Chapter 5 Chapter Five

Wu Zixu looked at the scene in front of him, his body didn't feel warm any more, he just felt cold. Looking down from the top of the hill, under the moonlit night, countless pools and swamps are displayed ahead, reflecting the moonlight in the shadows of the plants on the shore, shining brightly. The world of dreams has returned. In the distance is a sparse forest, standing on the other side of the largest pool, as if calling oneself to move on, behind the sparse forest are rolling hills. Wu Zixu's scalp was numb, and he wondered if it wasn't a dream, but actually happened in reality, or he was still deeply in the dream until now?

Suddenly he could no longer distinguish between dream and reality, as if there was no boundary between them. The light reappeared on the far horizon, this time not fleetingly, but clearly.His heart suddenly jumped a few times, and he couldn't help but be very surprised. This is his special talent. Whenever he gets close to a strange treasure, his heart will respond.But how can there be treasures in this barren mountain and wild place? Wuzi can think of anything with an open mind. If he finds someone, he will naturally find a way out. As long as he can get out of this ghostly place, he can't care too much about other things, so he is busy walking in the direction of the light.

"Eunuch Shan is here!" Mrs. Hua Meng had already greeted her outside the hall door, when she heard that Ji Shan came looking for her, she had a headache.Dealing with all kinds of men is her specialty, but facing these men who are not interested in women, she is unable to use all her abilities. Of course Ji Shan came here under the orders of Father Feng.Gu Yueming just left last night, and Eunuch Feng sent someone to look for her tonight, which shows that things are unusual.What exactly made Eunuch Feng so nervous?How should she cope? Of course, she must not reveal the real situation of Gu Yueming, but if she hides it from left to right, she may be recognized by Feng Gong as a liar, and catastrophe will be imminent.

Ji Shan appeared in front of his eyes with a smile on his face, and said politely: "Hi Ma'am, Grandpa wants me to say hello to Madam. Isn't the door of Lianhuaju open? Madam, why don't you go back and do something?" Mrs. Hua Meng said: "Hua Meng is a little uncomfortable today, so I stayed at home to rest, thank you for your concern." Under her guidance, Ji Shan walked towards the round table in the center of the hall, and said with concern: "Madam, the most important thing is to take care of your health and get more rest. Later, I will send someone to bring you two high-quality wild ginseng, which can be decocted in water to strengthen your health." Pei Yuan."

Mrs. Hua Meng thanked Ji Shan quickly, and asked Ji Shan to sit down at the round table, and she sat beside her. The servant girls all retreated outside the hall under her instructions. Ji Shan coughed dryly, and suddenly lowered his voice and said kindly: "Yueming is my only close friend of Ji Shan's, so I don't go around in circles. This time the Grand Duke sent me to see my wife, so please don't be suspicious, just because the Grand Duke cares about Yue so much." Ming's mission this time. Sigh! Madame should be aware of the Grand Duke's temperament, and must grasp everything clearly, knowing that Yueming came to see Madam before leaving Beijing, so... Madam should understand what I'm talking about."

Mrs. Hua Meng scoffed in her heart, not to mention that Gu Yueming would not regard Ji Shan as a friend, Gu Yueming is a person who has no friends at all, and she is the only exception, but she may still not be considered a confidant. And Ji Shan would not regard Gu Yueming as a friend.For Ji Shan, there are only interests.Ji Shan's methods are powerful, and his notoriety has spread far and wide in Beijing and China. Don't look at the gentle face of the eunuch who is only forty years old. In fact, he can change his face and kill people at any time, and those in Beijing who can withstand him with a sharp sword can kill innocent people. Yueming and Ji Nie made an exception, but couldn't find a third person.

Mrs. Hua Meng sighed softly: "What is the important task? Yueming refused to reveal a word, but asked me to check someone for him." Ji Shan cheered up and said, "Who are you looking for?" If Ji Shan was a normal man, Mrs. Hua Meng would take the opportunity to act coquettishly to him, seduce him with her amorous feelings, and ask Gu Yue about her secret mission. Are there any good poisoners around Dongting Lake?" Ji Shan showed a look of relief, although it was not obvious, but he couldn't hide it from the sophisticated Mrs. Hua Meng, wondering if Ji Shan was really afraid that Gu Yueming would offend Eunuch Feng?Thinking of this, I can't help feeling a little better towards Ji Shan.

Ji Shan nodded and said: "This is very reasonable. If you don't do this, it will be out of Yueming's character. Did Yueming mention other people?" Mrs. Hua Meng's thoughts turned, and Gu Yueming asked her to pretend that he had never mentioned Mu Chuan's name. Of course, he had his reasons, but if he didn't reveal that Gu Yueming mentioned Fu Meng, it would be very likely to show his flaws. He hurriedly said: "Yueming also asked About Fu Meng. Is this mission related to Fu Meng?" Contrary to Mrs. Hua Meng's expectation, Ji Shan said frankly: "It's more or less related. Alas! I'm really worried, afraid that Yueming will suffer a lot because he doesn't understand the real situation."

Mrs. Hua Meng asked in astonishment, "What's going on?" Ji Shan lowered his voice, approached her and said: "What I'm talking to my wife now, only Yueming can know, and it must not be heard by the fourth person. I will deny that I said these words afterwards, and my wife understands." ?" Mrs. Hua Meng frowned slightly, and said calmly: "In that case, father-in-law had better not say it, I'm afraid my family can't afford it." In fact, she wants to know more than anyone else, because it concerns Gu Yueming's safety.This trick is to retreat to advance, to force Ji Shan to reveal more of the truth, and test Ji Shan's reaction by the way, to judge whether Ji Shan is still spreading the word for Feng Gonggong, because Feng Gonggong is the most manipulative person in the capital .

Ji Shan said sullenly: "Madam, do you think that I, Ji Shan, can be bought by Qian Cai Zhen Bao?" Mrs. Hua Meng thought to herself: Your greed is well known, and you are the one who is least qualified to say this.She couldn't tell the truth, so she had to answer: "Of course my father-in-law is not this kind of person." Ji Shan smiled wryly and said: "I know Madam's words are against my will, because at least I have received a lot of gold ingots from Yueming. Alas! If I tell Madam, every penny I collect will end up in the Grand Duke's pocket." Go in your private pocket, Madam, do you believe it?"

Mrs. Hua Meng was very surprised. Ji Shan's words were tantamount to betraying Eunuch Feng, and it was very likely to be true.Ji Shan revealed the secret to himself, it should be to gain his trust, why did he do this?Indeed intriguing. Mrs. Hua Meng hung her head anxiously, and said: "I will assume that I have never heard these words from my father-in-law." Ji Shan pondered for a moment, seemed a little hesitant, and then said: "Madam, do you still want to hear?" Mrs. Hua Meng nodded slightly in confusion, and what Ji Shan was about to say, as long as Eunuch Feng knew, it might cause her to be killed. Ji Shan said happily: "Madam is indeed Yueming's confidante." Mrs. Hua Meng was at a loss.She has been in a brothel since she was a child, and she has long been insensitive to the relationship between men and women. She is tired of men's flattery, but Gu Yueming can touch her heart. Perhaps because Gu Yueming has no ambitions for her body, she feels that he is different from others. man.Or maybe it's because they are lonely people. Ji Shan said in a deep voice: "Ma'am, you don't need to know the details. If Ma'am can hide the news from me, I will be very grateful, and I swear here that if there is an accident, Ji Shan will do his best to protect Madam and make Madam unscathed. If you violate this oath, you will be tortured to death.” Mrs. Hua Meng's delicate body trembled, and she looked up at Ji Shan. Ji Shan's eyes shot out with determination, and he said slowly: "I told my wife this secret that even the Grand Duke doesn't know, and I want my wife to tell Yueming. It's the relationship between Ji Nieti and Fu Meng." Mrs. Hua Meng was confused, but she didn't dare to ask.What is the relationship between Jineti and Fumeng?If the news of Ji Shan didn't come from Eunuch Feng, where did he get it from? Ji Shan leaned into her ear and said: "When they were young, Ji Nieti and Fu Meng were best friends, they loved each other like brothers, but because they fell in love with a talented brothel girl at the same time, they turned against each other and regarded each other as strangers. happened." Mrs. Hua Meng didn't understand at all what effect such news would have on Gu Yueming's mission, so she frowned and said, "Who will get the money later?" Ji Shandao: "Because of his status, Fu Meng can only accept this woman as a concubine. That's all I want to say. Madam doesn't need to know the ins and outs, just tell Yueming the truth, and with his intelligence, he will know how to handle it properly. " Mrs. Hua Meng nodded and said: "Understood!" Ji Shan said solemnly: "What I just said is true, there is no falsehood, and it is beneficial and harmless to Yueming." After saying that, he stood up. Mrs. Hua Meng hurriedly stood up to see the guests off, and when she was about to go out, Ji Shanzhi said: "The Grand Duke told me before I came here that if the lady refuses to cooperate and hide it for Yueming, then I will ask the lady a word..." Mrs. Hua Meng felt that the ups and downs of her mood were all controlled by the eunuch, and sighed: "Of course it's not a good word!" Ji Shan stared at her, and said casually: "The Grand Duke wants me to ask Madam, is Madam willing to sacrifice everything for Gu Yueming?" Mrs. Hua Meng was greatly astonished, and couldn't help thinking, would she sacrifice everything for him? Ji Shan happily said: "I know the answer! Your wife is in poor health, so there is no need to send it away. If you have any troubles in the capital in the future, just let me know Ji Shan, and I will not disappoint my wife." After saying that, he went out. It took Mrs. Huameng a while to regain her composure, and she thought to herself: from any angle, Ji Shan would never help Gu Yueming behind the back of Feng Gong’s righteousness, let alone Ji Shan has nothing to do with justice.Could it be that Eunuch Feng was still instructing him behind his back?But this is unreasonable. If Eunuch Feng wants Gu Yueming to understand the grievances between Fu Meng and Ji Nieti, he can tell Gu Yueming directly, without beating around the bush. She really couldn't figure it out. Wu Zixu advances in a dreamlike world. Because he had to go around the swamps and swamps, he couldn't walk in a straight line. Due to the angle, the light in the forest area in front of him appeared and disappeared from time to time, but it was always so real. The moon hangs alone behind him, and the sky turns silvery white, which not only makes it more difficult for him to distinguish whether it is a dream or reality, but also blurs the boundary between day and night.The world seems to have been like this from the beginning, and there will never be any changes. All sorts of strange thoughts come and go into Wu Zixu's head one after another, what was originally a vague memory will suddenly appear; what he thought he had forgotten is still vivid in his mind.Every thought and idea that occupies his mind is short and quick, leaving no trace.This is a situation he has never had before, and it seems to be in a strange environment, which has a strange power to trigger his memories. His thoughts flow back from his career of stealing treasures in recent years to his unhappy childhood that has been forgotten for a long time.One of the scenes is particularly clear. At that time, he fell ill, and his mother fed him the bitter soup with tears in his eyes, while others, including his father, ignored him.His heart was full of unresolved sadness, and the air in the swamp still seemed to exude a strong smell of soup. Wu Zixu almost wanted to scream madly at the sky, but suddenly he came to his senses again, wondering what was wrong with him, to think so wildly.After taking a closer look, I found that I had crossed the vast water swamp area and came to the bottom of a hill. On the slope was a sparse forest. Wu Zixu originally thought that the light came from a certain family, but he didn't realize that it was not the same thing at all.How can there be bright things in the barren mountains and fields? It's not wildfire, is it the legendary will-o'-the-wisp?Thinking of this, Wu Zixu almost wanted to turn around and leave, but he was not reconciled. After thinking for a while, he finally braced himself and bravely climbed up the slope.Every step you take weighs as much as a thousand catties. He has dabbled in heretical things, but he has never learned how to draw talismans to catch ghosts, because he does not believe in this at all, but now he is quite regretful. Totally incapable of coping. But he also felt amused, why these two nights he kept being suspicious, not distinguishing between true and false, what was going on? Wu Zixu finally reached the top of the slope, then his whole body was shocked, his eyes widened, he reached the stones emitted by the light source, kneeled down unconsciously, and looked in disbelief at the knee-high stones waving golden lights. The foreign object called out in his heart: "My God! What is this? Could it be a luminous pearl that can glow at night? But such a luminous pearl that can be seen from miles away and radiates golden light is unheard of, and it must be rare." Qizhen." The golden jade bead is as big as a finger, round and flawless, and the bead seems to contain infinite mystery, hiding another great world, like a god descended from the mortal world. Wu Zixu's mind went blank, and he didn't understand what happened for a while. Am I dreaming?How could it be possible to encounter such a rare treasure in such adversity and hopelessness?How much should this thing be worth?His heart was beating wildly, Wuzi breathed out, raised his trembling hand, and touched the Yeming Pearl, thinking that if he touched this object, it would immediately disappear, which would prove that he was still in a dream. Suddenly Wu Zixu let out a strange cry, and sat down on the ground, panting wildly involuntarily. Ye Mingzhu is tightly squeezed between two fingers, it is so solid and unambiguous. God!It turned out to be true. Wu Zixu looked around and saw no one, so he dared to raise his hand and move the Ye Mingzhu to his eyes, so that he could see it clearly. The luminous pearl's golden glow was even more radiant, making his hand holding the pearl look transparent. Wu Zixu gave a strange cry, took Ye Mingzhu into his arms, and hid it close to his body, the fear and nervousness were swept away, replaced by the excitement and joy that was extremely happy. This time there is no need to worry! In the past few years, every time he made a deal, he would hide the tools for making money and the five hundred taels of silver in a barren mountain, and then "cleanly" carry the "wealth" everywhere to enjoy life until After spending all his money, he went to take out the money-making tools, and the five hundred taels of silver was the fund for another treasure-robbing operation.He usually spends three months looking for the target, making meticulous observations. After fully understanding the target's situation, he starts to steal treasures and travels away immediately after success, so five hundred taels of silver is necessary. When the accident happened this time, he lost only one tael of silver left, and he couldn't sneak out to take out his family property hidden somewhere on the north bank of the river. He became a pauper.People can't do without money, especially if the enemy is the most powerful gang organization in the country, it is even more difficult to do without money.The way of escape that he thinks of, the enemy will also think of, so he has to flee overseas, the only way to escape from the clutches of the enemy. Of course, he is absolutely reluctant to leave this land that he knows so well. Only here can his hard work not be in vain and he can fully display his strengths.More importantly, only here can he know how to conceal his identity.Just imagine that if he went to a certain overseas country, just being unable to speak the language would render all his abilities useless. What's more, he really fell in love with the career of theft. The excitement during the act and the sense of accomplishment afterwards cannot be replaced by any other thing.For him, stealing is no longer a mere act, but an art. Now, although he is in a desperate situation, as long as he sells the Ye Mingzhu in his arms, everything will be completely different.He will have enough financial resources to do anything, as long as he escapes from the area where the enemy's power is strongest, and hides his name for a while, he will have a chance to make a comeback.Frankly speaking, he is used to enjoying it, one tightening and one loosening is the rhythm he is used to enjoying in life, it is better to kill him than to make him live a hard life. Wu Zixu's mind regained its clarity, like a shrunken plant regaining its vitality, feeling completely new. However, this transaction will be different from the past.First of all, Ye Mingzhu has no owner, in other words, the idea of ​​redemption by the owner is no longer feasible. The second is whether Huangfu Tianxiong has seen through the person who killed his son, he is the five escaped thief.The answer is yes.With the manpower and material resources of Dahemeng, it is easy to track down his whereabouts in the past three months. Seeing that such an unknown person has spent such a large amount of money in just a few months, it is not strange to be suspicious. The few people who were qualified to do business with him, his true identity could not be concealed immediately.So he couldn't get rid of the treasure in the usual way, that would be his own death. The person who can help him out of trouble must meet three conditions.Firstly, he can afford the money, secondly, he is qualified not to buy Huangfu Tianxiong, and lastly, he must be a person who loves to collect treasures and know goods. In the south of the great river, there is only one such person, and that is Qian Shichen, the governor of Huguang, who is both a high-ranking official and the richest man in the south of the Yangtze River.It is said that this person has a close relationship with Ji Nie, the chief of the factory guards, and is also the confidant of Eunuch Feng, who has power all over the world. Such a person will not put Huangfu Tianxiong in his eyes. As long as Qian Shichen is willing to pay 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver to buy his Ye Mingzhu, all problems can be easily solved. The most urgent task at the moment is to get a hundred or two hundred taels of silver to fund the operation.It was a matter of life and death, and he had to proceed with caution, without error.It seems that being a thief is inevitable. Faintly, he felt that this luminous pearl had completely reversed his bad luck, and the road ahead was full of light and hope again.