Chapter 42 The forty-second chapter of Jiuchong City's gate, a breath of wind and clouds outside the dim expanse
The next day Wei Xiaobao bid farewell to his master, and left for Beijing with Chen Jinnan and others.
Chen Jinnan said: "Xiaobao, Gui Erxia and his wife are going to assassinate the emperor. They have agreed to discuss with everyone before making a conclusion. After you arrive in Beijing, you can't inform the emperor so that he can take precautions." Wei Xiaobao originally had this intention, But he gave the master a clear answer, and hurriedly said: "Naturally. The Tartars have taken over our Han people. I am an official in the court. I was ordered by the master, you old man. How can I really go to him?" Chen Jinnan said: "That's it. If you are insincere, and you have done something wrong to everyone, I will be the first to forgive you." Wei Xiaobao said: "Master, you have one hundred and twenty hearts." He said in his heart: "One hundred and ten Nine hearts! I'm a little worried." I took Shuang'er, Xu Tianchuan and others to meet Zhang Yong, Zhao Liangdong and others, and then returned to Beijing after detaining Mao Dongzhu.
As soon as he returned to the Copper Hat Alley, he immediately wanted to see Kangxi, thinking: "The little emperor is my good friend, how could he die in the hands of these three turtles? Yes, I will go to the palace to assign guards and be on guard." , closely guarded. I promised my master that I would not tell the emperor. A man will keep his word, and he will not say anything, but he can still prevent the three turtles from succeeding." Just as he was about to go out, Chen Jinnan had brought Gu Zhizhong and Ma Chao with him. Xing arrives.Wei Xiaobao groaned secretly, thinking: "Why did you come here so fast?" He had to force himself and hold a banquet to receive him.
Soon the heroes of the Heaven and Earth Society will arrive in batches.Followed by Mu Jiansheng and Liu Dahong, the iron-backed Canglong, Wu Lishen, the head-shaking lion, and Su Gang, a holy layman, and a group of people also came.Everyone in Mu Wangfu was in Beijing as early as, and they came to the meeting after receiving the news.
After they finished drinking and eating, they waited for a long time before the three returned home.Wei Xiaobao ordered another banquet to be held, and Gui Erniang said calmly: "We have eaten." Gui Zhong looked around, saw the grandeur of the mansion, and said: "Little baby, the appearance of your house is similar to that of King Pingxi's Wuhua Palace. It's not far behind. You're not lying, Wu Sangui is indeed your uncle."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Yes, Wu Sangui is yours..." When he said the word "the", he suddenly stopped, thinking that this sentence would be easy to get over, the master must be angry, so he immediately changed his words: "The three of you have already eaten, Please go to the east hall for tea."
Everyone came to the east hall, offered tea and snacks, and Wei Xiaobao dispatched servants.Chen Jinnan sent out more than ten members of the congregation to guard around the hall and the roof, and then closed the door and barred it to discuss important matters.Chen Jinnan introduced Gui's couple and everyone in Mu Palace, but did not mention Wu Liuqi.Although the Gui family has retired for a long time, Liu Dahong, Wu Lishen and others still admire and respect them very much.
Gui Erniang went straight in, and said: "After Wu Sangui raised his troops and attacked Hunan and Sichuan, his forces were very strong, like a broken bamboo. Although Wu Sangui surrendered to the Tartars and ruined the world, it was a heinous crime, but he is a Han after all. According to us In my opinion, we are going to enter the palace to assassinate the Tartar emperor, so that the Tartars will be leaderless and chaotic. What do you think?"
Mu Jiansheng said: "Of course the Tartar Emperor should be killed, but wouldn't he be doing Wu Sangui, a traitor, a big favor by doing this?"
Gui Erniang said: "Wu Sanjia killed Lord Mu back then, so Young Master Mu would not let him go. But the distinction between Manchu and Han is the most important thing. Let's kill all the tartars first, and it won't be too late to deal with Wu Sangui slowly."
Liu Dahong said: "If Wu Sangui wins with an army, he will become the emperor himself, and it will not be easy to move him. According to the younger generation, let's let the Tartars and Wu Sangui fight each other first, and fight to the death. Let's make a profit again. So this junior thinks it is inappropriate to assassinate the Tartar emperor." Although he has a full chin and white beard, but the Gui family has been famous for a long time, he calls himself a junior; Mu Wang's mansion has a deep hatred with Wu Sangui, and they must see him destroyed first. happy.
Gui Erniang said: "Wu Sangui is fighting under the banner of Xingming to seek captives, and he wants to assist the third prince Zhu to ascend the throne. Here is a piece of Wu Sangui's call to arms, everyone please read." He took a large sheet of paper from his side and spread it on the table .
Chen Jinnan immediately recited:
"The former general who guarded Shanhaiguan, and now he is ordered by the president to be the general of the world's water and land, and the general of Xingming to fight against captives. Wu, the civil and military officials, soldiers, and people all over the world know: This town is deeply advocating the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and the town of Shanhaiguan..."
Chen Jinnan knew that most of the heroes were illiterate, so he read a few sentences, explained a few sentences, explained the first paragraph, and then read on. The following is how Li Zicheng broke Beijing, and Chongzhen died. In order to avenge his father, he had to borrow from the Qing Dynasty The soldiers broke the bandits, and then said:
"Fortunately, Qukui gave the head, and Fang wanted to choose a heir, inherit the great rule, seal the vassal and cede the land, in order to reward the chieftain. I didn't want to cunning and betray the alliance, take advantage of my internal emptiness, and dominate Yanjing. Steal my first imperial weapon, change I wear a Chinese crown; I know the wrongness of refusing to enter the wolf, so don’t hold back the mistake of putting out the fire.”
Gui Erniang said: "He later realized that it was a mistake to borrow troops from Manchuria, but unfortunately it was too late." Liu Dahong snorted and said, "This traitor speaks nicely, but it's all lies." Gui Erniang said: " President Chen, please read on."
Chen Jinnan said: "Yes!" He continued to read:
"This town stabs the heart and vomits blood, regrets and regrets, and will return to the north to sweep away the smell. It happens to meet the third prince of the former emperor. The prince is just three years old, and the butt is stabbed as a record. Blood forbearance, bide farewell to the time, select generals to train soldiers, and restore the secret map, so far, thirty years have passed!"
Liu Dahong couldn't bear it any longer when he heard this, and said, "Fart! Fart! This wolf-hearted traitor, if he really had half a heart to revive the Ming Dynasty, why did he kill Emperor Yongli and Prince Yongli? The world knows it, so how can you deny it?"
Seeing Liu Dahong's frowning appearance, all the heroes admired his loyalty. They all thought that Wu Sangui strangled Emperor Yongli and his son in Kunming twelve years ago, and their determination was indisputable.
Gui Erniang said: "Brother Liu is right. Wu Sangui is definitely not a loyal minister. Even a three-year-old child knows this. We are going to assassinate the emperor of the Tartars in order to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, not to help Wu Sangui become emperor."
Chen Jinnan said: "I have finished reading this call-to-action, and everyone can discuss it in the future." He read:
"Here, the captive chieftain has no morals, treacherous and evil, and the Confucianism of morality and righteousness are all subordinates; the generation of the fighting man, who lives in a dignified position..."
After reading this sentence, he smiled at Wei Xiaobao and said, "Xiaobao, this sentence refers to you." Wei Xiaobao listened to Master recite the article, only felt the cadence, but it was pleasant to hear, and suddenly heard that Wu Sangui's article mentioned I couldn't help being surprised and delighted, and hurriedly asked: "Master, what did he say about me? This guy must not speak well of me." Chen Jinnan said: "He said that he is a good person with knowledge and morality, and he is only a small official with sesame seeds and green beans. A guy with no ability has become a high official. Isn't that referring to you?" Wei Xiaobao said: "What about him? His official position is bigger than mine, so isn't it even more useless than me?"
Everyone laughed and said: "That's right! There is no higher official position in the Tartar court than Prince Pingxi."
The last paragraph of the call-to-action is: "The mountains and rivers are sad, and the women cry; as a result, the comet falls, and the sky is angry above; the landslides and the earth is cracked, and the earth is resentful. The town looks up and down, and it is sincerely attacking the violent to save the people and responding to the sky. The day of man. On the first month of the new year's day in the year of Jiayin, the prince will be honored, the heaven and the earth will be worshipped, and the great treasure will be honored. Jianyuan Zhouzi." After reading it, Chen Jinnan explained it again.
Among the crowd, except for Chen Jinnan and Mu Jiansheng, who had never read any books, they all felt that this statement seemed to be well-spoken, but there was always something wrong, but they couldn't tell.
Mu Jiansheng pondered for a moment, then said: "Master Chen, since he honored the Third Prince Zhu as a great treasure, why didn't he restore the name of Ming Dynasty, but changed the name of the country to Zhou? This is really a big flaw. What's more, Zhu San The prince or something, I don’t know if it’s true or not, and no one has heard of it. Suddenly, he came out out of nowhere. Most likely Wu Sangui found an ignorant child and said it was the third prince Zhu, appealing to the hearts of the people. , is actually treating him as a puppet." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Gui Erniang said: "Wu Sangui regards the third prince Zhu as a puppet, of course there is absolutely no doubt about it. It doesn't make much difference whether this person is real or not. But the third prince Zhu is not a child. The first emperor died for thirty years. If Zhu Sangui The prince is real, at least he is in his thirties."
Wei Xiaobao said: "There are also ignorant little ones in their thirties, hehe." As he spoke, he glanced at Gui Zhong.Several people in the crowd couldn't help laughing.Gui Erniang raised her eyebrows, she was about to go into a fit, but after thinking about it, Wei Xiaobao's words were true, her precious son lived to be in his thirties, and he was still an ignorant child, she couldn't help sighing softly .
The people discussed for a long time, some advocated that Kangxi should be false, first get rid of Wu Sangui, and then try to restore the country;There are many discussions, and it is difficult to reach a conclusion.After talking about it, everyone looked at Chen Jinnan, everyone knew that he was resourceful and must have great ideas.
Chen Jinnan said: "We put the world first. If Kangxi is killed at this moment, Wu Sangui's momentum will certainly be boosted, but Taiwan's Prince Zheng can also cross the sea and march westward, marching into Fujian and Zhejiang, and attacking Jiangsu directly. With such a flanking attack, the Tartars will definitely collapse. At that time, if Wu Sangui wanted to be emperor himself, Prince Zheng's military strength, together with Prince Mu's Mansion, Tiandihui and heroes from all walks of life, would be able to hold him back."
Su Gang said coldly: "Chen Zong Tuozhu's words are not intended for Prince Zheng of Taiwan?" Chen Jinnan said awe-inspiringly: "The name of Prince Zheng's loyalty is famous in the world, brother Su, can't you believe it?" Su Gang Said: "Chen Zongruo is loyal, brave and chivalrous, and everyone admires him. But beside Prince Zheng, there are quite a few treacherous and despicable villains."
Wei Xiaobao couldn't help but said: "That's not bad. For example, Feng Xifan of 'One Sword Without Blood' and Prince Zheng's youngest son Zheng Kesong are not good people." Chen Jinnan was slightly surprised when he heard that he didn't agree with him, but Thinking that his words were not false, he couldn't help sighing.
Gui Erniang said: "Getting rid of the Tartars is a first-class matter. As for who will be the emperor, we don't care about it. The anti-Qing will be rebelled as soon as it comes. If it is not restored, we might as well discuss it slowly. Emperor Chongzhen is not a good thing."
Chen Jinnan and the heroes of the Mu Palace had always been loyal to Zhu Ming, and when they heard what he said, their faces changed color.
Mu Jiansheng said: "If we don't support Zhu's descendants to restore them, why don't we support Wu Sangui, a big traitor?"
Gui Zhong suddenly said: "Wu Sangui is a very nice man, he gave me a white tiger skin to make a robe, have you seen it?" He opened the lower part of the leather robe, revealing the white tiger skin, very proud .
Gui Erniang said: "Kids, don't talk nonsense here."
Su Gang sneered, "In the eyes of Young Master Gui, a leather robe is more important than our Han country."
Gui Erniang said angrily: "Son, take off the leather robe!" Gui Zhong said in amazement, "What are you doing?" Gui Xinshu stretched out his hand and pulled out the long sword from his son's waist. The tip of the long sword in the tree's hand flitted across his son's front, back, shoulders, and arms.Everyone was shocked, and they all jumped up from their chairs, only saying that Gui Xinshu had killed his son, but they saw that the leather robe Gui Zhong was wearing had been torn into seventeen or eight pieces, and fell around his body, revealing a whole body of silk cotton. Jacket pants.Gui Xinshu's sword strikes were extremely accurate, cutting the leather robe, but not the silk jacket and trousers.When the heroes waited to see clearly, they all applauded.
Gui Zhong was so frightened that he coughed repeatedly, almost crying, and said, "Father, cough cough... cough cough... father... cough, I..." With a wave of Gui Xin Shu's hand, the long sword was sheathed, and he unsheathed it. She took off her cotton robe, put it on her son, and said, "Put it on!" Gui Erniang picked up the pieces of white tiger skin from the ground and threw them into the burning stove. Gradually burned to ashes.Wei Xiaobao repeatedly said: "It's a pity, it's a pity."
Gui Xinshu said: "Let's go!" He took his son's hand and walked towards the hall door.Chen Jinnan said: "Gui Erxia is going to do big things, we will follow the advice." Gui Xinshu said: "Don't dare to do it! No need!" Said and walked to the hall door.
Wei Xiaobao knew that he was going to attack immediately, and it was too late to tell the emperor, he thought he had to use a tactic to stop him, and said loudly: "There are not ten thousand rooms in the imperial palace, but five thousand rooms, you know the emperor of the Tartars where do you live?"
Gui Xinshu was stunned for a moment, and felt that this statement was very reasonable, and turned around and asked, "Do you know?"
Wei Xiaobao shook his head and said, "No one knows. The Tartar Emperor was afraid of being assassinated, so he changed his place to sleep every night. Sometimes he slept in Changchun Palace, sometimes in Jingyang Palace, sometimes in Xianfu Palace, Yanxi Palace, maybe he slept again. In Lijingxuan, Yuhua Pavilion, and Yuqing Palace." He said the names of seven or eight palaces in one breath, and Gui Xinshu frowned.Wei Xiaobao said again: "Even if it is the emperor's personal eunuchs and guards, I don't know where he sleeps tonight." Gui Xinshu said: "Then how can we find the emperor?"
Wei Xiaobao said: "When the emperor goes to court, all civil and military officials will see him. As soon as he enters the palace, only he will come to look for you, and others will never find him." In fact, this is not the case, Kangxi did not often change his sleeping place, But Gui Xinshu and his wife are reckless commoners, how do they know the rules of the inner courtyard of the palace?Hearing Wei Xiaobao's nonsense, he thought that the emperor strictly guarded against assassins, that's how it should be, so he couldn't help hesitating.
Seeing Gui Xinshu's troubled face, Wei Xiaobao felt complacent, and asked, "Master Gui, do you know how many concubines the emperor has?" Gui Xinshu snorted and stared silently.Wei Xiaobao said: "The storyteller said that the emperor had three palaces and six courtyards, and the beauties in the harem...there were three thousand beautiful women. The Tartar emperor didn't have so many wives, not even three thousand, but there were eight or nine hundred. He did it every night. The groom, sleep with the 351st concubine today, and sleep with the 634th concubine tomorrow. Even if it is the emperor's concubine, he doesn't know where the emperor will stay tonight, and he will wait for three or four years , I don’t know if the emperor will come or not.”
Chen Jinnan said: "Xiaobao, you have been in the palace for a long time, you must know how to find the emperor." Wei Xiaobao said: "It's easy to find during the day, but at night you can't find anything." Disguised, led by you, sneaked into the palace to do things. Didn't you bring brother Qian and Angkor into the palace before?" He pointed at Qian Laoben and Wu Lishen.
Wei Xiaobao said: "Brother Qian has only been to the imperial kitchen. As soon as Erkor Angkor and the others entered the palace, the guards...was discovered by the guards, and there is still a long way to go to see the emperor. Brother Qian , Angkor, do you two agree?" Both Qian and Wu nodded.The two of them had been in the palace, and they both knew that finding the emperor's location in the palace was indeed like finding a needle in a haystack.
Wei Xiaobao said: "My disciple has a way." Chen Jinnan asked: "What way?" Wei Xiaobao said: "When my disciple goes to see the emperor tomorrow, he must say that Wu Sangui rebelled, how to send troops to fight, my disciple urged him to come out and watch the cannon demonstration .As long as he leaves the palace gate, it will be much easier to strike. Whether the assassination is successful or not, we can put oil on the soles of our feet and escape, and there will be less danger."
Gui Erniang sneered and said: "The emperor just listens to you, little baby? He won't come out of the palace for three years, so should we just wait for him for three years? You push back and forth, in short, it's just that you don't want to lead him to do things."
Mu Jiansheng said: "My brother also did the thing of entering the palace to assassinate the emperor. I am ashamed to say that several brothers died in our Mu Palace. Sister She and a junior sister Fang, as well as this uncle Wu and two junior brothers , were all trapped in the palace, and encountered several accidents, fortunately Meng Wei Xiang rescued him with righteousness, and then escaped from danger. It's not that we are timid and afraid of death, this matter is really not easy to succeed."
Gui Erniang looked at Wei Xiaobao coldly, and said: "You can save them from danger?" Wu Lishen hurriedly said: "Although this Wei Xiangzhu is young, he is very kind, witty and clever. Brother's life is worthless." It's all up to him to save you." Gui Erniang said: "If Mu Wangfu can't do it, it doesn't mean Gui can't do it either."
Liu Dahong stood up eagerly, and said: "The Gui family's magic fist is invincible, of course it is a hundred times better than our little Mu Palace. Now please set off, we will wait for the good news here."
A brother from Hong Shuntang of the Tiandihui said: "Master Wei Xiang, you'd better go into the palace together. When you return home, the three heroes are caught by the guards of the Tartars. You should try to save them." He returned angrily. The three members of the family killed Wu Liuqi, even though they were in front of the chief helmsman, they couldn't help but sneer a few words.
Wei Xiaobao cursed secretly in his heart: "You three turtles, you went into the palace and got caught, even if you kill my head, you won't come to save me." He laughed and said, "Why are the three heroes back home being caught by the guards? The guards in the palace There are more than 8,000 guards, and Young Master Gui only needs to cough a few times to kill all these 8,000 guards." Many people in Tiandihui and Muwangfu's crowd laughed out loud.
Gui Zhong laughed and said, "Is there really such a thing? That's very interesting. Are they afraid to listen to me cough...cough cough? Cough cough...cough cough..." Gui and his wife were furious, each holding on to his son's Arms, the three of them side by side outward.
Chen Jinnan said: "Return to Erxia, please calm down. Brother has a plan."
Gui Erniang knew that Chen Jinnan was resourceful, so she turned around and waited for him to continue.Chen Jinnan said: "The couple Gui Erxia are highly skilled in martial arts, and they are invincible in this world. But going into a dangerous place, after all, we are outnumbered. Let's discuss a perfect plan..." Gui Erniang said: "My way is that President Chen takes it seriously. What's your opinion, hum!" Turning around, he walked towards the hall door.
Liu Dahong and Wu Lishen suddenly rushed over and blocked the door.Liu Dahong said: "You two want to help Wu Sangui, our Mu Palace will absolutely not allow it." Gui Erniang said: "What? Do you want to do it?" Liu Dahong said: "You two can kill my senior brother first, and then come out of this door Go and help Wu Sangui." Gui Erniang said: "Who says we are helping Wu Sangui?" Liu Dahong said: "Although the two of you have no intention of helping Wu Thief, if this happens, Wu Thief will become very powerful. Can't stop him anymore."
Gui Xinshu whispered: "Get out of the way!" and took a step.Liu Dahong opened his arms and blocked the door.Gui Xinshu reached forward with his left hand and grabbed his chest.Liu Dahong stretched out his hands to block, and with a slap, his palms intersected, Liu Dahong shook his body twice, his face immediately turned pale.Gui Xinshu said: "I only used 50% of my strength."
Wu Lishen shook his head and said, "You might as well use 100% of your strength to kill all my brothers and sisters."
Gui Zhong said: "Ten out of ten." He retracted and stretched out his hands.Wu Li stretched out his arms to meet him.Gui Zhong retracted his hands again, Wu Lishen was blank.When Gui Zhong was about to retract his arms, his hands were as fast as lightning, and he had already grasped the vital points on his chest.
Chen Jinnan rushed forward and persuaded: "We are all good friends, don't use force."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Everyone is fighting endlessly, it's not the end after all. Let's roll the dice and try our luck. If the old man wins, not only will we not prevent the three from entering the palace, but the younger generation will also discuss the situation in the palace. Let me know the details." Gui Erniang said: "What if you win?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Then let's put this matter aside for a while. After Wu Sangui dies, we will attack the emperor." Gui Erniang thought to herself: "If one of my own people starts to do it first, most of the Mu family will report to the Tartars. This matter will be difficult in the end, so it's better to listen to him." She asked her husband, "Second Lord, what do you think? Gui Xinshu said to Wei Xiaobao: "You can't rely on losing." Wei Xiaobao laughed and said: "A man, if you say a word, it's hard to chase. The little Tartar Emperor is not my father, why should I protect him? It's just that if you win, you will be a hero, and if you lose, you will be a bachelor. No matter who wins Whoever loses will not hurt the peace." Chen Jinnan felt that his last sentence was quite reasonable, and said: "This matter involves a lot. It is hard to predict whether it will be a disaster or a blessing for my restoration. The ancients used divination and doubts. Let's roll a dice, which is also the general meaning. Everyone Don't argue, just act according to God's will." Gui Erniang said: "Baby, let go." Gui Zhong said: "I won't let you go." Gui Erniang said: "This little brother wants to play dice with you." Gui Zhong was overjoyed and let go immediately , Let go of the acupuncture points on Wu Lishen's chest.Wu Lishen's chest was sore and unbearable, and he couldn't breathe freely, so he couldn't help shaking his head. Wei Xiaobao said: "Young Master Gui, please take out the dice and use yours." Gui Zhong said: "Dice? I don't have one, do you have one?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I don't either, which one has dice on him " Everyone shook their heads slowly, thinking: "It's not a bad gambler, how can anyone carry dice with them?" Gui Erniang said: "There are no dice, let's guess the copper coins." Wei Xiaobao said: "Or Rolling the dice is fair. The real thing is the real thing, and the old man is not deceitful. I am a child, and the second master is an old man, so it is necessary to roll the dice. There is always someone among the soldiers. I will ask." He pulled the latch and opened the door to go out of the hall. He went out of the east hall and walked into the hall, and took out six dice from the bag. This is the magic weapon he carried with him, but if he took it out of his arms on the spot, Gui and his wife would be suspicious, so they sat in the hall for a while , returned to the East Hall, smiled and said: "The dice has been found." Gui Erniang said: "How to win or lose?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I don't know anything about throwing dice. Young Master Gui, how do you say how to bet?" Gui Zhong picked up two dice and said, "I'll tell you Match the head." When the finger flicked, there were two chi chis, two dice flew up, and the two candles were extinguished, followed by two pops, the two dice embedded into the board wall.All the heroes praised: "Good work!" Wei Xiaobao said: "I've seen people throw dice, it's the size of the pip, not the skill of hidden weapons." Gui Erniang said: "Yes! You two each throw one, whoever rolls the bigger pip wins "Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Only toss one, maybe he is really lucky, and he tossed thirty-six all at once." He said: "Well, let's each toss three, three wins and two wins." Gui Zhong The more times you toss, the happier you are, and said: "Let's each toss three hundred times, and whoever wins two hundred times will be considered the winner." Gui Erniang said: "If there is such a trouble, three toss each is enough." .” Xu Tianchuan dug out the two dice embedded in the board wall and put them on the table.Wei Xiaobao said: "Young Master Gui, you roll first." Gui Zhong picked up the dice, and was about to throw it down with a smile, Gui Erniang said: "Wait a minute!" Turning around, he asked Liu Dahong and Mu Jiansheng: "This betting match is like ours. If you win, does the Mu Palace count?" Liu Dahong and Gui Xinshu met palms just now, his chest was full of energy and blood, he was still not calm at this moment, thinking that the other party said he only used 50% of his strength, this person is a hero of the predecessors, he is not lying, he really wants to go to the palace to assassinate, How can the Mu Palace alone stop him?Then nodded.Mu Jiansheng said: "It's God's will, it all depends on the two of you rolling dice." Gui Erniang said: "Okay!" Xiang Guizhong said: "Throw it! The bigger the idea, the better." Gui Zhong looked at the six dice carefully, and said: "The most is six, the least is two, and there is a big hole." Gui Erniang said: "The big hole is one point." Gui Zhong said: "Strange, four dots are red." With a wave of his right palm, there was a sound of clapping, and six dice were embedded in the table, and there were six dots on the top.It turned out that he had placed the dice in his palm, and all six dice were one-point down, and after this throw, naturally all six points were upward. Everyone was surprised and amused at the same time.This consumptive ghost seems to be very weak, but his inner strength is so deep, but how can there be such a way of throwing dice in the world? Gui Erniang said: "Baby, it's not like this." She stretched out her palm and slapped the table, all six dice jumped up.The crowd cheered in unison.Gui Erniang picked up the dice, rolled it casually, and said: "When the dice is rolled, it will be what time. You can't do it yourself." Gui Zhong said: "So that's how it is." Following his mother's example, he picked up the dice and lightly threw it on the table, the dice rolled, and when it was settled, it was twenty o'clock.The odds of winning are slightly higher when six dice are rolled for twenty. Wei Xiaobao picked up the dice, flipped it a few times with his little finger, secretly tricked him, and shouted: "Take it all!" He threw it out, five dice rolled out seventeen points, and the last one kept rolling, cheating according to him This method, the dice must be rolled to six points, twenty-three points, and the first one is won.Unexpectedly, the dice was about to roll over and suddenly fell into a small hole on the table, which was exactly what Gui Zhong had thrown with the dice just now.The dice trembled slightly and couldn't roll anymore, but it was one point in the sky, and at eighteen points, I lost. Wei Xiaobao said: "There are holes on the table, it doesn't count." Picking up the dice, he wanted to roll it again.Chen Jinnan shook his head and said: "It's God's will, I lost the first one." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "There are two more, I must win you." He handed the dice to Gui Zhong. Gui Zhong won the first hand, very proud, with a light toss, but only nine points.Everyone in the Mu family couldn't help cheering when they saw that they were doomed.Wei Xiaobao walked to the other corner of the square table, far away from the six small holes on the table, and threw four sixes, two fives, thirty-fours, any two dice also won.Victory without surprise or danger. Each side wins one game, and the third game will determine the final winner.As soon as Gui Zhong was thrown, the six dice were rolled for a long time, and thirty one was rolled, the chance of winning was very high.Everyone in the Mu family had a worried look on their faces, and they really needed a lot of luck to win the 31 points. But Wei Xiaobao was not worried, he thought to himself: "I'll follow the method just now, and just throw thirty-four and win you." The little finger moved secretly in the palm, fixed the position of the dice, and rolled it out gently. But I saw six dice rolling on the table one by one, six, five, five, six, and the four rolled are all big ones, and there are already twenty-two.The fifth grain turned another 6 o'clock and came out, a total of 28 o'clock.The last dice kept rolling.If it is three points, the game is a draw, and one has to toss again. One or two points is a loser, and four, five, or six points is a win.The odds of winning are 60%. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Even if it's a tie at three points, you may not have such good luck if you roll it again." The dice kept spinning, and seeing that it was about to settle at six, he shouted: "Okay!" Suddenly the dice turned over and turned around again. He was taken aback, and shouted: "There is a ghost!" Glancing at him, he saw Gui Xinshu blowing slightly on the dice, and at this moment, the dice stopped spinning, the big concave hole turned upside down, it was a point.Everyone shouted in unison. Wei Xiaobao was surprised and annoyed at the same time, he had seen countless people who cheated in throwing dice, but this was the first time he met someone who played dice by blowing air, and he had never heard of it before.This old man's internal energy is extremely high, he gathers energy to form a line, not only he blows the dice from six to one, even if the return clock throws it to thirty one just now, it is not all due to luck, it is his father who blows air to help.He blushed, and said loudly: "Old man Gui, you...you...hoo, hoo, hoo!" He pursed his lips and blew air. Gui Xinshu said: "29 o'clock, you lose!" He reached out to pick up the sixth dice.With a pinch between the thumb and middle finger, the dice shattered, a little mercury flowed out, scattered on the table, and immediately turned into thousands of fine beads, rolling around. Gui Zhong clapped his hands and said, "It's fun, it's fun! What is this thing? It's like water, and it's like silver." Wei Xiaobao saw that he had dismantled the disadvantages of filling the dice with mercury, so he could no longer argue with him about blowing air. He pretended to be surprised and said, "It turns out that there is mercury in the dice. Old man, you have taught the younger generation to be good. The dice are It is made of ox bones. I only know that mercury is produced from ox bones. In the past, it was made of silver mixed with water. The ox can plow the fields and make mercury, which is amazing, amazing!" Gui Erniang ignored his nonsense and said, "Everyone have nothing more to say? Brother Wei, please tell me the situation in the palace in detail." Wei Xiaobao looked at his master.Chen Jinnan nodded and said: "It's God's will, tell the two seniors honestly." He knew that this apprentice was very cunning, so he added the word "honestly". Wei Xiaobao had a second thought, and he had an idea, and said: "Since you lost, you can't afford to bet on the debt. It's nothing for a man to steal and cheat, but you have to pay back the bet. There are too many rooms in the palace, and it's impossible to say that." I don’t understand. I’m going to draw a picture. Brother Xu and Brother Qian, please accompany the guests, and I’ll go draw a picture.” He bowed his hands to everyone, turned around and left the hall, and walked into the study. This Earl's Mansion was a gift from Prince Kang, the study room is full of books, and there are several pens and inkstones on the table. Wei Xiaobao is afraid that gambling will ruin his luck, and the word "shou" has the same pronunciation. This "losing room" usually does not step in even half a step. of.At this time, I came to sit down in front of the case and drank: "Mo Mo!" Someone had already come up to wait on him. The earl never writes with a pen, and the relative was filled with admiration and admiration in his heart. Immediately, he cheered up and poured water into the ancient purple stone inkstone of Panlong that Wang Xizhi used back then, and took an ingot of Chu Suiliang's leftover pine smoke ink from the Tang Dynasty. With his wrists in place, his fingers held, his breath held, he rubbed an inkstone with thick ink, and then took out a Huzhou silver inlaid mottled bamboo best-quality Yanghao brush made by Zhao Mengfu from the pen holder, and spread out a piece of gold-flowered jade paper made by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty. He lit a furnace of borneol musk that Mrs. Wei burned when she was writing, and waited for the earl to wave a pen.This shelf will be displayed, there are different teachings: Wei Xiaobao's palm formed the shape of a tiger's claw, and using his grasping power, he grabbed the pen holder and dipped it in the ink. Suddenly, there was a light slap, and a large drop of ink fell from the pen tip and landed on the paper. Defiled a piece of Jinhuayuban paper. The relative thought to himself: "It turns out that the Earl is not writing, but learning to paint with Liang Kai's splashed ink." He saw that he drew a straight line on the left side of the ink dot, and drew a curved tree trunk, and then tapped lightly on the left side of the trunk. It is not only like Li Sixun's ax chopping in the Northern School, but also like Mojie's Mojie in the Southern School. This entourage often waits in the study room, and he still has a few taels of ink in his stomach. While he was admiring, he suddenly heard the earl say: "Is my 'little' character well written?" The entourage was startled. Only then did I realize that the Earl had written a "small" character, and he quickly praised it, saying: "My lord's calligraphy, the strokes are from right to left, unique and unique, a genius like heaven." Wei Xiaobao said: "Go tell Admiral Zhang to come in." The entourage agreed to go out, thinking: "I don't know what the next word will be written by the Earl." But he guessed ten thousand times, but he still couldn't guess it right. It turned out that Wei Xiaobao drew a circle under the word "small".Under the circle, draw a horizontal line that looks like hardwood and a pole, and draw an earthworm to pass through the pole.This earthworm wears a pole, which is a word for "zi".The string of three characters is Kangxi's name "Xiaoxuanzi". I can't write the word "Xuan", so draw a circle instead. Thinking back then when he was a monk in Qingliang Temple, Kangxi had drawn pictures to preach the decree, Wei Xiaobao admired morality, respectfully followed the holy practice, today the situation is urgent, so he drew pictures and played them.After writing Xiaoxuanzi's name, draw another sword, and the tip of the sword pierces the circle.This knife is not like a knife, and the sword is not like a sword, but he is sweating from the painting. Just after finishing the painting, Zhang Yong has arrived. Wei Xiaobao folded the golden flower and jade paper, put it in an envelope, sealed it tightly, handed it to Zhang Yong, and said in a low voice: "Admiral Zhang, this important memorial, you send it to the palace immediately to present to the emperor. You just need to say yes The guards and eunuchs will inform you of my secret report immediately." Zhang Yong agreed, took it with both hands, and was about to put it into his arms, when two soldiers outside the study shouted and asked in unison: "Who is it?" The couple and Gui Zhong. Seeing the memorial in Zhang Yong's hand, Gui Erniang snatched it between her hands, and asked Wei Xiaobao sharply, "Are you going to inform the emperor of the Tartars?" Erniang tore open the envelope, pulled out the paper, saw the strange pattern on the paper, said in amazement: "Look!" handed it to Gui Xinshu, and asked Wei Xiaobao, "What is this?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I told him to go to the kitchen and make... make... make that glutinous rice dumpling, treat the guests to eat, ask for small dumpling or big dumpling, and engrave flowers on the dumpling. He...he couldn't figure it out, so I drew it for him. Let him see." Both Gui Xinshu and Gui Erniang nodded their heads, their expressions calmed down, the drawing on the paper was indeed carved on the small dumpling with a knife, and it was definitely not telling the emperor. Wei Xiaobao waved to Zhang Yong and said: "Go, go!" Zhang Yong turned and left the room.Wei Xiaobao said: "We need to prepare a lot, send more people, and do it quickly! Everyone has to eat right away, this is a matter of life and death, and there should be no delay." Zhang Yong agreed again at the door. Gui Erniang said: "Don't worry about the snacks. Brother Wei, where is the map of the palace you drew?" Wei Xiaobao took a piece of jade paper, spread it on the table, handed the brush to Gui Erniang, and said, "I It's not good to paint and paint, let me tell you, please come and paint." Gui Erniang took the brush, sat down, and said: "Okay, you go ahead." Wei Xiaobao thought that there was no need to hide this, so he started from Meridian Gate and went north to Jinshui Bridge.Turn to the west, pass Hongyi Pavilion, pass through the three halls of Taihe, Zhonghe, and Baohe, pass through Longzong Gate to the Imperial Dining Room, which is the place where Wei Xiaobao was born; from here to the east, pass through Qianqing Gate to Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Hall, Kunning Palace, Imperial Garden, Qin'an Hall; from the Imperial Dining Room to the north are Nanku, Yangxin Hall, Yongshou Palace, Yikun Palace, Tihe Hall, Chuxiu Palace, Lijingxuan, Shufangzhai , Chonghua Palace.From here to the south are Xianfu Palace, Changchun Palace, Tiyuan Hall, and Taiji Hall; to the west are Yuhua Pavilion, Baohua Hall, Shouan Palace, and Yinghua Hall; Ning Palace, Ci Ning Garden, Wuying Hall; exit Wuying Gate, cross the bridge to the east, pass Xihe Gate, and return to Meridian Gate, which is the western half of the Forbidden City. 归氏夫妇听他说了半天，还只皇宫的西半部，宫殿阁楼已记不胜记，不由得倒抽了一口凉气。归二娘挨次将宫殿和门户的名称记下。韦小宝又把东半部各处宫殿门户说了，亏得他记心甚好，平日在皇宫到处游玩，极是熟悉。归二娘写了良久，才将皇宫内九堂四十八处的方位写完。她搁下笔嘘了口气，微笑道：“难为韦兄弟记得这般明白，可多谢你了。”她听韦小宝将每处宫殿门户的名称方位说来，如数家珍，绝无窒滞，料想是实，他要捏造杜撰，也没这等本事。 韦小宝笑道：“这是归少爷掷骰子赢了的采头，你们不用谢我。”又道：“皇帝的御前侍卫，平时大都在东华门旁的銮舆卫一带侍候，不过眼下跟吴三桂打仗，鞑子皇帝一定严加戒备，想来禁城四十八处之中，到处有侍卫守御了。”心想：“我先安上一句，免得小玄子接到我密奏后加派卫士，这三只乌龟疑心我通风报信。”归二娘道：“这个自然。”韦小宝道：“宫里侍卫虽多，也没什么大高手，就一味人多。满洲人射箭的本事倒是很厉害的。不过三位当然也不放在心上。”归二娘道：“多承指教。咱们就此别过。” 韦小宝道：“三位吃了团子去，才有力气办事。”走到门边，大声道：“来人哪，送点心来。”门外侍仆高声答应。归二娘道：“不用了。”携着儿子的手，和归辛树并肩出了书房。夫妇二人均想：“你在这刻花团子之中，多半又做了什么手脚。团子又何必刻花？上了一次当，可不能上第二次。”他三人在韦小宝府中，自始至终，连清茶也没喝上半口。 韦小宝送到门口，拱手而别，说道：“晚辈眼望捷报至，耳听好消息。” 归辛树伸手在大门口的石狮子头上一掌，登时石屑纷飞，嘿嘿冷笑，扬长而去。 韦小宝呆了半晌，心想：“这一掌倘若打在老子头上，滋味可大大的差劲。他是向我警告，不可坏他们大事，否则就是这么一掌。”伸手也是在狮子头上一掌，“啊”的一声，跳了起来，手掌心好不疼痛。石狮头顶本来甚是光滑，但给归辛树适才一掌拍崩了不少石片，已变得尖角嶙嶙。韦小宝提起手来，在灯笼下一看，幸好没刺出血。
他回到东厅，只见陈近南等正在饮酒。他告知师父，已将紫禁城中详情说与归氏夫妇知道，刚才送了三人出去。陈近南点了点头，叹道：“归氏夫妇就算能刺杀鞑子皇帝，只怕也回不来了。”群雄默默饮酒，各想心事，偶尔有人说上一两句，也没旁人接口。 过了大半个时辰，门外有人说道：“启禀爵爷，张提督有事求见。”韦小宝心中一喜，说道：“深更半夜的，有什么要紧事了。你就说我已经睡了，有事明天再说。”那人应道：“是。”陈近南低声道：“或许是皇宫里有消息，你去问问。”韦小宝答应了，来到大厅，只见赵良栋、王进宝、孙思克三人站在大厅上，神色间甚是惊惶，却不见张勇。 韦小宝一怔，低声问道：“张提督呢？”王进贤道：“启禀大人，张提督出了事，晕倒在府门外，已抬在那边厢房里。”韦小宝大吃一惊，问道：“怎……怎么晕倒了？”抢进厢房，只见张勇双目紧闭，脸色惨白，胸口起伏不已。韦小宝叫道：“张提督，你怎么了？”张勇缓缓睁眼，道：“卑……卑……”双眼一翻，又晕了过去。韦小宝忙伸手到他怀中，摸了自己那道奏章出来，抽出纸笺，果是自己“落笔如云烟”的书画双绝，不由得暗暗叫苦。 孙思克道：“刚才巡夜的兵丁前来禀报，府门外数百步的路边，有名军官晕倒在地，有人过去一瞧，认出是张提督，这才抬回来。张提督后脑撞出的血都已结了冰，看来晕倒已有不少时候。” 韦小宝寻思：“他晕倒已久，奏章又未送出，定是一出府门便遭了毒手，难道这三只乌龟派人在府门外埋伏，怕我遣人向皇帝告密，因此向张提督下手？”心下焦急万分。 这时张勇又悠悠醒转。王进宝忙提过酒壶，让他喝了几口烧酒，孙思克和赵良栋分别用烧酒在他两只手掌上摩擦。张勇精神稍振，说道：“卑职该死，走出府门……还没……几百步，突然间胸口……胸口痛如刀割，再……再挨得几步，眼前登时黑了，没……没能办大人交代的事，卑职立刻……立刻便去……”说着支撑着便要起身。 韦小宝忙道：“张大哥请躺着休息。这件事请他们三位去办也是一样。”将奏章交给王进宝，命他和赵良栋、孙思克三人带同侍卫，赶去皇宫呈递，心下焦急：“归家三人已去了大半个时辰，只怕小玄子已性命不保，咱们只好死马当活马医。”王进宝等三人奉命而去。 张勇道：“大人书房里那老头……那老头的武功好不厉害，我走出书房之时，他在我背上……背上……咳咳……轻轻推了一把，当时也不觉得怎样，那知道已受内伤，一出府门，立刻……立刻发作……误了大人的大事……” 韦小宝这才恍然，原来归辛树虽见这道奏章并非告密，还是起了疑心，暗使重手，叫张勇办不了事，见他神色惭愧，忙道：“张大哥，你安心静养，这半点也怪不得你。他妈的，这老乌龟向你暗算，咱们不能算完。”又安慰了几句，吩咐亲随快煎参汤，唤医生来诊治。 他回到东厅，说道：“不是宫里的消息。张提督给归二爷打得重伤，只怕性命难保。”众人都是一惊，忙问：“怎么打伤了张提督？”韦小宝摇头道：“张提督在府外巡查，见到他们三人出府，上前查问，归二爷就是一掌。”众人点头，均想：“一个寻常武官，怎挨得起神拳无敌的一根小指头儿？” 韦小宝好生后悔：“倘若早知张提督遭了毒手，奏章不能先送到小玄子手里，那么宫内的情形，就决不能说得这等清楚，该当东南西北来个大抖乱才是。老子给他移山倒海，将皇极殿搬到寿安宫，重华宫搬去文华殿，让三只乌龟在皇宫里团团乱转，爬个晕头转向。” 众人枯坐等候，耳听得的笃的笃镗镗镗镗，厅外打了四更。又过一会，远处胡同中忽然群犬大吠，众人手按刀柄，站起身来，侧耳倾听，群犬吠了一会，又渐渐静了下来。 过得良久，一片寂静之中，隐隐听得鸡鸣，接着鸡啼声四下里响起，窗格子上隐隐现出白色。韦小宝道：“天亮啦，我去宫里打听打听。”陈近南道：“归家夫妇父子倘若不幸失手，你务须想法子搭救。吴六奇大哥的事出于误会，须怪他们不得。要知道大义为重，私交为轻。他们对我们的侮慢，也不能放在心上。” 韦小宝道：“师父吩咐，弟子理会得。只不过……只不过他们倘若已杀了小皇帝，弟子就算拚了小命，也救他们不出了。”想到小皇帝这当儿多半被归家三人刺死，不禁心中一阵难过，登时掉下泪来，哽咽道：“只可惜吴大哥……”乘机便哭出声来。 沐剑声道：“归氏夫妇此去不论成败，今日北京城中，定有大乱，兄弟在外面有不少朋友，须得赶着出去安排，要大家分散了躲避，待过了这风头再说。”陈近南道：“正是。敝会兄弟散在城内各处的也很不少，大家分头去通知，所有相识的江湖上朋友，人人都得小心些，可别遭了祸殃。今晚酉正初刻，咱们仍在此处聚会，商议今后行止。”众人都答应了。当下先派四名天地会兄弟出去察看，待得回报附近并无异状，这才陆续离府。 韦小宝将要出门，恰好孙思克回来，禀称奏章已递交宫门侍卫，那侍卫的统带一听说是副总管韦大人的密奏，接了过来，立即飞奔进去呈递。他三人在宫门外等候，直到五鼓，那统带还是没出来。现下王进宝、赵良栋二人仍在宫门外候讯，因怕韦大人挂念，他先回来禀告。韦小宝道：“好，你照料着张提督。”忧心忡忡，命亲兵押了假太后毛东珠，坐在一乘小轿之中，进宫见驾。
来到宫门，只见四下里悄无声息，十多名宫门侍卫上前请安，都笑嘻嘻的道：“副总管辛苦了，这扬州地方，可好玩得紧哪。”韦小宝心中略宽，寻思：“宫里若是出了大乱子，他们定没心情来跟我说扬州什么的。”微笑着点了点头，问道：“这些日子，大伙儿都没事罢？”一名侍卫道：“托副总管的福，上下平安，只是吴三桂老小子造反，可把皇上忙得很了，三更半夜也常常传了大臣进宫议事。”韦小宝心中又是一宽。 另一名侍卫笑道：“总管大人一回京，帮着皇上处理大事，皇上就可清闲些了。”韦小宝笑道：“你们不用拍马屁。我从扬州带回来的东西，好兄弟们个个有份，谁也短不了。”众侍卫大喜，一齐请安道谢。 韦小宝指着小轿道：“那是太后和皇上吩咐要捉拿的钦犯，你们瞧一瞧。”随从打开轿帘，让宫门侍卫搜检。众侍卫循例伸手入轿，查过并无凶器等违禁物事，笑道：“副总管大人这次功劳不小，咱们又好讨升官酒喝了。” 韦小宝进得宫来，一问乾清门内班宿卫，得知皇上在养心殿召见大臣议事，从昨儿晚上议到此刻，还未退朝。韦小宝一听大喜，心想：“原来皇上忙了一晚没睡，召见大臣之时，自然四下里戒备得好不严紧。养心殿四下里千百盏灯笼点得明晃晃地，归家那三只乌龟又怎近得了皇上？倘若小玄子早早上床睡了觉，乌灯黑火，只怕昨晚已经糟了糕啦。可见他做皇帝，果然洪福齐天。幸好吴三桂这老小子打仗得胜，皇上才心中着急，连夜议事。” 当下来到养心殿外，静静的站着伺候。他虽得康熙宠幸，但皇帝在和王公大臣商议军国大事，却也不敢擅自进去。 等了大半个时辰，内班宿卫开了殿门，只见康亲王杰书、明珠、索额图等一个个出来。众大臣见到韦小宝，都是微笑着拱拱手，谁也不敢说话。太监通报进去，康熙即刻传见。 韦小宝上殿磕头，站起身来，见康熙坐在御座之中，精神焕发。韦小宝一阵喜欢，说道：“皇上，奴才见到你，可……可真高兴得很了。”他担了一晚的心事，眼见康熙无恙，忍不住眼泪夺眶而出。康熙笑问：“好端端的哭什么了？”韦小宝道：“奴才是喜欢得哭了。” 康熙见他真情流露，笑道：“很好，很好！吴三桂这老小子果真反了。他打了几个胜仗，只道我见他怕了，不敢杀他儿子。他妈的，老子昨天已砍了吴应熊的脑袋。” 韦小宝吃了一惊，“啊”的一声，道：“皇上已杀了吴应熊？” 康熙道：“可不是吗？众大臣都劝我不可杀吴应熊，说什么倘若王师不利，还可跟吴三桂讲和，许他不削藩，永镇云南。又说什么一杀了吴应熊，吴三桂心无顾忌，更加凶狠了。呸！这些胆小鬼。” 韦小宝道：“皇上英断。奴才看戏文《群英会》，周瑜和鲁肃对孙权说道，我们做臣子好投降曹操，主公却投降不得。咱们今日也是一般，他们王公大臣好跟吴三桂讲和，皇上却万万不能讲和。” 康熙大喜，在桌上一拍，走下座来，说道：“小桂子，你如早来得一天，将这番道理跟众大臣分说分说，他们便不敢劝我讲和了。哼，他们投降了吴三桂，一样的做尚书将军，又吃什么亏了？”心想韦小宝虽然不学无术，却不似众大臣存了私心，只为自身打算，拉着他手，走到一张大桌之前。桌上放着一张大地图。 康熙指着地图，说道：“我已派人率领精兵，一路由荆州赴常德把守，一路由武昌赴岳州把守，派了顺承郡王勒尔锦做宁南靖寇大将军，统率诸将进剿。刚才我又派了刑部尚书莫洛做经略，驻守西安。吴三桂就算得了云贵四川，攻进湖南，咱们也不怕他。” 韦小宝道：“皇上，你也派奴才一个差使，带兵去干吴三桂这老小子！” 康熙笑了笑，摇头道：“行军打仗的事，可不是闹着玩的。你就在宫里陪着我好了。再说，这次派出去的，都是满洲将官满洲兵，只怕他们不服你调度。”韦小宝道：“是。”心想：“吴三桂要天下汉人起来打鞑子。我是假满洲人，皇上自然信不过我。” 康熙猜到了他心意，说道：“你对我忠心耿耿，我不是信不过你。小桂子，吴三桂的兵马厉害得很，没三年五载，甚至是七年八年，是平不了他的。头上这几年，咱们非打败仗不可。这一场大战，咱们是先苦后甜，先败后胜。你爱打败仗呢，还是打胜仗？”韦小宝道：“自然是爱打胜仗。抛盔甩甲，落荒而逃，味道不好！”康熙笑道：“你对我忠心，我也不能让你吃亏。头上这三年五载的败仗，且让别人去打。直累得吴逆精疲力尽、大局已定的时候，我再派你去打云南，亲手将这老小子抓来。你可知我的讨逆诏书中答允了什么？” 韦小宝大喜，说道：“皇上恩德，真是天高地厚。”康熙笑道：“我布告天下，答允了的，哪一个抓到吴三桂的，吴三桂是什么官，就封他做什么官。小桂子，这可得瞧你的造化了。他妈的，你这副德性，可像不像平西亲王哪？哈哈，哈哈！”侧过头端相他片刻，笑道：“现今是猴儿崽子似的，半点儿也不像，过得六七年，你二十来岁了，那时封个王爷，只怕就有点谱了，哈哈。” 韦小宝笑道：“平西亲王什么的大官，奴才恐怕没这个福份。不过皇上如派我做个大将军，带兵到云南去抓吴三桂，大将军八面威风，奴才手执丈八蛇矛，大喝一声：'吴三桂，来将通名！'可真挺美不过了。谢天谢地，吴三桂别死得太早，奴才要亲手揪他到这里来，跪在这里向皇上磕头。” 康熙笑道：“很好，很好！”随即正色道：“小桂子，咱们头上这几年的仗，那是难打得很的。打败仗不要紧，却要虽败不乱。必须是大将之才，方能虽败不乱，支撑得住。你是福将，可不是勇将、名将，更加不是大将。唉，可惜朝廷里却没什么大将。” 韦小宝道：“皇上自己就是大将了。皇上已认定咱们头几年一来要输的，那么就算败，也一定不会乱。好比赌牌九，皇上做庄，头上赔他七副八副通庄，一点也不在乎。咱们本钱厚，泰山石敢当，沉得住气，输了钱，只当是借给他的。到得后来，咱们和牌对、人牌对、地牌对、天牌对、至尊宝，一副副好牌杀将出去，通吃通杀，只杀得吴三桂这老小子人仰马翻，输得干干净净，两手空空，袋底朝天，翻出牌来，副副都是别十。” 康熙哈哈大笑，心想：“朝廷里没大将，我自己就是大将，这句话倒也不错。'虽败不乱，沉得住气'这八个字，除了我自己，朝廷里没一个将帅大臣做得到。”从御案上取过韦小宝所上的那道密奏，说道：“你说有人要行刺，要我小心提防？” 韦小宝道：“正是。当时局面紧急，奴才又让人给看住了，不能叫师爷来写奏章，只得画这一副图画儿。皇上聪明得紧，一瞧就明白了。那刺客眼睁睁瞧着，就不知道是什么玩意儿。万岁爷洪福齐天，反叛逆贼，枉费心机。”康熙道：“是怎么样的逆贼？”韦小宝道：“是吴三桂派来京城的。”康熙点头道：“吴逆一起兵，我就加了三倍侍卫。昨晚收到你的奏章，又加了内班宿卫。” 韦小宝道：“这次吴逆派来的刺客，武功着实厉害。虽然圣天子有百神呵护，咱们还须加倍小心，免得皇上受了惊吓。”忽然想起一事，说道：“皇上，奴才有一件宝贝背心，穿在身上，刀枪不入。奴才就脱下来，请皇上穿上了。”说着便解长袍扣子。 康熙微微一笑，问道：“是鳌拜家里抄来的，是不是？” 韦小宝吃了一惊，他脸皮虽然甚厚，这时出其不意，竟也难得胀了个满脸通红，跪下说道：“奴才该死，什么也瞒不了皇上。” 康熙笑道：“这件金丝背心，是在前明宫里得到的，当时鳌拜立功很多，又冲锋陷阵，身上刀枪矢石的伤受了不少，因此上摄政王赐了给他。那时候我派你去抄鳌拜的家，抄家清单上可没这件背心。”韦小宝只有嘻嘻而笑，神色尴尬。康熙笑道：“你今日要脱给我穿，足见你挺有忠爱之心。但我身在深宫，侍卫千百，谅来刺客也近不了我的身。这背心是不用了。你在外面给我办事，常常遇到凶险，这件背心，算是我今日赐给你的。这贼名儿从今起可就免了。”韦小宝又跪下谢恩，已出了一身冷汗，心想：“我偷四十二章经的事，皇上可别知道才好。” 康熙道：“小桂子，你对我忠心，我是知道的。可是你做事也得规规矩矩才是。你身上这件背心，日后倘若也叫人抄家抄了出来，给人隐瞒吞没了去，那可不大妙了。”韦小宝道：“是，是。奴才不敢。”额上汗水不由得涔涔而下，又磕了几个头，这才站起。 康熙说道：“扬州的事，以后再回罢。”说着打了个呵欠，一晚不睡，毕竟有些倦了。韦小宝道：“是。托了太后和皇上的福，那个罪大恶极的老婊子，奴才给抓来了。”康熙一听，叫道：“快带进来，快带进来。” 韦小宝出去叫了四名传卫，将毛东珠揪进殿来，跪在康熙面前。 康熙走到她面前，喝道：“抬起头来。”毛东珠略一迟疑，抬起头来，凝视着康熙。 康熙见她脸色惨白，突然之间心中一阵难过：“这女人害死我亲生母亲，害得父皇伤心出家，使我成为无父无母之人。她又幽禁太后数年，折磨于她，世上罪大恶极之人，实无过此了，可是……可是……我幼年失母，一直是她抚育我长大。这些年来，她待我实在颇有恩慈，就如是我亲生母亲一般。深宫之中，真正待我好的，恐怕也只有眼前这个女人，还有这个狡猾胡闹的小桂子。”内心深处，又隐隐觉得：“若不是她害死了董鄂妃和董妃之子荣亲王，以父皇对董鄂妃宠爱之深，大位一定是传给荣亲王。我非但做不成皇帝，说不定还有性命之忧。如此说来，这女人对我还可说是有功了。”<
Wei Xiaobao said: "Everyone is fighting endlessly, it's not the end after all. Let's roll the dice and try our luck. If the old man wins, not only will we not prevent the three from entering the palace, but the younger generation will also discuss the situation in the palace. Let me know the details." Gui Erniang said: "What if you win?" Wei Xiaobao said: "Then let's put this matter aside for a while. After Wu Sangui dies, we will attack the emperor." Gui Erniang thought to herself: "If one of my own people starts to do it first, most of the Mu family will report to the Tartars. This matter will be difficult in the end, so it's better to listen to him." She asked her husband, "Second Lord, what do you think? Gui Xinshu said to Wei Xiaobao: "You can't rely on losing." Wei Xiaobao laughed and said: "A man, if you say a word, it's hard to chase. The little Tartar Emperor is not my father, why should I protect him? It's just that if you win, you will be a hero, and if you lose, you will be a bachelor. No matter who wins Whoever loses will not hurt the peace." Chen Jinnan felt that his last sentence was quite reasonable, and said: "This matter involves a lot. It is hard to predict whether it will be a disaster or a blessing for my restoration. The ancients used divination and doubts. Let's roll a dice, which is also the general meaning. Everyone Don't argue, just act according to God's will." Gui Erniang said: "Baby, let go." Gui Zhong said: "I won't let you go." Gui Erniang said: "This little brother wants to play dice with you." Gui Zhong was overjoyed and let go immediately , Let go of the acupuncture points on Wu Lishen's chest.Wu Lishen's chest was sore and unbearable, and he couldn't breathe freely, so he couldn't help shaking his head. Wei Xiaobao said: "Young Master Gui, please take out the dice and use yours." Gui Zhong said: "Dice? I don't have one, do you have one?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I don't either, which one has dice on him " Everyone shook their heads slowly, thinking: "It's not a bad gambler, how can anyone carry dice with them?" Gui Erniang said: "There are no dice, let's guess the copper coins." Wei Xiaobao said: "Or Rolling the dice is fair. The real thing is the real thing, and the old man is not deceitful. I am a child, and the second master is an old man, so it is necessary to roll the dice. There is always someone among the soldiers. I will ask." He pulled the latch and opened the door to go out of the hall. He went out of the east hall and walked into the hall, and took out six dice from the bag. This is the magic weapon he carried with him, but if he took it out of his arms on the spot, Gui and his wife would be suspicious, so they sat in the hall for a while , returned to the East Hall, smiled and said: "The dice has been found." Gui Erniang said: "How to win or lose?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I don't know anything about throwing dice. Young Master Gui, how do you say how to bet?" Gui Zhong picked up two dice and said, "I'll tell you Match the head." When the finger flicked, there were two chi chis, two dice flew up, and the two candles were extinguished, followed by two pops, the two dice embedded into the board wall.All the heroes praised: "Good work!" Wei Xiaobao said: "I've seen people throw dice, it's the size of the pip, not the skill of hidden weapons." Gui Erniang said: "Yes! You two each throw one, whoever rolls the bigger pip wins "Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Only toss one, maybe he is really lucky, and he tossed thirty-six all at once." He said: "Well, let's each toss three, three wins and two wins." Gui Zhong The more times you toss, the happier you are, and said: "Let's each toss three hundred times, and whoever wins two hundred times will be considered the winner." Gui Erniang said: "If there is such a trouble, three toss each is enough." .” Xu Tianchuan dug out the two dice embedded in the board wall and put them on the table.Wei Xiaobao said: "Young Master Gui, you roll first." Gui Zhong picked up the dice, and was about to throw it down with a smile, Gui Erniang said: "Wait a minute!" Turning around, he asked Liu Dahong and Mu Jiansheng: "This betting match is like ours. If you win, does the Mu Palace count?" Liu Dahong and Gui Xinshu met palms just now, his chest was full of energy and blood, he was still not calm at this moment, thinking that the other party said he only used 50% of his strength, this person is a hero of the predecessors, he is not lying, he really wants to go to the palace to assassinate, How can the Mu Palace alone stop him?Then nodded.Mu Jiansheng said: "It's God's will, it all depends on the two of you rolling dice." Gui Erniang said: "Okay!" Xiang Guizhong said: "Throw it! The bigger the idea, the better." Gui Zhong looked at the six dice carefully, and said: "The most is six, the least is two, and there is a big hole." Gui Erniang said: "The big hole is one point." Gui Zhong said: "Strange, four dots are red." With a wave of his right palm, there was a sound of clapping, and six dice were embedded in the table, and there were six dots on the top.It turned out that he had placed the dice in his palm, and all six dice were one-point down, and after this throw, naturally all six points were upward. Everyone was surprised and amused at the same time.This consumptive ghost seems to be very weak, but his inner strength is so deep, but how can there be such a way of throwing dice in the world? Gui Erniang said: "Baby, it's not like this." She stretched out her palm and slapped the table, all six dice jumped up.The crowd cheered in unison.Gui Erniang picked up the dice, rolled it casually, and said: "When the dice is rolled, it will be what time. You can't do it yourself." Gui Zhong said: "So that's how it is." Following his mother's example, he picked up the dice and lightly threw it on the table, the dice rolled, and when it was settled, it was twenty o'clock.The odds of winning are slightly higher when six dice are rolled for twenty. Wei Xiaobao picked up the dice, flipped it a few times with his little finger, secretly tricked him, and shouted: "Take it all!" He threw it out, five dice rolled out seventeen points, and the last one kept rolling, cheating according to him This method, the dice must be rolled to six points, twenty-three points, and the first one is won.Unexpectedly, the dice was about to roll over and suddenly fell into a small hole on the table, which was exactly what Gui Zhong had thrown with the dice just now.The dice trembled slightly and couldn't roll anymore, but it was one point in the sky, and at eighteen points, I lost. Wei Xiaobao said: "There are holes on the table, it doesn't count." Picking up the dice, he wanted to roll it again.Chen Jinnan shook his head and said: "It's God's will, I lost the first one." Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "There are two more, I must win you." He handed the dice to Gui Zhong. Gui Zhong won the first hand, very proud, with a light toss, but only nine points.Everyone in the Mu family couldn't help cheering when they saw that they were doomed.Wei Xiaobao walked to the other corner of the square table, far away from the six small holes on the table, and threw four sixes, two fives, thirty-fours, any two dice also won.Victory without surprise or danger. Each side wins one game, and the third game will determine the final winner.As soon as Gui Zhong was thrown, the six dice were rolled for a long time, and thirty one was rolled, the chance of winning was very high.Everyone in the Mu family had a worried look on their faces, and they really needed a lot of luck to win the 31 points. But Wei Xiaobao was not worried, he thought to himself: "I'll follow the method just now, and just throw thirty-four and win you." The little finger moved secretly in the palm, fixed the position of the dice, and rolled it out gently. But I saw six dice rolling on the table one by one, six, five, five, six, and the four rolled are all big ones, and there are already twenty-two.The fifth grain turned another 6 o'clock and came out, a total of 28 o'clock.The last dice kept rolling.If it is three points, the game is a draw, and one has to toss again. One or two points is a loser, and four, five, or six points is a win.The odds of winning are 60%. Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Even if it's a tie at three points, you may not have such good luck if you roll it again." The dice kept spinning, and seeing that it was about to settle at six, he shouted: "Okay!" Suddenly the dice turned over and turned around again. He was taken aback, and shouted: "There is a ghost!" Glancing at him, he saw Gui Xinshu blowing slightly on the dice, and at this moment, the dice stopped spinning, the big concave hole turned upside down, it was a point.Everyone shouted in unison. Wei Xiaobao was surprised and annoyed at the same time, he had seen countless people who cheated in throwing dice, but this was the first time he met someone who played dice by blowing air, and he had never heard of it before.This old man's internal energy is extremely high, he gathers energy to form a line, not only he blows the dice from six to one, even if the return clock throws it to thirty one just now, it is not all due to luck, it is his father who blows air to help.He blushed, and said loudly: "Old man Gui, you...you...hoo, hoo, hoo!" He pursed his lips and blew air. Gui Xinshu said: "29 o'clock, you lose!" He reached out to pick up the sixth dice.With a pinch between the thumb and middle finger, the dice shattered, a little mercury flowed out, scattered on the table, and immediately turned into thousands of fine beads, rolling around. Gui Zhong clapped his hands and said, "It's fun, it's fun! What is this thing? It's like water, and it's like silver." Wei Xiaobao saw that he had dismantled the disadvantages of filling the dice with mercury, so he could no longer argue with him about blowing air. He pretended to be surprised and said, "It turns out that there is mercury in the dice. Old man, you have taught the younger generation to be good. The dice are It is made of ox bones. I only know that mercury is produced from ox bones. In the past, it was made of silver mixed with water. The ox can plow the fields and make mercury, which is amazing, amazing!" Gui Erniang ignored his nonsense and said, "Everyone have nothing more to say? Brother Wei, please tell me the situation in the palace in detail." Wei Xiaobao looked at his master.Chen Jinnan nodded and said: "It's God's will, tell the two seniors honestly." He knew that this apprentice was very cunning, so he added the word "honestly". Wei Xiaobao had a second thought, and he had an idea, and said: "Since you lost, you can't afford to bet on the debt. It's nothing for a man to steal and cheat, but you have to pay back the bet. There are too many rooms in the palace, and it's impossible to say that." I don’t understand. I’m going to draw a picture. Brother Xu and Brother Qian, please accompany the guests, and I’ll go draw a picture.” He bowed his hands to everyone, turned around and left the hall, and walked into the study. This Earl's Mansion was a gift from Prince Kang, the study room is full of books, and there are several pens and inkstones on the table. Wei Xiaobao is afraid that gambling will ruin his luck, and the word "shou" has the same pronunciation. This "losing room" usually does not step in even half a step. of.At this time, I came to sit down in front of the case and drank: "Mo Mo!" Someone had already come up to wait on him. The earl never writes with a pen, and the relative was filled with admiration and admiration in his heart. Immediately, he cheered up and poured water into the ancient purple stone inkstone of Panlong that Wang Xizhi used back then, and took an ingot of Chu Suiliang's leftover pine smoke ink from the Tang Dynasty. With his wrists in place, his fingers held, his breath held, he rubbed an inkstone with thick ink, and then took out a Huzhou silver inlaid mottled bamboo best-quality Yanghao brush made by Zhao Mengfu from the pen holder, and spread out a piece of gold-flowered jade paper made by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty. He lit a furnace of borneol musk that Mrs. Wei burned when she was writing, and waited for the earl to wave a pen.This shelf will be displayed, there are different teachings: Wei Xiaobao's palm formed the shape of a tiger's claw, and using his grasping power, he grabbed the pen holder and dipped it in the ink. Suddenly, there was a light slap, and a large drop of ink fell from the pen tip and landed on the paper. Defiled a piece of Jinhuayuban paper. The relative thought to himself: "It turns out that the Earl is not writing, but learning to paint with Liang Kai's splashed ink." He saw that he drew a straight line on the left side of the ink dot, and drew a curved tree trunk, and then tapped lightly on the left side of the trunk. It is not only like Li Sixun's ax chopping in the Northern School, but also like Mojie's Mojie in the Southern School. This entourage often waits in the study room, and he still has a few taels of ink in his stomach. While he was admiring, he suddenly heard the earl say: "Is my 'little' character well written?" The entourage was startled. Only then did I realize that the Earl had written a "small" character, and he quickly praised it, saying: "My lord's calligraphy, the strokes are from right to left, unique and unique, a genius like heaven." Wei Xiaobao said: "Go tell Admiral Zhang to come in." The entourage agreed to go out, thinking: "I don't know what the next word will be written by the Earl." But he guessed ten thousand times, but he still couldn't guess it right. It turned out that Wei Xiaobao drew a circle under the word "small".Under the circle, draw a horizontal line that looks like hardwood and a pole, and draw an earthworm to pass through the pole.This earthworm wears a pole, which is a word for "zi".The string of three characters is Kangxi's name "Xiaoxuanzi". I can't write the word "Xuan", so draw a circle instead. Thinking back then when he was a monk in Qingliang Temple, Kangxi had drawn pictures to preach the decree, Wei Xiaobao admired morality, respectfully followed the holy practice, today the situation is urgent, so he drew pictures and played them.After writing Xiaoxuanzi's name, draw another sword, and the tip of the sword pierces the circle.This knife is not like a knife, and the sword is not like a sword, but he is sweating from the painting. Just after finishing the painting, Zhang Yong has arrived. Wei Xiaobao folded the golden flower and jade paper, put it in an envelope, sealed it tightly, handed it to Zhang Yong, and said in a low voice: "Admiral Zhang, this important memorial, you send it to the palace immediately to present to the emperor. You just need to say yes The guards and eunuchs will inform you of my secret report immediately." Zhang Yong agreed, took it with both hands, and was about to put it into his arms, when two soldiers outside the study shouted and asked in unison: "Who is it?" The couple and Gui Zhong. Seeing the memorial in Zhang Yong's hand, Gui Erniang snatched it between her hands, and asked Wei Xiaobao sharply, "Are you going to inform the emperor of the Tartars?" Erniang tore open the envelope, pulled out the paper, saw the strange pattern on the paper, said in amazement: "Look!" handed it to Gui Xinshu, and asked Wei Xiaobao, "What is this?" Wei Xiaobao said: "I told him to go to the kitchen and make... make... make that glutinous rice dumpling, treat the guests to eat, ask for small dumpling or big dumpling, and engrave flowers on the dumpling. He...he couldn't figure it out, so I drew it for him. Let him see." Both Gui Xinshu and Gui Erniang nodded their heads, their expressions calmed down, the drawing on the paper was indeed carved on the small dumpling with a knife, and it was definitely not telling the emperor. Wei Xiaobao waved to Zhang Yong and said: "Go, go!" Zhang Yong turned and left the room.Wei Xiaobao said: "We need to prepare a lot, send more people, and do it quickly! Everyone has to eat right away, this is a matter of life and death, and there should be no delay." Zhang Yong agreed again at the door. Gui Erniang said: "Don't worry about the snacks. Brother Wei, where is the map of the palace you drew?" Wei Xiaobao took a piece of jade paper, spread it on the table, handed the brush to Gui Erniang, and said, "I It's not good to paint and paint, let me tell you, please come and paint." Gui Erniang took the brush, sat down, and said: "Okay, you go ahead." Wei Xiaobao thought that there was no need to hide this, so he started from Meridian Gate and went north to Jinshui Bridge.Turn to the west, pass Hongyi Pavilion, pass through the three halls of Taihe, Zhonghe, and Baohe, pass through Longzong Gate to the Imperial Dining Room, which is the place where Wei Xiaobao was born; from here to the east, pass through Qianqing Gate to Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Hall, Kunning Palace, Imperial Garden, Qin'an Hall; from the Imperial Dining Room to the north are Nanku, Yangxin Hall, Yongshou Palace, Yikun Palace, Tihe Hall, Chuxiu Palace, Lijingxuan, Shufangzhai , Chonghua Palace.From here to the south are Xianfu Palace, Changchun Palace, Tiyuan Hall, and Taiji Hall; to the west are Yuhua Pavilion, Baohua Hall, Shouan Palace, and Yinghua Hall; Ning Palace, Ci Ning Garden, Wuying Hall; exit Wuying Gate, cross the bridge to the east, pass Xihe Gate, and return to Meridian Gate, which is the western half of the Forbidden City. 归氏夫妇听他说了半天，还只皇宫的西半部，宫殿阁楼已记不胜记，不由得倒抽了一口凉气。归二娘挨次将宫殿和门户的名称记下。韦小宝又把东半部各处宫殿门户说了，亏得他记心甚好，平日在皇宫到处游玩，极是熟悉。归二娘写了良久，才将皇宫内九堂四十八处的方位写完。她搁下笔嘘了口气，微笑道：“难为韦兄弟记得这般明白，可多谢你了。”她听韦小宝将每处宫殿门户的名称方位说来，如数家珍，绝无窒滞，料想是实，他要捏造杜撰，也没这等本事。 韦小宝笑道：“这是归少爷掷骰子赢了的采头，你们不用谢我。”又道：“皇帝的御前侍卫，平时大都在东华门旁的銮舆卫一带侍候，不过眼下跟吴三桂打仗，鞑子皇帝一定严加戒备，想来禁城四十八处之中，到处有侍卫守御了。”心想：“我先安上一句，免得小玄子接到我密奏后加派卫士，这三只乌龟疑心我通风报信。”归二娘道：“这个自然。”韦小宝道：“宫里侍卫虽多，也没什么大高手，就一味人多。满洲人射箭的本事倒是很厉害的。不过三位当然也不放在心上。”归二娘道：“多承指教。咱们就此别过。” 韦小宝道：“三位吃了团子去，才有力气办事。”走到门边，大声道：“来人哪，送点心来。”门外侍仆高声答应。归二娘道：“不用了。”携着儿子的手，和归辛树并肩出了书房。夫妇二人均想：“你在这刻花团子之中，多半又做了什么手脚。团子又何必刻花？上了一次当，可不能上第二次。”他三人在韦小宝府中，自始至终，连清茶也没喝上半口。 韦小宝送到门口，拱手而别，说道：“晚辈眼望捷报至，耳听好消息。” 归辛树伸手在大门口的石狮子头上一掌，登时石屑纷飞，嘿嘿冷笑，扬长而去。 韦小宝呆了半晌，心想：“这一掌倘若打在老子头上，滋味可大大的差劲。他是向我警告，不可坏他们大事，否则就是这么一掌。”伸手也是在狮子头上一掌，“啊”的一声，跳了起来，手掌心好不疼痛。石狮头顶本来甚是光滑，但给归辛树适才一掌拍崩了不少石片，已变得尖角嶙嶙。韦小宝提起手来，在灯笼下一看，幸好没刺出血。
他回到东厅，只见陈近南等正在饮酒。他告知师父，已将紫禁城中详情说与归氏夫妇知道，刚才送了三人出去。陈近南点了点头，叹道：“归氏夫妇就算能刺杀鞑子皇帝，只怕也回不来了。”群雄默默饮酒，各想心事，偶尔有人说上一两句，也没旁人接口。 过了大半个时辰，门外有人说道：“启禀爵爷，张提督有事求见。”韦小宝心中一喜，说道：“深更半夜的，有什么要紧事了。你就说我已经睡了，有事明天再说。”那人应道：“是。”陈近南低声道：“或许是皇宫里有消息，你去问问。”韦小宝答应了，来到大厅，只见赵良栋、王进宝、孙思克三人站在大厅上，神色间甚是惊惶，却不见张勇。 韦小宝一怔，低声问道：“张提督呢？”王进贤道：“启禀大人，张提督出了事，晕倒在府门外，已抬在那边厢房里。”韦小宝大吃一惊，问道：“怎……怎么晕倒了？”抢进厢房，只见张勇双目紧闭，脸色惨白，胸口起伏不已。韦小宝叫道：“张提督，你怎么了？”张勇缓缓睁眼，道：“卑……卑……”双眼一翻，又晕了过去。韦小宝忙伸手到他怀中，摸了自己那道奏章出来，抽出纸笺，果是自己“落笔如云烟”的书画双绝，不由得暗暗叫苦。 孙思克道：“刚才巡夜的兵丁前来禀报，府门外数百步的路边，有名军官晕倒在地，有人过去一瞧，认出是张提督，这才抬回来。张提督后脑撞出的血都已结了冰，看来晕倒已有不少时候。” 韦小宝寻思：“他晕倒已久，奏章又未送出，定是一出府门便遭了毒手，难道这三只乌龟派人在府门外埋伏，怕我遣人向皇帝告密，因此向张提督下手？”心下焦急万分。 这时张勇又悠悠醒转。王进宝忙提过酒壶，让他喝了几口烧酒，孙思克和赵良栋分别用烧酒在他两只手掌上摩擦。张勇精神稍振，说道：“卑职该死，走出府门……还没……几百步，突然间胸口……胸口痛如刀割，再……再挨得几步，眼前登时黑了，没……没能办大人交代的事，卑职立刻……立刻便去……”说着支撑着便要起身。 韦小宝忙道：“张大哥请躺着休息。这件事请他们三位去办也是一样。”将奏章交给王进宝，命他和赵良栋、孙思克三人带同侍卫，赶去皇宫呈递，心下焦急：“归家三人已去了大半个时辰，只怕小玄子已性命不保，咱们只好死马当活马医。”王进宝等三人奉命而去。 张勇道：“大人书房里那老头……那老头的武功好不厉害，我走出书房之时，他在我背上……背上……咳咳……轻轻推了一把，当时也不觉得怎样，那知道已受内伤，一出府门，立刻……立刻发作……误了大人的大事……” 韦小宝这才恍然，原来归辛树虽见这道奏章并非告密，还是起了疑心，暗使重手，叫张勇办不了事，见他神色惭愧，忙道：“张大哥，你安心静养，这半点也怪不得你。他妈的，这老乌龟向你暗算，咱们不能算完。”又安慰了几句，吩咐亲随快煎参汤，唤医生来诊治。 他回到东厅，说道：“不是宫里的消息。张提督给归二爷打得重伤，只怕性命难保。”众人都是一惊，忙问：“怎么打伤了张提督？”韦小宝摇头道：“张提督在府外巡查，见到他们三人出府，上前查问，归二爷就是一掌。”众人点头，均想：“一个寻常武官，怎挨得起神拳无敌的一根小指头儿？” 韦小宝好生后悔：“倘若早知张提督遭了毒手，奏章不能先送到小玄子手里，那么宫内的情形，就决不能说得这等清楚，该当东南西北来个大抖乱才是。老子给他移山倒海，将皇极殿搬到寿安宫，重华宫搬去文华殿，让三只乌龟在皇宫里团团乱转，爬个晕头转向。” 众人枯坐等候，耳听得的笃的笃镗镗镗镗，厅外打了四更。又过一会，远处胡同中忽然群犬大吠，众人手按刀柄，站起身来，侧耳倾听，群犬吠了一会，又渐渐静了下来。 过得良久，一片寂静之中，隐隐听得鸡鸣，接着鸡啼声四下里响起，窗格子上隐隐现出白色。韦小宝道：“天亮啦，我去宫里打听打听。”陈近南道：“归家夫妇父子倘若不幸失手，你务须想法子搭救。吴六奇大哥的事出于误会，须怪他们不得。要知道大义为重，私交为轻。他们对我们的侮慢，也不能放在心上。” 韦小宝道：“师父吩咐，弟子理会得。只不过……只不过他们倘若已杀了小皇帝，弟子就算拚了小命，也救他们不出了。”想到小皇帝这当儿多半被归家三人刺死，不禁心中一阵难过，登时掉下泪来，哽咽道：“只可惜吴大哥……”乘机便哭出声来。 沐剑声道：“归氏夫妇此去不论成败，今日北京城中，定有大乱，兄弟在外面有不少朋友，须得赶着出去安排，要大家分散了躲避，待过了这风头再说。”陈近南道：“正是。敝会兄弟散在城内各处的也很不少，大家分头去通知，所有相识的江湖上朋友，人人都得小心些，可别遭了祸殃。今晚酉正初刻，咱们仍在此处聚会，商议今后行止。”众人都答应了。当下先派四名天地会兄弟出去察看，待得回报附近并无异状，这才陆续离府。 韦小宝将要出门，恰好孙思克回来，禀称奏章已递交宫门侍卫，那侍卫的统带一听说是副总管韦大人的密奏，接了过来，立即飞奔进去呈递。他三人在宫门外等候，直到五鼓，那统带还是没出来。现下王进宝、赵良栋二人仍在宫门外候讯，因怕韦大人挂念，他先回来禀告。韦小宝道：“好，你照料着张提督。”忧心忡忡，命亲兵押了假太后毛东珠，坐在一乘小轿之中，进宫见驾。
来到宫门，只见四下里悄无声息，十多名宫门侍卫上前请安，都笑嘻嘻的道：“副总管辛苦了，这扬州地方，可好玩得紧哪。”韦小宝心中略宽，寻思：“宫里若是出了大乱子，他们定没心情来跟我说扬州什么的。”微笑着点了点头，问道：“这些日子，大伙儿都没事罢？”一名侍卫道：“托副总管的福，上下平安，只是吴三桂老小子造反，可把皇上忙得很了，三更半夜也常常传了大臣进宫议事。”韦小宝心中又是一宽。 另一名侍卫笑道：“总管大人一回京，帮着皇上处理大事，皇上就可清闲些了。”韦小宝笑道：“你们不用拍马屁。我从扬州带回来的东西，好兄弟们个个有份，谁也短不了。”众侍卫大喜，一齐请安道谢。 韦小宝指着小轿道：“那是太后和皇上吩咐要捉拿的钦犯，你们瞧一瞧。”随从打开轿帘，让宫门侍卫搜检。众侍卫循例伸手入轿，查过并无凶器等违禁物事，笑道：“副总管大人这次功劳不小，咱们又好讨升官酒喝了。” 韦小宝进得宫来，一问乾清门内班宿卫，得知皇上在养心殿召见大臣议事，从昨儿晚上议到此刻，还未退朝。韦小宝一听大喜，心想：“原来皇上忙了一晚没睡，召见大臣之时，自然四下里戒备得好不严紧。养心殿四下里千百盏灯笼点得明晃晃地，归家那三只乌龟又怎近得了皇上？倘若小玄子早早上床睡了觉，乌灯黑火，只怕昨晚已经糟了糕啦。可见他做皇帝，果然洪福齐天。幸好吴三桂这老小子打仗得胜，皇上才心中着急，连夜议事。” 当下来到养心殿外，静静的站着伺候。他虽得康熙宠幸，但皇帝在和王公大臣商议军国大事，却也不敢擅自进去。 等了大半个时辰，内班宿卫开了殿门，只见康亲王杰书、明珠、索额图等一个个出来。众大臣见到韦小宝，都是微笑着拱拱手，谁也不敢说话。太监通报进去，康熙即刻传见。 韦小宝上殿磕头，站起身来，见康熙坐在御座之中，精神焕发。韦小宝一阵喜欢，说道：“皇上，奴才见到你，可……可真高兴得很了。”他担了一晚的心事，眼见康熙无恙，忍不住眼泪夺眶而出。康熙笑问：“好端端的哭什么了？”韦小宝道：“奴才是喜欢得哭了。” 康熙见他真情流露，笑道：“很好，很好！吴三桂这老小子果真反了。他打了几个胜仗，只道我见他怕了，不敢杀他儿子。他妈的，老子昨天已砍了吴应熊的脑袋。” 韦小宝吃了一惊，“啊”的一声，道：“皇上已杀了吴应熊？” 康熙道：“可不是吗？众大臣都劝我不可杀吴应熊，说什么倘若王师不利，还可跟吴三桂讲和，许他不削藩，永镇云南。又说什么一杀了吴应熊，吴三桂心无顾忌，更加凶狠了。呸！这些胆小鬼。” 韦小宝道：“皇上英断。奴才看戏文《群英会》，周瑜和鲁肃对孙权说道，我们做臣子好投降曹操，主公却投降不得。咱们今日也是一般，他们王公大臣好跟吴三桂讲和，皇上却万万不能讲和。” 康熙大喜，在桌上一拍，走下座来，说道：“小桂子，你如早来得一天，将这番道理跟众大臣分说分说，他们便不敢劝我讲和了。哼，他们投降了吴三桂，一样的做尚书将军，又吃什么亏了？”心想韦小宝虽然不学无术，却不似众大臣存了私心，只为自身打算，拉着他手，走到一张大桌之前。桌上放着一张大地图。 康熙指着地图，说道：“我已派人率领精兵，一路由荆州赴常德把守，一路由武昌赴岳州把守，派了顺承郡王勒尔锦做宁南靖寇大将军，统率诸将进剿。刚才我又派了刑部尚书莫洛做经略，驻守西安。吴三桂就算得了云贵四川，攻进湖南，咱们也不怕他。” 韦小宝道：“皇上，你也派奴才一个差使，带兵去干吴三桂这老小子！” 康熙笑了笑，摇头道：“行军打仗的事，可不是闹着玩的。你就在宫里陪着我好了。再说，这次派出去的，都是满洲将官满洲兵，只怕他们不服你调度。”韦小宝道：“是。”心想：“吴三桂要天下汉人起来打鞑子。我是假满洲人，皇上自然信不过我。” 康熙猜到了他心意，说道：“你对我忠心耿耿，我不是信不过你。小桂子，吴三桂的兵马厉害得很，没三年五载，甚至是七年八年，是平不了他的。头上这几年，咱们非打败仗不可。这一场大战，咱们是先苦后甜，先败后胜。你爱打败仗呢，还是打胜仗？”韦小宝道：“自然是爱打胜仗。抛盔甩甲，落荒而逃，味道不好！”康熙笑道：“你对我忠心，我也不能让你吃亏。头上这三年五载的败仗，且让别人去打。直累得吴逆精疲力尽、大局已定的时候，我再派你去打云南，亲手将这老小子抓来。你可知我的讨逆诏书中答允了什么？” 韦小宝大喜，说道：“皇上恩德，真是天高地厚。”康熙笑道：“我布告天下，答允了的，哪一个抓到吴三桂的，吴三桂是什么官，就封他做什么官。小桂子，这可得瞧你的造化了。他妈的，你这副德性，可像不像平西亲王哪？哈哈，哈哈！”侧过头端相他片刻，笑道：“现今是猴儿崽子似的，半点儿也不像，过得六七年，你二十来岁了，那时封个王爷，只怕就有点谱了，哈哈。” 韦小宝笑道：“平西亲王什么的大官，奴才恐怕没这个福份。不过皇上如派我做个大将军，带兵到云南去抓吴三桂，大将军八面威风，奴才手执丈八蛇矛，大喝一声：'吴三桂，来将通名！'可真挺美不过了。谢天谢地，吴三桂别死得太早，奴才要亲手揪他到这里来，跪在这里向皇上磕头。” 康熙笑道：“很好，很好！”随即正色道：“小桂子，咱们头上这几年的仗，那是难打得很的。打败仗不要紧，却要虽败不乱。必须是大将之才，方能虽败不乱，支撑得住。你是福将，可不是勇将、名将，更加不是大将。唉，可惜朝廷里却没什么大将。” 韦小宝道：“皇上自己就是大将了。皇上已认定咱们头几年一来要输的，那么就算败，也一定不会乱。好比赌牌九，皇上做庄，头上赔他七副八副通庄，一点也不在乎。咱们本钱厚，泰山石敢当，沉得住气，输了钱，只当是借给他的。到得后来，咱们和牌对、人牌对、地牌对、天牌对、至尊宝，一副副好牌杀将出去，通吃通杀，只杀得吴三桂这老小子人仰马翻，输得干干净净，两手空空，袋底朝天，翻出牌来，副副都是别十。” 康熙哈哈大笑，心想：“朝廷里没大将，我自己就是大将，这句话倒也不错。'虽败不乱，沉得住气'这八个字，除了我自己，朝廷里没一个将帅大臣做得到。”从御案上取过韦小宝所上的那道密奏，说道：“你说有人要行刺，要我小心提防？” 韦小宝道：“正是。当时局面紧急，奴才又让人给看住了，不能叫师爷来写奏章，只得画这一副图画儿。皇上聪明得紧，一瞧就明白了。那刺客眼睁睁瞧着，就不知道是什么玩意儿。万岁爷洪福齐天，反叛逆贼，枉费心机。”康熙道：“是怎么样的逆贼？”韦小宝道：“是吴三桂派来京城的。”康熙点头道：“吴逆一起兵，我就加了三倍侍卫。昨晚收到你的奏章，又加了内班宿卫。” 韦小宝道：“这次吴逆派来的刺客，武功着实厉害。虽然圣天子有百神呵护，咱们还须加倍小心，免得皇上受了惊吓。”忽然想起一事，说道：“皇上，奴才有一件宝贝背心，穿在身上，刀枪不入。奴才就脱下来，请皇上穿上了。”说着便解长袍扣子。 康熙微微一笑，问道：“是鳌拜家里抄来的，是不是？” 韦小宝吃了一惊，他脸皮虽然甚厚，这时出其不意，竟也难得胀了个满脸通红，跪下说道：“奴才该死，什么也瞒不了皇上。” 康熙笑道：“这件金丝背心，是在前明宫里得到的，当时鳌拜立功很多，又冲锋陷阵，身上刀枪矢石的伤受了不少，因此上摄政王赐了给他。那时候我派你去抄鳌拜的家，抄家清单上可没这件背心。”韦小宝只有嘻嘻而笑，神色尴尬。康熙笑道：“你今日要脱给我穿，足见你挺有忠爱之心。但我身在深宫，侍卫千百，谅来刺客也近不了我的身。这背心是不用了。你在外面给我办事，常常遇到凶险，这件背心，算是我今日赐给你的。这贼名儿从今起可就免了。”韦小宝又跪下谢恩，已出了一身冷汗，心想：“我偷四十二章经的事，皇上可别知道才好。” 康熙道：“小桂子，你对我忠心，我是知道的。可是你做事也得规规矩矩才是。你身上这件背心，日后倘若也叫人抄家抄了出来，给人隐瞒吞没了去，那可不大妙了。”韦小宝道：“是，是。奴才不敢。”额上汗水不由得涔涔而下，又磕了几个头，这才站起。 康熙说道：“扬州的事，以后再回罢。”说着打了个呵欠，一晚不睡，毕竟有些倦了。韦小宝道：“是。托了太后和皇上的福，那个罪大恶极的老婊子，奴才给抓来了。”康熙一听，叫道：“快带进来，快带进来。” 韦小宝出去叫了四名传卫，将毛东珠揪进殿来，跪在康熙面前。 康熙走到她面前，喝道：“抬起头来。”毛东珠略一迟疑，抬起头来，凝视着康熙。 康熙见她脸色惨白，突然之间心中一阵难过：“这女人害死我亲生母亲，害得父皇伤心出家，使我成为无父无母之人。她又幽禁太后数年，折磨于她，世上罪大恶极之人，实无过此了，可是……可是……我幼年失母，一直是她抚育我长大。这些年来，她待我实在颇有恩慈，就如是我亲生母亲一般。深宫之中，真正待我好的，恐怕也只有眼前这个女人，还有这个狡猾胡闹的小桂子。”内心深处，又隐隐觉得：“若不是她害死了董鄂妃和董妃之子荣亲王，以父皇对董鄂妃宠爱之深，大位一定是传给荣亲王。我非但做不成皇帝，说不定还有性命之忧。如此说来，这女人对我还可说是有功了。”<