Chapter 22 resolve disputes

The Hu family had twelve boats of their own, the two best official boats were one big and one small. Gu Yingchun and his party consisted of only four people. They took the smaller one and were towed by a small steamer. Nanxun. This town, located on the south bank of Taihu Lake, gathers the essence of the wealth and wealth in the southeast. It is not well-known, but Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province and Foshan Town in Guangdong Province are well-known because it produces the best "Qilisi" in China.Gu Yingchun is no stranger to Nanxun. He came here once with Hu Xueyan, and twice by himself. This time, he came again within a year. However, last year was the late autumn of the red leaves and black tallow trees, and this year is the late spring when the grass grows and the warblers fly. .

The boat was parked at the tip of Xishi, and stepped onto Shibutou, a "fiber road" paved with bluestone slabs, but there was a very wide dead alley. When I went to the end, I saw two black oiled copper rings on the left, which is very impressive. On the lintel of the gate, there is a plaque inlaid with water-polished bricks and four characters in seal script: "Lianchi Jingshe". "This is it." Gu Yingchun said to his companion Lei Guiqing, "If I come alone, I will live here every time." As he said, he found a buckle on the door, pulled it twice, only to hear the ringing bell inside the door, and soon the door opened, and the woman who answered the door was a woman in her twenties, wearing a light green bamboo cloth monk robe, but with long hair. Long hair below the shoulders.

Lei Guiqing heard Gu Yingchun talk about the "Lianchi Jingshe" house when he was on the boat. "For the younger ones, when the old master came to the world, he couldn't go to the church to ask for it, and felt restrained at home, so the young master often spent money to build a nunnery and set up a hundred acres of fertile land for her to worship the Buddha for a long time and practice with her hair.Only the "abbot" of this Lotus Pond Abode was originally a famous prostitute in Suzhou, who had married two benefactors who had been married. After leaving this lotus pond abode, he worshiped Master Lianchi's "Pure Land Sect" and repented of his past karma.

The abbot, named Wuxin, was well-known in Shili Shantang for being generous and entertaining when he was at home. When he became a monk, his nature was hard to change. He had male guests who could talk to him. .If she doesn't know what's going on, she has Wang Xifeng's tricks to deal with Jia Rui, making people feel dumb and helpless. Gu Yingchun met once when she was in the world, and the first time she came back to Nanxun, she heard people talk about it, so she made a special visit.Gu Yingchun is elegant and funny, he has a lot of "groceries" in his stomach, he can talk about everything, and he is considerate, he is a welcome guest everywhere among the flowers, and it is the same when he is in the "Fangwai". Xin and him hit it off very well, after visiting Lianchi for the first time, she made a firm promise to stay with her when she came to Nanxun in the future, but this time she had the good intentions of betraying Wuxin.

"Xiaoyu," Gu Yingchun said to the woman who answered the door, "this is Mr. Lei." "Master Lei, please." Xiaoyu asked while closing the door, "Old Master, why didn't you write a letter first?" "I decided to come to Huzhou for a temporary emergency." Gu Yingchun asked, "Where's your master? Why isn't that pug gone?" Wuxin has a pug dog who is considerate and considerate. Every time he hears Gu Yingchun’s voice—even the sound of footsteps, he will shake the golden bell under his neck and stagger to him, wagging his tail and barking. There was no sound at all, so he asked in surprise.

"Master asked Mrs. Huang to invite her." Xiaoyu replied, "I'm probably coming back soon, please sit in Master's meditation room." Wuxin's meditation room is a five-bay open pavilion, with a Buddhist hall in the middle, and two open guest seats at the east end, which are kept spotless.Xiaoyu sat down, and then a girl of twelve or thirteen years old, dressed like Xiaoyu, came to serve tea. "Is it your younger brother?" Gu Yingchun said, "I haven't seen him last year." "He came during the first month of this year." Then he called, "Ah Wen, this old master, this third master Lei."

Awen shyly called someone, and said to Xiaoyu: "Senior brother, the old Buddha said that the master is at Huang's house today, and he will come back after eating fast, and she has to go home to see her grandson." Gu Yingchun knew the situation here, so he understood what she meant. The old Buddha cooks good vegetarian dishes. If she is not in the nunnery that day, there will be nothing for the vegetarians who come back to entertain guests, so she specially reminded Xiaoyu. Therefore, without waiting for Xiaoyu to open his mouth, Gu Yingchun rushed to say: "We don't eat here. There are a lot of boat dishes. It's hot, and it's a pity if I don't eat them. Oh, and this time I can't stay here." With you, I will go back to the boat with Mr. Lei to sleep."

"Master Gu," Xiaoyu replied with a smile, "We'll wait until my master comes back." Gu Yingchun nodded, and asked about the recent situation in the nunnery.After a while, Ah Wen came to serve dim sum. The snacks in the family nunnery always pay attention to the texture, not the form. The jujube paste square cake served out is not very eye-catching, but it is very sweet after the eloquence. This is the first time as a guest, and I plan to taste it Lei Guiqing couldn't help but ate three yuan in a row. I had a full meal and was about to say goodbye.Wu Xin came back lightly, and he was pleasantly surprised when he saw it. When Gu Yingchun introduced Lei Guiqing, he had to be courteous.Lei Guiqing saw that she was thirty-five or sixteen years old, and she was handsome and elegant, but occasionally, when she looked at her, her light was like lightning, and she had a charming magic power, Lei Guiqing couldn't help but shake her heart.

When Wu Xin talked to Gu Yingchun, Lei Guiqing was greatly surprised when he opened his mouth, Wu Xin called him by his first name, "Ying Chun!" she asked, "Didn't you say that he would come in February? Why are you late now?" "So I wanted to visit you before paying homage to Mrs. Hu's birthday. I didn't know that once I arrived in Hangzhou, I couldn't get away." "That's weird." Wu Xin said, "I've heard about the seven days before and after Mrs. Hu's birthday. Today is still in the seven days, why did you get away with it?"

"That's because there is something urgent to do." Gu Yingchun asked, "Is there a person, I don't know if you have heard of it? Zhao Baolu." "You came with me to inquire about him, didn't you ask Yu Blind?" "Hearing what you said, I probably got the right information." Gu Yingchun smiled, "Although you have different ways, you are all celebrities, so you shouldn't be ignorant." "What kind of 'celebrity' am I? Ying Chun, don't talk nonsense! Let Mr. Lei misunderstand that my lotus pond abode is impure."

"No, no!" Lei Guiqing argued hastily, "There is no misunderstanding." "I was joking, and I'm not afraid of being misunderstood. Mr. Lei, you don't have to mind." Wu Xin turned and asked, "Ying Chun, why are you asking about Zhao Baolu?" "I was also entrusted by someone. For business matters." Gu Yingchun said, "This is a long story. If you are familiar with this person, tell me about his behavior." "When it comes to his character, it's best not to ask me." Then she called out, "Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu!" When Xiaoyu was called, she said, "Tell me the story of your aunt's religious belief. " Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer, so Gu Yingchun raised his head: "I want to inquire about Zhao Baolu." "Oh, you're a bitch!" Xiaoyu said contemptuously, "Talk about Jesus, shut up about Jesus, cheating people, not paying for their lives." "Cheated your aunt?" "Yeah. It's an embarrassment to say—" Seeing Xiaoyu's reluctance to talk about it in detail, Gu Yingchun said with great interest: "There is no need to talk about scandals. Xiaoyu, I want to ask you, did he buy a lot of silk?" "Dingyang is there, but I haven't let it go." "What is this saying?" "He said that the Shanghai Ocean Bank entrusted him to buy silk, and the price was good. He paid 30% of the fixed foreign currency first, and asked him to send a receipt first, and collect the money the next day." Xiaoyu said angrily, "It's the next day." , He said that he wanted to build a church and persuade others to donate. After a long time of hard work, he admitted it honestly, and said it fiercely. In my hand, I don’t know what to do by then.” "Then you should have negotiated with him earlier! Long nights and dreams, it will be his fault in the future." "Grandfather, I want to serve 'Silkworm Baby'." In fact, without her having to say it, Gu Yingchun had already realized that the question was wrong. The farmhouses surrounding Taihu Lake were called "silkworm moon" in March and April. Every family had red paper sticking to the door, so they didn't communicate with each other, and there were many taboos.Because raising silkworms is an extremely hard work, if one cannot take care of them, and suffers from "silkworm plague" or other diseases, one year's food and clothing will be lost.So knowing that the negotiation should be done early, I had no choice but to put it aside for the time being. "Ying Chun," Wu Xin asked, "Is there a reason why you ask this?" "Of course, that's why I came here. He was entrusted by Shanghai Jardine Matheson Co., Ltd. to collect the silk here and let it out. He was afraid that he would not be able to deliver the silk at that time. There might be a lawsuit and a 'teaching case'. .Foreigners who do business well and don’t like to make teaching cases, if they want to take Dingyang back, the interest doesn’t have to be counted. I’m here to handle this matter on behalf of Jardine.” "Difficult! He is preparing to make a teaching case, and he intends to play tricks. I'm afraid you can't mess with him." "He can't be unreasonable?" Wu Xin pondered for a while and said: "You go and try it out first. Let's talk if you can't agree." Looking at the situation, Wu Xin seemed to be able to help, so Gu Yingchun felt relieved, and said to Lei Guiqing: "We will go to the city early tomorrow morning, and it would be best to have a good talk. If he doesn't go on the road, we will discuss it when we come back." "Okay!" Wu Xin said, "Today the old Buddha is not in the nunnery, tomorrow I will ask her to cook some vegetarian dishes, please Mr. Lei." Having said that, the vegetarian meal prepared by Xiaoyu's kitchen is also quite delicate and delicious, with the self-brewed mince wine, which is very good in color and aroma.Gu Yingchun was afraid that he would lose his temper, so he didn't let him drink too much, so he finished his meal in a hurry, took his leave and went back to the boat. In the early morning of the next day, when I was about to set off and enter the city, I saw two small sedan chairs stopping in front of the gangway, and two scholars came out of the sedan chairs. After looking carefully, I realized that they were Wu Xin and Xiaoyu. Since they came here in disguise, Gu Yingchun thought it best not to greet them openly. Gu Yingchun was only worried that they would be struggling to walk in the boots stuffed with cotton, and that something would happen when they passed the swaying springboard, so he personally helped the boatman and kept them safe. The penny sticks out on the shore and is used as a handrail, and at the same time keeps warning: "Go slowly, go slowly, be careful!" When their master and apprentice tremblingly boarded the boat and welcomed them into the cabin, Gu Yingchun began to ask: "Are you going to the city too?" "Yes!" Wu Xin twitched, "This boat is so beautiful, it's a blessing to sit on it once. Xiaoyu, you pull up the gauze curtain." There are two layers of curtains on the ship's windows, one is white patterned foreign gauze, the other is purple velvet. When the gauze is pulled up, the cabin is still bright, but the shore and other ships cannot clearly see what is going on in the cabin. So Wu Xin took off the green satin leather hat with a fake braid on the back, shook his head twice, the long hair hidden in the hat fell loose, then sat down, took off his boots, Gently pinch your toes. Such behavior can't help giving people the feeling of flirtatiousness.Gu Yingchun didn't think it was surprising, but Lei Guiqing saw it for the first time, and some thoughts inevitably arose in his heart. "Do you know what I'm going to do in the city?" Wu Xin asked. "I was going to ask you this question too." Gu Yingchun replied, "See where you are going, I will ask the boat boss to see you off first." "I'm not going anywhere. Wait a minute, I'll wait for you on the boat." Wu Xin replied, "It's best if you make a deal with Zhao Baolu. Otherwise, I'll find a friend for you." It turned out that they came here to help, Lei Guiqing felt that Wuxin was different from ordinary people, and couldn't help but said: "Master Wuxin, you are a monk, it's really rare for you to be so enthusiastic." "I'm not considered a monk either. Even if I become a monk, the way of the world is always the same." "Yes, yes." Lei Guiqing clasped his hands together and said, "My Buddha is merciful!" It was kind of funny that way, and everyone laughed. After joking, Gu Yingchun asked: "What kind of friend do you want to find for me?" "Not necessarily. See which friend is useful to you, and I'll go find that one." As soon as this remark came out, not only Lei Guiqing, but also Gu Yingchun couldn't help but be amazed, it seems that Wuxin has a wide range of contacts and supernatural powers.But how did this relationship come about? Lei Guiqing also had the same question in her heart, but it was inconvenient to say it, but Wuxin was very generous. Seeing their hearts from their faces, she smiled and said: "You must be wondering, I am not from Huzhou, so why did I know you?" All kinds of people? To put it bluntly, it’s not surprising, I know a lot of wives, and I get along well with them, and I even know their masters.” "Oh, I remembered." Gu Yingchun asked, "Did you go to Mrs. Huang's place yesterday?" "Yes." Wu Xin replied, "Maybe Master Huang can help you. This Master Huang is—" This Mr. Huang's single name is Yi, he is an alternate county magistrate, and he sent an envoy to collect bamboo and wood taxes in Huzhou.When Zeng Guofan sent young children to the United States in the early years of Tongzhi, he was a general servant who accompanied him. He had lived in the United States for half a year, and he was also well versed in Western affairs. Therefore, when the Huzhou government had anything to do with foreigners, no matter the magistrate or the county magistrate, they would look for him. , is also considered a well-known figure in Huzhou City. "That's great." Gu Yingchun said happily, "Since he is helping with the foreign affairs for the Huzhou government, he must be familiar with the situation in the church, and Zhao Baolu can't help but agree with him. Wu Xin, you've been of great help. " When we arrived in the city of Huzhou, we asked where Zhao Baolu's church was, and picked a quiet place nearby to moor our boat.Gu Yingchun and Lei Guiqing went ashore with a follower, and Wu Xin was waiting on the boat. She brought a food box, ready-made vegetarian dishes, which can be eaten after heating on the boat.Just as the repairs were completed and the chopsticks were not moved, Gu Yingchun and his party had already returned to the ship. "Why so fast?" "Things are going well. But too well." "How do you say that?" Wu Xin said again, "I always treat you as if you are going to go out to the restaurant after finishing your work, and I will take care of myself to eat. It looks like you haven't eaten yet. Do you want to just let it go?" "We still have some boat dishes, so we don't need to go ashore again. I want to tell you what happened, and see if there is any way to prevent Zhao Baolu from playing tricks." It turned out that when Gu Yingchun came to the church and saw Zhao Baolu, he explained why he came, and thought he must be hesitating a lot, but he never knew that he had any attempt to cheat. "To be a man, you have to be trustworthy, which is especially important for foreigners. I have been taught for many years, and of course I understand this truth very well. Please rest assured, I have accepted Jardine Matheson's Dingyang, and Si has also made an appointment. When the time comes, everyone will follow the agreement. Act without error." "But," Gu Yingchun said inquiringly, "I heard that Mr. Zhao has something to do with his fellow believers?" "What's the matter?" Zhao Baolu didn't wait for Gu Yingchun to answer, and said by himself, "It's just that I forced the church members to donate. It must be voluntary. Ask me again. It's still early." Knowing that he is perfunctory, and knowing that he will play tricks in the future, but he can't use any energy, and he is helpless.Gu Yingchun had never encountered such an opponent before, so he looked quite depressed. "Don't worry!" Wu Xin said consolingly, "There must be a way. You can talk about it after you finish eating." Gu Yingchun couldn't appetite, but couldn't resist Wu Xin's earnest persuasion, so he made rice with tea and hurriedly swallowed a bowl of stewed bamboo shoots in spicy oil brought by Wu Xin, Lei Guiqing didn't eat much, Both of them put down their chopsticks, watching Wu Xin hold the ebony chopsticks inlaid with three treasures, and slowly pick the weeds from the meal, and take a long time to take a bite. "This rice is not good, the boss of the boat bought it here." Gu Yingchun said apologetically, "I knew it earlier, I brought the rice here." Wu Xin also realized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She said, "I eat slowly, you two don't need to accompany me, please sit down and have tea." Lei Guiqing was reluctant to leave, especially when Wu Xin lowered her eyelids and stared at the bowl, it was a good opportunity to greedily look at it, so she said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, just use it slowly." Wu Xin smiled sweetly, stopped being too picky about her food, and ate quickly. When Xiaoyu came to clean up the table, the water boiled, and a pot of tea was brewed, which smelled like apricots. Lei Guiqing had to ask again. "There is no trick." Wu Xin replied, "Pick unripe apricots, wrap them in parchment paper, and put them in a tea pot. After two days, they will smell fragrant. Not only apricots, but other fruits can also be prepared in the same way. .” "Master Wuxin," Lei Guiqing said with a smile, "you really will enjoy the happiness." Wu Xin smiled and remained silent, turned to Gu Yingchun and asked, "How are you thinking?" Gu Yingchun was really thinking about something, he brought the official document of the vassal government office, he could go to the prefect of Huzhou to ask for help, but if Zhao Baolu was reported to the case and he still kept the same statement, it would not help the matter, but also It's not worth it to have a reputation of being a bully. After he said what was on his mind, Wu Xin turned his face away again, "Mr. Lei, I want to ask you to do something." "Yes, yes." Lei Guiqing agreed repeatedly, "Say it, say it." "I'll write an address, please go find a Master Yang, meet him, and say I'll invite him to come and ask him for something." Wu Xin added, "He is a famous criminal master from Wucheng County." To be a state magistrate, you must invite at least two friends, one in charge of punishment and one in charge of money and valley, with great power.Ask the famous criminal master of Wucheng County to handle the case, I am not afraid that Zhao Baolu will not submit.Lei Guiqing said happily: "Master Wuxin, you really have a way! Inviting this Master Yang to deal with Zhao Baolu is more effective than anything else." "Not necessarily. We'll discuss it after we invite you." So Wuxin dictated the address, and asked Gu Yingchun to write it down, and the boss of the boat went ashore and hired a sedan chair to carry away the happy Lei Guiqing. "Do you want to take a nap?" Wu Xin said, "Mr. Lei will be back in a long time." "What? Master Yang lives far away, doesn't he?" "Not only live far away, but also go to two places." "why?" Wu Xin smiled secretly and said, "This Mr. Lei is a bit crooked, I want him to suffer a little bit." "What trouble?" Gu Yingchun was a little uneasy, "It's my friend, if you make him miserable, he will scold me." "He will never know that I punished him on purpose." It turned out that Mr. Yang lived in the county yamen, but he rented another house for private litigation. In order to avoid people's eyes and ears, he rented the house in a very remote place, and because of the remoteness, he raised a very vicious dog.If Lei Guiqing came to her door, she would definitely miss out and be frightened. "How could it be empty?" Wu Xin explained, "Unless Master Yang takes care of him and makes an appointment to meet there, otherwise, even if he is there, the servants will say that he is not there, and go to the yamen to meet if there is something to do." "Fighting is the second best thing. What if the dog bites you?" "No! That dog has been taught. It's good to scare people away when it comes aggressively. It never bites people." Hearing this, Gu Yingchun felt relieved, he knew that Wu Xin had the habit of taking a nap, so he said, "I'm not sleepy, you go and take a nap." "Okay!" Wu Xin asked, "Which one is your shop?" "follow me." There is a large bunk in the back cabin, separated into two bunks by mahogany trusses in the middle, and a foreign-style mattress on top, which is moderately soft and hard. Wuxin pressed the mattress with his hands, and looked at the surrounding furnishings, and couldn't help but admire, "God of Wealth." Things at home are different after all.” "This is my bunk." Gu Yingchun pointed to the right and said, "Go to sleep, I'm outside. Pull this rope for something." Wu Xin pulled a red string, the silver bell in the front cabin rang loudly, Xiaoyu just entered the front cabin, heard the sound and found it, she was also surprised when she saw it. "It's really exquisite!" Xiaoyu stroked the mahogany tree and said, "It can be moved." "Simply push it over." Gu Yingchun said, "It's more spacious to sleep alone." Xiaoyu pushed the mahogany tree aside as she said.Gu Yingchun also withdrew, drank tea in the middle cabin and looked at it, thinking in his mind, Master Yang is here, if the talk goes well, there is still time to go back to the nunnery, if there is a long-term plan to discuss, should we go back to the nunnery to talk?They kept talking, and went ashore late at night to find an inn for lodging, so that Wuxin and his apprentice could live on the boat. Before she could make up her mind, she heard the ringing of the curtain hooks, and it was Xiaoyu who came out, "Old Master," she said, "Please go in, my master has something to discuss." Arriving at the back cabin, Wu Xin was lying on his side in his bunk with his clothes on, half covered with an embroidered silk quilt, his long hair covered most of the pillow, resting his stomach on one hand, his sleeves dropped to the elbow, strangely The fragrance of Nanxiang bracelets became more and more fragrant. "Do you have something to do?" Gu Yingchun sat down on a mahogany domino stool in front of the shop. "Master Yang came back very late." Wu Xin said, "I'm afraid I'm going to keep him for dinner, it seems like I need to make preparations." "There are vegetables." Gu Yingchun said, "The boatman went ashore early in the morning to buy vegetables. He thought he was eating in the city at noon. You brought vegetables, so you didn't get them out. Smell!" Wu Xin smelled it, it was the aroma of stewed chicken with ham, "You have attracted my heart." She smiled and said, "Where's the wine?" "That's even more ready-made. A vase of flower carvings was opened after boarding the ship. I still have white wine, you can drink it too." Gu Yingchun said, "There is something that needs to be prepared early. Tonight you and Xiaoyu Sleeping on the boat, Lei Guiqing and I will stay in a hotel, so we have to book it earlier." "No!" Wu Xin said, "It's not appropriate to sleep on the boat, I'll go back to the nunnery, but the boatman will have to work hard." "That's nothing. Well, it's settled, you go to sleep!" "I'm not sleepy yet, talk to me." Wu Xin patted the empty bunk and signaled him to sleep. Gu Yingchun hesitated a little, but finally decided to test his concentration, and lay down on Lei Guiqing's bunk, less than a foot away from each other. "How is Mrs. Gu's illness? Is it better?" "It's still the same. After all, it's sick and prolonging life." "So, what about you?" Wu Xin said quietly, "It's not convenient to have no one around." Gu Yingchun wanted to tell her about Ruixiang, but after thinking about it, Wuxin must be looking for the bottom line and asking endlessly, so it's better not to mention it. "It's not inconvenient either. It's better to have one thing less than one more thing." "Everything is easy to save, but this matter can't be saved, unless—" Wu Xin suddenly laughed. This smile is really secretive, Gu Yingchun couldn't help but ask: "Say a word, laugh for no reason, what kind of trick? Unless what?" "Unless you also see through the world of mortals and become a monk, you can save that matter, otherwise you can't save it." "There's nothing funny about that!" "I laugh at myself." "You're talking about me, why are you laughing at yourself all of a sudden." Gu Yingchun was slippery, and if he didn't want to say anything, he said it anyway, "Is it always related to me?" "Yes, it has something to do with you. I was thinking, if you became a monk, what would you look like? It's funny to think about it." "I want to become a monk and become a dhutanga, just like you." "What is Toutuo?" "It's a shame that you are still a monk, and you don't even understand Thutuo." Gu Yingchun replied, "A monk who has not shaved his hair, and those who practice with hair are called Thutuo, aren't they the same as you?" "Oh, I see, just messy hair, get a brass ring to hold it, like Wu Song's dress?" "that is." "That's called 'Xing Zhe'! It's not called Toutuo. I have a copy of "Shishi Yaoxian" that makes it clear." It turned out that she understood, and deliberately teased each other, this is Wu Xin's nature, Gu Yingchun smiled wryly and sighed, having nothing to say. "Ying Chun, I really hope you are a monk." "why?" "Then, aren't you alone?" Gu Yingchun's heart skipped a beat, and he deliberately asked, "What's wrong with being alone?" "You do not understand?" "I really don't understand." "I won't tell you anymore." Wu Xin turned over suddenly, with Gu Yingchun on his back. Gu Yingchun thought to himself, this is the time to test his concentration, he wanted to stretch out his hand several times to pull her body, but he still hesitated. Finally, he couldn't help stretching out his hand, and his hand was almost touching Wu Xin's body. Suddenly, he heard a splash, the sound of a heavy object falling into the water. In the river!" Wu Xin also sat up in fright, pushed Gu Yingchun and said, "Go and see." When he went out to see, the one and a half-year-old child who fell into the water had been rescued, it was a false alarm. Returning to the rear cabin, after a short talk, Wu Xin's eyes were clear and his face was calm, and he said calmly, "The 'plop' just now was like a blow to the head." Gu Yingchun, who had lost all his thoughts, also felt this way, but when Wuxin lay down "facing the wall", he was surprised that he was also as happy as him. "I'm thinking that if a person can avoid doing bad things, it depends on luck." Wu Xin turned over and opened the velvet curtains, pointing to a chastity archway that can be vaguely seen through the screen window, and said, "I don't believe in widowhood. People who have lived for decades are really pure and pure from beginning to end, and have never had any unscrupulous thoughts, but there is no chance, or there is some unexpected accident that interrupts the "good thing". If it is because of this, I think it is something great, According to me, I have a guilty conscience.” These words made Gu Yingchun feel ashamed, and replied with a smile: "Go to sleep! I won't accompany you to 'practice Zen' anymore." Lei Guiqing didn't return to the boat until dusk and sunset, he looked a bit embarrassed, a pair of boots splashed a lot of mud, Gu Yingchun knew the reason, and it was a little funny, but he didn't dare to show it, he just said consolingly: "It's hard work, Hard." "It's okay, it's okay!" Lei Guiqing raised her foot and said, "The road is very difficult. After getting off the sedan chair, I crossed a single-plank bridge, and there was another section of muddy road. I finally found it. It is said that Master Yang is at the county government office." "So, you went to the county government again?" "Of course." Lei Guiqing said, "Fortunately, this time I didn't fail. The person was very polite, and asked me if Wu Xin needed anything from him? I said, I'll know when I invite you. He said yes I have an official business, and I will come as soon as the cooking is done. It will probably be here soon." While they were talking, Wu Xin appeared lightly, the blush from just waking up was still on his face, his starry eyes were slightly bright, and he had a unique coquettish attitude.When Lei Guiqing saw it, his expression was different again. "Business, business." He was very enthusiastic, but complained, "Master Wuxin, you should have told me earlier that the Yang family has a big dog—" "What?" Wu Xin feigned surprise, "You were bitten by a dog?" "I didn't bite, but half my life was scared away." Lei Guiqing said gesticulating with lingering fear, "I was calling the door, and suddenly found two hands on my shoulders from behind, I looked back, be good, It was a big dog, with its tongue stretched out, and it was panting at me. It was so frightening that the real soul was about to come out of its body." "Hey, yo, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Wu Xin apologized, "I knew there was a dog in his family, but I didn't know how powerful it was. What happened next?" "Later, a person was kicked out and kept apologizing to me. He asked me if I was shocked? I had to pretend to be a 'good guy', and I said: Nothing, I used to have a dog that was bigger than your dog." "Okay!" Gu Yingchun laughed loudly, "That's a good bragging rights." Wu Xin also laughed so hard that she fell on the table and couldn't lift her head up. Lei Guiqing was quite proud, and felt that it was worthwhile for a false alarm to bring them joy. "Look!" He pointed to a sedan chair coming from a distance, "Maybe Master Yang is here." Sure enough, the sedan chair stopped, and when a servant was inquiring, Lei Guiqing went out of the cabin and went to the bow to answer the question. "Is it Master Yang?" So Master Yang got off the sedan chair, Gu Yingchun went to the bow of the boat to meet him, entered the cabin, and Wu Xin formally introduced him.That Master Yang is from Shaoxing, he is not very old, only thirty-four or five years old, but Master Shaoxing has always looked old-fashioned and old-fashioned, so he looks like a half-century old man at first glance. They asked each other for names, and Master Yang's name was Lianpo, so Gu Yingchun called him "Lian Weng". After exchanging greetings for a while, Wu Xin said: "You guys have a drink! Talk while drinking." So set up cups and plates, and invite Yang Lianpo to sit on the table. Wu Xin does not sit at the table, but sits beside him. Of course, she should start the topic, "Lao Yang!" She said, "Master Lei is my first acquaintance, and Ying Chun is an acquaintance for many years. He needs your help. His business is my business." "I know." Yang Lianpo replied, "Everyone in the world is brothers, so don't tell me, I will do my best to make friends." "Thank you, thank you!" Gu Yingchun toasted a glass of wine, and talked in detail about the purpose of this trip and the process of meeting Zhao Baolu. Yang Lianpo drank, listened quietly, and asked, "What is Ying Weng going to do now?" "I have to ask you!" Wu Xin interjected, "I just want to find a solution." "There are two so-called settlements. One is to ask him to act according to the agreement in the future; the other is to have a settlement now. I don't know which one Yingweng wants?" "This person is difficult to deal with. There will definitely be troubles in the future. Why don't we just end it now." Gu Yingchun said, "If you want him to refund the money now, I don't know if it can be done or not?" "I'm not afraid of the fierce debt collector, but the poor debtor. If he has already used up the money, there is no way to get it back." This is true, but Gu Yingchun did not want Zhao Baolu to refund the money immediately. As for Jardine Matheson, as long as the contract with Zhao Baolu is reversed, Hu Xueyan has promised to refund the full amount first, but there must be guarantees in the future. Zhao Baolu had silk and silk, but returned Dingyang without silk.It's just that he doesn't know how to be guaranteed. "The most troublesome thing is that he has many receipts written to him by silk makers. One says he has paid the money, and the other says he has not received it. It seems that Zhao Baolu will benefit from the lawsuit." "Otherwise." Master Yang said, "The lawsuit is one against one, of course the emphasis is on the evidence, even if he is fooled, he has no choice but to blame himself. If Zhao Baolu became the target of public criticism and everyone said he was a liar, then the situation would be different. But for those who have been duped, the lawsuit should be filed early, and the case must be submitted now." "You too." Wu Xin interjected, "What time is this, every household is serving Silkworm Baby! Where did you get the time to go to court?" Master Yang pondered for a while and said: "There is a way, but it has to be done step by step, step by step. Does Zhao Baolu have a 'tooth post'?" The introducer of the transaction, known as "驵侩" in ancient times, established a "mutual market" at the border in the later Han Dynasty and Siyi for business. In the Tang Dynasty, the "mutual market" expanded and extended from the border to Chang'an, and a special "mutual market supervisor" was set up to take charge of the affairs. . There are some "huolang" in the "mutual market", that is, "husbands". The things in the mutual market, whether they are honest or cheap, and which is more important, can be manipulated by just one word from him. It is an industry that is easy to make a fortune, but the first First, you need to be proficient in Mandarin, and second, you need to have a relationship with the mutual market supervisor.Therefore, there are many Hu people who are Hulang, such as An Lushan.However, when the Hu people wrote Chinese characters, the strokes were not realistic, and they didn’t know how to write the character “Ya” in the mutual characters. "Tooth line". "Dentistry" is a business with no capital. The gangster holds a steelyard in his hand and buys and sells by force on his site, with commissions on both sides. He even buys with his right hand and sells with his left, which is a big "hat".That's why there is a proverb common in the north and the south: "The foot and teeth of the car and boat shop should be killed if they are innocent." The driver, the boat boss, the shop boy, and the porter are nothing more than bullying strangers passing by. Of course, there is also a formal dental practice that facilitates transactions for buyers and sellers and charges fixed commissions to meet the needs. It requires the government to file a case and obtain a license issued by the Ministry of Households or the province's vassal office, which is called "Yatie".Zhao Baolu was only doing dental work in private by relying on the power of the church. Gu Yingchun speculated that it was impossible for him to have a dental sticker. "I don't think he will." Master Yang said, "Jardine Matheson wants to be protected, so they have to write a letter. The county government sent Zhao Baolu to ask him if there was such a thing, and he said 'yes' Well, tell him to take out the toothpaste to have a look. If there is no toothpaste, he will be punished first.” "What about after the punishment?" "I want him to guarantee that I will act according to the agreement in the future." Master Yang said, "This is a matter between Jardine and him. If there is a lawsuit in the future, Jardine will definitely win." "To win is to win, and to keep what I just said. I am not afraid of the fierce debt collector, but I am afraid of the poor debtor. If he can neither pay the silk nor leave the Dingyang, will his church be closed?" "Although we can't close his church, we can ask him to post bail. At that time, if someone who has been deceived goes to sue him, he can be charged with 'fraudulently obtaining money'." Master Yang added, "In short, the method There are. But "everything is forewarned", there is the so-called "grab the plaintiff" in the name of the sentence, which means to take the first step and take precautions. Your brother will do as I say, first ask Jardine Matheson to write a report, this is the most important move .” "Yes, yes! Thank you for your guidance, and I will ask for more help in the future." The business talk has come to an end, and the wine is almost done.Master Yang knew that Wu Xin had to rush back to the nunnery, so he didn't delay her time, and left immediately after eating, Gu Yingchun wrapped a big red envelope to reward his servant, watched Master Yang get into the sedan chair, and ordered him to let go Back to Nanxun. It was already the third watch when going back to bed, Lei Guiqing put her head on the pillow, suddenly sniffed sharply, making a "ch, chi" sound, Gu Yingchun couldn't help being surprised. "What?" he asked. "What's wrong?" "I smell on my pillow." "Smell?" Gu Yingchun was even more puzzled, "What smell?" "It's fragrance." Lei Guiqing said, "It's like the fragrance from Wuxin's hair. Didn't you smell it?" "My nose doesn't have your soul." Gu Yingchun thought to himself, this matter is really strange, Wu Xin didn't use his pillow, how could it be contaminated with fragrance?Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look sideways, and saw something strange coming.On Lei Guiqing's pillow, there is a long black hair, which can be determined to be Wu Xin's hair, but has she really used Lei Guiqing's pillow? “不对！”雷桂卿突然又喊，“这不是我的枕头，是你的。”他仰起身子说，“我记得很清楚，这对鸳鸯枕，你的绣的花样是鸳，我的是鸯，现在换过了。” 古应春恍然大悟，点点头说：“不错，换过了。你知道不知道，是哪个换的？” “莫非是悟心？” “不错，一定是她。她有打中觉的习惯，原来睡的是我的枕头，现在换到你那里了。” “这——”雷桂卿惊喜交集地，“这，这是啥意思？”说着将脸伏下去，细嗅枕上的香气。 古应春本来不想“杀风景”，见此光景不能不扫他的兴了，“'贾氏窥帘韩掾少，宓妃留枕魏王才'，桂卿，”他说，“你要想一想，两样资格，你有一样没有？” "I do not understand what you mean." 古应春的意思是说，除非雷桂卿觉得在年轻英俊，或者博学多才这两个条件占有一个，就难望获得悟心的青睐。而悟心一向好恶作剧，他去请杨师爷所吃的苦头，就是悟心对他的轻佻所予的惩罚。如今将留有香泽的枕头换给他，是一个陷阱，也是一种考验，雷桂卿倘或再动绮念，后面就还有苦头吃。 雷桂卿倒抽一口冷气，对悟心的感觉当然受过了，不过那只是片刻之间的事，古应春所说的话，到底不及他脑中“美目盼兮，巧笑倩兮”的印象来得深刻，所以仍为枕上那种非兰非麝，似有似无的香味，搅得大半夜六神不安。 第二天醒来，已是阳光耀眼，看表上是九点钟，比平时起身，起码晚了两个钟头，出舱一看，古应春静静地在看书喝茶。 “昨晚上失眠了？”他问。 雷桂卿不好意思地笑一笑，顾而言他地问：“我们怎么办？” “你先洗脸。”古应春说，“悟心一早派人来请我们去吃点心，我在等你。” 雷桂卿有点迟疑，很想不去，但似乎显得心存芥蒂，气量太小，又怕自己沉不住气，脸上现出悻悻之色，因而不置可否，慢慢地漱洗完了，只见小玉又来催请了。 那就容不得他再多作考虑，相将上岸，到了莲池精舍，仍旧在悟心禅房中的东间坐落，那只小哈巴狗只往雷桂卿身上扑，他把它抱了起来，居然不吠不动，乖乖地躺在他怀里。 “它倒跟你投缘。” 雷桂卿抬头一看，悟心含笑站在门口，哈巴狗看见主人，从雷桂卿身上跳了下来，转入悟心怀中，用舌头去舐主人的脸。 “不要闹！”悟心将狗放了下来，“到外面去玩。” 狗通人性，响着颈下的小金铃，摇摇摆摆地往外走去，雷桂卿笑道：“这只狗真好玩。” “你喜欢，送了给你好不好？” 雷桂卿大感意外，不知道她这话是真是假，更不知道她说这话的用意，由于存着戒心之故，就算她是真话，他亦不敢领受这份好意。 “谢谢，谢谢！君子不夺人之所好。” “我是真的要送你。” “真的我也不敢领。”雷桂卿说，“而且狗也对你有感情了。” 这时点心已经端出来，有甜有咸，颇为丰盛。一直未曾开口的古应春便说：“悟心，我想赶回去办事，中午的素斋，下次来叨扰。好在吃这顿点心，中饭也可以不必吃了。” “喔，”悟心问道，“你总还要回来，哪一天？” 这就问到古应春为难之处了。原来他在来到湖州之前就筹划好了的，在湖州的交涉办得有了眉目，未了事宜由雷桂卿接下来办，以便他能脱身赶到上海，安排迎接左宗棠出巡。如今照原定计划，应该由雷桂卿在怡和洋行与杨师爷之间任联络之责，可是这一来少不得还是要托悟心居间，他怕雷桂卿绮念未断，与悟心之间发生纠纷，因而不知如何回答。 “咦！”悟心问道，“你怎么不开口？” "I'm thinking." “怎么到这时候你才来想？” 这样咄咄逼人的姿态，使得古应春有些发窘，只好再想话来搪塞。 “这件事很麻烦，我要跟桂卿回去以后，跟怡和商量以后再说。” “依我说也不必这么费事。” "What can you do?" “依我说，你回去办怡和洋行的禀帖，雷老爷不妨留下来，'蚕禁'马上要过了，做丝虽忙，说几句话的工夫总有，哪个收了赵宝禄多少定洋，大家算算清楚，说说明白，如果要进状子告赵宝禄，里面有杨师爷，外面有雷老爷，事情就好办了。”悟心又说，“这是昨天晚上我跟小玉商量出来的办法。她有好几家亲戚，我也有几个熟人都跟赵宝禄有纠葛，难得你们替怡和来出面，大家是一条线上的。” 这个意外的变化，不但古应春想不到，雷桂卿更感意外，心里有好些话要说，但照理应该由古应春先表示意见，所以默然等待。 古应春是完全赞成悟心的办法，但先要说好一个条件，“不错，内有杨师爷，外有雷老爷。”他说，“不过，你也不要忘记，中有悟心师太，都要靠你联络。” "of course." “你怎么联络法？”古应春说，“雷老爷在这里人生地不熟，再遇到那么一条吓坏人的狗，不是生意经。” “不会了。”悟心答说，“我保险不会再遇到。”说罢嫣然一笑。 这一笑又让雷桂卿神魂飘荡了，不过这一回古应春却不再担心，他担心的是悟心会出花样，既然她如此保证，而且要靠雷桂卿办事，也不敢再恶作剧。至于雷桂卿这面，已经对他下过警告，倘或执迷不悟，那是他自己的事。 转念到此，便向雷桂卿笑道：“这一来我也放心了。你虽不是曹植、韩寿，不过做了鲁仲连，反而更吃香了。” 悟心不知道他为雷桂卿讲过“贾氏窥帘韩掾少，宓妃留枕魏王才”这两句诗的典故，便叩问说：“你在打什么哑谜？” “不错，是个哑谜，你要想知道，等我不在的时候，你问他好了。” 悟心这下大致可以猜到了，这个哑谜与她有关。此时当然不必再问，一笑置之。 “我们谈谈正事。”古应春说，“悟心，我准定照你的办法，今天吃过中饭，我就回杭州，桂卿一半帮你们的忙，照应他的责任，都在你身上。” “那当然。我庵里不便住，我另外替雷老爷找个好地方借住，一定称心如意。” 刚谈到这里，小玉来报，说船老大带了个陌生人来觅古应春。此刻人在大殿上，请去相见。 出去一看，才知道是胡雪岩特遣的急足来投信。信上说，左宗棠已自江宁起程，一路视察防务、水利，在镇江、常州、苏州都将逗留，大概十天以后，可到上海，在杭州所谈之事，希望古应春即速办理，可由湖州径赴上海，省事得多。 这一来，计划就要重新安排了，古应春吩咐来人回船待命，随即拿着信报找悟心与雷桂卿去商量。 “左大人出巡到上海，胡大先生要替他摆摆威风，这件事我要赶紧到上海托洋人去办。桂卿，我看，你要先回一趟杭州，把情形跟胡先生说清楚了再回来。” “怡和的禀帖呢？”雷桂卿问，“你在上海办妥了，不如直接寄湖州，似乎比寄到杭州多一个周折来得妥当。” “好！湖州寄到哪里，是——” 古应春的话犹未完，悟心抢着说道：“寄给杨师爷，请他代呈好了。” “可是信里说些什么，桂卿不知道啊！” “杨师爷知道，莫非不能问他。你如果再不放心，抄个底子寄我这里转，也可以。不过，光寄封信，你自己也不好意思吧？” “你说，你说！你要啥，我给你寄了来。” “敲你一个小竹杠，到洋行里买一包洋糖给我寄来。” "anything else?" “就这一样。” “好了。我知道了。”古应春对雷桂卿说，“你坐一会，我回船去写了信再来。” “何必回船上去写？我这里莫非连纸墨笔砚都没有？”说着，悟心抬一抬手，将古应春带到后轩，是她抄经做功课的所在。 “到上海往东走，回杭州往南走，船你坐了回去。”古应春向悟心说道，“能不能请你派人打听一下，往上海的船是啥辰光有？” “每天都有。几点钟开，我就不晓得了。我去问。” 等悟心一走，古应春向雷桂卿笑道：“这是意外的机缘。悟心似乎有还俗的意思，你断弦也有两年了，好自为之。”雷桂卿笑笑不做声，不过看得出来，心里非常高兴。 “我只劝你一句，要顺其自然，千万不可心急，更不可强求。” “我明白，你放心好了。”