Chapter 8 The eighth round of good customers, if there is an appointment, the reputation will last for no reason
Wei Xiaobao followed Guan Anji, Li Lishi and other heroes to the gate, and saw two or three hundred people lined up, all with excited expressions on their faces.After a while, two big men carried Mao Shiba out on a stretcher.Li Lishi said: "Brother Mao, you are a guest, so you don't need to be so polite." Mao Shiba said: "I have admired Mr. Chen's name for a long time, and it is really like thunder. If I can see you today, even... even if you die immediately, then... then It's not in vain." He still spoke weakly, but his face was flushed, and he was extremely happy.
I heard the sound of horseshoes approaching, and ten horses galloped over from where the dust was rising.The first three riders were the passengers, and they turned over and got off the horse before they could get close.Li Lishi and others went up to welcome them, and held hands with the three and talked very affectionately.Wei Xiaobao heard one of them say: "The chief rudder is waiting for you in front, please come over, Mr. Li and Mrs. Guan..." Several people stood and discussed a few words, Li Lishi, Guan Anji, Qi Biaoqing, Taoist Xuanzhen and the other six The person immediately got on the horse and galloped away with the visitor.
Mao Shiba was very disappointed, and asked: "Is the chief rudder coming?" No one could answer his question, and everyone was dejected because they couldn't see the chief rudder.Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "He owed you 10,000 taels of silver and won't pay it back? Or did he lose his wife's trousers by gambling? Your grandma's face is so ugly!"
After a long time, a man galloped to deliver an order, calling out the names of thirteen people, asking them to meet with the chief helmsman.The thirteen people were overjoyed, jumped on their horses and galloped forward.
Wei Xiaobao asked Mao Shiba: "Brother Mao, Mr. Chen is very old, isn't he?" Mao Shiba said: "I... I just haven't... I haven't seen it. Everyone in the Jianghu admires Chen. Chief Steward, but to meet him...he is an old man, it is really difficult." Wei Xiaobao snorted, but said in his heart: "Hmph, damn it, what's so special about it? I don't want to see you Woolen cloth."
Seeing the situation, Qunhao probably wouldn't come, but he still hoped that he would stand outside the gate to wait, and some of them sat down after standing for a long time.Someone persuaded Mao Shiba: "Master Mao, you should rest in the house. If our chief steward arrives, please come and meet Mao Master as soon as possible." Mao Shiba shook his head and said, "No! I'm still waiting here. Mr. Chen Zongruo is coming here. If I don’t wait outside the door, then...that would be too disrespectful. Sigh, I don’t know if I, Mao Shiba, will have the good fortune to meet him in my life.”
Wei Xiaobao followed Mao Shiba from Yangzhou to Beijing. During the journey, listening to him talk, he didn't pay much attention to the characters in the martial arts world, but he always respected the boss Chen, and he was unconsciously influenced by him. Infected, I dare not swear anymore in my heart.
Suddenly there was a sound of hoofbeats, and someone came galloping again. The congregation sitting on the ground jumped up, and everyone stretched their necks to look around, hoping that the chief helmsman would call people to meet again, and this time he had his own role.Sure enough, four more envoys came, the first one dismounted from the horse and cupped his fists, and said: "The chief steward invites Mao Shiba and Wei Xiaobao to meet you."
Mao Shiba let out a cheer, and jumped up from the stretcher, but with an "ouch", he fell into the stretcher again, and shouted: "Go, go!" Wei Xiaobao was also very happy, thinking: "I'm called I am called 'Grandpa' a lot, but few people call me 'Master Wei', haha, I am 'Master Wei Xiaobao'."
The two envoys took over the stretcher on the horse, and the two riders joined each other and walked slowly.Another envoy gave up his mount to Wei Xiaobao, took another horse himself, and followed behind.The six of them walked less than three miles along the main road before turning into a small road on the right.Along the way, there are men in twos and threes, sitting or walking, patrolling and guarding.The leading emissary extended his middle finger, ring finger, and little finger to the ground, and the two guards nodded and also extended their hands to make a signal.Wei Xiaobao saw that the codes sent by these people were different, so he didn't know what their intentions were.After another twelve or three miles, I came to a mansion.
A man guarding the door shouted: "The guests are here!" As the door opened, Li Lishi, Guan Anji, and two men who had never met before came out, and clasped their fists and said, "Master Mao and Lord Wei, please come and welcome us!" The helmsman of the club invites you."
Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed, thinking: "I, this 'Master Wei', can't leave after all!" Mao Shiba struggled to remember, and said: "I went to see President Chen in this way, really, really... ouch..." Finally Unable to support herself, she lay down on the stretcher again.Li Lishi said: "Master Mao is injured, so there is no need to be polite." He let them enter the hall.A man said to Wei Xiaobao: "Master Wei, please come here for a cup of tea, the Chief Steward wants to talk to Lord Mao first." Immediately he carried Mao Shiba inside.
Wei Xiaobao drank a bowl of tea, the servants brought four plates of dim sum, Wei Xiaobao ate a piece, thinking: "This dim sum is far behind the ones in the palace, not as good as the ones in Lichun Courtyard." The identity of the chief rudder is inevitably a bit contemptuous.But he was hungry, so he still ate a lot of these insignificant snacks.
After a meal, Li Lishi and the four of them came out together again, and one of them, an old man with a gray beard, said: "The chief steward invites Master Wei." Wei Xiaobao hastily swallowed the snack he was chewing, and put his hands on the front of his shirt After wiping it off, he followed the four of them inside and came outside a wing room.The old man raised the door curtain and said, "'Little White Dragon' Wei Xiaobao, Master Wei is here!"
Wei Xiaobao was both surprised and delighted, thinking: "He actually knows my fabricated nickname, it must be Brother Mao who said it."
A middle-aged scholar dressed as a scribe in the room stood up, with a smile all over his face, and said: "Please come in!" Wei Xiaobao walked into the room, his eyes rolling around.Guan Anji said: "This is our boss Chen."
Wei Xiaobao raised his head slightly to look at him, saw this man looked kindly, but his eyes were like lightning, and he shot straight at him, he couldn't help being startled, he bent his knees, and immediately bowed down.
The scholar leaned over to help him up, and said with a smile: "You don't need to be too polite." Wei Xiaobao's arms were supported by him, and suddenly his whole body became hot and shivered, and he couldn't bow down. The scholar smiled and said: "This little brother Captured and killed Oboi, the number one warrior in Manchuria, and avenged my countless Han compatriots who died at the hands of Oboi. In a few days, I became famous all over the world. It is really rare in ancient and modern times to become famous so early."
Wei Xiaobao used to have a thick skin, if other people praised him like this, he would immediately brag about himself, but in front of this chief helmsman who is not angry and self-important, he can't speak out.
The chief helmsman pointed to a chair and said with a smile: "Please sit down!" After he sat down first, Wei Xiaobao also sat down.Li Lishi and the other four stood with their hands down.The chief rudder smiled and said: "I heard Mao Shiba said that the little brother once killed a Qing army officer Heilongbian Shi Song at the foot of Desheng Mountain in Yangzhou. How to capture Oboi."
Wei Xiaobao raised his head and met his eyes, his heart couldn't help beating wildly, he forgot all the nonsense he said in an instant, and he spoke the truth as soon as he spoke, how he would be favored by Kangxi, how rude Oboi was , How I and the little emperor worked together to capture him.It's just Gu Quan's loyalty to Kangxi, and he doesn't mention the little emperor's knife behind Oboi's back.But in this way, he sprinkled incense burner dust to blind his eyes, held up a copper incense burner and smashed his head, knowing that it was either a third or second abuse, but he could no longer hide it.
The Chief Steward listened without saying a word, nodded and said: "So that's the case. Little brother's martial arts is not the same as Master Mao, who is the respected teacher?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I have learned some kung fu, but it's not a good one. What a respectful teacher. The old tortoise didn't really teach me martial arts, what he taught me was fake kung fu."
Even though the chief rudder master knew a lot, he didn't know who the "old turtle" was, so he asked, "Old turtle?"
Wei Xiaobao laughed loudly, and said: "The old turtle is Mr. Hai, and his name is Hai Dafu. Brother Mao Shiba and I were captured into the palace by him..." When he said this, he suddenly realized something was wrong, I once told the Tiandihui people that Mao Shiba and myself were captured by Oboi, but now he said that they were captured by Mr. Hai and sent to the palace.Fortunately, his ability to tell lies is not small, and he said: "This old man was ordered by Oboi to arrest the two of us. I think Oboi is a very high-ranking official, so naturally he can't take it lightly."
The chief rudder pondered and said: "Hai Dafu? Hai Dafu? Among the eunuchs in the Tartar womb, is there such a number one person? Little brother, he taught you the martial arts, you can show me."
No matter how thick-skinned Wei Xiaobao was, he also knew that his martial arts were not very good. He said: "What the old tortoise taught me was all fake kung fu. He hated me for blinding him with poison, so he tried every means to harm me. These kung fu are shameful." of."
The chief helmsman nodded, and with a wave of his left hand, Guan Anji and the four others all exited the room, and closed the door behind them.The chief helmsman asked, "Why did you blind him with poison?"
In front of this heroic chief helmsman, Wei Xiaobao only felt that lying was very hard, but it was much more comfortable to tell the truth. Guizi, how to impersonate him as a young eunuch and other situations.
The chief helmsman was surprised and amused at the same time. He flicked his left hand under his crotch and found that his penis and testicles were all there. He was not clean. He was indeed not a eunuch. Very, very good! I have a problem in my heart, I can't make up my mind for a long time, it turns out that the little brother is not cleansed and made a eunuch!" He patted the table lightly with his left hand, and said: "It must be so! Brother Yin will succeed Someone, Qingmu Hall has a master."
Wei Xiaobao didn't understand what he said, but seeing that he looked happy, he really solved a very difficult matter in his heart, so he couldn't help being happy on his behalf.
The chief rudder walked up and down the room with his hands behind his back, saying to himself: "Everything I do in the world is nothing that has never been done before. Everything is created by me. It is appalling and controversial. What's the point?" Wei Xiaobao couldn't understand his polite words.
The chief rudder said: "There are only you and me here, so don't be afraid of embarrassment. The martial arts taught by Hai Dafu, no matter whether it is true or not, you can try it out for me."
Only then did Wei Xiaobao understand that he ordered Guan Anji and the other four people to go out to avoid being afraid of being ugly, and seeing that there was no excuse, he said: "It was taught by the old turtle, it's none of my business, if it's too ridiculous, you can just scold him. "
The chief rudder smiled and said: "Let's go and practice, don't worry!"
Then Wei Xiaobao opened his posture and used the small set of "Great Mercy and Great Compassion Qianye Hands" taught by Hai Laogong, some of them were forgotten, and some of them were still remembered.The chief helmsman watched intently, and after Wei Xiaobao finished using it, he nodded and said: "From your actions, it seems that you have also learned some grappling techniques from Shaolin Temple, haven't you?"
Wei Xiaobao learned "Great Grappling Hands" first, so he naturally knew that this skill was even worse. He wanted to hide his clumsiness, but the chief helmsman seemed to know everything, so he said: "The old tortoise also taught me some grappling methods, which are used to fight against the little one. The emperor fought." So he replayed some of the moves in "Great Capture Hand".The chief helmsman smiled slightly and said: "Not bad!" Wei Xiaobao said: "I knew you would laugh when you saw it."
The chief rudder smiled and said: "I'm not laughing at you! I like you when I see you, and I think you have a good memory and comprehension, and you are a talent to be made. Hai Dafu deliberately taught the wrong move of 'white horse turning hooves', but you turned When it comes to 'carp supporting the gills', you can make some changes on your own and don't stick to death moves. That's great!"
Wei Xiaobao had an idea, and thought: "The martial arts of the chief rudder seems to be much higher than that of the old turtle. If he is willing to teach me martial arts, I, Wei Xiaobao, will definitely become a real hero and no longer a fake hero." He looked over, and at this moment, the chief helmsman shot over with a pair of cold eyes.Wei Xiaobao has always been lazy, even though the Empress Dowager is so majestic, he dared to face her squarely, but he didn't dare to act presumptuously in front of this chief helmsman, he immediately turned his eyes away when he met him.
The chief rudder said slowly: "Do you know what our Tiandihui will do?" Wei Xiaobao said: "The Tiandi will turn against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, help the Han people, and kill the Tartars." The chief rudder nodded and said: "Exactly! Would you like to Would you like to join my world and be a brother?"
Wei Xiaobao said happily: "That's great." In his mind, all the congregation of Tiandihui are true heroes, he never imagined that he could also be a brother in the association, and thought: "Even Brother Mao is not a brother of Tiandihui, I am Is it better than him?" Said: "I'm afraid...I'm afraid I'm not good enough." Suddenly, his eyes lighted up, and his heart was full of worries about gains and losses, only to feel that this windfall that came from outside the sky was probably not real. But the chief helmsman was just joking with himself.
The chief rudder said: "If you want to join the club, you can do it. It's just that what we are doing is to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty. The Han people's country is the most important thing, and their own wealth and life are the least important. Moreover, the rules in the club are very strict. If you commit a crime, you will be punished severely, you have to think about it carefully." Wei Xiaobao said: "Don't think about it, you have any rules, I will abide by them. Chief Steward, if you let me join the club, I will die happily." The chief helmsman put away his smile, and said seriously: "This is an extremely important matter, life and death are at stake, it's not something for children." Wei Xiaobao said: "Of course I know. I heard people say that heaven and earth will act chivalrously, do things It must be an earth-shattering event, how could it be a child's play?"
The chief rudder smiled and said: "It's good if you know. There are thirty-six oaths when joining the association, and there are strict rules of ten prohibitions and ten punishments." Having said this, his face darkened, and he said: "There are some rules, you I am still too young to use it, but there is one of them: 'All my brothers must be faithful and not lie or cheat.' Can you do this?"
Wei Xiaobao was slightly stunned, and said: "To your Chief Steward, I naturally dare not lie. But to the other brothers, do you have to tell the truth about everything?" The Chief Steward said: "It doesn't matter about small things, only talk about big things." Wei Xiaobao said: "That's right. It's like betting money with the brothers in the meeting. Can you use tricks to deceive people?"
The chief rudder didn't expect him to ask about this matter, so he smiled slightly and said: "Although gambling is not a good thing, the rules of the club can't help it. But you lied to them. They know that they want to beat you, and the rules of the club don't prohibit it. Why don't you Don't get beaten and suffer?"
Wei Xiaobao smiled and said: "They won't know, in fact, I don't need to cheat, the money is guaranteed to be won."
Most of the members of the Tiandihui are heroes of the world, gambling and drinking are natural, and they never take it seriously, so the chief rudder ignored him, stared at him for a moment, and said, "Would you like to worship me as a teacher?"
Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed, immediately threw himself to the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, and said: "Master!" The chief helmsman no longer helped each other this time, and he kowtowed more than a dozen heads, saying: "Enough!" Wei Xiaobao stood up eagerly .
The chief rudder said: "My surname is Chen, and my name is Chen Jinnan. The word 'Chen Jinnan' is used in Jianghu. Since you worship me as a teacher today, you must know the real name of my teacher. My real name is Chen Yonghua, and I will always be my teacher." Yong, the flower of China." He lowered his voice when speaking of his real name.
Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes, the apprentice will keep it firmly in his heart and dare not reveal it."
Chen Jinnan looked at him for a while, and said slowly: "You and I have become masters and apprentices, and we don't hide anything from each other. Let me tell you the truth, you are glib, cunning, and deceitful, which is very different from the character of a teacher. I really don't like it." I don't like it, so accepting you as an apprentice is actually for the sake of the great affairs of the association." Wei Xiaobao said: "I will change it properly in the future."
Chen Jinnan said: "The country is easy to change, but the nature is hard to change. You can't change much. You are still young, and your temper is a little bit floating, and you haven't done anything bad. You must remember my words from time to time. I am very strict with my disciples. Strictly speaking, if you violate the rules of this society, have a wicked mind, or do evil, the teacher will take your life easily, and you will never show mercy." As he spoke, he reached out with his left hand, and with a sound of rubbing, he grabbed a piece of the corner of the table. When I got down, I rubbed my hands a few times, and sawdust fell down one after another.
Wei Xiaobao stuck out his tongue, but he couldn't withdraw it for a long time, and then he liked it so much that he couldn't scratch his heart, and said with a smile: "I will definitely not do bad things. Whenever I do bad things, Master, you will scratch and rub my head like this. Besides, As long as you do a few bad things, Master, your kung fu will not be able to teach your disciples."
Chen Jinnan said: "You don't need a few things, it's just one bad thing, you and I have no role as a teacher and apprentice." Wei Xiaobao said: "Can two things make it?" One thing is one thing, there is also a bargain for this kind of thing?" Wei Xiaobao replied: "Yes!" But he said in his heart: "I did half a bad thing, but so what?"
Chen Jinnan said: "You are my fourth apprentice, maybe you are my closed disciple. The Heaven and Earth Association has a lot of work to do, and I don't have the time to take any more disciples. Two of your three senior brothers were killed in battle with the Tartars. , a good man who died in the battle of Guo Xingye to restore Taiwan, he is a good man who sacrificed his life for the country. As a teacher, his status in the martial arts is not low, and his reputation is not bad, so don't embarrass me for me."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes! But...but..." Chen Jinnan said: "But what?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Sometimes I don't want to lose face, but if I really want to lose face, there is nothing I can do. It's like being caught if you can't beat someone , locked in a jujube bucket, and moved around like cargo, don’t take it too seriously, Master.”
Chen Jinnan frowned, angry and funny, sighed and said, "Taking you as an apprentice is probably a big mistake in my life. But the world's major events are the most important thing, so I have to take a risk. Xiaobao, I have other important things to do later, you should follow my orders and stop talking nonsense, that would be good." Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes!"
Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Chen Jinnan asked: "What else do you want to say?" Wei Xiaobao said: "My apprentice always thinks that he is right when he speaks. I don't want to talk nonsense, but you say I am talking nonsense, isn't it? Wronged?" Chen Jinnan didn't want to entangle him any more, and said, "Then you should say a few words less." He thought to himself: "There are so many famous heroes in the world, they are all respectful and respectful in front of me, and their atmosphere is also great." Don't dare to say a word, this savage and eccentric urchin has so much nonsense." Standing up, he walked towards the door and said, "Come with me."
Wei Xiaobao rushed to open the door, lifted the curtain, let Chen Jinnan go out, and followed him to the hall.
There were about twenty people sitting in the hall, but when they saw the chief helmsman coming in, they immediately stood up.Chen Jinnan nodded, walked to the second chair at the top and sat down.Wei Xiaobao saw that there was an empty chair in the middle, and another chair above the master, he wondered: "Isn't the chief steward the biggest? How come there are two people above the master?" Chen Jinnan said: "Brothers, today I took in a young apprentice." Pointing to Wei Xiaobao, he said: "That's him!" Everyone stepped forward together, cupped their fists and bowed, saying: "Congratulations to the Chief Steward." They bowed their hands to Wei Xiaobao and expressed their congratulations one after another.Some of the expressions on everyone's faces looked very happy, some were greatly surprised, and some seemed to be in disbelief. Chen Jinnan told Wei Xiaobao: "I have seen all the uncles and uncles." Wei Xiaobao kowtowed to everyone.Li Lishi introduced: "This is Uncle Cai Dezhong, the incense master of Lotus Hall." "This is Uncle Fang Dahong, the incense master of Hongshun Hall." Kowtowed in front of them one by one, and introduced the incense masters of nine halls in total, and the ones who were introduced later were those with lower status and duties. The incense master of the Nine Halls returned half the salute, and even said: "Don't dare, little brother, please come up." The rest of the people did not accept his kowtow, and when he was about to kneel down, he stretched out his hand to stop him.Wei Xiaobao was quick and agile, sometimes he knelt too fast, and the other party didn't have time to stop him, so he also knelt down to return the salute, not daring to call himself an elder.There were more than twenty people in the hall, Wei Xiaobao couldn't remember everyone's names and their roles in the meeting for a moment, he only knew that each of them was the leader of the Tiandihui, he thought to himself: "Once I worship the chief rudder as a teacher, everyone will be a teacher." I am one of my own, so I told my identity and name." I really liked it. Chen Jinnan waited until Wei Xiaobao had finished meeting everyone, and said: "Brothers, after I accept this young apprentice, I want him to join my Heaven and Earth Association." Everyone said in unison: "That would be the best." Cai Dezhong, the incense master of the Lotus Hall, is an old man with white hair and white beard, and said: "A famous teacher will produce an excellent disciple. The disciple of the head master must be a young man with both wisdom and courage. He will definitely make great achievements in our association. Ma Chaoxing, the incense master at the back of the house, was short and fat, with a pleasant smile, and said: "I met the little brother of the Wei family today, and there is no meeting ceremony. People with the surname Ma always plan carefully, so let me and Cai Xiangzhu two, So I became the guide for the little brother to join the club, and it was considered a meeting ceremony. Brother Cai, what do you think?" Cai Dezhong laughed loudly, and said: "Old horse's abacus, needless to say, must be sound. This one does not cost money Count me in as a meeting ceremony." Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Chen Jinnan said: "The two uncles have great face, for being your guide, thank you soon." Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes!" He went forward and kowtowed to thank him. Chen Jinnan said: "The rules of the association, the good words and deeds of the brothers who join the association have a lot to do with the people who receive them. I am a young disciple who is very alert, so I am afraid that he will be too flexible and do not follow the rules. Cai Ma Er Since the incense master is his guide, he also has to help me with some responsibilities in the future. If you see him misbehaving, you should immediately discipline him. You must not be polite." Cai Dezhong said: "The chief rudder is too modest. Is there any dishonest person under the head of the chief rudder?" Chen Jinnan said solemnly: "I am not too modest. I am really worried about this child. Everyone helped me discipline and share some worries. Ma Chaoxing laughed and said, "You don't dare to be a discipliner. Brothers are young. If you don't understand something, you are your own brothers. Naturally, you are open and honest. You know everything and say everything." Chen Jinnan nodded and said: "I am here. Thanks in advance." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "I haven't done anything bad, so Master is always worried about me doing bad things. That's right, he listened to my methods of dealing with the old tortoise, and he was afraid that my old problem would recur, so he would do the same to him. The old tortoise thought He killed me, and it wasn't my master, so I blinded him with poison. You are really my master, you taught me real kung fu, how could I play tricks on you? But you put your words first, and many people here come to discipline and discipline , I can’t even move.” I just heard Chen Jinnan say: "Brother Li, please arrange the incense hall. Let's open the incense hall today and let Wei Xiaobao join the meeting." Li Lishi agreed to go out and make arrangements. Chen Jinnan said: "According to the old rules, if someone wants to join the association, after he has been introduced, he has to check his life experience and behavior, at least half a year, at most a year or two, and only after the verification is correct, can he open the incense hall Join the association. But Wei Xiaobao holds a position in the Qing palace and is very close to the little Tartar emperor, so it is very convenient for us to handle affairs in this association, so we have to follow the authority. It's not that I made an exception for my own disciples." Everyone said: "Brothers, you all understand." Fang Dahong, the incense master of Hongshuntang, was tall and tall, with a long and bright black beard, and said loudly: "We can have such a trusted brother who works beside the little Tartar emperor, it is really a blessing from heaven, and the Tartar will be exhausted. There is hope for the revival of my Great Ming Dynasty. This is called knowing yourself and knowing the enemy, and winning every battle. Who doesn’t understand the intention of the chief helmsman?” Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "You have treated me so well, so you want me to be a spy on the emperor's side. Should I do it or not?" Thinking of Kangxi treating him very well, he couldn't help hesitating.
Cai Dezhong then briefed Wei Xiaobao on the history and rules of the Tiandihui, and said: "The founding patriarch of this association is Lord Guoxing, whose original surname is Zheng, and his name has been successful from top to bottom. Back then, Lord Guoxing led volunteers to attack Jiangnan. The siege of Jiangning was a failure. Before returning to Taiwan, we accepted the suggestion of the chief rudder and established the Tiandihui. At that time, our chief rudder was the military advisor of the surname Guo. Brothers Fang, Brother Ma, Brother Hu, and I Brother Li, and Lord Yin Xiang of Qingmutang, etc., are all the soldiers of Guoxing Ye's army." Wei Xiaobao knew that "Guo Xing Ye" was Zheng Chenggong, who was bestowed the surname Zhu by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, so people honored him as "Guo Xing Ye".Zheng Chenggong was very famous in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong. He died in the first year of Kangxi, not long after his death. When everyone mentioned him, his tone was still very respectful.Mao Shiba had also mentioned it to him. Cai Dezhong said again: "Many of our army stayed in the south of the Yangtze River, and they couldn't all return to Taiwan. Some retreated to Xiamen, which was only a small part. Therefore, the chief helmsman was ordered by the surname of the country to stay in Zhongtu and establish the Tiandihui. , to contact the old department of Lord Guoxing. All the generals who have accompanied Lord Guoxing to attack Jiangsu and Zhejiang will naturally become brothers in the association. Just in case spies get in." When he said this, he paused, and suddenly a strange expression appeared on his face, and continued: "I think back then when our army set off from Taiwan, there were a total of 170,000 horses, 50,000 sailors, 50,000 cavalry, and 50,000 infantry." , 10,000 guerrilla support, and another 10,000 "iron soldiers", all wearing iron armor and holding spears, specialize in cutting the horses and feet of Tartar soldiers, and the swords and arrows cannot hurt him. The battle at Yangpeng Mountain in Zhenjiang The chief rudder leader led two thousand troops, and defeated eighteen thousand Tartar soldiers. It was really majestic and murderous. I am the commander of the eighth town under the command of the chief rudder. Everyone shouted: 'Maru, Maru! Qihu, Qihu!'" Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed when he heard that, and asked: "What is that?" Cai Dezhong said: "'Malu, Malu' means 'Ma, Ma' in the Tartar dialect, and 'Qihu, Qihu' means 'Run away, run away'!" Everyone laughed. Ma Chao said with a smile: "As soon as Cai Xiangzhu talked about the capture of Zhenjiang and the massacre of Tartar soldiers, he was very happy, and he couldn't finish talking for three days and three nights. You guide people to explain the rules to Brother Wei. In this way , Speaking of Brother Wei's beard growing as long as yours, I still can't finish talking..." At this point, it suddenly occurred to Wei Xiaobao that he was a young eunuch, how could he have a beard?Stealing a glance at Wei Xiaobao, seeing that he didn't take it seriously, he was relieved. At this time, Li Lishi came in to report that the incense hall had been set up.Chen Jinnan led the crowd to the back hall.Wei Xiaobao saw two spirit tablets on a board table, the one in the middle was written "The position of Son of Heaven", and the one on the side was written "Princess Yanping of the Ming Dynasty, recruiting the position of General Zheng". A pig's head, a sheep's head, a chicken, a fish, sticking seven sticks of incense.Everyone knelt down and bowed to the spiritual throne.Cai Dezhong took a blank sheet of paper from the altar and read aloud: "Everything in the world, restore the Ming Dynasty, and exterminate the Hulu. We will live and die together, imitating the story of Taoyuan, about brothers, surnamed Hong and named Jinlan, and become a family. Worship the sky as your father, worship the earth as your mother, and worship the sun as your brother. The moon is a sister, and worships the five ancestors and the first ancestor Wan Yunlong as the whole god of the Hong family. We live on the ugly day of Jiayin on the 25th of the seventh month. In the past, the two capitals and the thirteen provinces should be of one mind. The current court prince Hou Fei Princes, generals are not generals, and if people's hearts are shaken, it is a sign of the restoration of the Ming Dynasty and the extermination of the Hulu. We should follow Chen Jinnan's order and travel all over the world to seek heroes. Burn incense and make oaths, follow the heavens, and restore the Ming Dynasty. Revenge and avenge shame. Sworn blood oaths, gods come to learn." (Note: This oath is recorded according to the documents of the Tiandihui handed down in the Qing Dynasty, the original text is the same.) Cai Dezhong finished reading his speech and explained: "Brother Wei, do you know the story of Taoyuan's marriage in this speech?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Liu Guan and Zhang Taoyuan are married three times. Die." Cai Dezhong said: "That's right, if you join the Tiandihui, everyone will be brothers. We and the chief rudder are brothers, you worship him as your teacher, and everyone is your uncle and uncle, so you met We want to kowtow. But from now on, we are all brothers, so you don't need to kowtow to us anymore." Wei Xiaobao replied: "Yes." He thought: "That's very good." Cai Dezhong said: "Our Tiandihui is also called Hongmen, and Hong is Hongwu, the reign name of Ming Taizu. The surname Hong and the name Jinlan mean Hongmen brothers. I, Hongmen respect Wan Yunlong as the ancestor, and Wan Yunlong is The country’s surname is gone. Firstly, the brothers dare not call out the real name of the country’s surname; secondly, it would be inconvenient for the Tartars’ eagle claws to listen to it, so the brothers called the country’s surname Wan Yunlong. "Wan" means tens of millions of people, and "Yunlong" means Yun Conglong. Tens of thousands of people will Baoding Datianzi and restore my splendid country. Brother Wei, this is a secret of this association, so you can't talk to outsiders. Speaking of your friends, even if Mao Shiba is your good friend and brother, you can’t tell him.” Wei Xiaobao nodded and said, “I understand. Brother Mao really wants to join our Tiandihui, we can let him Join the meeting?" Cai Dezhong said: "Brother Wei can be his guide in the future, and after we send people to investigate in detail at the meeting, it is naturally possible." (Note: Who is "Wan Yunlong", each family There are different opinions. The deeds and characters of the Tiandihui in this book may not be consistent with the handed down records, and most of them are the author's imagination and creation.) Cai Dezhong said again: "Choushi, July 25th, is the day and hour when this association was founded. The five ancestors of this association were five generals who died in our army in Jiangning. The first one was named Gan Minghui. I think back when our army attacked Jiangning , I commanded the town troops, and was ordered by the chief military division to lie in ambush outside the west gate of Jiangning. Ma Chaoxing interrupted with a smile: "Lord Cai Xiang, the matter of attacking Jiangning Mansion. Let's talk slowly before it's too late." Cai Dezhong smiled, stretched out his hand and flicked his forehead lightly, and said: "Yes, yes, when we talk about the old things, there is no end to it. Now I read 'Three Points of Revolutionary Poetry', I read one sentence, and you read another sentence." Read now The poem said: "Three o'clock hides the revolutionary sect. If you enter our Hongmen, you can't ventilate it. Cultivate a strong momentum from hatred to Japan, and vow to wipe out the Qing Dynasty." Wei Xiaobao followed suit. Cai Dezhong said: "My Hongmen's Hong character is actually the 'Han' character of our Han people. My Han people's country was occupied by the Tartars, and the land was gone. The word 'Tu' was removed from the 'Han' character. It's the word 'Hong'." The thirty-six oaths, the ten prohibitions and ten punishments, and the twenty-one rules in the current general are all explained to Wei Xiaobao. Family, helping each other in need, etc.If there are reasons for leaking secrets, implicating brothers, surrendering to the government, raping and plundering, bullying the weak, breaking promises, embezzling public funds, etc., the ears will be cut off and beaten, and the severe ones will be cut into eight pieces and the head will be dismembered. Wei Xiaobao obeyed them one by one, vowing not to violate them.He was sincere this time, and he was not playing tricks when he swore. Ma Chaoxing took a large bowl of wine, pricked his left middle finger with a needle, and dripped blood into the wine.Chen Jinnan and others also stabbed blood, and finally Wei Xiaobao stabbed the blood into the wine.Everyone took a sip of blood wine, and the initiation ceremony was completed.Everyone held hands and hugged him very affectionately.Wei Xiaobao's whole body was filled with heat, and he felt that from now on, he would no longer be helpless in this world.
Chen Jinnan said: "There are ten halls in this association, the first five houses are five halls, the back five houses are five halls. The front five houses are Lianhua Hall, Hongshun Hall, Jiahou Hall, Shentai Hall, and Honghua Hall. The rear five houses are Qingmu Hall, Chihuo Hall Tang, Xijintang, Xuanshuitang, Huangtutang. The incense masters of the nine halls have all gathered here, only Brother Yin, the incense master of Qingmu hall, was killed by the villain Oboi the year before last, so far there is no incense master. Qingmu hall Brother Zhong, in the past, he made an oath in front of the spiritual seat of elder brother Wan Yunlong and the spiritual seat of Lord Yin Xiang, which one killed Oboi and avenged Lord Yin Xiang, and everyone regarded him as the incense master of the hall. Is there such a thing?" Said: "Exactly, there is such a thing." Chen Jinnan's sharp gaze swept over everyone's faces from left to right, and said slowly: "I heard that the good brothers in Qingmu Hall had some disputes over the matter of succeeding the Lord of Fragrance. In the overall situation, benevolence and righteousness are the most important, and it has not hurt the harmony, but if this matter is not properly resolved, there will always be a great hidden worry in the Qingmu hall. Qingmu hall is an extremely important hall in my Tiandihui. It governs Jiangnan, The prefectures and counties in the north of the Yangtze River have gradually expanded to Shandong and Hebei in recent years, and this time they have invaded the city of Beijing. Whether the Qingmutang incense master wins has a great relationship with the rise and fall of the association and the success of the anti-Qing cause. If the brothers in the hall disagree and cannot work together, this important task will not be accomplished." After a pause, he asked: "That traitor, Oboi, was killed by Wei Xiaobao, all the brothers in the Qingmu Hall witnessed it with their own eyes. ,Yes or no?" Li Lishi and Guan Anji said in unison: "That's right." Li Lishi followed up and said, "The oath you swore before Brother Wan Yunlong's spiritual position must not be ignored. What oaths and wishes will you make before Brother Yunlong's spiritual throne? Although brother Wei Xiaobao is young, I, Li Lishi, would like to embrace him as the incense master of the hall." Guan Anji was robbed of his head by him, and he thought to himself: "This child is the chief steward. Disciple, your status is already extraordinary. Listening to the words of the chief steward, it is obvious that he wants this little apprentice to be the incense master. Old man Li blindly competed with me to be the incense master. Seeing that no one would accept the other, he simply slapped Two breakups. He has already spoken first to please the chief rudder, I can't lose to him, but it seems that I have selfish intentions." He said: "Brother Li's words are very true. Brother Wei is very alert, after being taught by the chief rudder下，他日定是一位威震江湖的少年英侠。关安基愿拥韦小宝兄弟为青木堂香主。” 韦小宝吓了一跳，双手乱摇，叫道：“不成，不成！这……这个什么香主、臭主，我可做不来！” 陈近南双眼一瞪，喝道：“你胡说什么？”韦小宝不敢再说。 陈近南道：“这小孩手刃鳌拜，那是不能改变的事实，我们遵守在万云龙大哥灵位前所立的誓言，只得让他来当青木堂香主。我是为了要让他当香主，才收他为徒；可不是收了他为弟子之后，才想到要他当香主。这小孩气质不佳，以后不知要让我头痛几百次。” 方大洪道：“总舵主的苦心，兄弟们都理会得。总舵主跟韦兄弟非亲非故，今日才第一次见面。总舵主破例垂青，自然是为了本会的大事着想。不过……不过……总舵主也不必担心。本会兄弟们在江湖上混，读书的人少，哪一个不口出粗言俗语？韦兄弟年纪小，李大哥和关夫子都愿全力辅佐，决不会出什么乱子。” 陈近南点头道：“咱们所以让韦小宝当青木堂香主，是为了在万云龙大哥灵位之前立过誓，决不能不算。但只要他做了一天香主，也算是做过了。明天倘若他胡作非为，扰乱青木堂事务，有碍本会反清复明大业，咱们立即开香堂将他废了，决不有半分姑息。李大哥、关二哥，我拜托你们两位用心帮他。如这小孩行事有什么不妥当的地方，务须一一向我禀报，不得隐瞒。”李力世和关安基躬身答应。 陈近南转过身来，在灵位前跪下，从香炉中拿起三枝香来，双手捧住，朗声道：“属下陈近南，在万云龙大哥灵位之前立誓：属下的弟子韦小宝倘若违犯会规，又或是才德不足以服众，属下立即废了他青木堂香主的职司，决不敢有半分偏私。我们封他为香主，是遵守誓言，他日如果废他，也是遵守誓言。属下陈近南倘若不遵此誓，万大哥在天之灵，教我天雷轰顶，五马分尸，死于鞑子鹰爪之下。”说着举香拜了几拜，将香插回香炉，磕下头去。 众人齐声称赞：“总舵主如此处事，大公无私，没一个心中不服。” 韦小宝心道：“好啊！我还道你们真要我当什么香主臭主，却原来将我当作一座木板桥来过河，过了河便拆桥。今日封我为香主，你们就不算背誓。明日找个岔头，将我废了，又不算背誓。那时李大哥也好，关夫子也好，再来当香主，便顺理成章了。”大声说道：“师父，我不当香主！” 陈近南一愕，问道：“什么？”韦小宝道：“我不会当，也不想当。”陈近南道：“不会当，慢慢学啊。我会教你，李关二位又答应了帮你。香主的职位，在天地会中位份甚高，你为什么不想当？” 韦小宝摇头道：“今天当了，明天又给你废了，反而丢脸。我不当香主，什么事都马马虎虎；一当上了，人人都来鸡蛋里寻骨头，不用半天，马上完蛋大吉。”陈近南道：“鸡蛋里没骨头，人家要寻也寻不着。”韦小宝道：“鸡蛋要变小鸡，就有骨头了。就算没骨头，人家来寻的时候，先把我蛋壳打破了再说，搞得蛋黄蛋白，一塌子胡涂。” 众人忍不住都笑了起来。 陈近南道：“咱们天地会做事，难道是小孩子儿戏吗？你只要不做坏事。人人敬你是青木堂香主，哪一个会得罪你？就算不敬重你，也得敬你是我的弟子。” 韦小宝想了一想，道：“好，咱们话说明在先。你们将来不要我当香主，我不当就是。可不能乱加罪名，又打又骂，什么割耳斩头，大解八块。” 陈近南皱眉道：“你就爱讨价还价。你不做坏事，谁来打你杀你？鞑子倘若打你杀你，大伙儿给你报仇。”顿了一顿，诚诚恳恳的道：“小宝，大丈夫敢作敢为，当仁不让，既入了我天地会，就当奋勇争先，为民除害。老是为自己打算，岂是英雄豪杰的行径？” 韦小宝一听到“英雄豪杰”四字，便想到说书先生所说的那些大英雄，胸中豪气登生，说道：“对，师父教训得很是。最多砍了脑袋，碗大的疤。十八年后，又是一条好汉。”这是江湖汉子给绑上法场时常说的话，韦小宝用了出来，虽然不大得体，倒博得厅上众人一阵掌声。 陈近南微笑道：“做香主是件大喜事，又不是绑上法场斩首。这里九位香主，人人做得欢欢喜喜，你该当学他们的样才是。” 关安基走到韦小宝跟前，抱拳躬身，说道：“属下关安基，参见本堂香主。”韦小宝转头向陈近南道：“我怎么办？”陈近南道：“你就当还礼。”韦小宝抱拳还礼，道：“关夫子你好。”陈近南微笑道：“'关夫子'三字，是兄弟们平时叫的外号。日常无事，可以叫他'关夫子'，正式见礼之时，便叫他作关二哥。”韦小宝改口道：“关二哥你好。”李力世这一次给关安基占了先，当下跟着上前见礼。 其余九位香主逐一重行和韦小宝叙礼。众人回到大厅，总舵主和十堂香主留下议事。
青木堂是后五堂之长，在天地会十堂之中，排列第六。韦小宝的座位排在右首第一位，赤火堂等堂香主有白须垂胸，反而坐在他的下首。李力世、关安基等身退在厅外，厅上便只陈近南等十一人，乃是天地会中第一级的首脑。 陈近南指着居中的一张空椅，道：“这是朱三太子的座位。”指着其侧的一张空椅，道：“这是台湾郑王爷的座位。郑王爷便是国姓爷的公子，现今袭爵为延平郡王。咱们天地会集议，朱三太子和郑王爷倘若不到，总是空了座位。”这几句话自是解释给韦小宝听的。他继续说道：“众位兄弟，请先说说各省的情形。” 那前五房中，长房莲花堂该管福建，二房洪顺堂该管广东，三房家后堂该管广西，四房参太堂该管湖南、湖北，五房宏化堂该管浙江。后五房中，长房青木堂该管江苏，二房赤火堂该管贵州，三房西金堂该管四川，四房玄水堂该管云南，五房黄上堂该管中州河南。天地会为郑成功旧部所组成，主力在福建，因此莲花堂为长房，实力最强，其次为两广、两湖，更其次为浙江、江苏。（按：天地会中确有前五房、后五房十堂，蔡德忠、方大洪、马超兴等人历史上确有其人，各堂该管之地区亦大致如史书所载。此后为便于小说之叙述描写，有所更改，不再说明。） 当下蔡德忠首先叙述福建的天地会会务，跟着方大洪述说广东会务。韦小宝听了一会，一来不懂，二来丝毫不感兴趣，到后来听而不闻，心中自行想象赌钱玩耍之事。 轮到青木堂香主述说时，陈近南说道：“青木堂本来是在江南江宁、苏州一带跟鞑子周旋，后来尹兄弟把香堂移到了江北徐州，逐步进入山东、直隶，一直伸展到鞑子的京城，只可惜尹兄弟命丧鳌拜之手，青木堂元气大伤。”他顿了一顿，又道：“日前众兄弟奋勇攻入康亲王府，机缘巧合，小宝手刃鳌拜，为尹兄弟报了大仇，青木堂这件事，干得轰轰烈烈，可叫鞑子心惊肉跳。只不过这么一来，鞑子自然加紧提防，咱们今后行事，可也得加倍小心才是。”众人齐声称是。 此后赤火堂、西金堂两堂香主分别述说贵州、四川两省情状，韦小宝听得忍不住要打呵欠，急忙伸手掩住了嘴巴。 待得玄水堂香主林永超说起云南会务时，他神情激昂，不断咒骂，韦小宝才留上了神，只听他道：“吴三桂那大汉奸处处跟咱们作对，从去年到今年，还没满十个月，会中兄弟前前后后已有七十九个死在这王八蛋手里。他妈巴羔子的，老子跟这狗贼不共戴天。属下数次派人去行刺，可是这汉奸身边能人甚多，接连行刺三次，都失了手……”他指指自己挂在头颈中的左臂，说道：“上个月这一次，他奶奶的，老子还折断了一条手臂，这大汉奸作恶多端，终有一日，要全家给咱们天地会斩成肉酱。” 一说到吴三桂，人人气愤填膺。韦小宝在扬州之时，也早听人说吴三桂引清兵入关，夺了汉人的天下。鞑子兵在扬州奸淫烧杀，最大的罪魁祸首便是吴三桂。这人帮满清打天下，官封平西王，永镇云南，韦小宝听人提到吴三桂三字之时，无不咬牙切齿，恨之入骨。这林香主如此破口大骂，韦小宝倒也不以为奇。林永超一骂开了头，其余八位香主跟着也骂了起来。他们本来都是军人，近年来混迹江湖，粗口原是说惯了，只不过在总舵主面前，大家尽力收敛而已，此时一骂上了，谁也不再客气。韦小宝大喜，一听到这些污言秽语，登时如鱼得水，忍不住插口也骂。说到骂人，韦小宝和这九位香主相比，颇有精粗之别，他一句句转弯抹角、狠毒刻薄，九位香主只不过胡骂一气，相形之下，不免见绌。 陈近南摇手道：“够了，够了！天下千千万万人在骂吴三桂，可是这厮还是好好做他的平西王。骂是骂他不死的，行刺也不是办法。” 宏化堂香主李式开矮小瘦削，说话很轻，骂人也不多，这时说道：“依属下之见，就算咱们大举入滇，将吴三桂杀了，于大局也无多大好处。鞑子另派总督、巡抚，云南老百姓一般的翻不了身。吴三桂这汉奸罪孽深重，若是一刀杀了，未免太也便宜了他。”陈近南点头道：“此言甚是有理，却不知李兄弟有何高见？”李式开道：“这件事甚为重大，大伙儿须得从长计议。属下也想不出什么好法子。还是听从总舵主的指点。” 陈近南道：“'此事重大，须当从长计议。'李兄弟这一句话，便是高见了。常言道得好：一人计短，二人计长。咱们十个人，不，十一个人，静下来细细想想，主意儿就更加多了。咱们杀吴三桂，不但为天地会被他害死的众位兄弟报仇，也是为天下千千万万汉人同胞报仇。此事我筹思已久，吴三桂那厮在云南根深蒂固，势力庞大，单是天地会一会之力，只怕扳他不倒。” 林永超大声道：“拚着千刀万剐，也要扳他一扳。”蔡德忠道：“你早已扳过了，吴三桂没扳倒，却扳断了自己一只手。”林永超怒道：“你耻笑我不成？”蔡德忠自知失言，陪笑道：“我是讲笑话，林兄弟别生气。” 陈近南见林永超兀自愤愤不平，温言慰道：“林贤弟，诛杀吴三桂，乃是普天下英雄好汉人人梦寐以求的大事，怎能要林贤弟与玄水堂单独挑起这副重担？就算天地会数万兄弟齐心合力，也未必能动得了他手。”林永超道：“总舵主说得是。”这才平了气。 陈近南道：“我看要办成这件大事，咱们须得联络江湖上各领各派，各帮各会，共谋大举。吴三桂这厮在云南有几万精兵，麾下雄百猛将，非同小可。单是要杀他一人，未必十分为难，但要诛他全家，杀尽他手下助纣为虐的一众大大小小汉奸恶贼，却非我天地会一会之力能够办到。” 林永超拍腿大叫：“是极，是极！我天地会兄弟已给吴三桂杀了这许多，单杀这贼子一人，如何抵得了命？” 众人想到要诛灭吴三桂全家及手下众恶，都是十分兴奋，但过不多时，大家面面相觑，心中均想：“这件事当真甚难。” 蔡德忠道：“少林、武当两派人多势众，武功又高，那是一定要联络的。” 黄土堂香主姚必达踌躇道：“少林寺方丈晦聪大师，在武林中声望自是极高，不过他向来十分老成持重，不肯得罪官府。这几年来，更定下一条规矩，连俗家子弟也不许轻易出寺下山，生怕惹祸生事。要联络少林派，这中间恐怕有很多难处。” 该管湖广地面的参太堂香主胡德第点头道：“武当派也差不多。真武观观主云雁道人和师兄云鹤道人失和已久，两人尽是勾心斗角，互相找门下弟子的岔儿。杀吴三桂这等冒险勾当，就怕……就怕……”他没再说下去，但谁都明白，多半云雁、云鹤二人都不会愿干。 林永超道：“倘若约不到少林、武当，咱们只好自己来干了。”陈近南道：“那不用性急，武林之中，也并非只有少林、武当两派。”各个纷纷议论，有的说峨嵋或许愿干，有的说丐帮中有不少好手加入天地会，必愿与天地会联手，去诛杀这大汉奸。 陈近南听各人说了良久，道：“若不是十拿九稳，咱们可千万不能向人家提出。”方大洪道：“这个自然，没的人家不愿干，碰一鼻子灰不算，也伤了我天地会的脸面。”陈近南道：“失面子还不紧，风声泄漏出去，给吴三桂那厮加意提防，可更棘手了。”李式开道：“为了稳重起见，若要向哪一个门派帮会提出，须得先经总舵主点头，别的人可不能随便拿主意。”众人都道：“正该如此。” 各人又商议了一会。陈近南道：“此刻还不能拟下确定的方策。三个月后，大家在湖南长沙再聚。小宝，你仍回到宫中，青木堂的事务，暂且由李力世、关安基两位代理。长沙之会，你不用来了。” 韦小宝应道：“是。”心道：“这不是摆明了过河拆桥么？”
众香主散后，陈近南拉了韦小宝的手，回到厢房之中，说道：“北京天桥有一个卖膏药的老头儿，姓徐。别人卖膏药的旗子上，膏药都是黑色的，这徐老儿的膏药却是一半红，一半青。你有要事跟我联络，到天桥去找徐老儿便是。你问他：'有没有清恶毒、使盲眼复明的清毒复明膏药？'他说：'有是有，价钱太贵，要三两黄金、三两白银。'你说：'五两黄金、五两白银卖不卖？'他便知道你是谁了。” 韦小宝大感有趣，笑道：“人家货价三两、你却还价五两，天下哪有这样的事？” 陈近南微笑道：“这是唯恐误打误撞，真有人向他去买'清毒复明膏药'。他一听你还价黄金五两、白银五两，便问：'为什么价钱这样贵？'你说：'不贵，不贵，只要当真复得了明，便给你做牛做马，也是不贵。'他便说：'地振高冈，一派溪山千古秀。'你说：'门朝大海，三河合水万年流。'他又问：'红花亭畔哪一堂？'你说：'青木堂。'他问：'堂上烧几炷香？'你说：'五炷香！'烧五炷香的便是香主。他是本会青木堂的兄弟，属你该管。你有什么事，可以交他办。” 韦小宝一一记在心中。陈近南又将那副对子说了两遍，和韦小宝演习一遍，一字无讹。陈近南又道：“这徐老头虽归你管，武功却甚了得，你对他不可无礼。”韦小宝答应了。 陈近南道：“小宝，咱们大闹康亲王府，鞑子一定侦骑四出，咱们在这里不能久留。今日你就回宫去，跟人说是给一帮强人掳了去，你夜里用计杀了看守的强人，逃回宫来。如有人要你领兵来捉拿，你可以带兵到这里来，我们把鳌拜的尸身和首级埋在后面菜园里，你领人来掘了去，就没人怀疑。”韦小宝道：“大伙当然都不在这里了，是不是？”陈近南道：“你一走之后，大伙儿便散，不用担心。三天之后，我到北京城里来传你武功。你到东城甜水井胡同来，胡同口有兄弟们等着，自会带你进来见我。”韦小宝应道：“是。” 陈近南轻轻抚摸他头，温言道：“你这就去罢！” 韦小宝当下进去和茅十八道别。茅十八不知他已入了天地会，做了香主，问长问短，极是关心。韦小宝也不说穿。这时他被夺去的匕首等物早已取回。陈近南命人替他备了坐骑，亲自送出门外。李力世、关安基、玄贞道人等青木堂中兄弟，更直送到三里之外。 韦小宝问明路径，催马驰回北京城，进宫时已是傍晚，即去叩见皇帝。
康熙早已得知鳌拜在康亲王府囚室中为韦小宝所杀的讯息，心想他为鳌拜的党徒所掳，定然凶多吉少。事情一发，清廷便立即四下缉捕鳌拜的余党拷问，人是捉了不少，却查不出端倪。康熙正自老大烦恼，忽听得韦小宝回来，又惊又喜，急忙传见，一见他走进书房，忙问：“小桂子，你……你怎么逃了出来？” 韦小宝一路之上，早已想好了一大片谎话，如何给强人捉去、如何给装在枣子箱中运去等情倒不必撒谎，跟着说众奸党如何设了灵位祭奠，为了等一个首脑人物，却暂不杀他，将他绑在一间黑房之中，他又如何在半夜里磨断手上所绑绳索，杀了看守的人，逃了出来，如何在草丛中躲避追骑，如何偷得马匹，绕道而归，说得绘声绘影，生动之至。 康熙听得津津有味，连连拍他肩头，赞道：“小桂子，真有你的。”又道：“这一番可真辛苦了。” 韦小宝道：“皇上，鳌拜这些奸党，势力也真不小。奴才逃出来时，记明了路径，咱们马上带兵去捉，好不好？” 康熙喜道：“妙极！你快去叫索额图带领三千兵马，随你去捉拿。” 韦小宝退了出来，命人去通知索额图。索额图听说小桂子给鳌拜手下人捉去，心想宫中少了个大援，正在发愁，虽说能吞没四十五万两银子，毕竟是所失者大，所得者小，突然得悉小桂子逃归，登时精神大振，忙带领人马，和韦小宝去捕拿余党。行到半路，康熙王差人将韦小宝的玉花骢赶着送来。韦小宝骑上名驹，左顾右盼，得意非凡。 到得天地会聚会之所，自然早已人影不见。索额图下令搜索，不久便在菜园中将鳌拜的首级和尸身掘了出来，又找到一块“大清少保一等超武公鳌拜大人之灵位”的灵牌，几幅吊唁鳌拜的挽联，自然都是陈近南故意留下的。 韦小宝和索额图回到北京，将灵牌、挽联等物呈上康熙，韦小宝神色间倒颇似立了一件大功。康熙奖勉几句，吩咐葬了鳌拜的尸身，命两人继续小心查察。 韦小宝嘴里连声答应，脸上忠诚勤奋，肚中暗暗好笑。
There were about twenty people sitting in the hall, but when they saw the chief helmsman coming in, they immediately stood up.Chen Jinnan nodded, walked to the second chair at the top and sat down.Wei Xiaobao saw that there was an empty chair in the middle, and another chair above the master, he wondered: "Isn't the chief steward the biggest? How come there are two people above the master?" Chen Jinnan said: "Brothers, today I took in a young apprentice." Pointing to Wei Xiaobao, he said: "That's him!" Everyone stepped forward together, cupped their fists and bowed, saying: "Congratulations to the Chief Steward." They bowed their hands to Wei Xiaobao and expressed their congratulations one after another.Some of the expressions on everyone's faces looked very happy, some were greatly surprised, and some seemed to be in disbelief. Chen Jinnan told Wei Xiaobao: "I have seen all the uncles and uncles." Wei Xiaobao kowtowed to everyone.Li Lishi introduced: "This is Uncle Cai Dezhong, the incense master of Lotus Hall." "This is Uncle Fang Dahong, the incense master of Hongshun Hall." Kowtowed in front of them one by one, and introduced the incense masters of nine halls in total, and the ones who were introduced later were those with lower status and duties. The incense master of the Nine Halls returned half the salute, and even said: "Don't dare, little brother, please come up." The rest of the people did not accept his kowtow, and when he was about to kneel down, he stretched out his hand to stop him.Wei Xiaobao was quick and agile, sometimes he knelt too fast, and the other party didn't have time to stop him, so he also knelt down to return the salute, not daring to call himself an elder.There were more than twenty people in the hall, Wei Xiaobao couldn't remember everyone's names and their roles in the meeting for a moment, he only knew that each of them was the leader of the Tiandihui, he thought to himself: "Once I worship the chief rudder as a teacher, everyone will be a teacher." I am one of my own, so I told my identity and name." I really liked it. Chen Jinnan waited until Wei Xiaobao had finished meeting everyone, and said: "Brothers, after I accept this young apprentice, I want him to join my Heaven and Earth Association." Everyone said in unison: "That would be the best." Cai Dezhong, the incense master of the Lotus Hall, is an old man with white hair and white beard, and said: "A famous teacher will produce an excellent disciple. The disciple of the head master must be a young man with both wisdom and courage. He will definitely make great achievements in our association. Ma Chaoxing, the incense master at the back of the house, was short and fat, with a pleasant smile, and said: "I met the little brother of the Wei family today, and there is no meeting ceremony. People with the surname Ma always plan carefully, so let me and Cai Xiangzhu two, So I became the guide for the little brother to join the club, and it was considered a meeting ceremony. Brother Cai, what do you think?" Cai Dezhong laughed loudly, and said: "Old horse's abacus, needless to say, must be sound. This one does not cost money Count me in as a meeting ceremony." Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Chen Jinnan said: "The two uncles have great face, for being your guide, thank you soon." Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes!" He went forward and kowtowed to thank him. Chen Jinnan said: "The rules of the association, the good words and deeds of the brothers who join the association have a lot to do with the people who receive them. I am a young disciple who is very alert, so I am afraid that he will be too flexible and do not follow the rules. Cai Ma Er Since the incense master is his guide, he also has to help me with some responsibilities in the future. If you see him misbehaving, you should immediately discipline him. You must not be polite." Cai Dezhong said: "The chief rudder is too modest. Is there any dishonest person under the head of the chief rudder?" Chen Jinnan said solemnly: "I am not too modest. I am really worried about this child. Everyone helped me discipline and share some worries. Ma Chaoxing laughed and said, "You don't dare to be a discipliner. Brothers are young. If you don't understand something, you are your own brothers. Naturally, you are open and honest. You know everything and say everything." Chen Jinnan nodded and said: "I am here. Thanks in advance." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "I haven't done anything bad, so Master is always worried about me doing bad things. That's right, he listened to my methods of dealing with the old tortoise, and he was afraid that my old problem would recur, so he would do the same to him. The old tortoise thought He killed me, and it wasn't my master, so I blinded him with poison. You are really my master, you taught me real kung fu, how could I play tricks on you? But you put your words first, and many people here come to discipline and discipline , I can’t even move.” I just heard Chen Jinnan say: "Brother Li, please arrange the incense hall. Let's open the incense hall today and let Wei Xiaobao join the meeting." Li Lishi agreed to go out and make arrangements. Chen Jinnan said: "According to the old rules, if someone wants to join the association, after he has been introduced, he has to check his life experience and behavior, at least half a year, at most a year or two, and only after the verification is correct, can he open the incense hall Join the association. But Wei Xiaobao holds a position in the Qing palace and is very close to the little Tartar emperor, so it is very convenient for us to handle affairs in this association, so we have to follow the authority. It's not that I made an exception for my own disciples." Everyone said: "Brothers, you all understand." Fang Dahong, the incense master of Hongshuntang, was tall and tall, with a long and bright black beard, and said loudly: "We can have such a trusted brother who works beside the little Tartar emperor, it is really a blessing from heaven, and the Tartar will be exhausted. There is hope for the revival of my Great Ming Dynasty. This is called knowing yourself and knowing the enemy, and winning every battle. Who doesn’t understand the intention of the chief helmsman?” Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "You have treated me so well, so you want me to be a spy on the emperor's side. Should I do it or not?" Thinking of Kangxi treating him very well, he couldn't help hesitating.
Cai Dezhong then briefed Wei Xiaobao on the history and rules of the Tiandihui, and said: "The founding patriarch of this association is Lord Guoxing, whose original surname is Zheng, and his name has been successful from top to bottom. Back then, Lord Guoxing led volunteers to attack Jiangnan. The siege of Jiangning was a failure. Before returning to Taiwan, we accepted the suggestion of the chief rudder and established the Tiandihui. At that time, our chief rudder was the military advisor of the surname Guo. Brothers Fang, Brother Ma, Brother Hu, and I Brother Li, and Lord Yin Xiang of Qingmutang, etc., are all the soldiers of Guoxing Ye's army." Wei Xiaobao knew that "Guo Xing Ye" was Zheng Chenggong, who was bestowed the surname Zhu by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, so people honored him as "Guo Xing Ye".Zheng Chenggong was very famous in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong. He died in the first year of Kangxi, not long after his death. When everyone mentioned him, his tone was still very respectful.Mao Shiba had also mentioned it to him. Cai Dezhong said again: "Many of our army stayed in the south of the Yangtze River, and they couldn't all return to Taiwan. Some retreated to Xiamen, which was only a small part. Therefore, the chief helmsman was ordered by the surname of the country to stay in Zhongtu and establish the Tiandihui. , to contact the old department of Lord Guoxing. All the generals who have accompanied Lord Guoxing to attack Jiangsu and Zhejiang will naturally become brothers in the association. Just in case spies get in." When he said this, he paused, and suddenly a strange expression appeared on his face, and continued: "I think back then when our army set off from Taiwan, there were a total of 170,000 horses, 50,000 sailors, 50,000 cavalry, and 50,000 infantry." , 10,000 guerrilla support, and another 10,000 "iron soldiers", all wearing iron armor and holding spears, specialize in cutting the horses and feet of Tartar soldiers, and the swords and arrows cannot hurt him. The battle at Yangpeng Mountain in Zhenjiang The chief rudder leader led two thousand troops, and defeated eighteen thousand Tartar soldiers. It was really majestic and murderous. I am the commander of the eighth town under the command of the chief rudder. Everyone shouted: 'Maru, Maru! Qihu, Qihu!'" Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed when he heard that, and asked: "What is that?" Cai Dezhong said: "'Malu, Malu' means 'Ma, Ma' in the Tartar dialect, and 'Qihu, Qihu' means 'Run away, run away'!" Everyone laughed. Ma Chao said with a smile: "As soon as Cai Xiangzhu talked about the capture of Zhenjiang and the massacre of Tartar soldiers, he was very happy, and he couldn't finish talking for three days and three nights. You guide people to explain the rules to Brother Wei. In this way , Speaking of Brother Wei's beard growing as long as yours, I still can't finish talking..." At this point, it suddenly occurred to Wei Xiaobao that he was a young eunuch, how could he have a beard?Stealing a glance at Wei Xiaobao, seeing that he didn't take it seriously, he was relieved. At this time, Li Lishi came in to report that the incense hall had been set up.Chen Jinnan led the crowd to the back hall.Wei Xiaobao saw two spirit tablets on a board table, the one in the middle was written "The position of Son of Heaven", and the one on the side was written "Princess Yanping of the Ming Dynasty, recruiting the position of General Zheng". A pig's head, a sheep's head, a chicken, a fish, sticking seven sticks of incense.Everyone knelt down and bowed to the spiritual throne.Cai Dezhong took a blank sheet of paper from the altar and read aloud: "Everything in the world, restore the Ming Dynasty, and exterminate the Hulu. We will live and die together, imitating the story of Taoyuan, about brothers, surnamed Hong and named Jinlan, and become a family. Worship the sky as your father, worship the earth as your mother, and worship the sun as your brother. The moon is a sister, and worships the five ancestors and the first ancestor Wan Yunlong as the whole god of the Hong family. We live on the ugly day of Jiayin on the 25th of the seventh month. In the past, the two capitals and the thirteen provinces should be of one mind. The current court prince Hou Fei Princes, generals are not generals, and if people's hearts are shaken, it is a sign of the restoration of the Ming Dynasty and the extermination of the Hulu. We should follow Chen Jinnan's order and travel all over the world to seek heroes. Burn incense and make oaths, follow the heavens, and restore the Ming Dynasty. Revenge and avenge shame. Sworn blood oaths, gods come to learn." (Note: This oath is recorded according to the documents of the Tiandihui handed down in the Qing Dynasty, the original text is the same.) Cai Dezhong finished reading his speech and explained: "Brother Wei, do you know the story of Taoyuan's marriage in this speech?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Liu Guan and Zhang Taoyuan are married three times. Die." Cai Dezhong said: "That's right, if you join the Tiandihui, everyone will be brothers. We and the chief rudder are brothers, you worship him as your teacher, and everyone is your uncle and uncle, so you met We want to kowtow. But from now on, we are all brothers, so you don't need to kowtow to us anymore." Wei Xiaobao replied: "Yes." He thought: "That's very good." Cai Dezhong said: "Our Tiandihui is also called Hongmen, and Hong is Hongwu, the reign name of Ming Taizu. The surname Hong and the name Jinlan mean Hongmen brothers. I, Hongmen respect Wan Yunlong as the ancestor, and Wan Yunlong is The country’s surname is gone. Firstly, the brothers dare not call out the real name of the country’s surname; secondly, it would be inconvenient for the Tartars’ eagle claws to listen to it, so the brothers called the country’s surname Wan Yunlong. "Wan" means tens of millions of people, and "Yunlong" means Yun Conglong. Tens of thousands of people will Baoding Datianzi and restore my splendid country. Brother Wei, this is a secret of this association, so you can't talk to outsiders. Speaking of your friends, even if Mao Shiba is your good friend and brother, you can’t tell him.” Wei Xiaobao nodded and said, “I understand. Brother Mao really wants to join our Tiandihui, we can let him Join the meeting?" Cai Dezhong said: "Brother Wei can be his guide in the future, and after we send people to investigate in detail at the meeting, it is naturally possible." (Note: Who is "Wan Yunlong", each family There are different opinions. The deeds and characters of the Tiandihui in this book may not be consistent with the handed down records, and most of them are the author's imagination and creation.) Cai Dezhong said again: "Choushi, July 25th, is the day and hour when this association was founded. The five ancestors of this association were five generals who died in our army in Jiangning. The first one was named Gan Minghui. I think back when our army attacked Jiangning , I commanded the town troops, and was ordered by the chief military division to lie in ambush outside the west gate of Jiangning. Ma Chaoxing interrupted with a smile: "Lord Cai Xiang, the matter of attacking Jiangning Mansion. Let's talk slowly before it's too late." Cai Dezhong smiled, stretched out his hand and flicked his forehead lightly, and said: "Yes, yes, when we talk about the old things, there is no end to it. Now I read 'Three Points of Revolutionary Poetry', I read one sentence, and you read another sentence." Read now The poem said: "Three o'clock hides the revolutionary sect. If you enter our Hongmen, you can't ventilate it. Cultivate a strong momentum from hatred to Japan, and vow to wipe out the Qing Dynasty." Wei Xiaobao followed suit. Cai Dezhong said: "My Hongmen's Hong character is actually the 'Han' character of our Han people. My Han people's country was occupied by the Tartars, and the land was gone. The word 'Tu' was removed from the 'Han' character. It's the word 'Hong'." The thirty-six oaths, the ten prohibitions and ten punishments, and the twenty-one rules in the current general are all explained to Wei Xiaobao. Family, helping each other in need, etc.If there are reasons for leaking secrets, implicating brothers, surrendering to the government, raping and plundering, bullying the weak, breaking promises, embezzling public funds, etc., the ears will be cut off and beaten, and the severe ones will be cut into eight pieces and the head will be dismembered. Wei Xiaobao obeyed them one by one, vowing not to violate them.He was sincere this time, and he was not playing tricks when he swore. Ma Chaoxing took a large bowl of wine, pricked his left middle finger with a needle, and dripped blood into the wine.Chen Jinnan and others also stabbed blood, and finally Wei Xiaobao stabbed the blood into the wine.Everyone took a sip of blood wine, and the initiation ceremony was completed.Everyone held hands and hugged him very affectionately.Wei Xiaobao's whole body was filled with heat, and he felt that from now on, he would no longer be helpless in this world.
Chen Jinnan said: "There are ten halls in this association, the first five houses are five halls, the back five houses are five halls. The front five houses are Lianhua Hall, Hongshun Hall, Jiahou Hall, Shentai Hall, and Honghua Hall. The rear five houses are Qingmu Hall, Chihuo Hall Tang, Xijintang, Xuanshuitang, Huangtutang. The incense masters of the nine halls have all gathered here, only Brother Yin, the incense master of Qingmu hall, was killed by the villain Oboi the year before last, so far there is no incense master. Qingmu hall Brother Zhong, in the past, he made an oath in front of the spiritual seat of elder brother Wan Yunlong and the spiritual seat of Lord Yin Xiang, which one killed Oboi and avenged Lord Yin Xiang, and everyone regarded him as the incense master of the hall. Is there such a thing?" Said: "Exactly, there is such a thing." Chen Jinnan's sharp gaze swept over everyone's faces from left to right, and said slowly: "I heard that the good brothers in Qingmu Hall had some disputes over the matter of succeeding the Lord of Fragrance. In the overall situation, benevolence and righteousness are the most important, and it has not hurt the harmony, but if this matter is not properly resolved, there will always be a great hidden worry in the Qingmu hall. Qingmu hall is an extremely important hall in my Tiandihui. It governs Jiangnan, The prefectures and counties in the north of the Yangtze River have gradually expanded to Shandong and Hebei in recent years, and this time they have invaded the city of Beijing. Whether the Qingmutang incense master wins has a great relationship with the rise and fall of the association and the success of the anti-Qing cause. If the brothers in the hall disagree and cannot work together, this important task will not be accomplished." After a pause, he asked: "That traitor, Oboi, was killed by Wei Xiaobao, all the brothers in the Qingmu Hall witnessed it with their own eyes. ,Yes or no?" Li Lishi and Guan Anji said in unison: "That's right." Li Lishi followed up and said, "The oath you swore before Brother Wan Yunlong's spiritual position must not be ignored. What oaths and wishes will you make before Brother Yunlong's spiritual throne? Although brother Wei Xiaobao is young, I, Li Lishi, would like to embrace him as the incense master of the hall." Guan Anji was robbed of his head by him, and he thought to himself: "This child is the chief steward. Disciple, your status is already extraordinary. Listening to the words of the chief steward, it is obvious that he wants this little apprentice to be the incense master. Old man Li blindly competed with me to be the incense master. Seeing that no one would accept the other, he simply slapped Two breakups. He has already spoken first to please the chief rudder, I can't lose to him, but it seems that I have selfish intentions." He said: "Brother Li's words are very true. Brother Wei is very alert, after being taught by the chief rudder下，他日定是一位威震江湖的少年英侠。关安基愿拥韦小宝兄弟为青木堂香主。” 韦小宝吓了一跳，双手乱摇，叫道：“不成，不成！这……这个什么香主、臭主，我可做不来！” 陈近南双眼一瞪，喝道：“你胡说什么？”韦小宝不敢再说。 陈近南道：“这小孩手刃鳌拜，那是不能改变的事实，我们遵守在万云龙大哥灵位前所立的誓言，只得让他来当青木堂香主。我是为了要让他当香主，才收他为徒；可不是收了他为弟子之后，才想到要他当香主。这小孩气质不佳，以后不知要让我头痛几百次。” 方大洪道：“总舵主的苦心，兄弟们都理会得。总舵主跟韦兄弟非亲非故，今日才第一次见面。总舵主破例垂青，自然是为了本会的大事着想。不过……不过……总舵主也不必担心。本会兄弟们在江湖上混，读书的人少，哪一个不口出粗言俗语？韦兄弟年纪小，李大哥和关夫子都愿全力辅佐，决不会出什么乱子。” 陈近南点头道：“咱们所以让韦小宝当青木堂香主，是为了在万云龙大哥灵位之前立过誓，决不能不算。但只要他做了一天香主，也算是做过了。明天倘若他胡作非为，扰乱青木堂事务，有碍本会反清复明大业，咱们立即开香堂将他废了，决不有半分姑息。李大哥、关二哥，我拜托你们两位用心帮他。如这小孩行事有什么不妥当的地方，务须一一向我禀报，不得隐瞒。”李力世和关安基躬身答应。 陈近南转过身来，在灵位前跪下，从香炉中拿起三枝香来，双手捧住，朗声道：“属下陈近南，在万云龙大哥灵位之前立誓：属下的弟子韦小宝倘若违犯会规，又或是才德不足以服众，属下立即废了他青木堂香主的职司，决不敢有半分偏私。我们封他为香主，是遵守誓言，他日如果废他，也是遵守誓言。属下陈近南倘若不遵此誓，万大哥在天之灵，教我天雷轰顶，五马分尸，死于鞑子鹰爪之下。”说着举香拜了几拜，将香插回香炉，磕下头去。 众人齐声称赞：“总舵主如此处事，大公无私，没一个心中不服。” 韦小宝心道：“好啊！我还道你们真要我当什么香主臭主，却原来将我当作一座木板桥来过河，过了河便拆桥。今日封我为香主，你们就不算背誓。明日找个岔头，将我废了，又不算背誓。那时李大哥也好，关夫子也好，再来当香主，便顺理成章了。”大声说道：“师父，我不当香主！” 陈近南一愕，问道：“什么？”韦小宝道：“我不会当，也不想当。”陈近南道：“不会当，慢慢学啊。我会教你，李关二位又答应了帮你。香主的职位，在天地会中位份甚高，你为什么不想当？” 韦小宝摇头道：“今天当了，明天又给你废了，反而丢脸。我不当香主，什么事都马马虎虎；一当上了，人人都来鸡蛋里寻骨头，不用半天，马上完蛋大吉。”陈近南道：“鸡蛋里没骨头，人家要寻也寻不着。”韦小宝道：“鸡蛋要变小鸡，就有骨头了。就算没骨头，人家来寻的时候，先把我蛋壳打破了再说，搞得蛋黄蛋白，一塌子胡涂。” 众人忍不住都笑了起来。 陈近南道：“咱们天地会做事，难道是小孩子儿戏吗？你只要不做坏事。人人敬你是青木堂香主，哪一个会得罪你？就算不敬重你，也得敬你是我的弟子。” 韦小宝想了一想，道：“好，咱们话说明在先。你们将来不要我当香主，我不当就是。可不能乱加罪名，又打又骂，什么割耳斩头，大解八块。” 陈近南皱眉道：“你就爱讨价还价。你不做坏事，谁来打你杀你？鞑子倘若打你杀你，大伙儿给你报仇。”顿了一顿，诚诚恳恳的道：“小宝，大丈夫敢作敢为，当仁不让，既入了我天地会，就当奋勇争先，为民除害。老是为自己打算，岂是英雄豪杰的行径？” 韦小宝一听到“英雄豪杰”四字，便想到说书先生所说的那些大英雄，胸中豪气登生，说道：“对，师父教训得很是。最多砍了脑袋，碗大的疤。十八年后，又是一条好汉。”这是江湖汉子给绑上法场时常说的话，韦小宝用了出来，虽然不大得体，倒博得厅上众人一阵掌声。 陈近南微笑道：“做香主是件大喜事，又不是绑上法场斩首。这里九位香主，人人做得欢欢喜喜，你该当学他们的样才是。” 关安基走到韦小宝跟前，抱拳躬身，说道：“属下关安基，参见本堂香主。”韦小宝转头向陈近南道：“我怎么办？”陈近南道：“你就当还礼。”韦小宝抱拳还礼，道：“关夫子你好。”陈近南微笑道：“'关夫子'三字，是兄弟们平时叫的外号。日常无事，可以叫他'关夫子'，正式见礼之时，便叫他作关二哥。”韦小宝改口道：“关二哥你好。”李力世这一次给关安基占了先，当下跟着上前见礼。 其余九位香主逐一重行和韦小宝叙礼。众人回到大厅，总舵主和十堂香主留下议事。
青木堂是后五堂之长，在天地会十堂之中，排列第六。韦小宝的座位排在右首第一位，赤火堂等堂香主有白须垂胸，反而坐在他的下首。李力世、关安基等身退在厅外，厅上便只陈近南等十一人，乃是天地会中第一级的首脑。 陈近南指着居中的一张空椅，道：“这是朱三太子的座位。”指着其侧的一张空椅，道：“这是台湾郑王爷的座位。郑王爷便是国姓爷的公子，现今袭爵为延平郡王。咱们天地会集议，朱三太子和郑王爷倘若不到，总是空了座位。”这几句话自是解释给韦小宝听的。他继续说道：“众位兄弟，请先说说各省的情形。” 那前五房中，长房莲花堂该管福建，二房洪顺堂该管广东，三房家后堂该管广西，四房参太堂该管湖南、湖北，五房宏化堂该管浙江。后五房中，长房青木堂该管江苏，二房赤火堂该管贵州，三房西金堂该管四川，四房玄水堂该管云南，五房黄上堂该管中州河南。天地会为郑成功旧部所组成，主力在福建，因此莲花堂为长房，实力最强，其次为两广、两湖，更其次为浙江、江苏。（按：天地会中确有前五房、后五房十堂，蔡德忠、方大洪、马超兴等人历史上确有其人，各堂该管之地区亦大致如史书所载。此后为便于小说之叙述描写，有所更改，不再说明。） 当下蔡德忠首先叙述福建的天地会会务，跟着方大洪述说广东会务。韦小宝听了一会，一来不懂，二来丝毫不感兴趣，到后来听而不闻，心中自行想象赌钱玩耍之事。 轮到青木堂香主述说时，陈近南说道：“青木堂本来是在江南江宁、苏州一带跟鞑子周旋，后来尹兄弟把香堂移到了江北徐州，逐步进入山东、直隶，一直伸展到鞑子的京城，只可惜尹兄弟命丧鳌拜之手，青木堂元气大伤。”他顿了一顿，又道：“日前众兄弟奋勇攻入康亲王府，机缘巧合，小宝手刃鳌拜，为尹兄弟报了大仇，青木堂这件事，干得轰轰烈烈，可叫鞑子心惊肉跳。只不过这么一来，鞑子自然加紧提防，咱们今后行事，可也得加倍小心才是。”众人齐声称是。 此后赤火堂、西金堂两堂香主分别述说贵州、四川两省情状，韦小宝听得忍不住要打呵欠，急忙伸手掩住了嘴巴。 待得玄水堂香主林永超说起云南会务时，他神情激昂，不断咒骂，韦小宝才留上了神，只听他道：“吴三桂那大汉奸处处跟咱们作对，从去年到今年，还没满十个月，会中兄弟前前后后已有七十九个死在这王八蛋手里。他妈巴羔子的，老子跟这狗贼不共戴天。属下数次派人去行刺，可是这汉奸身边能人甚多，接连行刺三次，都失了手……”他指指自己挂在头颈中的左臂，说道：“上个月这一次，他奶奶的，老子还折断了一条手臂，这大汉奸作恶多端，终有一日，要全家给咱们天地会斩成肉酱。” 一说到吴三桂，人人气愤填膺。韦小宝在扬州之时，也早听人说吴三桂引清兵入关，夺了汉人的天下。鞑子兵在扬州奸淫烧杀，最大的罪魁祸首便是吴三桂。这人帮满清打天下，官封平西王，永镇云南，韦小宝听人提到吴三桂三字之时，无不咬牙切齿，恨之入骨。这林香主如此破口大骂，韦小宝倒也不以为奇。林永超一骂开了头，其余八位香主跟着也骂了起来。他们本来都是军人，近年来混迹江湖，粗口原是说惯了，只不过在总舵主面前，大家尽力收敛而已，此时一骂上了，谁也不再客气。韦小宝大喜，一听到这些污言秽语，登时如鱼得水，忍不住插口也骂。说到骂人，韦小宝和这九位香主相比，颇有精粗之别，他一句句转弯抹角、狠毒刻薄，九位香主只不过胡骂一气，相形之下，不免见绌。 陈近南摇手道：“够了，够了！天下千千万万人在骂吴三桂，可是这厮还是好好做他的平西王。骂是骂他不死的，行刺也不是办法。” 宏化堂香主李式开矮小瘦削，说话很轻，骂人也不多，这时说道：“依属下之见，就算咱们大举入滇，将吴三桂杀了，于大局也无多大好处。鞑子另派总督、巡抚，云南老百姓一般的翻不了身。吴三桂这汉奸罪孽深重，若是一刀杀了，未免太也便宜了他。”陈近南点头道：“此言甚是有理，却不知李兄弟有何高见？”李式开道：“这件事甚为重大，大伙儿须得从长计议。属下也想不出什么好法子。还是听从总舵主的指点。” 陈近南道：“'此事重大，须当从长计议。'李兄弟这一句话，便是高见了。常言道得好：一人计短，二人计长。咱们十个人，不，十一个人，静下来细细想想，主意儿就更加多了。咱们杀吴三桂，不但为天地会被他害死的众位兄弟报仇，也是为天下千千万万汉人同胞报仇。此事我筹思已久，吴三桂那厮在云南根深蒂固，势力庞大，单是天地会一会之力，只怕扳他不倒。” 林永超大声道：“拚着千刀万剐，也要扳他一扳。”蔡德忠道：“你早已扳过了，吴三桂没扳倒，却扳断了自己一只手。”林永超怒道：“你耻笑我不成？”蔡德忠自知失言，陪笑道：“我是讲笑话，林兄弟别生气。” 陈近南见林永超兀自愤愤不平，温言慰道：“林贤弟，诛杀吴三桂，乃是普天下英雄好汉人人梦寐以求的大事，怎能要林贤弟与玄水堂单独挑起这副重担？就算天地会数万兄弟齐心合力，也未必能动得了他手。”林永超道：“总舵主说得是。”这才平了气。 陈近南道：“我看要办成这件大事，咱们须得联络江湖上各领各派，各帮各会，共谋大举。吴三桂这厮在云南有几万精兵，麾下雄百猛将，非同小可。单是要杀他一人，未必十分为难，但要诛他全家，杀尽他手下助纣为虐的一众大大小小汉奸恶贼，却非我天地会一会之力能够办到。” 林永超拍腿大叫：“是极，是极！我天地会兄弟已给吴三桂杀了这许多，单杀这贼子一人，如何抵得了命？” 众人想到要诛灭吴三桂全家及手下众恶，都是十分兴奋，但过不多时，大家面面相觑，心中均想：“这件事当真甚难。” 蔡德忠道：“少林、武当两派人多势众，武功又高，那是一定要联络的。” 黄土堂香主姚必达踌躇道：“少林寺方丈晦聪大师，在武林中声望自是极高，不过他向来十分老成持重，不肯得罪官府。这几年来，更定下一条规矩，连俗家子弟也不许轻易出寺下山，生怕惹祸生事。要联络少林派，这中间恐怕有很多难处。” 该管湖广地面的参太堂香主胡德第点头道：“武当派也差不多。真武观观主云雁道人和师兄云鹤道人失和已久，两人尽是勾心斗角，互相找门下弟子的岔儿。杀吴三桂这等冒险勾当，就怕……就怕……”他没再说下去，但谁都明白，多半云雁、云鹤二人都不会愿干。 林永超道：“倘若约不到少林、武当，咱们只好自己来干了。”陈近南道：“那不用性急，武林之中，也并非只有少林、武当两派。”各个纷纷议论，有的说峨嵋或许愿干，有的说丐帮中有不少好手加入天地会，必愿与天地会联手，去诛杀这大汉奸。 陈近南听各人说了良久，道：“若不是十拿九稳，咱们可千万不能向人家提出。”方大洪道：“这个自然，没的人家不愿干，碰一鼻子灰不算，也伤了我天地会的脸面。”陈近南道：“失面子还不紧，风声泄漏出去，给吴三桂那厮加意提防，可更棘手了。”李式开道：“为了稳重起见，若要向哪一个门派帮会提出，须得先经总舵主点头，别的人可不能随便拿主意。”众人都道：“正该如此。” 各人又商议了一会。陈近南道：“此刻还不能拟下确定的方策。三个月后，大家在湖南长沙再聚。小宝，你仍回到宫中，青木堂的事务，暂且由李力世、关安基两位代理。长沙之会，你不用来了。” 韦小宝应道：“是。”心道：“这不是摆明了过河拆桥么？”
众香主散后，陈近南拉了韦小宝的手，回到厢房之中，说道：“北京天桥有一个卖膏药的老头儿，姓徐。别人卖膏药的旗子上，膏药都是黑色的，这徐老儿的膏药却是一半红，一半青。你有要事跟我联络，到天桥去找徐老儿便是。你问他：'有没有清恶毒、使盲眼复明的清毒复明膏药？'他说：'有是有，价钱太贵，要三两黄金、三两白银。'你说：'五两黄金、五两白银卖不卖？'他便知道你是谁了。” 韦小宝大感有趣，笑道：“人家货价三两、你却还价五两，天下哪有这样的事？” 陈近南微笑道：“这是唯恐误打误撞，真有人向他去买'清毒复明膏药'。他一听你还价黄金五两、白银五两，便问：'为什么价钱这样贵？'你说：'不贵，不贵，只要当真复得了明，便给你做牛做马，也是不贵。'他便说：'地振高冈，一派溪山千古秀。'你说：'门朝大海，三河合水万年流。'他又问：'红花亭畔哪一堂？'你说：'青木堂。'他问：'堂上烧几炷香？'你说：'五炷香！'烧五炷香的便是香主。他是本会青木堂的兄弟，属你该管。你有什么事，可以交他办。” 韦小宝一一记在心中。陈近南又将那副对子说了两遍，和韦小宝演习一遍，一字无讹。陈近南又道：“这徐老头虽归你管，武功却甚了得，你对他不可无礼。”韦小宝答应了。 陈近南道：“小宝，咱们大闹康亲王府，鞑子一定侦骑四出，咱们在这里不能久留。今日你就回宫去，跟人说是给一帮强人掳了去，你夜里用计杀了看守的强人，逃回宫来。如有人要你领兵来捉拿，你可以带兵到这里来，我们把鳌拜的尸身和首级埋在后面菜园里，你领人来掘了去，就没人怀疑。”韦小宝道：“大伙当然都不在这里了，是不是？”陈近南道：“你一走之后，大伙儿便散，不用担心。三天之后，我到北京城里来传你武功。你到东城甜水井胡同来，胡同口有兄弟们等着，自会带你进来见我。”韦小宝应道：“是。” 陈近南轻轻抚摸他头，温言道：“你这就去罢！” 韦小宝当下进去和茅十八道别。茅十八不知他已入了天地会，做了香主，问长问短，极是关心。韦小宝也不说穿。这时他被夺去的匕首等物早已取回。陈近南命人替他备了坐骑，亲自送出门外。李力世、关安基、玄贞道人等青木堂中兄弟，更直送到三里之外。 韦小宝问明路径，催马驰回北京城，进宫时已是傍晚，即去叩见皇帝。
康熙早已得知鳌拜在康亲王府囚室中为韦小宝所杀的讯息，心想他为鳌拜的党徒所掳，定然凶多吉少。事情一发，清廷便立即四下缉捕鳌拜的余党拷问，人是捉了不少，却查不出端倪。康熙正自老大烦恼，忽听得韦小宝回来，又惊又喜，急忙传见，一见他走进书房，忙问：“小桂子，你……你怎么逃了出来？” 韦小宝一路之上，早已想好了一大片谎话，如何给强人捉去、如何给装在枣子箱中运去等情倒不必撒谎，跟着说众奸党如何设了灵位祭奠，为了等一个首脑人物，却暂不杀他，将他绑在一间黑房之中，他又如何在半夜里磨断手上所绑绳索，杀了看守的人，逃了出来，如何在草丛中躲避追骑，如何偷得马匹，绕道而归，说得绘声绘影，生动之至。 康熙听得津津有味，连连拍他肩头，赞道：“小桂子，真有你的。”又道：“这一番可真辛苦了。” 韦小宝道：“皇上，鳌拜这些奸党，势力也真不小。奴才逃出来时，记明了路径，咱们马上带兵去捉，好不好？” 康熙喜道：“妙极！你快去叫索额图带领三千兵马，随你去捉拿。” 韦小宝退了出来，命人去通知索额图。索额图听说小桂子给鳌拜手下人捉去，心想宫中少了个大援，正在发愁，虽说能吞没四十五万两银子，毕竟是所失者大，所得者小，突然得悉小桂子逃归，登时精神大振，忙带领人马，和韦小宝去捕拿余党。行到半路，康熙王差人将韦小宝的玉花骢赶着送来。韦小宝骑上名驹，左顾右盼，得意非凡。 到得天地会聚会之所，自然早已人影不见。索额图下令搜索，不久便在菜园中将鳌拜的首级和尸身掘了出来，又找到一块“大清少保一等超武公鳌拜大人之灵位”的灵牌，几幅吊唁鳌拜的挽联，自然都是陈近南故意留下的。 韦小宝和索额图回到北京，将灵牌、挽联等物呈上康熙，韦小宝神色间倒颇似立了一件大功。康熙奖勉几句，吩咐葬了鳌拜的尸身，命两人继续小心查察。 韦小宝嘴里连声答应，脸上忠诚勤奋，肚中暗暗好笑。