Chapter 9 The Ninth Chapter Thinking about Hopeful for Perfection
Three days later, Wei Xiaobao reported to Kangxi that he wanted to go out and investigate the remnants of Aobai's party, so he went to Tianshuijing Hutong in Dongcheng.
There was a pair of wonton baskets parked about ten feet away from the entrance of the alley. When the wonton seller saw Wei Xiaobao, he picked up the long bamboo chopsticks that were used to hold the wontons, and tapped three times on the bamboo tube that held the money. Twice, then three times.A few feet away, someone was selling green radishes with a load, and that person struck the pole with a radish-peeling knife in the same way.Wei Xiaobao guessed that it was the method of communication between heaven and earth, followed a peddler selling candied haws into the alley, and came to a house with a dark gate.There were three people squatting at the door, who were plastering the wall with lime, they nodded when they saw Wei Xiaobao, and tapped the lime knife on the wall a few times, and the door opened.
Wei Xiaobao walked into the courtyard and the hall, saw Chen Jinnan was already sitting in the hall, he immediately stepped forward and kowtowed.Chen Jinnan liked it very much, and said: "You came early, there is nothing better. I originally wanted to stay for a few more days to pass on your kung fu, but yesterday I received a message that there was a big event in Fujian that I had to rush to take care of. This time I just I can stay for one day." Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed: "You don't have time to teach me Kungfu more, in the future if I don't practice well, that's your fault, you can't blame me." But his face was full of disappointment.
Chen Jinnan took out a thin booklet from his bosom, and said: "This is the basic way to practice inner strength in this sect, you should practice it every day." Open the booklet, there are portraits drawn on each page, and you will practice immediately The methods and formulas of inner strength were taught.
Wei Xiaobao didn't comprehend it all for a while, he just memorized it with his heart.
It took Chen Jinnan more than two hours to teach this set of internal skills, and said: "In my kung fu, sincerity and sincerity are the first priority. You are a mindless person, and you are incompatible with this kung fu. It is even more difficult to practice, and you need to work hard. You should keep in mind that if you become restless and dizzy after practicing, you should not practice again. You must calm down, clean up distracting thoughts, and start practicing again, otherwise there will be great danger." Wei Xiaobao agreed, and took the booklet with both hands , into the bosom.
Chen Jinnan asked about the details of the martial arts taught by Hai Dafu, and when Wei Xiaobao finished talking and comparing them one by one, Chen Jinnan murmured: "You already knew these kungfu were fake, if you really meet an enemy, it won't work at all. I'm just wondering why the martial arts that the empress dowager taught to the little emperor is fake." Wei Xiaobao said: "The old bitch is not the little emperor's own mother, and... besides, the old bitch is not a good person, she is a big brother The bad guy." I thought that the old whore killed the little emperor's mother and so on, the involvement is too serious, and I can't tell the master, let alone this matter has nothing to do with the master.
Chen Jinnan nodded, and then asked about Hai Dafu's behavior and behavior, only to feel that the behavior of the old eunuch was full of mystery.Wei Xiaobao said something, and suddenly cried out with a "wow".Chen Jinnan asked gently: "Xiaobao, what's the matter?" Wei Xiaobao sobbed and told about Hai Dafu secretly poisoning the soup, and finally cried: "Master, I can't cure this poison. I die Afterwards, the brothers of Qingmutang can no longer use the old method." Chen Jinnan asked: "What old method?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Oboi killed Lord Yin Xiang, I killed Oboi, everyone will call me Qingmutangxiang Master. Hai Laogui killed Wei Xiangzhu, and the old bitch killed Hailaogui. Everyone can't invite the old bitch to be the Xiangzhu of Qingmu Hall."
Chen Jinnan laughed, took his pulse carefully, and inquired about the pain in his lower abdomen. He stretched out his fingers and pressed the acupoints around his lower abdomen lightly or heavily. After pondering for a while, he said, "Don't be afraid! There is no cure, but I can force the poison out with internal force." Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Master!"
Chen Jinnan led him to the bedroom, ordered him to lie on the bed, pressed the "Tanzhong" point on his chest with his left hand, and pressed the "Dazhui point" on his back with his right hand.After a while, Wei Xiaobao felt two streams of hot air slowly moving downstream, his whole body was indescribably comfortable, and he fell asleep in a daze.
In his sleep, he suddenly felt an indescribable pain in his abdomen. He woke up with an "Ah yo", and shouted, "Master, I...I want to take a shit!" Chen Jinnan led him to the door of the hut.As soon as Wei Xiaobao unbuttoned his trousers, the excrement was sprayed straight away, but he felt the stench was unbearable, and he vomited profusely.
Wei Xiaobao returned to the bedroom, his legs were sore and weak, and he could hardly stand up straight.Chen Jinnan smiled and said: "Okay, nine out of ten of your poison has gone, and the rest is nothing to worry about. I have twelve detoxification pills here, you take them in twelve days, and the remaining poison will be completely eliminated." .” He took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom and handed it to Wei Xiaobao.Wei Xiaobao took it, very grateful, and said: "Master, do you still have this pill? You gave it to me, if you get poisoned..." Chen Jinnan smiled slightly, and said, "It's not like that if someone wants to poison me. easy."
Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Jinnan ordered someone to bring out a meal and eat with Wei Xiaobao.Seeing that there were only four bowls of ordinary dishes, Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Master is a great hero, but he eats so carelessly." Knowing that the poison on his body has been cured, he has a good heart, and when he eats and prepares for Master, he smiles happily on his face. , very happy.
After dinner, Wei Xiaobao poured tea for Master again.Chen Jinnan drank a few sips and said: "Xiaobao, I hope you will be a good boy. As soon as I have free time, I will come to the capital to teach you martial arts." Wei Xiaobao replied: "Yes." Chen Jinnan said: "Okay, then you Go back to the palace. Tartars are very cunning, although you are smart, you are still young, so you have to be careful in everything."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Master, I'm very bored in the palace, when can I follow you around the rivers and lakes?"
Chen Jinnan stared at his face, and said: "You have to endure for a few years and make some great contributions to the association. Wait... wait a few more years, when your voice changes and your beard grows, you can no longer pretend to be a eunuch. It’s time to come out of the palace again.”
Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "None of you know whether I will do good or bad things in the palace. It is not so easy to abolish my incense master. In the future, when I am older and I have practiced martial arts well, maybe you will not abolish me." .” Thinking of this, he became happy and said, “Yes, yes. Master, I’m going.”
Chen Jinnan stood up, took him by the hand, and said: "Xiaobao, the climate of the Tartars has become a reality. This major event of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Ming Dynasty is very difficult. When you are in the palace, you will encounter dangers all the time. You I'm so young and haven't learned any real skills. I'm really worried. But since we joined the Tiandihui, this body is no longer our own. As long as it is beneficial to the great cause of anti-Qing and Ming Dynasty, even if we know it is a pit of fire, we have no choice but to jump into it. Go on. It's a pity...it's a pity that you can't be by my side all the time, I can teach you well. But I hope you can spend more time with me in the future. Now the brothers in the meeting respect you, but for my sake, But I can't take care of you for the rest of my life. In the future, people will respect you, or look down on you, everything depends on you."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes. It doesn't matter if I lose my face, but Master's face can't afford it." Chen Jinnan shook his head and said, "It's not okay if you lose face yourself." Wei Xiaobao replied: "Yes, yes. Then I lose face Xiao Guizi's face is healed. Xiao Guizi is a Tartar eunuch, and if we lose Xiao Guizi's face, we will lose the Tartar's face, and that is anti-Qing and Ming Dynasty."
Chen Jinnan let out a long sigh, he really didn't know how to teach him.
Wei Xiaobao went into the palace and went back to his own room, carefully looked at the dozens of bank notes that Suo'etu had handed over, totaling 466,500 taels, and felt very happy.It turned out that in order to please him, Suo'etu originally promised 450,000 taels of silver, but later he sold Aobai's family property, and the price he got was more than expected, adding more than 10,000 taels.After reading it for a long time, he put away the banknotes, took out Chen Jinnan's martial arts booklet, sat cross-legged and practiced according to the secrets passed on.When he ordered the cash register, he was in high spirits when he saw the silver number and the red stamp of the ticket number on the ticket. When he turned to the martial arts map, he lost interest immediately, not to mention that he couldn't recognize one out of a hundred characters in the notes in the book, and he couldn't practice less than half of it. After an hour, he felt dizzy and tired, fell asleep on the bed and fell asleep. After waking up the next day, after serving the emperor in the study, he went back to the house and practiced again, and fell asleep again not long after.It turns out that Chen Jinnan's kung fu is extremely difficult to get started, and unless he has great perseverance, it is difficult to pass the first level.Wei Xiaobao was clever and quick-witted, but he lacked this perseverance, once he practiced the first sitting pose, he felt extremely difficult and fell asleep.When I woke up, it was already midnight, and I thought to myself: "Master asked me to practice kung fu, but his kung fu is extremely boring. But if you are lazy and don't practice, the next time you see master, he will check and find out that my kung fu has not improved at all. , the boss must be unhappy. Maybe he will destroy my Qingmutang Xiangzhu." Get up and read the booklet again, meditate according to the law, after a while, the eyes are extremely heavy, and I can't help but want to sleep. I thought: "They have made up their mind to cross the river and demolish the bridge. Whether my bridge is a bluestone bridge or a rotten wooden single-plank bridge, they will always demolish it. It doesn't matter whether I practice kung fu or not." The excuse of not practicing kung fu, he felt relieved and fell asleep. Since he didn't need to practice martial arts anymore, he lived a very carefree life after that. After taking twelve pills, the pain in his lower abdomen disappeared without a trace.During the day, he only waited on Kangxi in the upper study for a few hours, and when he was free, he played dice with the Wen brothers and others.Now that he is a rich man with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, he no longer needs to cheat when he throws dice, but in front of Yang Gu, if he doesn't cheat a few times, he will feel unspeakably unhappy. Brothers Wen, The gambling debts owed by Ping Wei, Lao Wu and others to him naturally piled up.Fortunately, Wei Xiaobao did not collect his gambling debts, and Hai Dafu is no longer alive. Even though the Wen brothers and others have a lot of debts, they are not too worried. As for Shangshan Supervisor's affairs, he has his own eunuchs to take care of them. On the 2nd and 16th day of the Lunar New Year, the eunuch in charge will send 400 taels of silver to Wei Xiaobao's house.At this time, Suo'etu had already distributed tens of thousands of taels of silver to the concubines, powerful eunuchs, and guards in the palace for him. Wei Xiaobao paid lip service to him, and Kangxi was very fond of him. Everyone praised him, and everyone greeted him with a smile. Autumn is coming to the end of winter, and the weather is cold day by day. On this day, Wei Xiaobao came down from the upper study and suddenly remembered: "Master told me that if there is anything to do, go to Tianqiao to contact the old man Xu who sells plaster. Even if there is nothing wrong, you might as well go to him Let me answer it. It's interesting to say, "The ground vibrates on the high hills, and the streams and mountains are beautiful through the ages. The gate faces the sea, and the three rivers flow together for thousands of years." Hey, your plaster costs three taels of gold and three taels of silver, which is too expensive. , It’s too expensive! Can you sell five taels of gold or five taels of silver? Haha, haha!” He walked out of the palace gate, walked around the street a few times, and saw a storyteller in a teahouse telling a book, so he walked in and made a pot of tea and sat down.What the storyteller said was exactly what Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang fought in Poyang Lake, how Zhou Dian took Zhu Yuanzhang to change ships, and how Chen Youliang's warship bombarded Zhu Yuanzhang's original boat to pieces.Wei Xiaobao had already heard these plots by heart, and the storytelling was not very good, but as soon as he sat down, he listened to it for more than half an hour, wandering around until it was dark, and he didn't go to the overpass that day. The second and third day also never went.Every night when I go to bed, I always say in my heart that it is time to visit that old man Xu tomorrow, but the next day I will either play dice for money, or go to listen to books, or go to the market to waste money.These days, I am happy and happy in the palace. Being a eunuch is much more comfortable than being a incense master or stinky master of the Tiandihui. I know that this idea is very worthless, so I don’t dare to think about it. When I think about it occasionally, I comfort myself: "Anyway, I It’s okay, why go to old man Xu? Leaked the secret, it doesn’t matter if it cost me my life, but it will implicate the great affairs of the Tiandihui.” After more than a month passed like this, Wei Xiaobao listened again in the teahouse this day.Seeing that he was an eunuch in the palace, Dr. Tea gave him a lot of rewards, and always left him the best tea, and made the best fragrant tea.Wei Xiaobao is used to being flattered these days, although it is not unusual to flatter Dr. Cha's respect, it is really useful to hear.The story on the altar said that the general Xu Da took command of the expedition and drove the Tartar soldiers to Mengji.In the land of the capital, there are many banner people listening to the book in the teahouse. The storyteller dare not mention the word "Tarzi" openly. Wei Xiaobao was fascinated by what he heard, suddenly someone said: "Excuse me!" and sat down at his tea table.Wei Xiaobao frowned, a little impatiently.The man said softly: "The villain has a good plaster, and I want to sell it to my father-in-law, please take a look." Wei Xiaobao turned his head, and saw a piece of plaster on the table, half green, half red, his heart moved, and he asked Said: "What plaster is this?" The human said: "This is a plaster for clearing evil and restoring eyesight." Lowering his voice, he said: "There is a name called 'Plaster for Quqing and Fuming'." When Wei Xiaobao looked at the man, he saw that he was in his thirties and full of vigor, he was not the old man Xu that his master said, he became suspicious, and asked: "How much silver does this plaster cost?" The man said: "Three taels Silver, three taels of gold." Wei Xiaobao said: "Do you sell five taels of silver or five taels of gold?" The man said: "Isn't that too expensive?" Wei Xiaobao said: "It's not expensive, as long as you can get it clearly Poison, once you have recovered your understanding, I will make you a cow or a horse, which is not expensive." The man pushed the plaster in front of Wei Xiaobao, and said in a low voice: "Elder-in-law, please take a step to talk." He stood up and walked out teahouse. Wei Xiaobao threw two hundred Wen on the table, took the plaster, and went out.The man waited outside the teahouse, walked eastward, turned into an alley, stood still, and said: "The earth vibrates on the high hills, and there is a beautiful stream through the ages." Wei Xiaobao said: "The gate faces the sea, and the three rivers have been combined for thousands of years. Flow." Without waiting for him to ask, he asked first: "Which hall do you live by the Red Flower Pavilion?" The man said: "Brother is the Qingmu Hall." Wei Xiaobao said: "How many sticks of incense are burned in the hall?" The man said: "Three Stick incense!" Wei Xiaobao nodded, thinking: "You are two ranks lower than mine." The man crossed his hands and bowed, and said in a low voice: "Brother is Wei Xiangzhu who burns five sticks of incense in Qingmu Hall? "Wei Xiaobao said: "Exactly." He thought: "You are much older than me, but you call me elder brother. If you really want to call me nice, why don't you call me Grandpa, Uncle?" The man said: "My brother's surname is Gao, his name is Yan Chao, he is Wei Xiangzhu's subordinate, he has admired Xiangzhu's name for a long time, it is a great fortune to meet him today." Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Brother Gao is good to say, everyone is My own people, why be polite." Gao Yanchao said: "In this hall there is a big brother Xu named Xu who sells medicine to Tianqiao. He was seriously injured today, so he came here to report to Master Wei Xiang." Wei Xiaobao was surprised and said: "I have something to do in the palace , did not go to meet him. Why was he injured, and who was it called for?" Gao Yanchao said: "It is inconvenient to tell me in detail here, please come with me, Lord Wei Xiang." Wei Xiaobao nodded. Gao Yanchao strode forward, Wei Xiaobao followed from afar. After passing seven or eight streets, Gao Yanchao came to a small street, and walked into a pharmacy.Wei Xiaobao saw five characters written on the signboard, naturally he didn't know any of them, so he didn't need to look carefully, he guessed it was the name of a pharmacy, so he followed in. There was a fat shopkeeper sitting at the counter. Gao Yanchao walked up to him and whispered something in his ear.The fat shopkeeper responded repeatedly: "Yes, yes!" Standing up, he nodded to Wei Xiaobao, and said: "Guest officer wants to buy good medicinal materials, please come in!" He led Wei Xiaobao and Gao Yanchao into the inner room, turned his hands back After closing the door, he leaned over and opened a piece of the floor, revealing a hole through which stone steps would pass. Seeing the darkness in the tunnel, Wei Xiaobao felt startled and uncertain: "Are these two really brothers of the Tiandihui? I'm afraid it's a little unreliable. Wouldn't it be bad if Wei Xiaobao's slaughterhouse was slaughtered below?" But Gao Yanchao followed behind, and the others There was no way to back down, so he had no choice but to follow the shopkeeper into the tunnel. Fortunately, the tunnel is very short, only about ten steps away, the shopkeeper pushed open a board door, and there was a light through the door.Wei Xiaobao walked in the door, he saw a small room about ten feet square, but there were five people sitting in the room, and another person was lying on a low couch.After waiting for three more people, there was almost no room to turn around. Fortunately, the fat shopkeeper withdrew immediately. Gao Yanchao said: "Brothers, Lord Wei Xiang is here!" The five people in the room cheered in unison, stood up and bowed to salute. The cellar is too small, and everyone huddled together.Wei Xiaobao cupped his fists in return.I saw that one of them was a Taoist, he had met him before, his Taoist name was Xuanzhen, I remembered he used to joke about asking Guan Anji to divorce his wife "full of real money", and another one whose surname was Fan, I also met.When Wei Xiaobao saw someone he knew, he immediately felt relieved. Gao Yanchao pointed to the person lying on the low couch, and said, "Brother Xu is seriously injured and cannot get up to greet him." Wei Xiaobao said: "It's easy to say, easy to say!" When he got closer, he saw the wrinkled face of the man on the couch, with no trace of blood left, his eyes closed, his breathing was weak, his white beard was speckled with blood stains , asked: "I don't know who injured Brother Xu? Is it... the eagle claws of the Tartars?" Gao Yanchao shook his head and said, "No, they are from the Mu Palace in Yunnan." Wei Xiaobao was startled, and said, "Yunnan Prince Mu's Mansion? They...they are with us, aren't they?" Gao Yanchao shook his head slowly, and said: "Brother Xiangzhu: Brother Xu is currently supporting himself and came back to the Huichuntang Pharmacy, and said intermittently that the two young men from the Mu Palace who injured him were two young men with the last name Bai..." Wei Xiaobao said, "Surname is Bai? Isn't that the descendant of the four great generals of the Mu Palace?" Gao Yanchao said, "Probably yes. It's probably the brothers Bai Hansong and Bai Hanfeng, called 'Bai's Shuangmu'. Wei Xiaobao murmured: "Two rotten pieces of wood, what's the big deal." Gao Yanchao said: "I heard from brother Xu that they embraced Tang Yonggui for the sake of arguing. The enemy has four hands and is seriously injured." Wei Xiaobao said: "Two beat one, not a hero. What kind of candy and laurel, could it be... could it be..." I thought about "holding laurel", could it be to support my little Guizi, but It didn't look like much, so I shrank and didn't say anything. Gao Yanchao said: "Prince Mu's Mansion is under King Gui's subordinates, and our Tiandihui is under Tang Wang Tianzi back then. Big Brother Xu must be competing with them for fame, so the words are at odds." Wei Xiaobao still didn't understand, and asked: "What is under Guiwang's subordinates, King Tang's subordinates?" Gao Yanchao said, "Then King Gui is not the right man, but our Tang king is the real man." Taoist Xuanzhen understood Wei Xiaobao's background and knew that he had limited resources, so he interjected, "Master Wei Xiang, when Li Chuang invaded Beijing, he forced Emperor Chongzhen to death. Wu Sangui led the Qing soldiers into the customs and occupied my country. Everywhere Loyal ministers and righteous men all pushed the descendants of Emperor Taizu to be kings. First, King Fu was the son of heaven in Nanjing. Later, King Fu was killed by Tartars, and our Tang king was the son of heaven in Fujian. Naturally, he is the Son of Man. Who would have known that another group of people promoted King Dai Gui as the Son of Heaven in Guangxi and Yunnan, and another group of people promoted King Dai Lu as the Son of Heaven in Zhejiang, and they are all false Son of Man.” Wei Xiaobao nodded and said: "There are no two days in the sky, and there are no two masters in the people. Since King Tang has become the Son of Heaven, King Gui and King Lu cannot be the Son of Heaven." Gao Yanchao said: "Yes, Master Wei Xiang is absolutely right! " Xuanzhendao said humanely: "But those people in Guangxi and Zhejiang are greedy for wealth and honor, and they are arguing that the one they support is the real emperor. Everyone is fighting fiercely among themselves." Sighing, he continued: "Later Tang King Wang, King Lu, and King Gui have all suffered hardships one after another. Over the years, the heroes of the world have not forgotten the Ming Dynasty, and they have found the descendants of the three kings respectively, and regarded them as the masters, to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty. King Gui's men support King Gui The descendants of the king of Lu, the descendants of the king of Lu are supported by the descendants of the king of Lu. They are the Gui sect and the Lu sect. The society is orthodox, but the Gui faction and the Lu faction are usurping the throne." Wei Xiaobao nodded and said: "I understand. The people in Mu Wangfu are the Gui faction, aren't they?" Tao Xuanzhen said humanely: "Exactly. The three factions are ten It's been a struggle for years." Wei Xiaobao recalled how arrogant and rude he was when he met someone from Mugong's mansion on Subei Road that day, that person was also surnamed Bai, I don't know if it was one of the two rotten pieces of wood, but Mao Shiba was terribly afraid of him at that time , Long ago, he was not angry, and said: "Since Tang Wang is the true son, they should not fight any more. I heard that Mr. Mu is very good. I am afraid that after his old man dies, those under him will be a little messed up." In the cellar Everyone said in unison: "What Wei Xiangzhu said is not wrong at all." Xuanzhen said humanely: "For the sake of Mu Tianbo's loyalty to Lord Mu, the heroes in the Jianghu are all tolerant when they meet people in the Mu Palace. In this way, even the cats and dogs in the Mu Palace are arrogant. Be arrogant. Our elder brother Xu is the best person. He used to serve the Emperor Tang, and he was really loyal. When he mentioned the late emperor, he shed tears. It must be that the people in Mu Wangfu talked nonsense, The words insulted the first emperor, otherwise, how could brother Xu fight with the people of Prince Mu's residence?" Gao Yanchao said: "Brother Xu woke up for a while before noon, and he wants all the brothers to show him this. In Zhili territory, Wei Xiangzhu is the only incense master in the association right now. According to the rules of the association, when encountering such a major event, You have to tell Master Wei Xiang to do it. If it is to deal with the Tartars' Eagle Claws, that's fine. It's good to kill the Tartars and Eagle Claws. He has a great reputation in Jianghu, so he is always one of his own people, if he goes to negotiate with them, he might go to war, and the consequences are hard to predict." Wei Xiaobao hummed. Gao Yanchao continued: "Brother Xu said that he has been waiting for Wei Xiangzhu to arrive, and has been waiting for several months. Sometimes he sees Wei Xiangzhu buying things in the market, and sometimes listening to books in teahouses." Wei Xiaobao's face twitched slightly Hong said: "So he has seen me a long time ago." Gao Yanchao said: "Brother Xu said that the Chief Steward had ordered that Master Wei Xiang would go to him if there was anything, so although Brother Xu saw Wei Xiang Lord, but dare not come forward and confess." Wei Xiaobao nodded, glanced at the old man on the couch, and thought: "So this old fox has already followed me in secret. I bought things on the street and ate them recklessly, wasting my money, and I have already fallen into his eyes. Damn it, when he sees my master in the future, he will definitely tell stories, it's best if this old fox's injury never recovers, alas!" Tao Xuanzhen said humanely: "After we discussed it, we had no choice but to invite Wei Xiangzhu to come and preside over the overall situation." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "I am a child, what kind of overall situation can I preside over?" But seeing how respectful these people are to him, he couldn't help feeling proud.When he first joined the Tiandihui, except for his master, the nine incense masters were all older and more experienced than him, but now he has the highest status among these people, and he suddenly felt light and light. A middle-aged stout man said angrily: "Everyone sees the people in the Mu Palace give back three points, that is to respect Lord Mu for his loyalty and martyrdom for the Lord. It is ten times better than Lord Mu." Fan Gang, surnamed Fan, said: "I respect you five feet, and you should respect me ten feet. Why are we being polite, but they think it is luck? If there is no distinction between this matter Make it clear, in the future, the world will be overwhelmed by Prince Mu's mansion, so what are you doing?" Everyone is very annoyed by what you say and what I say. Xuanzhen said humanely: "How to handle this matter, everyone should follow Wei Xiangzhu's instructions." If Wei Xiaobao had to find a way to sneak around and cheat, he could still come up with some ideas. Now that he was facing such a big event, if he had to come up with an idea, he really wanted to look good to him, and made him appear ugly on the spot.But he is out and out, he is indeed Chen Jinnan's disciple, one of the top ten incense masters of the Tiandihui, in the whole province of Zhili, the brothers of the Tiandihui are headed by him, this old man surnamed Xu and several others are all Seeing everyone's eyes on his face, his direct subordinates of Qingmutang couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and scolded in his heart: "Spicy mother, this... what should I do?" Embarrassed in his heart, he looked at the past one by one, hoping to find some clues and come up with a good idea. When he saw the thick man, he suddenly saw a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, and a sly look in his eyes.This person was still yelling just now, full of anger, why did he suddenly become happy?After concentrating on it, I suddenly remembered: "Ah, hot mom, these bastards have malicious intentions and want me to pick up the rotten sticks. They want to fight with the people from Mu Wangfu, but they are afraid that my master will blame them in the future, so they find me Let me come, let me be the leader." The more he thought about it, the more he was right, thinking: "I am just a kid in his teens, even though he is the incense master, do he really have the idea of surpassing them? They want to use me As a shield, if there is nothing to do in the future, then let it go. If there is anything wrong, I will push it on my head and say: "Wei Xiangzhu of Qingmutang led everyone to do it. The Xiangzhu has an order, and we dare not disobey." Humph , They wanted to find bones in the eggs, and abolished me as the incense master. I took the lead to fight with the people in Mu Wangfu. This should be." He pretended to lower his head in thought, and after a while, he said: "Brothers, although my younger brother has become the incense master, he just happened to kill Oboi, so he has no ability at all, and he has no plans. I think it's better to ask Xuanzhen If you come up with an idea, you must be much smarter than me." His move is called "Push the boat along the current", and he pushes a rotten tree tip towards Taoist Xuanzhen's shoulder. Taoist Xuanzhen smiled, and said to Fan Gang: "Brother Fan's mind is much better than mine, what do you think?" Fan Gang is a straightforward guy, and said: "I don't think there is a second way to go. Let's find the family surnamed Bai. If they kowtow to Brother Xu to apologize, then everything will be over. Otherwise, hehe, no way, we have to Courtesy first, soldiers later." What everyone thinks in their hearts is actually this sentence, but Mu Wangfu is very famous in the Jianghu, and they are comrades who are against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, so no one wants to say this sentence first.When Fan Gang said this, several people agreed: "Yes, yes! Brother Fan's words are absolutely correct! It is best not to use martial arts, otherwise our Tiandihui will not be easy to bully, and we will be beaten like this, isn't it? Is that enough?" Wei Xiaobao said to Xuanzhen and another man: "What do you two think?" The man said: "This is called being forced to go up the Liangshan Mountain. There is no way. We are really driven to death." Xuanzhen smiled and nodded, noncommittal. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "If you don't speak up, if you want to complain in the future, I will tell you not to." He asked, "Master Xuanzhen, you think Third Brother Fan's idea is not very appropriate, do you?" Xuanzhen said: "It's not inappropriate, but everyone must be very cautious. If you fight with people from the Mu Palace, first, you will not be defeated, and second, you will not be able to kill them. If you kill someone, it will be a big deal. " Fan Gang said: "That's what I said, but what if brother Xu died of serious injuries?" Xuanzhen nodded again. Wei Xiaobao said: "Please discuss a solution. Brothers are very knowledgeable, have eaten more salt than I have eaten rice, and have traveled more bridges than I have traveled. You must have better ideas than me. Much more." Xuanzhen glanced at him, and said calmly: "Master Wei Xiang is really amazing!" Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, "You are also amazing, Daoist." After discussing for a while, they decided to follow Fan Gang's method and ask Wei Xiaobao to lead the others to interrogate Ren Xing from the Mu Palace. Everyone has weapons hidden in their bodies, but they must be as patient as possible, and to occupy the ground, it is best to be Mu The people in the Wangfu beat him first, and then they fought back. Xuanzhen said: "Let's invite some famous martial artists in Beijing to go together, and ask them to be witnesses, so as not to spread the word that our heaven and earth will come to deceive people. In the future, the right and wrong are unknown. I'm afraid the chief rudder will see crime." Wei Xiaobao said happily: "Excellent, I want to invite those who are capable, the more the better." Among the restaurants on North Subei Road, the man surnamed Bai from Mu Wang's Mansion threw chopsticks one by one, only to beat Wu Sangui's men down one by one. On the ground, this scene seems to be in front of you at this moment.If they come up with things like crossing the river with copper horns and shooting elephants with rockets, even if there is no elephant formation in Beijing, if they only put up a formation of mice, Master Wei Xiang of Qingmutang will have to walk around if he can't eat it. I wanted to evade it, but I couldn't say it.Hearing Taoist Xuanzhen say that he would make an appointment with a famous martial artist in Beijing, it was exactly what he wanted. Xuanzhen smiled slightly, and said: "We only invite people who are famous and famous. It's not that we invite them to help us in boxing. Whether the martial arts are good or not is second." Gao Yanchao said: "The ones who are more famous usually have high martial arts." Help Wei Xiaobao speak.Xuanzhen nodded.Fan Gang said: "Which martial masters should we invite?" At the moment everyone was discussing who to invite to go with them, the person to invite should be well-known in the martial arts, have no contact with officials, and have some friendship with Tiandihui. After the discussion was settled, the old man Xu was about to split up to invite people, when the old man Xu suddenly groaned: "No... no... no... you can't invite outsiders." Fan Gang asked: "Brother Xu, you said you can't invite outsiders?" Said: "Master Wei Xiang, he... he is on duty in the palace, this... this matter must not be leaked out, then... it is a matter of life and death." When everyone heard this, they all felt reasonable, Wei Xiaobao was a eunuch in the palace, so he was ordered by the chief helmsman.There must be a major conspiracy in the dark. Once outsiders know about it, it is difficult to guarantee that the news will not leak.Fan Gang said: "Wei Xiangzhu doesn't need to go out in person. Let's go and argue with those two surnamed Bai. What's the result, we will report to Wei Xiangzhu when we come back." Wei Xiaobao was quite afraid of Prince Mu's Mansion at first, but since he invited a group of famous people in the martial arts to go with him, he would be sure that Mount Tai would win and never lose. ?Said: "If I don't go, it won't be fun. Don't tell outsiders my name and identity." Xuan Zhendao said humanely: "If Wei Xiangzhu disguises himself, no one will know that he is working in the palace..." Wei Xiaobao didn't hear him finish, so he clapped his hands and applauded, and even said: "Wonderful, wonderful!" This idea is exactly what he likes, it's very interesting to make trouble at home, it's even more wonderful to make trouble after modification It's even better. Everyone originally felt that if Wei Xiangzhu was not leading, everyone would have too much to worry about. Seeing that he was so enthusiastic and eager to go, they had no objection.Old man Xu said: "Everyone...Everyone must be careful. Master Wei Xiang pretends...who is he pretending to be?" Everyone looked at Wei Xiaobao and listened to his instructions. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Should I pretend to be a rich man, or a beggar?" When he was in a brothel, he saw the luxurious clothes of the prince and grandson who came to the brothel, and he was always very envious of them, but he never had a chance to wear them.Wei Yi pondered, took out three banknotes of five hundred taels of silver from his bosom, and said: "Here is one thousand five hundred taels of silver, may I trouble any elder brother to buy me some clothes." Everyone was slightly startled, several of them said in unison: "How can I use this much money?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I have plenty of money, the more expensive the clothes, the better, and some jewelry to wear, no one knows I'm the little...little eunuch in the palace." Xuanzhen said humanely: "Wei Xiangzhu is right. Brother Gao, go and buy Wei Xiangzhu's clothes." Wei Xiaobao took out another one thousand taels of silver bills, and said: "It's better to spend more money, it doesn't matter." When the others saw that the little boy had a lot of silver bills around him, they secretly complained, and no one would have expected him to be in the room. There are more than 400,000 taels of silver.According to Wei Xiaobao's original temper.There are two or three taels of silver around me, and I will be comfortable if I spend them all, but how can I spend four hundred thousand taels of silver?It is really a rare opportunity to buy some luxurious clothes to wear and show off, and I am extremely happy, seeing everyone stunned, I put my hands into my arms again. When he stretched out his hand, he already had a bank note of 3,500 taels of silver in his palm, and handed it to Taoist Xuanzhen, saying: "Brothers and elder brothers met for the first time today, there is no filial piety. These silver coins were brought from the Tartars. It's all unrighteous... unrighteous silver (he wanted to say "unjust wealth", but he forgot the idiom), please help us spend it." Fan Gang, Gao Yanchao and the others had been poor for a long time, and Wei Xiangzhu suddenly took out these many banknotes, and said that they were obtained from the Tartars' ill-gotten wealth. Everyone couldn't help cheering. Xuanzhen said: "We have to divide up the appointment, today is too late. Master Wei Xiang, everyone will be here waiting for you tomorrow, I wonder when you will be there?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I will be on duty in the morning, and I will arrive in the afternoon." Xuanzhen said: "Very good. Tomorrow afternoon, we will meet here, and then go to settle accounts with those two surnamed Bai."
That night Wei Xiaobao felt itchy, jumping up and down in the room, gesticulating.The next day after coming down from the study room, he hurried to the jewelry store to buy a big jadeite ring, and asked the shop master to nail a large piece of white jade and four round pearls on a satin hat. More than a thousand taels of silver.Seeing in the jewelry store that this distinguished guest was an eunuch in the palace, he was not surprised at all, since it is common for the inner palace to purchase jewelry, it is common to spend ten times more money. 韦小宝赶到回春堂药店，众人已在地窖中等候，说道已请了北京四位知名武师，同去作见证，每人已送了二百两银子谢礼。韦小宝心道：“得人钱财，与人消灾，这四位武师非帮我们不可。只是二百两银子谢礼太少，最好送五百两。四位武师太少，最好请十六位。” 高彦超取出衣服鞋袜来给韦小宝换了，每件衣物都十分华贵，外面一件长袍是火狐皮的里子，在领口和衣袖外翻出油光滑亮的毛皮。高彦超道：“皮袍是叫他们连夜改小的，多给了三两六钱银子的工钱。”韦小宝连说：“不贵，不贵。”一件天青缎子的马褂，十粒扣子都是黄金打的。饶是如此，他给的银子还是一半也用不了。 韦小宝在宫中住了将近一年，居移气，养移体，食用既好，见识又多，这半年来做了尚膳监的首脑，百余名太监给他差来差去，做首领早做得惯了。这时周身再一打扮，虽然颇有些暴发户的俗气，却也显得款式非凡，派头十足，与樊纲、高彦超等草莽豪杰大不相同。 众人已安排了一乘轿子，等在门外，请韦小宝上轿，以防他改装之后在城里行走，撞见宫中太监或朝廷官员。 一行人先到东城武胜镖局，和四位武师会齐。那四位武师第一位是北京潭腿门掌门人老武师马博仁，那是清真教门的；第二位跌打名医姚春，徐老头受了伤，便由他医治，此人既是名医，擒拿短打也是一绝；第三位是外号“虎面霸王”的雷一啸，铁布衫功夫大大有名；第四位便是武胜镖局的总镖头金枪王武通。 马博仁等四人早已得知天地会领头的韦香主年纪甚轻，一见之下，竟是这样一个豪富少年，都是十分诧异，但各人久仰陈近南的大名，心想天地会总舵主的弟子，年纪虽小，也必有惊人艺业，都不敢小觑了他。众人在镖局中喝了茶，便同去杨柳胡同那姓白的二人驻足之处。韦小宝和马博仁、姚春三人坐轿，雷一啸与王武通骑马，余人步行相陪。玄贞道人、樊纲等都是成名人物，王武通要相借坐骑，但玄贞怕惹人注目，坚决不要。 一行人来到杨柳胡同一座朱漆大门的宅第之外，高彦超正要上前打门，忽听得门内传出隐隐哭声。众人一怔，只见大门外挂着两盏白色灯笼，却是家有丧事。高彦超轻叩门环，过了一会，大门打开，出来一名老管家。高彦超呈上备就的五张名帖，说道：“武胜镖局、潭腿门、天地会的几位朋友，前来拜会白大侠、白二侠。” 那老管家听得“天地会”三字，双眉一竖，满脸怒容，向众人瞪了一眼，接过拜帖，一言不发的便走了进去。 马博仁年纪虽老，火气却是极大，登时忍不住生气，道：“这奴才好生无礼。” 韦小宝道：“马老爷子的话一点不错。”他对沐王府的人毕竟甚是忌惮，只盼马博仁、王武通等人站定在自己这一边，待会倘若动手，便可多有几个得力的帮手。 隔了好一会，一名二十六七岁的汉子走了出来，身材甚高，披麻带孝，满身丧服，双眼红肿，兀自泪痕未干，抱拳说道：“韦香主、马老爷子、王总镖头，众位大驾光临，有失远迎。在下白寒枫有礼。”众人抱拳还礼。白寒枫让众人进厅。 马博仁最是性急，问道：“白二侠身上有服，不知府上是哪一位过世了？”白寒枫道：“是家兄寒松不幸亡故。”马博仁跌足道：“可惜，可惜！白氏双木乃沐王府的英雄虎将，武林中大大有名，白大侠正当英年，不知是得了什么疾病？” 众人刚到厅中，还未坐定，白寒枫听了此言，陡地转过身来，双眼中如欲射出火光，厉声道：“马老爷子，在下敬你是武林前辈，以礼相待。你这般明知故问，是讥嘲于我吗？” 他陡然发怒，韦小宝出其不意，不由得吃了一惊，退了一步。 马博仁摸着白须，说道：“这可希奇了！老夫不知，这才相问，什么叫做明知故问？白二侠死了兄长，就算心中悲痛，也不能向我老头子发脾气啊！”白寒枫哼的一声，道：“请坐！”马博仁喃喃自语：“坐就坐罢！难道还怕了不成！”向韦小宝道：“韦香主，你请上座。”韦小宝道：“不，还是马老爷子上座！” 白寒枫看了拜贴，知道来客之中有天地会的青木堂香主韦香主，万料不到这少年便是韦香主，心下又奇又怒，一伸手，便抓住韦小宝的左腕，喝道：“你便是天地会的韦香主？” 这一抓之力劲道奇大，韦小宝奇痛彻骨，“啊”的一声，大叫了出来，两道眼泪自然而然流下腮来。 玄贞道人道：“上门是客，白二侠太也欺人！”伸指便往白寒枫胁下点去。 白寒枫左手一挡，放开韦小宝手腕，退开一步，说道：“得罪了。” 韦小宝愁眉苦脸，伸袖擦干了眼泪。白寒枫固是大出意料之外，马博仁、王武通，以及天地会中众人也都惊诧不置，眼见白寒枫这一抓虽然手法凌厉，却也不是无可挡避。这韦香主身为陈近南的弟子，不但闪避不了，大叫之余兼且流泪，实是武林中的一大奇事。玄贞、樊纲、高彦超等人都面红过耳，甚感羞惭。 白寒枫道：“对不住了！家兄不幸为天地会下毒手害死，在下心中悲痛……” 他话未说完，众人纷道：“什么？”“什么白大侠为天地会害死了？”“哪有此事？”“决无此事。” 白寒枫霍地站起，大声道：“你们说决无此事，难道我哥哥没有死吗？你们来，大家亲眼来瞧瞧。”一伸手，又向韦小宝左臂抓去。 这一次玄贞道人和樊纲都有了预备，白寒枫右臂甫动，二人一袭前胸，一袭后背，同时出手。白寒枫当即斜身拗步，双掌左右打出。玄贞左掌一抬，右掌又击了出去，樊纲却已和白寒枫交了一掌。白寒枫变招反点玄贞咽喉，玄贞侧身闪开。 白寒枫厉声喝道：“我大哥已死在你们手里，我也不想活了。天地会的狗畜牲，一起上来便是。” 跌打名医姚春双手一拦，说道：“且慢动手，这中间恐有误会。白二侠口口声声说道，白大侠为天地会害死，到底实情如何，且请说个明白。” 白寒枫道：“你们来！”大踏步向内堂走去。 众人心想己方人多，也不怕他有何阴谋诡计，都跟了进去。 刚到天井之中，众人便都站定了，只见后厅是个灵堂，灵幔之后是口棺材，死人躺在棺材之上，露出半个头、一双脚。白寒枫掀起灵幔，大声叫道：“哥哥你死得没眼闭，兄弟好歹要杀几个天地会的狗畜牲，给你报仇。”他声音嘶哑，显是哭泣已久。 韦小宝一见到死人面容，大吃一惊，那正是在苏北道上小饭店中见过的，那人以筷子击打吴三桂部属，武功高强，想不到竟会死在这里，随即想到对方少了一个厉害角色，惊奇之余，暗自宽心。 马博仁、姚春、雷一啸、王武通四人走近前去。王武通和白寒松有过一面之缘，叹道：“白大侠果真逝世，可惜！”姚春特别仔细，伸手去搭了搭死人腕脉。 白寒枫冷笑道：“你若治得我哥哥还阳，我……我给你磕一万二千个响头。” 姚春叹了口气，道：“白二侠，人死不能复生，还请节哀。伤害白大侠的，果然是天地会的人？白二侠没弄错吗？”白寒枫叫道：“我……我弄错？我会弄错？” 众人见他哀毁逾恒，足见手足之情极笃，都不禁为他难过，樊纲怒气也自平了，寻思：“他死了兄长，也难怪出手不知轻重。” 白寒枫双手扠腰，在灵堂一站，大声道：“害死我哥哥的，是那平日在天桥卖药的姓徐老贼。这老贼名叫徐天川，有个匪号叫作'八臂猿猴'，乃是天地会青木堂中有职司的人，是也不是？你们还能不能赖？” 樊纲和玄贞等几人面面相觑，他们这伙人到杨柳胡同来，本是要向白氏兄弟问罪，质问他们为什么伤人，不料白氏兄弟中的大哥白寒松竟已死在徐天川手底。樊纲叹了口气，说道：“白老二，徐天川徐大哥是我们天地会的兄弟，原是不假，不过他……他……”白寒枫厉声道：“他怎样？”樊纲道：“他已给你们打得重伤，奄奄一息，也不知这会儿是死是活。不瞒你说，我们今日到来，原是要来请问你们兄弟，干么将我们徐大哥打成这等模样，哪知道……想不到……唉……” 白寒枫怒道：“别说这姓徐的老贼没死，就算他死了，这猪狗不如的老贼，也不配抵我哥哥的命。”樊纲也怒道：“你说话不干不净，像什么武林中的好汉？依你说便要怎样？” 白寒枫叫道：“我……我不知道！我要将你们天地会这批狗贼，一个个都宰成肉酱。我陪你们一起死，大伙儿都死了干净。”一转身，从死人身侧抽出一口钢刀，随即身子跃起，直如疯虎一般，挥刀虚劈，呼呼有声。 天地会樊纲、玄贞等纷纷抽出所携兵刃，以备迎敌。韦小宝忙缩在高彦超身后。 猛地里听得一声大吼：“不可动手！”声音震得各人耳鼓嗡嗡作响，只见“虎面霸王”雷一啸举起双手，挡在天地会众人之前，大声道：“白二侠，你要杀人，杀我好了！”这人姓得好，名字也取得好，这么几声大喝，确有雷震之威。 白寒枫心伤乃兄亡故，已有些神智失常，给他这么一喝，头脑略为清醒，说道：“我杀你干什么？我哥哥又不是你杀的？”雷一啸道：“这些天地会的朋友，可也不是杀你哥哥之人。再说，普天下天地会的会众，少说也有二三十万，你杀得完么？” 白寒枫一怔，大叫：“杀得一个是一个，杀得一双是一双！” 突然之间，门外隐隐传来一阵急促的马蹄声，似有十余骑马向这边驰来。姚春道：“只怕是官兵，大伙儿收起了兵刃！”樊钢、玄贞等眼见雷一啸挡在身前，白寒枫不易扑过来挥刀伤人，便都收起了兵刃。白寒枫大声道：“便是天王老子到来，我也不怕。”
马蹄声越来越近，奔入胡同，来到门口戛然而止，跟着便响起了门环击门之声。门外有人叫道：“白二弟，是我！”人影一晃，一人越墙而入，冲了进来。这人四十来岁年纪，神态威武，面色却是大变，颤声道：“果然……果然是白大弟……白大弟……” 白寒枫抛下手中钢刀，迎了上去，叫道：“苏四哥，我哥哥……我哥哥……”一口气说不下去，放声大哭。 马博仁、樊纲、玄贞等均想：“这人莫非是沐王府中的'圣手居士'苏冈？” 这时大门已开，涌进十几个人来，男女都有，冲到尸首之前，几个女子便呼天抢地的大哭起来。一个青年妇人是白寒松之妻，另一个是白寒枫之妻。 樊纲、玄贞等都感尴尬，眼见这些人哭得死去活来。若再不走，待得他们哭完，就算不动手，也免不了给臭骂一顿。韦小宝先前给白寒枫重重抓住手腕，此刻兀自疼痛，本来仗着人多，打定主意要叫玄贞、樊纲等人抓住了他，好歹也得在他屁股上踢他妈的七八脚，不料对方人手越来越多，打起架来已占不到便宜，心中怦怦乱跳，见玄贞道人连使眼色，显是要脚底抹油，溜之大吉，此举正合心意，当即转身便走，说道：“大伙儿去买些元宝蜡烛，再来向死人磕头罢！” 白寒枫叫道：“想逃吗？可没这么容易。”冲上前去，猛挥右掌向樊纲后心拍去。樊纲怒道：“谁逃了？”回身举左臂挡开，却不还击。玄贞等众人便都站住了。 韦小宝却已逃到了门口，一只脚先跨出了门槛再说。 那姓苏的男子问道：“白二弟，这几位是谁？恕在下眼生。”白寒枫道：“他们是天地会的狗东西，我哥哥……哥哥便是给他们害死的。”此言一出口，本来伏着大哭的人都跃起身来，呛啷啷响声不绝，兵刃耀眼，登时将来客都围住了，连马博仁、姚春、雪一啸、王武通等四个都给围在垓心。 王武通哈哈大笑，说道：“马大哥，雷兄弟，姚大夫，咱们几时入了天地会哪？凭咱们几个的德行，只怕给天地会的朋友们提鞋子也还不配哪。” 那姓苏的中年汉子抱拳说道：“这几位不是天地会的吗？这位姚大夫，想来名讳是个春字。在下苏冈，得悉白家大兄弟不幸身亡的讯息，从宛平赶来，伤痛之下，未得请教，多有失礼。”说着向众人作揖为礼。 王武通抱拳笑道：“好说，好说。圣手居士，名不虚传，果然是位有见识、有气度的英雄。”当下给各人一一引见，第一个便指着韦小宝，道：“这位是天地会青木堂韦香主。” 苏冈知道天地会共分十堂，每一堂香主都是身负绝艺的英雄豪杰，但这韦香主却显然是个乳臭未干的富家少年，不由得心下诧异，但脸上不动声色，抱拳道：“久仰，久仰。”韦小宝嗤的一声笑，抱拳还礼，从门边走了回来，问道：“你久仰我什么？”苏冈一怔，道：“在下久仰天地会十堂香主，个个都是英雄好汉。”韦小宝点点头，笑道：“原来如此。”苏冈见他神情油腔滑调，心下更是嘀咕。 当下王武通给余人都引见了。苏冈给他同来这伙人引见，其中两个是他师弟，三人是白氏兄弟的师兄弟，还有几个是苏冈的徒弟。白寒松的夫人伏在丈夫尸首上痛哭，白寒枫的夫人一边哭，一边劝，几个女子都不过来相见。 姚春道：“白二侠，到底白大侠为了什么事和天地会生起争竞，请白二侠说来听听。”咳嗽一声，又道：“云南沐王府在武林中人所共仰，天地会的会规向来极严，都不是蛮不讲理之人。天下原抬不过一个'理'字，今日之事，也不是单凭打架动武就能了结的。这里马老师，雷兄弟，王总镖头，以及区区在下，跟双方就算没有交情，也都是慕名。白二侠，请你冲着咱们一点薄面，说一说这中间的缘由如何？”王武通道：“不瞒众位说，天地会的朋友们，的的确确不知白大侠已经身故，否则的话，他们还会上门来自讨没趣么？” 苏冈道：“然则韦香主和众位朋友来到敝处，又为了什么？”王武通道：“咱们真人面前不说假话。天地会的朋友说道，他们徐天川徐大哥给沐王府的朋友打得身受重伤，已说不出话，他们只好邀了我们几个老朽，伴同来到贵处，想问一问缘由。”苏冈森然道：“如此说来，各位是上门问罪来着？”王武通道：“这可不敢当。我们几个在江湖上混口饭吃，全仗朋友们给面子。是非曲直，自有公论，谁也不能昧着良心说瞎话。” 苏冈点了点头，道：“王总镖头说得对，请各位到厅上说话。” 众人来到大厅。苏冈命师弟、徒弟们收起兵刃。白寒枫手中钢刀总是不肯放下。苏冈让众人坐下，说道：“白二弟，当时实情如何，你给大家说说。”
白寒枫叹了一声，说道：“前天下午……”只说了四个字，不由得气往上冲，手中钢刀挥了一挥。韦小宝吃了一惊，身子向后一缩。白寒枫觉得此举太过粗鲁，钢刀用力往地下一掷，呛啷一声，击碎了两块方砖，呼了口气，道：“前天下午，我和哥哥在天桥的一家酒楼上喝酒，忽然上来一个官员，带了四名家丁。那四个家丁神气惹厌得很，要酒要菜，说的却是云南话。”苏冈“哦”了一声。白寒枫道：“我和哥哥一听他们口音，就留上了神。” 王武通、樊纲等都知道，沐王府世镇云南，苏冈、白寒枫等都生长于云南，在北京城里听到乡音，自会关注。 白寒枫续道：“我哥哥听了一会，隔座接了几句。那官员听得我们也是云南人，便邀我们过去坐。我和哥哥离家已久，很想打听故乡的情形，见这位官员似是从云南来，便移座过去。一谈之下，这官员自称叫做卢一峰，原来是奉了吴三桂的委派，去做曲靖县知县的。他是云南大理人。照规矩，云南人本来不能在本省做地方官。不过这卢一峰说道，他是平西王委派的官，可不用理会这一套！” 樊纲忍不住骂道：“他奶奶的，大汉奸吴三桂委派的狗官，有什么神气了？” 白寒枫向他瞧了一眼，点了点头，道：“这位樊……樊兄说得不错，当时我也这么想。可是我哥哥为了探听故乡情形，反而奉承了他几句。这狗官更加得意了，说是吴三桂所派的官，叫做'西选'，意思说是平西王选的。云南全省的大小官员，固然都是吴三桂所派，就是四川、广西、贵州三省，'西选'的官儿也比皇帝所派的官吃香。” 苏冈听他说得有些气喘，接口解释：“倘若有一个缺，朝廷派了。吴三桂也派了，谁先到任，谁就是正印。云贵川桂四省的官员，哪一个先出缺，自然是昆明知道得早，从昆明派人去快得多。因此朝廷的官儿，总是没'西选'的脚快。” 白寒枫吁了口气，接着道：“那官儿说，平西王为朝廷立下了大功，满清能得江山，全仗平西王的功劳，因此朝廷对他特别给面子。吴三桂启奏什么事，从来就没有驳回的。” 王武通道：“这官儿的话倒是实情。兄弟到西南各省走镖，亲眼见到，云贵一带大家就知道有吴三桂，不知道有皇帝。” 白寒枫道：“这卢一峰说，照朝廷规矩，凡是做知县的，都先要到京城来朝见皇帝，由皇帝亲自封官。他到北京来，就是等着来见皇帝的。他说平西王既然封了他官，到京城来朝见皇帝，也不过是例行公事而已。我哥哥说：'卢大人到曲靖做官，本省人做本省的官，那更是造福桑梓了。'那卢一峰哈哈大笑，说道：'这个自然。'突然之间，隔座有人插嘴，这老……这老贼……我和他仇深……”说着霍地站起，满脸胀得通红。 苏冈道：“是'八臂猿猴'徐天川说话么？” 白寒枫点了点头，道：“正……正……”急愤之下，喉头哽住了，说不出话来，隔了一会，才道：“正是这老贼，他坐在窗口一张小桌旁喝酒，插嘴说：'本省人做本省的官，刮起地皮来更加方便些。'这老贼，我们自管自说话，谁要他来多口！” 玄贞冷冷的道：“白二侠，徐三哥这句话，可没说错。”白寒枫哼了一声，顿了一顿，说道：“这句话是没说错，我又没说他这句话错了。可是……可是……谁要他多管闲事？他倘若不插这句嘴，怎会生出以后许多事来？”玄贞见他气急，也就不再说下去。 白寒枫续道：“卢一峰听了这句话，勃然大怒，一拍桌子，转过头来，见这老贼是个弯腰曲背的老头儿，容貌猥琐，桌上放着一只药箱，椅子旁插着一面膏药旗，是个卖药的老头儿，喝道：'你这个老不死的，胡说些什么？'他手下的四名家丁早就抢了上去，在老贼桌上拍桌大骂，一名家丁抓住了他衣领。也是我瞎了眼，瞧不出这老贼武功了得，还道他激于一时义愤，出言讥刺，怕他吃亏，便走上去假意相劝，将这四名家丁都推开了。” 玄贞赞道：“白二侠仁义为怀，果然是英雄行径。”心想白寒松已死，徐天川受伤虽然不轻，多半不会死，己方终究已占了便宜，这件事双方只好言和，口头上捧白寒枫几句，且让他平平气。 哪知白寒枫不受他这一套，瞪了他
Wei Xiaobao went into the palace and went back to his own room, carefully looked at the dozens of bank notes that Suo'etu had handed over, totaling 466,500 taels, and felt very happy.It turned out that in order to please him, Suo'etu originally promised 450,000 taels of silver, but later he sold Aobai's family property, and the price he got was more than expected, adding more than 10,000 taels.After reading it for a long time, he put away the banknotes, took out Chen Jinnan's martial arts booklet, sat cross-legged and practiced according to the secrets passed on.When he ordered the cash register, he was in high spirits when he saw the silver number and the red stamp of the ticket number on the ticket. When he turned to the martial arts map, he lost interest immediately, not to mention that he couldn't recognize one out of a hundred characters in the notes in the book, and he couldn't practice less than half of it. After an hour, he felt dizzy and tired, fell asleep on the bed and fell asleep. After waking up the next day, after serving the emperor in the study, he went back to the house and practiced again, and fell asleep again not long after.It turns out that Chen Jinnan's kung fu is extremely difficult to get started, and unless he has great perseverance, it is difficult to pass the first level.Wei Xiaobao was clever and quick-witted, but he lacked this perseverance, once he practiced the first sitting pose, he felt extremely difficult and fell asleep.When I woke up, it was already midnight, and I thought to myself: "Master asked me to practice kung fu, but his kung fu is extremely boring. But if you are lazy and don't practice, the next time you see master, he will check and find out that my kung fu has not improved at all. , the boss must be unhappy. Maybe he will destroy my Qingmutang Xiangzhu." Get up and read the booklet again, meditate according to the law, after a while, the eyes are extremely heavy, and I can't help but want to sleep. I thought: "They have made up their mind to cross the river and demolish the bridge. Whether my bridge is a bluestone bridge or a rotten wooden single-plank bridge, they will always demolish it. It doesn't matter whether I practice kung fu or not." The excuse of not practicing kung fu, he felt relieved and fell asleep. Since he didn't need to practice martial arts anymore, he lived a very carefree life after that. After taking twelve pills, the pain in his lower abdomen disappeared without a trace.During the day, he only waited on Kangxi in the upper study for a few hours, and when he was free, he played dice with the Wen brothers and others.Now that he is a rich man with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, he no longer needs to cheat when he throws dice, but in front of Yang Gu, if he doesn't cheat a few times, he will feel unspeakably unhappy. Brothers Wen, The gambling debts owed by Ping Wei, Lao Wu and others to him naturally piled up.Fortunately, Wei Xiaobao did not collect his gambling debts, and Hai Dafu is no longer alive. Even though the Wen brothers and others have a lot of debts, they are not too worried. As for Shangshan Supervisor's affairs, he has his own eunuchs to take care of them. On the 2nd and 16th day of the Lunar New Year, the eunuch in charge will send 400 taels of silver to Wei Xiaobao's house.At this time, Suo'etu had already distributed tens of thousands of taels of silver to the concubines, powerful eunuchs, and guards in the palace for him. Wei Xiaobao paid lip service to him, and Kangxi was very fond of him. Everyone praised him, and everyone greeted him with a smile. Autumn is coming to the end of winter, and the weather is cold day by day. On this day, Wei Xiaobao came down from the upper study and suddenly remembered: "Master told me that if there is anything to do, go to Tianqiao to contact the old man Xu who sells plaster. Even if there is nothing wrong, you might as well go to him Let me answer it. It's interesting to say, "The ground vibrates on the high hills, and the streams and mountains are beautiful through the ages. The gate faces the sea, and the three rivers flow together for thousands of years." Hey, your plaster costs three taels of gold and three taels of silver, which is too expensive. , It’s too expensive! Can you sell five taels of gold or five taels of silver? Haha, haha!” He walked out of the palace gate, walked around the street a few times, and saw a storyteller in a teahouse telling a book, so he walked in and made a pot of tea and sat down.What the storyteller said was exactly what Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang fought in Poyang Lake, how Zhou Dian took Zhu Yuanzhang to change ships, and how Chen Youliang's warship bombarded Zhu Yuanzhang's original boat to pieces.Wei Xiaobao had already heard these plots by heart, and the storytelling was not very good, but as soon as he sat down, he listened to it for more than half an hour, wandering around until it was dark, and he didn't go to the overpass that day. The second and third day also never went.Every night when I go to bed, I always say in my heart that it is time to visit that old man Xu tomorrow, but the next day I will either play dice for money, or go to listen to books, or go to the market to waste money.These days, I am happy and happy in the palace. Being a eunuch is much more comfortable than being a incense master or stinky master of the Tiandihui. I know that this idea is very worthless, so I don’t dare to think about it. When I think about it occasionally, I comfort myself: "Anyway, I It’s okay, why go to old man Xu? Leaked the secret, it doesn’t matter if it cost me my life, but it will implicate the great affairs of the Tiandihui.” After more than a month passed like this, Wei Xiaobao listened again in the teahouse this day.Seeing that he was an eunuch in the palace, Dr. Tea gave him a lot of rewards, and always left him the best tea, and made the best fragrant tea.Wei Xiaobao is used to being flattered these days, although it is not unusual to flatter Dr. Cha's respect, it is really useful to hear.The story on the altar said that the general Xu Da took command of the expedition and drove the Tartar soldiers to Mengji.In the land of the capital, there are many banner people listening to the book in the teahouse. The storyteller dare not mention the word "Tarzi" openly. Wei Xiaobao was fascinated by what he heard, suddenly someone said: "Excuse me!" and sat down at his tea table.Wei Xiaobao frowned, a little impatiently.The man said softly: "The villain has a good plaster, and I want to sell it to my father-in-law, please take a look." Wei Xiaobao turned his head, and saw a piece of plaster on the table, half green, half red, his heart moved, and he asked Said: "What plaster is this?" The human said: "This is a plaster for clearing evil and restoring eyesight." Lowering his voice, he said: "There is a name called 'Plaster for Quqing and Fuming'." When Wei Xiaobao looked at the man, he saw that he was in his thirties and full of vigor, he was not the old man Xu that his master said, he became suspicious, and asked: "How much silver does this plaster cost?" The man said: "Three taels Silver, three taels of gold." Wei Xiaobao said: "Do you sell five taels of silver or five taels of gold?" The man said: "Isn't that too expensive?" Wei Xiaobao said: "It's not expensive, as long as you can get it clearly Poison, once you have recovered your understanding, I will make you a cow or a horse, which is not expensive." The man pushed the plaster in front of Wei Xiaobao, and said in a low voice: "Elder-in-law, please take a step to talk." He stood up and walked out teahouse. Wei Xiaobao threw two hundred Wen on the table, took the plaster, and went out.The man waited outside the teahouse, walked eastward, turned into an alley, stood still, and said: "The earth vibrates on the high hills, and there is a beautiful stream through the ages." Wei Xiaobao said: "The gate faces the sea, and the three rivers have been combined for thousands of years. Flow." Without waiting for him to ask, he asked first: "Which hall do you live by the Red Flower Pavilion?" The man said: "Brother is the Qingmu Hall." Wei Xiaobao said: "How many sticks of incense are burned in the hall?" The man said: "Three Stick incense!" Wei Xiaobao nodded, thinking: "You are two ranks lower than mine." The man crossed his hands and bowed, and said in a low voice: "Brother is Wei Xiangzhu who burns five sticks of incense in Qingmu Hall? "Wei Xiaobao said: "Exactly." He thought: "You are much older than me, but you call me elder brother. If you really want to call me nice, why don't you call me Grandpa, Uncle?" The man said: "My brother's surname is Gao, his name is Yan Chao, he is Wei Xiangzhu's subordinate, he has admired Xiangzhu's name for a long time, it is a great fortune to meet him today." Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Brother Gao is good to say, everyone is My own people, why be polite." Gao Yanchao said: "In this hall there is a big brother Xu named Xu who sells medicine to Tianqiao. He was seriously injured today, so he came here to report to Master Wei Xiang." Wei Xiaobao was surprised and said: "I have something to do in the palace , did not go to meet him. Why was he injured, and who was it called for?" Gao Yanchao said: "It is inconvenient to tell me in detail here, please come with me, Lord Wei Xiang." Wei Xiaobao nodded. Gao Yanchao strode forward, Wei Xiaobao followed from afar. After passing seven or eight streets, Gao Yanchao came to a small street, and walked into a pharmacy.Wei Xiaobao saw five characters written on the signboard, naturally he didn't know any of them, so he didn't need to look carefully, he guessed it was the name of a pharmacy, so he followed in. There was a fat shopkeeper sitting at the counter. Gao Yanchao walked up to him and whispered something in his ear.The fat shopkeeper responded repeatedly: "Yes, yes!" Standing up, he nodded to Wei Xiaobao, and said: "Guest officer wants to buy good medicinal materials, please come in!" He led Wei Xiaobao and Gao Yanchao into the inner room, turned his hands back After closing the door, he leaned over and opened a piece of the floor, revealing a hole through which stone steps would pass. Seeing the darkness in the tunnel, Wei Xiaobao felt startled and uncertain: "Are these two really brothers of the Tiandihui? I'm afraid it's a little unreliable. Wouldn't it be bad if Wei Xiaobao's slaughterhouse was slaughtered below?" But Gao Yanchao followed behind, and the others There was no way to back down, so he had no choice but to follow the shopkeeper into the tunnel. Fortunately, the tunnel is very short, only about ten steps away, the shopkeeper pushed open a board door, and there was a light through the door.Wei Xiaobao walked in the door, he saw a small room about ten feet square, but there were five people sitting in the room, and another person was lying on a low couch.After waiting for three more people, there was almost no room to turn around. Fortunately, the fat shopkeeper withdrew immediately. Gao Yanchao said: "Brothers, Lord Wei Xiang is here!" The five people in the room cheered in unison, stood up and bowed to salute. The cellar is too small, and everyone huddled together.Wei Xiaobao cupped his fists in return.I saw that one of them was a Taoist, he had met him before, his Taoist name was Xuanzhen, I remembered he used to joke about asking Guan Anji to divorce his wife "full of real money", and another one whose surname was Fan, I also met.When Wei Xiaobao saw someone he knew, he immediately felt relieved. Gao Yanchao pointed to the person lying on the low couch, and said, "Brother Xu is seriously injured and cannot get up to greet him." Wei Xiaobao said: "It's easy to say, easy to say!" When he got closer, he saw the wrinkled face of the man on the couch, with no trace of blood left, his eyes closed, his breathing was weak, his white beard was speckled with blood stains , asked: "I don't know who injured Brother Xu? Is it... the eagle claws of the Tartars?" Gao Yanchao shook his head and said, "No, they are from the Mu Palace in Yunnan." Wei Xiaobao was startled, and said, "Yunnan Prince Mu's Mansion? They...they are with us, aren't they?" Gao Yanchao shook his head slowly, and said: "Brother Xiangzhu: Brother Xu is currently supporting himself and came back to the Huichuntang Pharmacy, and said intermittently that the two young men from the Mu Palace who injured him were two young men with the last name Bai..." Wei Xiaobao said, "Surname is Bai? Isn't that the descendant of the four great generals of the Mu Palace?" Gao Yanchao said, "Probably yes. It's probably the brothers Bai Hansong and Bai Hanfeng, called 'Bai's Shuangmu'. Wei Xiaobao murmured: "Two rotten pieces of wood, what's the big deal." Gao Yanchao said: "I heard from brother Xu that they embraced Tang Yonggui for the sake of arguing. The enemy has four hands and is seriously injured." Wei Xiaobao said: "Two beat one, not a hero. What kind of candy and laurel, could it be... could it be..." I thought about "holding laurel", could it be to support my little Guizi, but It didn't look like much, so I shrank and didn't say anything. Gao Yanchao said: "Prince Mu's Mansion is under King Gui's subordinates, and our Tiandihui is under Tang Wang Tianzi back then. Big Brother Xu must be competing with them for fame, so the words are at odds." Wei Xiaobao still didn't understand, and asked: "What is under Guiwang's subordinates, King Tang's subordinates?" Gao Yanchao said, "Then King Gui is not the right man, but our Tang king is the real man." Taoist Xuanzhen understood Wei Xiaobao's background and knew that he had limited resources, so he interjected, "Master Wei Xiang, when Li Chuang invaded Beijing, he forced Emperor Chongzhen to death. Wu Sangui led the Qing soldiers into the customs and occupied my country. Everywhere Loyal ministers and righteous men all pushed the descendants of Emperor Taizu to be kings. First, King Fu was the son of heaven in Nanjing. Later, King Fu was killed by Tartars, and our Tang king was the son of heaven in Fujian. Naturally, he is the Son of Man. Who would have known that another group of people promoted King Dai Gui as the Son of Heaven in Guangxi and Yunnan, and another group of people promoted King Dai Lu as the Son of Heaven in Zhejiang, and they are all false Son of Man.” Wei Xiaobao nodded and said: "There are no two days in the sky, and there are no two masters in the people. Since King Tang has become the Son of Heaven, King Gui and King Lu cannot be the Son of Heaven." Gao Yanchao said: "Yes, Master Wei Xiang is absolutely right! " Xuanzhendao said humanely: "But those people in Guangxi and Zhejiang are greedy for wealth and honor, and they are arguing that the one they support is the real emperor. Everyone is fighting fiercely among themselves." Sighing, he continued: "Later Tang King Wang, King Lu, and King Gui have all suffered hardships one after another. Over the years, the heroes of the world have not forgotten the Ming Dynasty, and they have found the descendants of the three kings respectively, and regarded them as the masters, to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty. King Gui's men support King Gui The descendants of the king of Lu, the descendants of the king of Lu are supported by the descendants of the king of Lu. They are the Gui sect and the Lu sect. The society is orthodox, but the Gui faction and the Lu faction are usurping the throne." Wei Xiaobao nodded and said: "I understand. The people in Mu Wangfu are the Gui faction, aren't they?" Tao Xuanzhen said humanely: "Exactly. The three factions are ten It's been a struggle for years." Wei Xiaobao recalled how arrogant and rude he was when he met someone from Mugong's mansion on Subei Road that day, that person was also surnamed Bai, I don't know if it was one of the two rotten pieces of wood, but Mao Shiba was terribly afraid of him at that time , Long ago, he was not angry, and said: "Since Tang Wang is the true son, they should not fight any more. I heard that Mr. Mu is very good. I am afraid that after his old man dies, those under him will be a little messed up." In the cellar Everyone said in unison: "What Wei Xiangzhu said is not wrong at all." Xuanzhen said humanely: "For the sake of Mu Tianbo's loyalty to Lord Mu, the heroes in the Jianghu are all tolerant when they meet people in the Mu Palace. In this way, even the cats and dogs in the Mu Palace are arrogant. Be arrogant. Our elder brother Xu is the best person. He used to serve the Emperor Tang, and he was really loyal. When he mentioned the late emperor, he shed tears. It must be that the people in Mu Wangfu talked nonsense, The words insulted the first emperor, otherwise, how could brother Xu fight with the people of Prince Mu's residence?" Gao Yanchao said: "Brother Xu woke up for a while before noon, and he wants all the brothers to show him this. In Zhili territory, Wei Xiangzhu is the only incense master in the association right now. According to the rules of the association, when encountering such a major event, You have to tell Master Wei Xiang to do it. If it is to deal with the Tartars' Eagle Claws, that's fine. It's good to kill the Tartars and Eagle Claws. He has a great reputation in Jianghu, so he is always one of his own people, if he goes to negotiate with them, he might go to war, and the consequences are hard to predict." Wei Xiaobao hummed. Gao Yanchao continued: "Brother Xu said that he has been waiting for Wei Xiangzhu to arrive, and has been waiting for several months. Sometimes he sees Wei Xiangzhu buying things in the market, and sometimes listening to books in teahouses." Wei Xiaobao's face twitched slightly Hong said: "So he has seen me a long time ago." Gao Yanchao said: "Brother Xu said that the Chief Steward had ordered that Master Wei Xiang would go to him if there was anything, so although Brother Xu saw Wei Xiang Lord, but dare not come forward and confess." Wei Xiaobao nodded, glanced at the old man on the couch, and thought: "So this old fox has already followed me in secret. I bought things on the street and ate them recklessly, wasting my money, and I have already fallen into his eyes. Damn it, when he sees my master in the future, he will definitely tell stories, it's best if this old fox's injury never recovers, alas!" Tao Xuanzhen said humanely: "After we discussed it, we had no choice but to invite Wei Xiangzhu to come and preside over the overall situation." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "I am a child, what kind of overall situation can I preside over?" But seeing how respectful these people are to him, he couldn't help feeling proud.When he first joined the Tiandihui, except for his master, the nine incense masters were all older and more experienced than him, but now he has the highest status among these people, and he suddenly felt light and light. A middle-aged stout man said angrily: "Everyone sees the people in the Mu Palace give back three points, that is to respect Lord Mu for his loyalty and martyrdom for the Lord. It is ten times better than Lord Mu." Fan Gang, surnamed Fan, said: "I respect you five feet, and you should respect me ten feet. Why are we being polite, but they think it is luck? If there is no distinction between this matter Make it clear, in the future, the world will be overwhelmed by Prince Mu's mansion, so what are you doing?" Everyone is very annoyed by what you say and what I say. Xuanzhen said humanely: "How to handle this matter, everyone should follow Wei Xiangzhu's instructions." If Wei Xiaobao had to find a way to sneak around and cheat, he could still come up with some ideas. Now that he was facing such a big event, if he had to come up with an idea, he really wanted to look good to him, and made him appear ugly on the spot.But he is out and out, he is indeed Chen Jinnan's disciple, one of the top ten incense masters of the Tiandihui, in the whole province of Zhili, the brothers of the Tiandihui are headed by him, this old man surnamed Xu and several others are all Seeing everyone's eyes on his face, his direct subordinates of Qingmutang couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and scolded in his heart: "Spicy mother, this... what should I do?" Embarrassed in his heart, he looked at the past one by one, hoping to find some clues and come up with a good idea. When he saw the thick man, he suddenly saw a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, and a sly look in his eyes.This person was still yelling just now, full of anger, why did he suddenly become happy?After concentrating on it, I suddenly remembered: "Ah, hot mom, these bastards have malicious intentions and want me to pick up the rotten sticks. They want to fight with the people from Mu Wangfu, but they are afraid that my master will blame them in the future, so they find me Let me come, let me be the leader." The more he thought about it, the more he was right, thinking: "I am just a kid in his teens, even though he is the incense master, do he really have the idea of surpassing them? They want to use me As a shield, if there is nothing to do in the future, then let it go. If there is anything wrong, I will push it on my head and say: "Wei Xiangzhu of Qingmutang led everyone to do it. The Xiangzhu has an order, and we dare not disobey." Humph , They wanted to find bones in the eggs, and abolished me as the incense master. I took the lead to fight with the people in Mu Wangfu. This should be." He pretended to lower his head in thought, and after a while, he said: "Brothers, although my younger brother has become the incense master, he just happened to kill Oboi, so he has no ability at all, and he has no plans. I think it's better to ask Xuanzhen If you come up with an idea, you must be much smarter than me." His move is called "Push the boat along the current", and he pushes a rotten tree tip towards Taoist Xuanzhen's shoulder. Taoist Xuanzhen smiled, and said to Fan Gang: "Brother Fan's mind is much better than mine, what do you think?" Fan Gang is a straightforward guy, and said: "I don't think there is a second way to go. Let's find the family surnamed Bai. If they kowtow to Brother Xu to apologize, then everything will be over. Otherwise, hehe, no way, we have to Courtesy first, soldiers later." What everyone thinks in their hearts is actually this sentence, but Mu Wangfu is very famous in the Jianghu, and they are comrades who are against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, so no one wants to say this sentence first.When Fan Gang said this, several people agreed: "Yes, yes! Brother Fan's words are absolutely correct! It is best not to use martial arts, otherwise our Tiandihui will not be easy to bully, and we will be beaten like this, isn't it? Is that enough?" Wei Xiaobao said to Xuanzhen and another man: "What do you two think?" The man said: "This is called being forced to go up the Liangshan Mountain. There is no way. We are really driven to death." Xuanzhen smiled and nodded, noncommittal. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "If you don't speak up, if you want to complain in the future, I will tell you not to." He asked, "Master Xuanzhen, you think Third Brother Fan's idea is not very appropriate, do you?" Xuanzhen said: "It's not inappropriate, but everyone must be very cautious. If you fight with people from the Mu Palace, first, you will not be defeated, and second, you will not be able to kill them. If you kill someone, it will be a big deal. " Fan Gang said: "That's what I said, but what if brother Xu died of serious injuries?" Xuanzhen nodded again. Wei Xiaobao said: "Please discuss a solution. Brothers are very knowledgeable, have eaten more salt than I have eaten rice, and have traveled more bridges than I have traveled. You must have better ideas than me. Much more." Xuanzhen glanced at him, and said calmly: "Master Wei Xiang is really amazing!" Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, "You are also amazing, Daoist." After discussing for a while, they decided to follow Fan Gang's method and ask Wei Xiaobao to lead the others to interrogate Ren Xing from the Mu Palace. Everyone has weapons hidden in their bodies, but they must be as patient as possible, and to occupy the ground, it is best to be Mu The people in the Wangfu beat him first, and then they fought back. Xuanzhen said: "Let's invite some famous martial artists in Beijing to go together, and ask them to be witnesses, so as not to spread the word that our heaven and earth will come to deceive people. In the future, the right and wrong are unknown. I'm afraid the chief rudder will see crime." Wei Xiaobao said happily: "Excellent, I want to invite those who are capable, the more the better." Among the restaurants on North Subei Road, the man surnamed Bai from Mu Wang's Mansion threw chopsticks one by one, only to beat Wu Sangui's men down one by one. On the ground, this scene seems to be in front of you at this moment.If they come up with things like crossing the river with copper horns and shooting elephants with rockets, even if there is no elephant formation in Beijing, if they only put up a formation of mice, Master Wei Xiang of Qingmutang will have to walk around if he can't eat it. I wanted to evade it, but I couldn't say it.Hearing Taoist Xuanzhen say that he would make an appointment with a famous martial artist in Beijing, it was exactly what he wanted. Xuanzhen smiled slightly, and said: "We only invite people who are famous and famous. It's not that we invite them to help us in boxing. Whether the martial arts are good or not is second." Gao Yanchao said: "The ones who are more famous usually have high martial arts." Help Wei Xiaobao speak.Xuanzhen nodded.Fan Gang said: "Which martial masters should we invite?" At the moment everyone was discussing who to invite to go with them, the person to invite should be well-known in the martial arts, have no contact with officials, and have some friendship with Tiandihui. After the discussion was settled, the old man Xu was about to split up to invite people, when the old man Xu suddenly groaned: "No... no... no... you can't invite outsiders." Fan Gang asked: "Brother Xu, you said you can't invite outsiders?" Said: "Master Wei Xiang, he... he is on duty in the palace, this... this matter must not be leaked out, then... it is a matter of life and death." When everyone heard this, they all felt reasonable, Wei Xiaobao was a eunuch in the palace, so he was ordered by the chief helmsman.There must be a major conspiracy in the dark. Once outsiders know about it, it is difficult to guarantee that the news will not leak.Fan Gang said: "Wei Xiangzhu doesn't need to go out in person. Let's go and argue with those two surnamed Bai. What's the result, we will report to Wei Xiangzhu when we come back." Wei Xiaobao was quite afraid of Prince Mu's Mansion at first, but since he invited a group of famous people in the martial arts to go with him, he would be sure that Mount Tai would win and never lose. ?Said: "If I don't go, it won't be fun. Don't tell outsiders my name and identity." Xuan Zhendao said humanely: "If Wei Xiangzhu disguises himself, no one will know that he is working in the palace..." Wei Xiaobao didn't hear him finish, so he clapped his hands and applauded, and even said: "Wonderful, wonderful!" This idea is exactly what he likes, it's very interesting to make trouble at home, it's even more wonderful to make trouble after modification It's even better. Everyone originally felt that if Wei Xiangzhu was not leading, everyone would have too much to worry about. Seeing that he was so enthusiastic and eager to go, they had no objection.Old man Xu said: "Everyone...Everyone must be careful. Master Wei Xiang pretends...who is he pretending to be?" Everyone looked at Wei Xiaobao and listened to his instructions. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Should I pretend to be a rich man, or a beggar?" When he was in a brothel, he saw the luxurious clothes of the prince and grandson who came to the brothel, and he was always very envious of them, but he never had a chance to wear them.Wei Yi pondered, took out three banknotes of five hundred taels of silver from his bosom, and said: "Here is one thousand five hundred taels of silver, may I trouble any elder brother to buy me some clothes." Everyone was slightly startled, several of them said in unison: "How can I use this much money?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I have plenty of money, the more expensive the clothes, the better, and some jewelry to wear, no one knows I'm the little...little eunuch in the palace." Xuanzhen said humanely: "Wei Xiangzhu is right. Brother Gao, go and buy Wei Xiangzhu's clothes." Wei Xiaobao took out another one thousand taels of silver bills, and said: "It's better to spend more money, it doesn't matter." When the others saw that the little boy had a lot of silver bills around him, they secretly complained, and no one would have expected him to be in the room. There are more than 400,000 taels of silver.According to Wei Xiaobao's original temper.There are two or three taels of silver around me, and I will be comfortable if I spend them all, but how can I spend four hundred thousand taels of silver?It is really a rare opportunity to buy some luxurious clothes to wear and show off, and I am extremely happy, seeing everyone stunned, I put my hands into my arms again. When he stretched out his hand, he already had a bank note of 3,500 taels of silver in his palm, and handed it to Taoist Xuanzhen, saying: "Brothers and elder brothers met for the first time today, there is no filial piety. These silver coins were brought from the Tartars. It's all unrighteous... unrighteous silver (he wanted to say "unjust wealth", but he forgot the idiom), please help us spend it." Fan Gang, Gao Yanchao and the others had been poor for a long time, and Wei Xiangzhu suddenly took out these many banknotes, and said that they were obtained from the Tartars' ill-gotten wealth. Everyone couldn't help cheering. Xuanzhen said: "We have to divide up the appointment, today is too late. Master Wei Xiang, everyone will be here waiting for you tomorrow, I wonder when you will be there?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I will be on duty in the morning, and I will arrive in the afternoon." Xuanzhen said: "Very good. Tomorrow afternoon, we will meet here, and then go to settle accounts with those two surnamed Bai."
That night Wei Xiaobao felt itchy, jumping up and down in the room, gesticulating.The next day after coming down from the study room, he hurried to the jewelry store to buy a big jadeite ring, and asked the shop master to nail a large piece of white jade and four round pearls on a satin hat. More than a thousand taels of silver.Seeing in the jewelry store that this distinguished guest was an eunuch in the palace, he was not surprised at all, since it is common for the inner palace to purchase jewelry, it is common to spend ten times more money. 韦小宝赶到回春堂药店，众人已在地窖中等候，说道已请了北京四位知名武师，同去作见证，每人已送了二百两银子谢礼。韦小宝心道：“得人钱财，与人消灾，这四位武师非帮我们不可。只是二百两银子谢礼太少，最好送五百两。四位武师太少，最好请十六位。” 高彦超取出衣服鞋袜来给韦小宝换了，每件衣物都十分华贵，外面一件长袍是火狐皮的里子，在领口和衣袖外翻出油光滑亮的毛皮。高彦超道：“皮袍是叫他们连夜改小的，多给了三两六钱银子的工钱。”韦小宝连说：“不贵，不贵。”一件天青缎子的马褂，十粒扣子都是黄金打的。饶是如此，他给的银子还是一半也用不了。 韦小宝在宫中住了将近一年，居移气，养移体，食用既好，见识又多，这半年来做了尚膳监的首脑，百余名太监给他差来差去，做首领早做得惯了。这时周身再一打扮，虽然颇有些暴发户的俗气，却也显得款式非凡，派头十足，与樊纲、高彦超等草莽豪杰大不相同。 众人已安排了一乘轿子，等在门外，请韦小宝上轿，以防他改装之后在城里行走，撞见宫中太监或朝廷官员。 一行人先到东城武胜镖局，和四位武师会齐。那四位武师第一位是北京潭腿门掌门人老武师马博仁，那是清真教门的；第二位跌打名医姚春，徐老头受了伤，便由他医治，此人既是名医，擒拿短打也是一绝；第三位是外号“虎面霸王”的雷一啸，铁布衫功夫大大有名；第四位便是武胜镖局的总镖头金枪王武通。 马博仁等四人早已得知天地会领头的韦香主年纪甚轻，一见之下，竟是这样一个豪富少年，都是十分诧异，但各人久仰陈近南的大名，心想天地会总舵主的弟子，年纪虽小，也必有惊人艺业，都不敢小觑了他。众人在镖局中喝了茶，便同去杨柳胡同那姓白的二人驻足之处。韦小宝和马博仁、姚春三人坐轿，雷一啸与王武通骑马，余人步行相陪。玄贞道人、樊纲等都是成名人物，王武通要相借坐骑，但玄贞怕惹人注目，坚决不要。 一行人来到杨柳胡同一座朱漆大门的宅第之外，高彦超正要上前打门，忽听得门内传出隐隐哭声。众人一怔，只见大门外挂着两盏白色灯笼，却是家有丧事。高彦超轻叩门环，过了一会，大门打开，出来一名老管家。高彦超呈上备就的五张名帖，说道：“武胜镖局、潭腿门、天地会的几位朋友，前来拜会白大侠、白二侠。” 那老管家听得“天地会”三字，双眉一竖，满脸怒容，向众人瞪了一眼，接过拜帖，一言不发的便走了进去。 马博仁年纪虽老，火气却是极大，登时忍不住生气，道：“这奴才好生无礼。” 韦小宝道：“马老爷子的话一点不错。”他对沐王府的人毕竟甚是忌惮，只盼马博仁、王武通等人站定在自己这一边，待会倘若动手，便可多有几个得力的帮手。 隔了好一会，一名二十六七岁的汉子走了出来，身材甚高，披麻带孝，满身丧服，双眼红肿，兀自泪痕未干，抱拳说道：“韦香主、马老爷子、王总镖头，众位大驾光临，有失远迎。在下白寒枫有礼。”众人抱拳还礼。白寒枫让众人进厅。 马博仁最是性急，问道：“白二侠身上有服，不知府上是哪一位过世了？”白寒枫道：“是家兄寒松不幸亡故。”马博仁跌足道：“可惜，可惜！白氏双木乃沐王府的英雄虎将，武林中大大有名，白大侠正当英年，不知是得了什么疾病？” 众人刚到厅中，还未坐定，白寒枫听了此言，陡地转过身来，双眼中如欲射出火光，厉声道：“马老爷子，在下敬你是武林前辈，以礼相待。你这般明知故问，是讥嘲于我吗？” 他陡然发怒，韦小宝出其不意，不由得吃了一惊，退了一步。 马博仁摸着白须，说道：“这可希奇了！老夫不知，这才相问，什么叫做明知故问？白二侠死了兄长，就算心中悲痛，也不能向我老头子发脾气啊！”白寒枫哼的一声，道：“请坐！”马博仁喃喃自语：“坐就坐罢！难道还怕了不成！”向韦小宝道：“韦香主，你请上座。”韦小宝道：“不，还是马老爷子上座！” 白寒枫看了拜贴，知道来客之中有天地会的青木堂香主韦香主，万料不到这少年便是韦香主，心下又奇又怒，一伸手，便抓住韦小宝的左腕，喝道：“你便是天地会的韦香主？” 这一抓之力劲道奇大，韦小宝奇痛彻骨，“啊”的一声，大叫了出来，两道眼泪自然而然流下腮来。 玄贞道人道：“上门是客，白二侠太也欺人！”伸指便往白寒枫胁下点去。 白寒枫左手一挡，放开韦小宝手腕，退开一步，说道：“得罪了。” 韦小宝愁眉苦脸，伸袖擦干了眼泪。白寒枫固是大出意料之外，马博仁、王武通，以及天地会中众人也都惊诧不置，眼见白寒枫这一抓虽然手法凌厉，却也不是无可挡避。这韦香主身为陈近南的弟子，不但闪避不了，大叫之余兼且流泪，实是武林中的一大奇事。玄贞、樊纲、高彦超等人都面红过耳，甚感羞惭。 白寒枫道：“对不住了！家兄不幸为天地会下毒手害死，在下心中悲痛……” 他话未说完，众人纷道：“什么？”“什么白大侠为天地会害死了？”“哪有此事？”“决无此事。” 白寒枫霍地站起，大声道：“你们说决无此事，难道我哥哥没有死吗？你们来，大家亲眼来瞧瞧。”一伸手，又向韦小宝左臂抓去。 这一次玄贞道人和樊纲都有了预备，白寒枫右臂甫动，二人一袭前胸，一袭后背，同时出手。白寒枫当即斜身拗步，双掌左右打出。玄贞左掌一抬，右掌又击了出去，樊纲却已和白寒枫交了一掌。白寒枫变招反点玄贞咽喉，玄贞侧身闪开。 白寒枫厉声喝道：“我大哥已死在你们手里，我也不想活了。天地会的狗畜牲，一起上来便是。” 跌打名医姚春双手一拦，说道：“且慢动手，这中间恐有误会。白二侠口口声声说道，白大侠为天地会害死，到底实情如何，且请说个明白。” 白寒枫道：“你们来！”大踏步向内堂走去。 众人心想己方人多，也不怕他有何阴谋诡计，都跟了进去。 刚到天井之中，众人便都站定了，只见后厅是个灵堂，灵幔之后是口棺材，死人躺在棺材之上，露出半个头、一双脚。白寒枫掀起灵幔，大声叫道：“哥哥你死得没眼闭，兄弟好歹要杀几个天地会的狗畜牲，给你报仇。”他声音嘶哑，显是哭泣已久。 韦小宝一见到死人面容，大吃一惊，那正是在苏北道上小饭店中见过的，那人以筷子击打吴三桂部属，武功高强，想不到竟会死在这里，随即想到对方少了一个厉害角色，惊奇之余，暗自宽心。 马博仁、姚春、雷一啸、王武通四人走近前去。王武通和白寒松有过一面之缘，叹道：“白大侠果真逝世，可惜！”姚春特别仔细，伸手去搭了搭死人腕脉。 白寒枫冷笑道：“你若治得我哥哥还阳，我……我给你磕一万二千个响头。” 姚春叹了口气，道：“白二侠，人死不能复生，还请节哀。伤害白大侠的，果然是天地会的人？白二侠没弄错吗？”白寒枫叫道：“我……我弄错？我会弄错？” 众人见他哀毁逾恒，足见手足之情极笃，都不禁为他难过，樊纲怒气也自平了，寻思：“他死了兄长，也难怪出手不知轻重。” 白寒枫双手扠腰，在灵堂一站，大声道：“害死我哥哥的，是那平日在天桥卖药的姓徐老贼。这老贼名叫徐天川，有个匪号叫作'八臂猿猴'，乃是天地会青木堂中有职司的人，是也不是？你们还能不能赖？” 樊纲和玄贞等几人面面相觑，他们这伙人到杨柳胡同来，本是要向白氏兄弟问罪，质问他们为什么伤人，不料白氏兄弟中的大哥白寒松竟已死在徐天川手底。樊纲叹了口气，说道：“白老二，徐天川徐大哥是我们天地会的兄弟，原是不假，不过他……他……”白寒枫厉声道：“他怎样？”樊纲道：“他已给你们打得重伤，奄奄一息，也不知这会儿是死是活。不瞒你说，我们今日到来，原是要来请问你们兄弟，干么将我们徐大哥打成这等模样，哪知道……想不到……唉……” 白寒枫怒道：“别说这姓徐的老贼没死，就算他死了，这猪狗不如的老贼，也不配抵我哥哥的命。”樊纲也怒道：“你说话不干不净，像什么武林中的好汉？依你说便要怎样？” 白寒枫叫道：“我……我不知道！我要将你们天地会这批狗贼，一个个都宰成肉酱。我陪你们一起死，大伙儿都死了干净。”一转身，从死人身侧抽出一口钢刀，随即身子跃起，直如疯虎一般，挥刀虚劈，呼呼有声。 天地会樊纲、玄贞等纷纷抽出所携兵刃，以备迎敌。韦小宝忙缩在高彦超身后。 猛地里听得一声大吼：“不可动手！”声音震得各人耳鼓嗡嗡作响，只见“虎面霸王”雷一啸举起双手，挡在天地会众人之前，大声道：“白二侠，你要杀人，杀我好了！”这人姓得好，名字也取得好，这么几声大喝，确有雷震之威。 白寒枫心伤乃兄亡故，已有些神智失常，给他这么一喝，头脑略为清醒，说道：“我杀你干什么？我哥哥又不是你杀的？”雷一啸道：“这些天地会的朋友，可也不是杀你哥哥之人。再说，普天下天地会的会众，少说也有二三十万，你杀得完么？” 白寒枫一怔，大叫：“杀得一个是一个，杀得一双是一双！” 突然之间，门外隐隐传来一阵急促的马蹄声，似有十余骑马向这边驰来。姚春道：“只怕是官兵，大伙儿收起了兵刃！”樊钢、玄贞等眼见雷一啸挡在身前，白寒枫不易扑过来挥刀伤人，便都收起了兵刃。白寒枫大声道：“便是天王老子到来，我也不怕。”
马蹄声越来越近，奔入胡同，来到门口戛然而止，跟着便响起了门环击门之声。门外有人叫道：“白二弟，是我！”人影一晃，一人越墙而入，冲了进来。这人四十来岁年纪，神态威武，面色却是大变，颤声道：“果然……果然是白大弟……白大弟……” 白寒枫抛下手中钢刀，迎了上去，叫道：“苏四哥，我哥哥……我哥哥……”一口气说不下去，放声大哭。 马博仁、樊纲、玄贞等均想：“这人莫非是沐王府中的'圣手居士'苏冈？” 这时大门已开，涌进十几个人来，男女都有，冲到尸首之前，几个女子便呼天抢地的大哭起来。一个青年妇人是白寒松之妻，另一个是白寒枫之妻。 樊纲、玄贞等都感尴尬，眼见这些人哭得死去活来。若再不走，待得他们哭完，就算不动手，也免不了给臭骂一顿。韦小宝先前给白寒枫重重抓住手腕，此刻兀自疼痛，本来仗着人多，打定主意要叫玄贞、樊纲等人抓住了他，好歹也得在他屁股上踢他妈的七八脚，不料对方人手越来越多，打起架来已占不到便宜，心中怦怦乱跳，见玄贞道人连使眼色，显是要脚底抹油，溜之大吉，此举正合心意，当即转身便走，说道：“大伙儿去买些元宝蜡烛，再来向死人磕头罢！” 白寒枫叫道：“想逃吗？可没这么容易。”冲上前去，猛挥右掌向樊纲后心拍去。樊纲怒道：“谁逃了？”回身举左臂挡开，却不还击。玄贞等众人便都站住了。 韦小宝却已逃到了门口，一只脚先跨出了门槛再说。 那姓苏的男子问道：“白二弟，这几位是谁？恕在下眼生。”白寒枫道：“他们是天地会的狗东西，我哥哥……哥哥便是给他们害死的。”此言一出口，本来伏着大哭的人都跃起身来，呛啷啷响声不绝，兵刃耀眼，登时将来客都围住了，连马博仁、姚春、雪一啸、王武通等四个都给围在垓心。 王武通哈哈大笑，说道：“马大哥，雷兄弟，姚大夫，咱们几时入了天地会哪？凭咱们几个的德行，只怕给天地会的朋友们提鞋子也还不配哪。” 那姓苏的中年汉子抱拳说道：“这几位不是天地会的吗？这位姚大夫，想来名讳是个春字。在下苏冈，得悉白家大兄弟不幸身亡的讯息，从宛平赶来，伤痛之下，未得请教，多有失礼。”说着向众人作揖为礼。 王武通抱拳笑道：“好说，好说。圣手居士，名不虚传，果然是位有见识、有气度的英雄。”当下给各人一一引见，第一个便指着韦小宝，道：“这位是天地会青木堂韦香主。” 苏冈知道天地会共分十堂，每一堂香主都是身负绝艺的英雄豪杰，但这韦香主却显然是个乳臭未干的富家少年，不由得心下诧异，但脸上不动声色，抱拳道：“久仰，久仰。”韦小宝嗤的一声笑，抱拳还礼，从门边走了回来，问道：“你久仰我什么？”苏冈一怔，道：“在下久仰天地会十堂香主，个个都是英雄好汉。”韦小宝点点头，笑道：“原来如此。”苏冈见他神情油腔滑调，心下更是嘀咕。 当下王武通给余人都引见了。苏冈给他同来这伙人引见，其中两个是他师弟，三人是白氏兄弟的师兄弟，还有几个是苏冈的徒弟。白寒松的夫人伏在丈夫尸首上痛哭，白寒枫的夫人一边哭，一边劝，几个女子都不过来相见。 姚春道：“白二侠，到底白大侠为了什么事和天地会生起争竞，请白二侠说来听听。”咳嗽一声，又道：“云南沐王府在武林中人所共仰，天地会的会规向来极严，都不是蛮不讲理之人。天下原抬不过一个'理'字，今日之事，也不是单凭打架动武就能了结的。这里马老师，雷兄弟，王总镖头，以及区区在下，跟双方就算没有交情，也都是慕名。白二侠，请你冲着咱们一点薄面，说一说这中间的缘由如何？”王武通道：“不瞒众位说，天地会的朋友们，的的确确不知白大侠已经身故，否则的话，他们还会上门来自讨没趣么？” 苏冈道：“然则韦香主和众位朋友来到敝处，又为了什么？”王武通道：“咱们真人面前不说假话。天地会的朋友说道，他们徐天川徐大哥给沐王府的朋友打得身受重伤，已说不出话，他们只好邀了我们几个老朽，伴同来到贵处，想问一问缘由。”苏冈森然道：“如此说来，各位是上门问罪来着？”王武通道：“这可不敢当。我们几个在江湖上混口饭吃，全仗朋友们给面子。是非曲直，自有公论，谁也不能昧着良心说瞎话。” 苏冈点了点头，道：“王总镖头说得对，请各位到厅上说话。” 众人来到大厅。苏冈命师弟、徒弟们收起兵刃。白寒枫手中钢刀总是不肯放下。苏冈让众人坐下，说道：“白二弟，当时实情如何，你给大家说说。”
白寒枫叹了一声，说道：“前天下午……”只说了四个字，不由得气往上冲，手中钢刀挥了一挥。韦小宝吃了一惊，身子向后一缩。白寒枫觉得此举太过粗鲁，钢刀用力往地下一掷，呛啷一声，击碎了两块方砖，呼了口气，道：“前天下午，我和哥哥在天桥的一家酒楼上喝酒，忽然上来一个官员，带了四名家丁。那四个家丁神气惹厌得很，要酒要菜，说的却是云南话。”苏冈“哦”了一声。白寒枫道：“我和哥哥一听他们口音，就留上了神。” 王武通、樊纲等都知道，沐王府世镇云南，苏冈、白寒枫等都生长于云南，在北京城里听到乡音，自会关注。 白寒枫续道：“我哥哥听了一会，隔座接了几句。那官员听得我们也是云南人，便邀我们过去坐。我和哥哥离家已久，很想打听故乡的情形，见这位官员似是从云南来，便移座过去。一谈之下，这官员自称叫做卢一峰，原来是奉了吴三桂的委派，去做曲靖县知县的。他是云南大理人。照规矩，云南人本来不能在本省做地方官。不过这卢一峰说道，他是平西王委派的官，可不用理会这一套！” 樊纲忍不住骂道：“他奶奶的，大汉奸吴三桂委派的狗官，有什么神气了？” 白寒枫向他瞧了一眼，点了点头，道：“这位樊……樊兄说得不错，当时我也这么想。可是我哥哥为了探听故乡情形，反而奉承了他几句。这狗官更加得意了，说是吴三桂所派的官，叫做'西选'，意思说是平西王选的。云南全省的大小官员，固然都是吴三桂所派，就是四川、广西、贵州三省，'西选'的官儿也比皇帝所派的官吃香。” 苏冈听他说得有些气喘，接口解释：“倘若有一个缺，朝廷派了。吴三桂也派了，谁先到任，谁就是正印。云贵川桂四省的官员，哪一个先出缺，自然是昆明知道得早，从昆明派人去快得多。因此朝廷的官儿，总是没'西选'的脚快。” 白寒枫吁了口气，接着道：“那官儿说，平西王为朝廷立下了大功，满清能得江山，全仗平西王的功劳，因此朝廷对他特别给面子。吴三桂启奏什么事，从来就没有驳回的。” 王武通道：“这官儿的话倒是实情。兄弟到西南各省走镖，亲眼见到，云贵一带大家就知道有吴三桂，不知道有皇帝。” 白寒枫道：“这卢一峰说，照朝廷规矩，凡是做知县的，都先要到京城来朝见皇帝，由皇帝亲自封官。他到北京来，就是等着来见皇帝的。他说平西王既然封了他官，到京城来朝见皇帝，也不过是例行公事而已。我哥哥说：'卢大人到曲靖做官，本省人做本省的官，那更是造福桑梓了。'那卢一峰哈哈大笑，说道：'这个自然。'突然之间，隔座有人插嘴，这老……这老贼……我和他仇深……”说着霍地站起，满脸胀得通红。 苏冈道：“是'八臂猿猴'徐天川说话么？” 白寒枫点了点头，道：“正……正……”急愤之下，喉头哽住了，说不出话来，隔了一会，才道：“正是这老贼，他坐在窗口一张小桌旁喝酒，插嘴说：'本省人做本省的官，刮起地皮来更加方便些。'这老贼，我们自管自说话，谁要他来多口！” 玄贞冷冷的道：“白二侠，徐三哥这句话，可没说错。”白寒枫哼了一声，顿了一顿，说道：“这句话是没说错，我又没说他这句话错了。可是……可是……谁要他多管闲事？他倘若不插这句嘴，怎会生出以后许多事来？”玄贞见他气急，也就不再说下去。 白寒枫续道：“卢一峰听了这句话，勃然大怒，一拍桌子，转过头来，见这老贼是个弯腰曲背的老头儿，容貌猥琐，桌上放着一只药箱，椅子旁插着一面膏药旗，是个卖药的老头儿，喝道：'你这个老不死的，胡说些什么？'他手下的四名家丁早就抢了上去，在老贼桌上拍桌大骂，一名家丁抓住了他衣领。也是我瞎了眼，瞧不出这老贼武功了得，还道他激于一时义愤，出言讥刺，怕他吃亏，便走上去假意相劝，将这四名家丁都推开了。” 玄贞赞道：“白二侠仁义为怀，果然是英雄行径。”心想白寒松已死，徐天川受伤虽然不轻，多半不会死，己方终究已占了便宜，这件事双方只好言和，口头上捧白寒枫几句，且让他平平气。 哪知白寒枫不受他这一套，瞪了他