Chapter 21 Section ten
A huge paper-tied white tiger carried by 20 people, leading a huge team of thousands of people, paraded along Zhende Avenue, and countless people (including those who lost their livelihoods in the fire) stood and watched.
There are all kinds of strange people in the team, among which monks and Taoist priests are the most, and there are also practitioners in bright colors and different clothes, fortune tellers with spells and cloth strips all over their bodies, children dressed as gods or heavenly soldiers, and people with cloth on their faces. A barbarian wizard full of tattoos, a western priest with blond hair and curvy nose...
According to the royal astrologer, the fire in the capital was caused by the dim auspicious star and the rise of the evil star of the fire demon.According to the eunuch Lun Xiao's report, the emperor ordered to gather capable people from all over the world to hold a month-long "sacrifice meeting" to offer sacrifices to the heavens and comfort the evil spirits.
At the Wuchangfang disaster site, all reconstruction projects were suspended, and manpower was concentrated to build a majestic "Hall of Consolation" at full speed, which was completed on the last day of the "Sacrifice Conference" under the rush of work day and night—and the victims sleeping in the open around the temple , there is still no half tile on the top of the head.
In order to make up for the expenses of holding the "Sacrifice Conference" and rebuilding the treasury of Wuchang and Hehe Erfang, another imperial decree was issued: an additional seven cents of "禳NA" was levied for every mu of farmland in the world.
This was not a large number.However, after receiving the imperial order, Lun Xiao appointed fifty-one eunuchs to serve as "foreign envoys" and sent them to various states and counties to directly supervise the collection of this extra tax.The cronies and minions accompanying the "outside envoys" ranged from 20 to 30 people to as many as nearly a hundred. After arriving in various places, they colluded with local officials and powerful tycoons, went to the city and went to the countryside to search and plunder in large quantities under the pretext of receiving them, and illegally raped them in private. The expense of such a clever name, the extortion of wine, food and property, and even the rape of women, and those who resisted were severely tortured or even killed in public. In the following two years, bloody tracks were carved on the imperial land.As a result, civil uprisings broke out in three places, and two "outside envoys" were surrounded and killed by the masses, but they were all suppressed by force in the end, killing and executing more than 3,000 mobs...
Di Bin took advantage of the complicated flow of people at the "Sacrifice Conference" to smoothly transfer more than 300 elite subordinates from "Dashutang" in Piaocheng to the capital for deployment.After the increase in the number of soldiers, coupled with the fierce attack of the sickle head and the support of the Grand Master's Mansion, 70% of the fortifications in the disaster site fell into the hands of Runsheng...
At dusk, the paper white tiger was burned on the altar outside the imperial city.Under the urging of the raging fire, the black mist with paper ash floated high into the sky, and everyone in the capital could see it.
Five bamboo coops.Four porcelain vats filled with rice wine and pickled vegetables.The big red lantern in front of the restaurant.Brocade of six colors.Fourteen wooden pillars.Eight canvas bamboo sheds.A charcoal oven for roasting braised pork.Plate of sun-dried peppers.There are eleven spice jars in two rows.Seven chairs and three tables.Sixteen pieces of hanging pork.Twenty-six cups.Eight wine bottles.Eleven rice bowls.Two statues carved in wood.Seven incense sticks.Eighteen paper slaves and horses.A black dog guarding the gate.Boiling oil for two nests of deep-fried dough sticks.Four cheap calligraphy and paintings.Twelve packs of rouge powder.Three large bundles of firewood.Seven oil lamps.Twenty-two pieces of clothes and robes for sale.Three pairs of shoes.Nine baskets of fruits and vegetables... There were also twenty-seven men's bodies. They are things cut, crushed, overturned, and smashed by the long scimitar with the sickle's head between the main gate of Guicifang and the five streets and alleys in the depths of the market. This rampant force of destruction still marches on.
"'Three Eyes' is here again!" The "Shuangmasi" man who came to report the news was drenched in sweat and shouted out of breath in front of the door. The shout echoed endlessly in the huge hall on the second floor.On the east and west walls of the hall, there are a row of 14 large cabinets taller than a person, all of which are made of water and fire resistant steel, and there are iron locks the size of a fist hanging on the doors of the cabinets.From the first one on the left in the east to the last one on the right in the west, big characters from "One" to "Twenty-eight" are written in red paint respectively, representing where all accounts, files and contracts of "Twenty-eight Pu" are stored. This "General Ledger Building" is located in the center of Guicifang Market, and it is the headquarters of the "Ershibapu General League".Everyone gathered in the hall was still arguing fiercely, but when they heard the word "three eyes", they immediately fell silent. Sitting at the head of the long table in the middle is Lin Jiuren, the second seats on the left and right are Cui Ding, the young owner of "Lianchang Shuilu", and Ba Zhui, the leader of "Yufanghao", and behind them are the owners of the "Twenty-eight Shops"; Sun Kegang, who was still wearing a wooden frame on his chin, and other leaders of the "San Tiao Zuo" stood everywhere in the hall, staring at the face of the messenger man.From his expression, they all sensed the horror he had witnessed. "Damn it!" Bazina slammed his huge fist on the table. "I don't come sooner or later, but it's this time! If I had known, I would have brought all the brothers from the stone field!" Ba Zhui's square face and thick neck had blood-red veins.His violent temper is even more famous than his awl killing skills when he was young. Tong Bayun walked to the south window and looked down at the open space in front of the main entrance.Nothing happened yet.He knew his men were bleeding in the alleys of the marketplace.He could imagine that terrifying "Three Eyes" holding a huge scimitar, waving wildly forward in the narrow streets and alleys between the shops... nothing can stand in front of it. "He knows we are here." Tong Bayun's voice was still calm. "This time is the real attack. He must bring men." "Not bad!" The messenger confirmed Tong Bayun's speculation. "I can't see clearly... I'm afraid there are at least two or three hundred people! We have lost about thirty brothers—maybe more now..." "What about the other party's loss?" Lin Jiuren asked.The "Twenty-eight Shop" occupies an advantageous location in the market, so it may not be impossible to win a frontal battle. The man smiled wryly and shook his head. "No. Only 'Three Eyes' opened the way ahead. His subordinates just followed behind, stepping on our brother's corpse... No matter how many of us there are, we can't stop it..." His voice became weaker as he spoke. choked up. "Is that guy a monster?" Cui Ding screamed strangely, his long black and thin face was extremely nervous.Since his father Cui Yan became paralyzed due to illness, Cui Ding has been in charge of "Lianchang Water and Land" for five years.But he had never personally experienced such a tragic battle. Among the "San Tiao Zuo", "Lianchang Water and Land" is the best at doing business, but its combat power is the weakest.Under Yu Runsheng's offensive, "Lienchang Water and Land" may become the first party to be swallowed up. This meeting was initiated by Cui Ding. "What? We're not ready yet..." "No matter what, he can't be allowed to attack here..." "Our 'San Tiao Zuo' has been established in Kyoto for more than 20 years, and the surname Yu has only been here for a few months. Is it possible that he will be defeated like this?..." "It's better to send someone to 'Feng Yilong'..." All the shopkeepers in the hall were arguing. "It's useless." Tong Bayun said coldly, interrupting their voices. "When 'Three Eyes' came to cause trouble several times in the past, did you see the shadow of half of the imperial guards nearby? This time, such a large number of people were dispatched... It is really obvious: it is Rong Yushan who is behind to support the surname Yu .” The people in the hall fell silent immediately upon hearing this.They already knew this fact, but no one said it. "It is impossible for us to confront 'Feng Yilong'." Lin Jiuren said solemnly. "Let's make peace with Yu. It seems that this is the only way to survive. Give him the fat of Wuchang and Hehe, and he should be willing to stop..." "No." Tong Bayun retorted. "He will never make peace. This big attack obviously saw that the leaders of our 'Sanjoza' were all gathered here, but the forces of 'Lienchang' and 'Yufang' did not gather. I If he had, he would never let go of this opportunity." Both Cui Ding and Ba Zhui nodded in agreement. "He must have sent another ambush to wait outside the market." Tong Bayun continued. "If we escape, we will only end up being slaughtered." Everyone present admired Tong Bayun's analysis.They watched him, hoping to hear a glimmer of hope from his mouth. "That's right." It was Sun Kegang who spoke.His voice was indistinct—every word he uttered, there was a knife-like pain in his jaw.He stood up and took out a hammer. "I see. Let's fight it out here." "Call back all the brothers from the market. They are in the streets, and they can only continue to be slaughtered by the 'Three Eyes'." Lin Jiuren immediately understood. "Only by forming an array in the open space below can we suppress the brute force of the 'Three Eyes'." Tong Bayun nodded. "Kill him, and we will have a chance to survive." Lin Jiuren immediately issued an order. All the shop owners of "Twenty-eight Shops" left in a hurry, preparing to recruit the brothers whose shop was in the market - even if there are only a few dozen more people, it is better than none.They knew that, as Tong Bayun said, there was no way out. A few shopkeepers went downstairs first, but after a while they all rushed back upstairs in a panic. "What's the matter?" Lin Jiuren asked nervously. A fat shopkeeper gasped and pointed in the direction of the window, "Look outside!" Tong Bayun rushed to the window and looked down, and then turned his gaze to the streets to the east.He saw it, and was too surprised to speak.
Five bamboo coops.Four porcelain vats filled with rice wine and pickled vegetables.The big red lantern in front of the restaurant.Brocade of six colors.Fourteen wooden pillars.Eight canvas bamboo sheds.A charcoal oven for roasting braised pork.Plate of sun-dried peppers.There are eleven spice jars in two rows.Seven chairs and three tables.Sixteen pieces of hanging pork.Twenty-six cups.Eight wine bottles.Eleven rice bowls.Two statues carved in wood.Seven incense sticks.Eighteen paper slaves and horses.A black dog guarding the gate.Boiling oil for two nests of deep-fried dough sticks.Four cheap calligraphy and paintings.Twelve packs of rouge powder.Three large bundles of firewood.Seven oil lamps.Twenty-two pieces of clothes and robes for sale.Three pairs of shoes.Nine baskets of fruits and vegetables... There were also twenty-seven men's bodies. They are things cut, crushed, overturned, and smashed by the long scimitar with the sickle's head between the main gate of Guicifang and the five streets and alleys in the depths of the market. This rampant force of destruction still marches on.
"'Three Eyes' is here again!" The "Shuangmasi" man who came to report the news was drenched in sweat and shouted out of breath in front of the door. The shout echoed endlessly in the huge hall on the second floor.On the east and west walls of the hall, there are a row of 14 large cabinets taller than a person, all of which are made of water and fire resistant steel, and there are iron locks the size of a fist hanging on the doors of the cabinets.From the first one on the left in the east to the last one on the right in the west, big characters from "One" to "Twenty-eight" are written in red paint respectively, representing where all accounts, files and contracts of "Twenty-eight Pu" are stored. This "General Ledger Building" is located in the center of Guicifang Market, and it is the headquarters of the "Ershibapu General League".Everyone gathered in the hall was still arguing fiercely, but when they heard the word "three eyes", they immediately fell silent. Sitting at the head of the long table in the middle is Lin Jiuren, the second seats on the left and right are Cui Ding, the young owner of "Lianchang Shuilu", and Ba Zhui, the leader of "Yufanghao", and behind them are the owners of the "Twenty-eight Shops"; Sun Kegang, who was still wearing a wooden frame on his chin, and other leaders of the "San Tiao Zuo" stood everywhere in the hall, staring at the face of the messenger man.From his expression, they all sensed the horror he had witnessed. "Damn it!" Bazina slammed his huge fist on the table. "I don't come sooner or later, but it's this time! If I had known, I would have brought all the brothers from the stone field!" Ba Zhui's square face and thick neck had blood-red veins.His violent temper is even more famous than his awl killing skills when he was young. Tong Bayun walked to the south window and looked down at the open space in front of the main entrance.Nothing happened yet.He knew his men were bleeding in the alleys of the marketplace.He could imagine that terrifying "Three Eyes" holding a huge scimitar, waving wildly forward in the narrow streets and alleys between the shops... nothing can stand in front of it. "He knows we are here." Tong Bayun's voice was still calm. "This time is the real attack. He must bring men." "Not bad!" The messenger confirmed Tong Bayun's speculation. "I can't see clearly... I'm afraid there are at least two or three hundred people! We have lost about thirty brothers—maybe more now..." "What about the other party's loss?" Lin Jiuren asked.The "Twenty-eight Shop" occupies an advantageous location in the market, so it may not be impossible to win a frontal battle. The man smiled wryly and shook his head. "No. Only 'Three Eyes' opened the way ahead. His subordinates just followed behind, stepping on our brother's corpse... No matter how many of us there are, we can't stop it..." His voice became weaker as he spoke. choked up. "Is that guy a monster?" Cui Ding screamed strangely, his long black and thin face was extremely nervous.Since his father Cui Yan became paralyzed due to illness, Cui Ding has been in charge of "Lianchang Water and Land" for five years.But he had never personally experienced such a tragic battle. Among the "San Tiao Zuo", "Lianchang Water and Land" is the best at doing business, but its combat power is the weakest.Under Yu Runsheng's offensive, "Lienchang Water and Land" may become the first party to be swallowed up. This meeting was initiated by Cui Ding. "What? We're not ready yet..." "No matter what, he can't be allowed to attack here..." "Our 'San Tiao Zuo' has been established in Kyoto for more than 20 years, and the surname Yu has only been here for a few months. Is it possible that he will be defeated like this?..." "It's better to send someone to 'Feng Yilong'..." All the shopkeepers in the hall were arguing. "It's useless." Tong Bayun said coldly, interrupting their voices. "When 'Three Eyes' came to cause trouble several times in the past, did you see the shadow of half of the imperial guards nearby? This time, such a large number of people were dispatched... It is really obvious: it is Rong Yushan who is behind to support the surname Yu .” The people in the hall fell silent immediately upon hearing this.They already knew this fact, but no one said it. "It is impossible for us to confront 'Feng Yilong'." Lin Jiuren said solemnly. "Let's make peace with Yu. It seems that this is the only way to survive. Give him the fat of Wuchang and Hehe, and he should be willing to stop..." "No." Tong Bayun retorted. "He will never make peace. This big attack obviously saw that the leaders of our 'Sanjoza' were all gathered here, but the forces of 'Lienchang' and 'Yufang' did not gather. I If he had, he would never let go of this opportunity." Both Cui Ding and Ba Zhui nodded in agreement. "He must have sent another ambush to wait outside the market." Tong Bayun continued. "If we escape, we will only end up being slaughtered." Everyone present admired Tong Bayun's analysis.They watched him, hoping to hear a glimmer of hope from his mouth. "That's right." It was Sun Kegang who spoke.His voice was indistinct—every word he uttered, there was a knife-like pain in his jaw.He stood up and took out a hammer. "I see. Let's fight it out here." "Call back all the brothers from the market. They are in the streets, and they can only continue to be slaughtered by the 'Three Eyes'." Lin Jiuren immediately understood. "Only by forming an array in the open space below can we suppress the brute force of the 'Three Eyes'." Tong Bayun nodded. "Kill him, and we will have a chance to survive." Lin Jiuren immediately issued an order. All the shop owners of "Twenty-eight Shops" left in a hurry, preparing to recruit the brothers whose shop was in the market - even if there are only a few dozen more people, it is better than none.They knew that, as Tong Bayun said, there was no way out. A few shopkeepers went downstairs first, but after a while they all rushed back upstairs in a panic. "What's the matter?" Lin Jiuren asked nervously. A fat shopkeeper gasped and pointed in the direction of the window, "Look outside!" Tong Bayun rushed to the window and looked down, and then turned his gaze to the streets to the east.He saw it, and was too surprised to speak.