word made him feel enlightened.Until Dongfang Dabai and the golden rooster sang three times, the two were still happy.Looking back at Mrs. An, I saw her resting her head on her hands, looking at her husband lying on the ground silently lost in thought. Li Yan called out in a low voice: "Ms. An!" Mrs. An raised her head.Li Yan said: "How to deal with this person?" Aunt An was so upset that she shook her head and did not answer.Li Yan knew that it was difficult for her to make a decision, so he ignored it, and said to Yuan Chengzhi: "Brother, you and I will leave here." Yuan Chengzhi said: "I will send my elder brother and Aunt An to leave the house hand in hand and walk side by side. Li Yan's guards followed from a distance. The two talked all the way and walked seven or eight miles. Li Yan said: "Brother, you go back." Yuan Chengzhi and him were congenial and reluctant to part.Li Yan said: "Brother, after the success of King Chuang's event, you and I will live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, drinking for fun, and the days to come will be long." Yuan Chengzhi said happily: "If this can be done, it will be a fulfillment of my life's wish." The two parted with tears. Yuan Chengzhi watched his brother-in-law get on his horse and leave in the dust before returning to the inn.Seeing that Hou Feiwen had brought dozens of strong men waiting in the shop, the hall and several yards were packed to the brim.Qingqing, Dumb, Hong Shenghai and others were gone.Ah Jiu and the rest of the servants stayed in the room without making any expressions when they saw so many rough and burly men.Yuan Chengzhi said to Hou Feiwen: "Brother Hou, you lead a few brothers to investigate to the southwest to see if the cannons carried by that team of Western soldiers are coming to the north or turning to the west. After you find out, please report back quickly." Hou Feiwen responded So, I picked three companions, got out of the shop and rode away. As soon as Hou Feiwen left, Sha Tianguang and Cheng Qingzhu rushed into the store, met Yuan Chengzhi, and said happily: "Ah, Yuan Xianggong is back." Before Yuan Chengzhi could answer, they saw Qingqing, Dumb, and Hong Shenghai rushing into the hall again .Qingqing's hair was disheveled by the wind, and her cheeks were flushed. When she saw Yuan Chengzhi, she immediately beamed with joy, and said, "Why did you come back at this time?" What happened last night. Qingqing lowered her head and said nothing.Seeing that her expression was wrong, Cheng Zhi pulled her aside, and said softly, "I made you worry." Qing Qing turned her body away and turned her head away.Knowing that she was angry, Cheng Zhi said, "It's a pity you didn't see my big brother Li. Younger brother, he can be considered your elder brother." Although Qingqing is a woman, Cheng Zhi kept calling her Younger brother.Qingqing said: "My brother has no conscience, what do you want my brother to do?" Chengzhi said: "I'm really sorry, I won't let you worry about it next time." Qingqing said: "Next time someone else will worry about you, and you want me to worry about it." What are you doing?" Cheng Zhi wondered, "Hey, who is it?" Qingqing pouted and said, "That Ah Jiu, she kept asking where you were, she was very concerned about you." Stunning her feet, she went back to her room . At noon, she didn't come out to eat, so Yuan Chengzhi asked the shop assistant to deliver the food to her room. After eating, he went to make amends. I just saw her flustered and anxious. Looking back at this time, I was really moved .Unexpectedly, the shop assistant brought back the food and said, "The girl is not in the room!" Yuan Chengzhi was startled, and hurriedly put down his chopsticks, and ran to the Qingqing room, only to see that the person was not there, and even took away the weapon and bag up.He was anxious and thought: "Where did she go when she was so angry? She often caused troubles, so that people could not be at ease. It's just that there is a big problem right now, so I can't look for it myself." So he sent Hong Shenghai out to visit, and ordered if Seeing it, at least I want to persuade the girl to come back. In the evening, Hou Feiwen came back on a fast horse. As soon as he entered the door, he said: "The foreign soldiers turned west, let's chase them quickly." He, Hu, Tie, and Hou Feiwen and other heroes from Hebei rushed to the southwest overnight. In the early morning of the third day, Yuan Chengzhi and others passed through a small town and saw ten cannons lined up outside a restaurant, with six foreign soldiers guarding each cannon with guns.Everyone was overjoyed and smiled at each other.Tie Luohan shouted: "I'm hungry, I'm hungry!" Yuan Chengzhi said: "Okay, let's meet those two foreign officials again." Everyone went straight to the restaurant, with Tie Luohan walking in the lead, and screamed as soon as he went upstairs.I saw a few foreign soldiers holding foreign guns, aimed at Qingqing, and pulled the trigger with their fingers.Sitting on the side were the two Western officers Peter and Raymond and the Western woman Ruokelin. Seeing the crowd coming up, Lei Meng yelled a few times, and several foreign soldiers pointed their guns at them and shouted loudly. Yuan Chengzhi was quick-witted, lifted a table, threw it at all the foreign soldiers, and flew forward, pressing down on Qingqing's shoulders, the two squatted down, a burst of smoke passed, all the guns were fired, and the lead hit the table . Yuan Chengzhi was afraid that the firearms would be powerful, so he shouted: "Everyone go downstairs." Pulling Qingqing, he jumped downstairs from the window with everyone. Raymond was furious, took out his short gun and bombarded downwards.Tie Luohan let out an "ouch" and was hit by a lead on his buttocks and fell to the ground.Sha Tianguang quickly helped him up.Everyone got on their horses and galloped south.At that time, Western firearms were inconvenient to use, and after firing a shot, gunpowder and lead had to be reloaded. The foreign soldiers missed a single shot, and when they reloaded gunpowder to pursue them, they would have gone far away. Yuan Chengzhi and Qingqing rode together, and while galloping, they asked: "Why did you quarrel with the foreign soldiers?" Qingqing said: "Who knows?" , I will not ask.The past three days have been remembered day and night, and the reunion at this moment is full of joy. After driving for more than 20 li, they arrived at a town, and everyone dismounted and started to tip.Hu Guinan used a knife to scoop out the lead in Tie Luohan's flesh.Tie Luohan screamed and cursed in pain. Qingqing pulled Yuan Chengzhi to sit at a table in the west, and said in a low voice: "Who told her to dress up like a monster, and her arms are exposed, so she is not afraid of being ugly!" Yuan Chengzhi asked, puzzled "Who?" Qingqing said, "That Western woman." Yuan Chengzhi said, "Is this in the way of you again?" Qingqing said with a smile: "I don't like it, I smashed her earrings with two copper coins "Yuan Chengzhi didn't feel it was funny, and said: "Oh, you are so nonsense, what happened next?" Qingqing smiled and said: "The foreign official who lost to me in the sword fight asked the foreign soldiers to point guns at me. I don't understand him In other words, I expected to compete with me again, so let’s compare if I think about it, are you still afraid of you? At this moment, you are here!” Yuan Chengzhi said: “Why did you leave alone?” Qingqing originally laughed at Yan Yan, but when she heard this, her pretty face sank, and she said, "Huh, you still have to ask me, don't you know what you are doing?" Yuan Chengzhi said: "I really don't know, what is it? Offended you?" Qingqing said: "You didn't go back to the store in the middle of the night, you must have gone to meet that beautiful girl Ah Jiu. The night before last, where did you meet?" Chengzhi said: "Your head!" Qingqing waved her palm Hitting him, Cheng Zhi grabbed her hand and kissed the back of her hand lightly.Qingqing smiled and broke free.Cheng Zhi said with a smile: "I was really with a woman that night. But she is probably about the same age as Ah Jiu's mother-in-law." Qing Qing hurriedly asked: "Who is it?" Cheng Zhi said: "I was with Aunt An, that is Aunt An Xiaohui's mother, but Xiaohui is not here." Qingqing smiled and said: "Useless guy! Beauty ignores you, so go find an old woman." Chengzhi knew that Qingqing would still be unhappy if he told about Mrs. An again, so he changed the subject and said: "The foreign soldiers have powerful firearms, what do you think we can do to snatch their cannons?" You say this." Cheng Zhi said: "Okay, I will discuss with Sha Tianguang and the others." Standing up to leave, Qingqing grabbed the corner of his clothes and said: "You are not allowed to leave, I haven't finished talking yet." Cheng Zhi smiled and sat down again.After a while, Qingqing asked, "Where's your little sister Xiaohui?" Cheng Zhi said, "I haven't seen her since we broke up that day, so I don't know where she is?" Qingqing said, "You talked to her mother all night, and you can't bear to let her go." Separated, I must have kept talking about her." Yuan Chengzhi suddenly realized that she was angry because of this, so he said sincerely: "Brother Qing, don't you understand my heart for you?" Qing Qingshuang Blushing, she turned her head away. Yuan Chengzhi said again: "I will never leave you in the future, don't worry!" Qingqing said: "Then why did you see that Ah Jiu, both of them are affectionate, you look at her, she looks at her You, wish we could never be separated? You love to look at her because she is beautiful, and I love to look at her too, so it’s not your fault. Then why does she always look at you? Are you handsome?” Cheng Zhi said, “How could this be so beautiful? You are wronging people.” Qingqing whispered, “Why are you… and your little sister Xiaohui… so good?” Cheng Zhi said: “When I was young, her mother treated me very well and treated me like I was She is like her son, I am naturally grateful. Besides, don't you see that she is very close to my nephew?" Qingqing said: "You mean that kid named Cui? He is stupid and incompetent, and he is ugly Why does she like it?" Cheng Zhi said with a smile: "Everyone loves vegetables and radishes. My boy surnamed Yuan is stupid, incompetent, and ugly, so why do you like me?" Qingqing laughed with a "chi" , Spit: "Bah, don't be ashamed, who likes you?" After this little turmoil, the two reconciled. Chengzhi said: "Let's go eat!" Qingqing said: "I have another question for you, do you think that little girl Ah Jiu is beautiful?" Chengzhi said: "Whether she is beautiful or not, what does it have to do with me? This person's whereabouts It's a secret, we have to be careful." Thinking that she led a large number of inner court guards, I don't know why, if they are not the emperor's relatives, or the family members of high-ranking officials, I can't help but secretly feel sad, feeling sad in my heart.Qingqing nodded.The two sat down at the table again, and discussed with Sha Tianguang, Cheng Qingzhu and others how to rob the cannon. Hu Guinan said: "Let my younger brother go to explore tonight and take the opportunity to steal a few guns. Take a few today and a few tomorrow, and slowly steal the foreign guns, so you won't be afraid of them." Yuan Chengzhi said: "This plan Great Miao, I will go with you to have a look." Sha Tianguang said: "Why does the leader go out in person? Wait for my younger brother to go." Yuan Chengzhi said: "I want to understand how to use firearms. If you steal a musket, you can use foreign guns to fight foreign soldiers." Everyone nodded in agreement.Qingqing said with a smile: "He still wants to take a peek at that Western beauty." Everyone laughed. In the afternoon of the same day, Yuan Chengzhi and Hu Guinan turned back on horseback and followed the foreign soldiers from a distance. They saw them staying in the inn, and when it was three o'clock, they crossed the wall and entered the inn.As soon as he got out of the room, he could hear the sound of weapons clashing, the silver clang was endless, coming from a room.The two of them leaned out of the window and looked in through the crack of the window, only to see the two Western officers fighting fiercely, each with a long sword. Yuan Chengzhiwan didn't expect that these two people would fight in the same room, he felt very strange, and he lay down quietly to watch the battle.After watching dozens of moves, he saw that Lei Meng's attack was fierce and his swordsmanship was sharp, but Peter was extremely calm. Although he blindly parried and retreated, as long as he made a counterattack, he would make a fierce move.Yuan Chengzhi knew that after a long time, the senior officer would be defeated. Sure enough, at the end of the fight, Peter returned his sword and stabbed to the left. While the opponent's sword was shaking, he suddenly turned his sword and stabbed straight.Lei Meng hurriedly retracted his sword to block back, but the blade was crooked.Peter flicked from bottom to top, and Raymond's long sword was dropped immediately.Peter grabbed the enemy's sword, pointed the tip of the sword at the opponent's chest, and muttered a few words.Raymond trembled with anger, muttering curses.Peter picked up the underground long sword, put it on the table, turned around and opened the door to go out.Lei Meng slashed across the room with his sword, couldn't stop cursing, and suddenly stopped, with a happy face, opened the door, went out, took a shovel, and started digging in the ground. Yuan Chengzhi and Hu Guinan wanted to find out what he was going to bury. They saw that he dug for a while, dug a hole with a diameter of two feet, threw all the dug out soil under the bed, and dug two feet deep , I stopped digging, tore off a piece of quilt and covered the hole, first pressed it with soil around the hole, and then spread a thin layer of soil on the quilt.He sneered a few times, opened the door and left the room.Yuan Chengzhi and Hu Guinan were puzzled, wondering what kind of Western magic he was using. After a while, Raymond came into the room again, followed by Peter.Seeing Raymond speaking harshly, Peter just shook his head.Suddenly there was a snap, and Raymond reached out and slapped him across the face.Peter was furious, drew his sword out of its sheath, and the two fought again.Raymond couldn't help moving, slowly leading Peter to the edge of the pit. Only then did Yuan Chengzhi suddenly realize that this person clearly couldn't win, so he set up a trap secretly. Since he was thinking so hard here, he had to kill the opponent.Yuan Chengzhi had no likes or dislikes towards these two people, but when he saw Lei Meng making trouble, he felt chivalrous.I saw Raymond stab several times with his sword, but Peter blocked them all.Peter counterattacked with his sword, and Raymond took two steps back.Peter rushed in with his right foot and stepped into the trap. He yelled "Ah" and fell forward.Raymond pointed his sword back at his vest.Yuan Chengzhi was already prepared. He pushed the pane quickly, leaped forward, and handed out the Golden Snake Sword. The head and tongue of the sword hooked Lei Meng's body and pulled it back.Peter had to get out of the catastrophe, and immediately jumped up, but his right foot was already twisted.Lei Meng was on the verge of defeat, startled and angry, and stabbed Yuan Chengzhi with his sword.Yuan Chengzhi sneered, and the Golden Snake Sword swayed from side to side, only to hear the sound of clanking, Lei Meng's sword body was cut off half an inch by the Golden Snake Sword, and in a short while, a short piece was left.Lei Meng was in a daze, Yuan Chengzhi rushed up and grabbed his wrist, lifted it up, head and foot, threw him into the trap he dug himself, laughed, and jumped out of the window. Hu Guinan came from behind and said with a smile, "Look, Yuan Xianggong." He raised his hands and held three short guns.Yuan Chengzhi wondered: "Where did it come from?" Hu Guinan pointed into the window.It turned out that when Yuan Chengzhi shot to save people, Hu Guinan followed in, and in his panic took the opportunity to steal three short guns from two Western officers.Yuan Chengzhi said with a smile: "I really deserve to be a master thief." The two rushed back to meet everyone.Qingqing was playing with a short gun, and inadvertently pulled the button of the gun, only to hear a bang, and the smoke filled the air.Sha Tianguang was sitting opposite her, fortunately he was agile, he hurriedly retracted his head, and a turban was knocked off, his face was covered with gunpowder ashes.Qingqing was shocked and apologized repeatedly.Sha Tianguang stuck out his tongue and said, "That's amazing!" The crowd took the other two short guns for a closer look, and saw gunpowder and lead pellets in the barrels of the guns.Cheng Qingzhu said: "Gunpowder is originally a Chinese thing. We use it for hunting, setting off fireworks, and making firecrackers. After the Westerners learned it, they used it to kill people. There are more than 100 foreign soldiers in this team, and more than 100 guns are set up. It's not for fun." Everyone felt that the firearms were powerful and they couldn't use martial arts to confront them, so they were silent for a while, thinking about their countermeasures. Hu Guinan said: "Yuan Xianggong, I have a trick that won't get on the stage, I don't know if it will work?" Tie Luohan said with a smile: "Forgive me, you don't have any serious ideas." Yuan Chengzhi said: "Brother Hu, let's listen to it." .” Hu Guinan said with a smile.Qingqing applauded first.Sha Tianguang and others also suggested a clever plan.Yuan Chengzhi deduced it carefully, and felt that this plan was feasible, so he ordered to arrange it separately.
The father of the Western woman Ruo Kelin was originally a senior official of the Rin family in Portugal, who died years ago.This time she was going to return to her home country on a sea ship carrying cannons, so she went north with the artillery army, and then went to Tianjin to board the ship.Peter is her father's subordinate and has been in love with Ruokelin for a long time.Raymond is from the mainland of Portugal. When he sees a beauty, he wants to win her love.Although he has a high official rank and is conceited and coquettish, he has no way to intervene. When he became angry, he challenged his rival in love.Peter thought he was his boss, so he didn't dare to do anything, so he had to step up his guard. On this day, I came to a large village, Wangong Village, and stayed overnight in the "Wanshi Ancestral Hall" in the village.Sleeping until midnight, I suddenly heard the noise of people, and the foreign soldiers on sentry rushed in to say that there was a fire in the village.Lei Meng and Peter got up in a hurry, seeing that the fire was burning very close, they hurriedly ordered the soldiers to move the gunpowder barrel out of the ancestral hall and put it in the open space.In the panic, all the villagers brought buckets to fight the fire, and dozens of big men broke into the ancestral hall and splashed water everywhere.Raymond asked why.All the villagers said to the interpreter Qian Tongsi: "This is the ancestral hall of our ancestors, pour water on it first, so as not to spread the fire." Lei Meng felt that it was reasonable, so he did not interfere.Unexpectedly, all the villagers poured all the buckets of water on the gunpowder with their hands.The foreign soldiers picked up their guns and rushed to fight, one after another, and within a meal, the inside and outside of the ancestral hall was covered with ocean, and the powder kegs, cannons, and guns were all drenched, but the fire gradually extinguished. At dawn, Raymond and Peter saw that the villagers behaved differently, the gunpowder was wet again, and the number of guns was reduced. They thought that this place was a bit evil, and it would be better to leave as soon as possible. Just as they were about to order to leave, a small officer Come to report that all the animals pulled by the cannons escaped in the chaos last night.Lei Meng beat him with a whip, scolded him for being careless, and ordered Qian Tongsi to lead the foreign soldiers to the village to recruit.Unexpectedly, although the village is big, it doesn't have a single animal. It is thought that they got wind and hid all the animals. This made it impossible to start, so Lei Meng ordered Peter to bring Qian Tongsi to the front town to gather livestock. Raymond led the soldiers, opened the gunpowder barrel, and poured out the gunpowder to dry.In the evening, the gunpowder was dry, and all the soldiers were about to put it into the barrels. Suddenly, dozens of torches were thrown from the houses and thrown into the gunpowder pile, and the flames burst into the sky.All the foreign soldiers were scared out of their wits and fled one after another, making a mess.Raymond ordered repeatedly to restrain the soldiers and fire guns at the houses.Amidst the smog, dozens of big men could be seen fleeing into the forest and disappearing.Raymond checked the gunpowder, and nine out of ten had been burned, and most of the guns were lost. He was very frustrated.It was not until the afternoon of the third day that Peter conscripted dozens of mules and horses to haul the cannon. After walking for four or five days on the road, one day they came to a dangerous mountain gorge, and saw that it was an extremely steep downhill road. Raymond and Peter commanded the soldiers. Each cannon was held by ten soldiers with huge cables to prevent the mountain road Too steep, the cannon fell.The mountain road became more and more dangerous. Everyone was worried and tried their best to drag the cannon. Suddenly, there was a loud swishing sound in the mountain depression, and dozens of feathered arrows shot out. More than a dozen foreign soldiers were hit by arrows immediately, and more than a dozen arrows were shot at the mules and horses.The cattle are hurting and rushing down, how can the foreign soldiers hold back?Each of the ten cannons weighed more than a thousand catties, and the force of the fall was no small matter.A trap suddenly appeared on the road, and many mules and horses fell into the pit.There was a loud bang, the last two cannons suddenly turned upside down, somersaulted all the way down, several foreign soldiers were crushed into meat paste, and the eight cannons in front were immediately pushed. All the soldiers didn't care about resisting the attacking enemy, they rushed to both sides.Some had no way to go, seeing the menacing sound of the cannon rolling down, jumped to avoid it, and fell into the canyon.The ten cannons rolled and rolled, heading straight down, faster and faster.The mules and horses galloped ahead, and were soon overtaken by the cannon, crushing their flesh and blood.After a while, the loud noise was deafening, and all ten cannons fell into the deep valley. 雷蒙和彼得惊魂甫定，回顾若克琳时，见她已吓得晕了过去。两人救起了她，指挥士兵伏下抵敌。敌人早在坡上挖了深坑，用山泥筑成挡壁。火枪射去，伤不到一根毫毛，羽箭却不住嗖嗖射来。战了两个多时辰，洋兵始终不能突围。 雷蒙道：“咱们火药不够用了，只得硬冲。”彼得道：“叫钱通四去问问，这些土匪到底要什么。”雷蒙怒道：“跟土匪有什么说的？你不敢去，我来冲。”彼得道：“土匪弓箭厉害，何必逞无谓的勇敢？”雷蒙望了若克琳一眼，恶狠狠地吐了口唾沫，骂道：“懦夫，懦夫！”彼得气得面色苍白，低声道：“等打退了土匪，叫你知道无礼的代价。” 雷蒙一跃而起，叫道：“是好汉跟我来！”彼得叫道：“雷蒙上校，你想寻死么？”众洋兵知道出去就是送死，谁肯跟他乱冲？雷蒙仗剑大呼，奔不数步，一箭射来，穿胸而死。 彼得与众洋兵缩在山沟里，仗着火器锐利，敌人不敢逼近，僵持了一日一夜，只盼官兵来救。但其时官场腐败异常，若是调兵遣将，公文来往，又要请示，又要商议，不耗到十天半月，决不能调派一兵一卒。 守到第二日傍晚，众兵饿得头昏眼花，只得竖起了白旗。钱通四高声大叫：“我们投降了，洋大人说投降了！”山坡上一人叫道：“把火枪都抛出来。”彼得道：“不能缴枪。” 敌人并不理会，也不再攻。过了一会儿，忽然一阵肉香酒香，随风飘了过来。众洋兵已一日两夜没吃东西，这时哪里还抵受得住？纷纷抛出火枪，奔出沟来。彼得见大势已去，只得下令弃械投降。众兵把火枪堆在一起，大叫大嚷赛吃东西。 只听得两边山坡上号角声响，土坑中站起数百名大汉，弯弓搭箭，对住了众洋兵。几个人缓步过来，走到临近，彼得看得清楚，当先一人便是那晚救了自己性命的少年。他身旁那人正是曾给雷蒙击落头巾的少女。若克琳叫道：“啊，就是这批有魔法的人！”彼得拔出佩剑，走上几步，双手横捧，交给袁承志，意示投降，心想此人于己有恩，输在他手下也还值得。 袁承志先是一愣，随即领悟这是服输投降之意，于是摇了摇手，对钱通四道：“你对他说，他们洋兵带大炮来，如是帮助中国守卫国土，抵抗外敌，那么我们很是感谢，当他们是好朋友。”钱通四照他的话译了。彼得连连点头，伸出手来和袁承志握了握。 袁承志又道：“但你们到潼关去，是帮皇帝杀我们百姓，这个我们就不许了。”彼得道：“是去打中国百姓么？我完全不知道。”袁承志见他脸色诚恳，相信不是假话，又道：“全中国的百姓很苦，没饭吃，只盼有人领他们打掉皇帝，脱离苦海。皇帝怕了，叫你们用大炮去轰死百姓。”彼得道：“我也是穷人出身，知道穷人的苦处。我这就回本国去了。”袁承志道：“那很好，你把兵都带走吧。” 彼得下令集队。袁承志命部下拿出酒肉，让洋兵饱餐了一顿。彼得向袁承志举手致敬，领队上坡。袁承志叫道：“干吗不把火枪带走？”钱通四译了。彼得奇道：“那是你的战利品。你放我们走，不要我们用钱来赎身，我们已很感谢你的宽宏大量了。” 袁承志笑道：“你已失了大炮，再不把枪带走，只怕回去长官责罚更重。拿去吧。”彼得道：“你不怕我们开枪打你们么？”袁承志哈哈笑道：“大丈夫一言既出，驷马难追。我们中国人讲究言而有信，既当你是朋友，哪有疑心？”彼得连声道谢，命士兵取了火枪，列队而去。他一路上坡，越想越是感佩，命众兵坐下休息，和钱通四两人又赶回来，从怀里取出一个布包，对袁承志道：“阁下如此豪杰，我有一件东西相赠。”钱通四译成了华语。 袁承志打开布包看时，见是一张折叠着的厚纸，摊了开来，原来是幅地图，图中所绘的似是大海中的一座岛屿，图上注了许多弯弯曲曲的文字。 彼得道：“这是南方海上的一座大岛。岛上气候温暖，物产丰富，真如天堂一样。我航海时到过那里。”袁承志问道：“你给我这图是什么意思？”彼得道：“你们在这里很是辛苦，不如带了中国没饭吃的受苦百姓，都到那岛上去。” 袁承志暗暗好笑，心道：“你这外国人心地倒好，只不过不知我们中国有多大，亿万之众，凭你再大的岛也居住不下。”问道：“这岛上没人住么？”彼得道：“有时有西班牙的海盗，有时没有。你们这样的英雄好汉，也不会怕那些该死的西班牙海盗。”袁承志见他一片诚意，就道了谢，收起地图。彼得作别而去。 钱通四转过身子，正要随同上山，青青忽地伸手，扯住他的耳朵，喝道：“下次再见你作威作福，欺侮同胞，小心你的狗命！”钱通四耳上剧痛，连说：“小人不敢！”他口中少了许多牙齿，说话漏风，倒似说：“小人颇敢！” 袁承志指挥众人，爬到深谷底下去察看大炮，见十尊巨炮互相碰撞，都已毁得不成模样，无法再用，于是掘土盖上。袁承志见大功告成，与侯飞文等群豪欢聚半日，痛饮一场，这才分手。次日会齐了哑巴、洪胜海等人，带了铁箱向京师进发。 这一役胡桂南厥功最伟，弄湿火药、掘坑陷炮等巧计都是他想出来的。众人一路上对他不断称扬。再也不敢轻视他是小偷出身。袁部三营初出茅庐，便建奇勋。其后闯军进攻潼关，明朝兵部尚书督师孙传庭战死，麾下大将高杰弃关逃赴西安，闯军攻破潼关，得西安，再取北京，袁部毁炮挫敌之功甚巨。“金蛇营”的名声大振。
此去一路之上，但见焦土残垣，野犬食尸，尽是清兵烧杀劫掠的遗迹，群雄看得尽皆心头火起。沙天广道：“可惜那日没杀了鞑子兵的元帅阿巴泰。盟主，咱们赶上去刺杀他如何？”青青首先便鼓掌叫好。袁承志沉吟不答。青青道：“去杀了鞑子兵元帅有什么不好？也免得孙仲寿叔叔老是埋怨。”袁承志道：“要刺杀鞑子的头子，杀得越大越好，咱们索性便去刺杀满清的皇帝皇太极。”（注二）众人一怔，随即齐声欢呼。 袁承志详细询问洪胜海，满清的京城如何防卫，如何方能混入皇宫。洪胜海道：“满清的京城在沈阳，现今叫做盛京，那盛京规模简陋，可万万及不上北京了。小人先前在睿亲王多尔衮手下当差，有块腰牌，可以直进睿亲王府，皇宫却没进去过。”袁承志道：“咱们这就去盛京，到了之后相机行事。” 一行人先到北京顺天府，租到住所后将铁箱埋人地下，由程青竹率领青竹帮的几名得力头目留守，承志等出京向北进发，不一一日到了盛京。 众人在一家小客店中歇了，商议混进宫中之策。洪胜海道：“相公，依小人之见，请你委屈一下，扮作小人的伙伴，先去见多尔衮。他是鞑子皇帝的亲弟弟，在各位王爷中最得宠信，权力最大。咱们或能凭着他带进宫去。”袁承志道：“多尔衮派你送信给司礼太监曹化淳，你又怎地回报？”洪胜海道：“小人只说曹化淳还没能见到，但在北京打探到了机密军情，因此先行回报。”袁承志道：“什么机密军情？”洪胜海道：“小人胡说八道'番，说是明朝皇帝已向西洋国借兵，借来几百门大炮，数千洋枪队，日内就来攻打满清。”袁承志喜道：“此计大妙，多尔衮听了，定要去禀报鞑子皇帝。”于是向青青要了那支洋枪，对洪胜海道：“你说我是西洋兵的通译钱通四，因此得悉内情。” 青青大笑，说道：“承志哥哥，你什么人不扮，却去扮那个狗通译钱通四，我打掉你满嘴牙齿再说！”说着举起右手，假意向袁承志嘴上打去。袁承志张口便咬，青青忙缩手不迭。袁承志叽哩咕噜地说了几句冒充西洋话，众人尽皆大笑。 当日午后，袁承志随同洪胜海，去睿亲王府求见王爷。多尔衮随即传见。袁承志见那多尔衮彐十一二岁年纪，身形高瘦，一脸精悍之气。洪胜海跟他说了一阵满洲话，多尔衮果然神色大变，随即以汉语询问袁承志。袁承志取出洋枪，放在桌上，将先前与洪胜海商量好的言语说了。多尔衮沉吟良久，说道：“你们报讯有功，我有重赏。这就下去吧。明日再来伺候，听取吩咐。”两人无奈，只得磕头退出。 袁承志无缘无故向鞑子王爷磕了几个头，却见不到皇太极，回到客店，老大发闷。寻思一会儿，要洪胜海带到皇宫外去察看了一番，决意晚间径行入宫行刺。 他想此举不论成败，次日城中必定大索，捉拿刺客，于是要各人先行出城，约定明日午间在城南二十里处一座破庙中相会。各人自知武功与他相差太远，多一人非但帮不了忙，反而成为累赘，单是他一人，脱身便容易得多，俱各遵命，都力劝他务须小心。 青青出门时向袁承志凝望片刻，低声道：“承志哥哥，鞑子皇帝刺得到果然好，刺不到也就罢了，你自己可千万要保重。你知道，在我心中，一百个鞑子皇帝也及不上你一根头发，我若是从此再也见不到你……”说到这里，眼圈儿登时红了。 袁承志要让她宽怀，伸手拔下头上一根头发，笑道：“我送一百个鞑子皇帝给你。”说时将头发递将过去。青青扑哧一笑，眼泪却掉了下来。
袁承志等到初更时分，携了金蛇剑与金蛇锥，来到宫墙外。眼见宫外守卫严密，悄步绕到一株大树后躲起，待卫士巡过，轻轻跃入宫墙。眼见殿阁处处，却不知皇太极居于何处，一时大费踌躇，心想只有抓到一名卫士或是太监来逼问。 他放轻脚步，走了小半个时辰，不见丝毫端倪，心道：“这件事艰难万分，怎比得当日大功坊中夜探？务须沉住了气，今晚不成，明晚再来，纵然须花一两个月时光，那也不妨。”既这么想，走得更加慢了，绕过一条回廊，忽见花丛中灯光闪动，忙缩身在假山之后，过不多时，只见四名太监提了宫灯，引着三名官员过来。他眼见人多，倘若抢出擒人，势必惊动，只要一声张，皇帝有备，便行刺不成了。当下蹑足在后跟随，只见那七人走向一座大殿，进殿去了。殿外匾额写着“崇政殿”三字，旁边有行弯弯曲曲的满文。 袁承志绕到殿后，伏身在地，只见殿周四五十名卫士执刀守御，心中一喜：“此处守卫森严，莫非鞑子皇帝便在殿中？”在地下慢慢爬近，拾起一块石子，投入花丛。四名卫士闻声过去查看。其余侍卫也均注视。袁承志展开轻功，已抢到墙边，使出“壁虎游墙功”沿墙而上，顷刻间到了殿顶，伏在屋脊侧面，倾听四下无声，自己踪迹未让发现，轻轻推开殿顶的几块琉璃瓦，从缝隙中凝目往下瞧去。见满殿灯烛辉煌，那三名官员正跪在地下，行的是三跪九叩大礼，袁承志大喜：“果然是在参见皇帝。” 只听得最前的一名花白胡子的老官说道：“臣范文程见驾。”其次一名身材魁梧的官员道：“臣宁完我见驾。”最后一名官员脸容尖削，说道：“臣鲍承先见驾。”袁承志心道：“这三个官儿都是汉人，却投降了鞑子，都是汉奸，待会儿顺手一个一剑。”又想：“他们跟鞑子皇帝怎地又都说汉话？” 缓缓移身向南，从缝隙中向北瞧去，只见龙座上一人方面大耳，双目炯炯有神，唇留微髭，约莫五十来岁年纪，料想便是父亲当年的大敌皇太极。寻思：“从此发射金蛇锥，当可取他性命，只是隔得远了，并无十足把握，倘若侍卫之中有高手在内，别要给挡格开去，还是跳下去一剑割了他首级的为是。” 只听皇太极道：“南朝军情这几天怎样？今日接到阿巴泰禀报，说先前在山东青州、泰安之间中伏，打了个大败仗，难道明军居然还这么能打？你们可知青州、泰安这一带的统兵官是谁？”袁承志心想：“原来他们正在说我们打的这场胜仗，倒要听听他们说些什么？” 宁完我道：“启禀皇上，臣已详细查过。明军带兵的总兵姓水，名叫水鉴，武艺了得。其实真正打仗的是李自成手下的一批亡命之徒，叫做什么金蛇营，那水总兵倒给他们收服投降了。”皇太极“哦”了一声，道：“他降了反贼，那太可惜了。你们去仔细查明，能不能设法要他降我大清，瞧他是贪财呢，还是爱美色。此人能打败阿巴泰，那是个人才，咱们决不能轻易放过了。”三名官员齐声道：“皇上圣明英断，那水鉴若肯降顺，是他的福气。” 皇太极叹了口气，说道：“咱们当年使反间计杀了袁崇焕，朕事后想来，常觉十分可惜……”袁承志听他提到自己父亲的名字，耳中嗡的一声，全身发热，心道：“他们使反间计，使反间计！我爹爹果然是他害的。这人是害死我爹爹的大仇人！”只听皇太极续道：“倘若袁崇焕能为朕用，南朝的江山这时候多半早已是大清的了。”袁承志暗暗“呸”的一声，心中骂道：“狗鞑子打的好如意算盘！我爹爹忠肝义胆，岂能降你？” 皇太极又道：“只是袁崇焕为人愚忠，不识大势，谅来也是不肯投降的。”又叹了口气，问道：“洪承畴近来怎样？”袁承志知道父亲当年曾任蓟辽总督，后来洪承畴也做蓟辽总督，崇祯皇帝委以兵马大权，兵败被擒，降了满清。洪承畴失陷之初，崇祯还以为他已殉国，曾亲自隆重祭祀。后来得知降清，天下都笑崇祯无知人之明。 范文程道：“启奏皇上，洪承畴已将南朝的实情什么都说了。他说崇祯刚愎自用，举措失当，信用奸佞，杀害忠良，四方流寇大起。我大清大军正可趁机进关，解民倒悬。”皇太极摇头道：“崇祯的性子，他说得一点儿也不错。但我兵进关却还不是时候。这时候进关，并无必胜把握。总须让明兵再跟流寇打下去，双方精疲力尽，两败俱伤，大清便可收那渔翁之利，一举而得天下。你们汉人叫做卞庄刺虎之计，是不是？”三臣齐道：“是，是，皇上圣明。” 袁承志暗暗心惊：“这鞑子皇帝当真厉害，崇祯和他相比可天差地远了。我非杀他不可，此人不除，我大汉江山不稳。就算闯王得了天下，只怕……只怕……”隐隐觉得此人目光远大，统观全局，想得通透，稳扎稳打，半点也不急躁，闯王的才具与他相较，似乎也颇有不及，又想：“这皇帝的汉语可也说得流利得很。他还读过中国书，居然知道卞庄刺虎的故事。” 只听皇太极道：“那洪承畴还说些什么？”范文程道：“洪承畴向臣露了几次口风，盼望皇上恩典，赏他个差使，他得以为皇上效犬马之劳，仰报天恩。”皇太极哈哈大笑，道：“这差使吗？慢慢再说。”鲍承先道：“皇上，臣愚鲁之极，心中有一事不明白，盼望皇上指点。”皇太极点点头。鲍承先道：“洪承畴先前不肯归顺，皇上大赐恩宠，亲自解下身上的貂裘，披在他身上，又连日大张筵席请他，连我大清的开国功臣也从来没这般殊荣。众臣工都不明白。皇上开导说：咱们这些年来辛辛苦苦、连年征战，为的是什么？众臣工启奏道：为的是打南朝江山。皇上谕道：是啊，可是咱们不明南朝内情，好比都是瞎子，洪承畴一归顺，咱们都睁开了眼啦，那还不欢喜么？众臣工都拜服皇上圣明。这些日子来，那洪承畴于南朝各地的城守职官、民情风俗，都说得详详细细，果然尽在皇上算中。但皇七却不赏他官职封爵，众臣工可又都不明白了。” 皇太极微微一笑，说道：“老鲍性子直爽，想问什么，倒也直言无忌。你们三个，虽然都是汉人，但早就跟先皇和朕办事，忠心耿耿，洪承畴怎能跟你们相比？”范文程等三人忙趴下磕头，咚咚有声，显是心中感激之极。袁承志暗骂：“无耻，无耻！” 皇太极道：“洪承畴这人，本事是有的，可是骨气就说不上了。先前我已待他太好，若再赐他高官厚禄，这人还肯出力办事吗？哼，崇祯封他的官难道还不够大，那时他做的是什么官？”范文程道：“启奏皇上：那时他在南朝官封太子太保、兵部尚书、总督蓟辽军务，麾下统率八名总兵官，实是官大权大。”皇太极道：“着啊。我封他的官再大，也大不过崇祯封他的。要他尽心竭力办事，便不能给他官做。把他吊在那儿，叫他摇摇晃晃的摸不着边儿。”三臣齐声道：“皇上圣明。” 袁承志越想越有道理，觉得他这驾驭人才的法门实是高明之极，此刻听到这番话，宛似当年在华山绝顶初见《金蛇秘笈》，其中所述法门无不匪夷所思，虽然绝非正道，却令人不由得不服。 他呆了一阵，却听得皇太极在和范文程等商议，日后取得明朝天下之后如何治理，此时如何先为之备，倒似大明的江山已是他掌中之物一般。袁承志心下愤怒，轻轻又揭开了两张琉璃瓦，看准了殿中落脚之处，却听得皇太极道：“南朝所以流寇四起，说来说去，也只一个道理，就是老百姓没饭吃。咱们得了南朝江山，第一件大事，就是要让天下百姓人人有饭吃……”袁承志心下一凛：“这话对极！” 范文程等颂扬了几句。皇太极道：“要老百姓有饭吃，你们说有什么法子？范先生，你先说说看。”他似对范文程颇为客气，称他“先生”，不像对鲍承先那样呼之为“老鲍”。 范文程道：“皇上未得江山，先就念念不忘于百姓，这番心意，必得上天眷顾。以臣愚见，要天下百姓都有饭吃，第一须得轻徭薄赋，决不可如崇祯那样，不断地加饷搜刮。”皇太极点头道：“咱们进关之后，须得定下规矩，世世代代，不得加赋，只要库中有余，就得下旨免百姓钱粮。”范文程道：“皇上如此存心，实是万民之福，臣得以投效明主，为皇上粉身碎骨，也所……也所甘愿。”说到后来，语音竟然呜咽了。 袁承志心想：“这个大汉奸，倒似确有几分爱民之心，却不知是做戏呢，还是真心。”皇太极道：“很好，很好。你们汉人骂你们是汉奸，日后你们好好为朕办事，也就是为天下百姓办事，总得狠狠地争一口气，让千千万万百姓瞧瞧，到底是你们这些人为汉人做了好事呢，还是崇祯手下那些只知升官发财、搜刮百姓的真汉奸做了好事。老宁，你有什么条陈？” 宁完我道：“启奏皇上：我大清的满洲人少，汉人众多。皇上得了天下之后，以臣愚见，须得视天下满人汉人俱是皇上子民，不可像元朝蒙古人那样，把汉人南方人当作下等百姓。只消我大清对众百姓一视同仁，汉人之中纵有倔强之徒，也成不了大事。”皇太极点头道：“此言有理。元人弓马天下无敌，可是他们在中国的江山却坐不稳，就是为了虐待汉人。这是前车什么的？”鲍承先道：“前车覆辙。”皇太极微笑道：“对了，老鲍，我读汉人的书，始终不易有什么长进。”鲍承先道：“皇上日理万机，这些汉人书里的典故，也不必太放在心上。只要懂得书里的大道理，如何治国平天下，那就够了。”皇太极点头道：“