Chapter 7 Section VII

After saying goodbye, I went back to the Escort, chose a good horse, went out the west gate, turned north and west, and went straight to Haidian.Walking halfway, I saw a few fast horses galloping in two rows. Wang Wu's sharp eyes could see clearly from a distance. The people on the horses were guards and eunuchs. Needless to say, this is the forerunner of the police. It seems that the Empress Dowager Cixi has driven back to the palace again. Seeing this scene, Wang Wu naturally didn't have to go to Haidian Heshun Tea Shop again. He turned the horse's head, tightened his legs, and the horse spread its hooves, and went straight south, still entering the city through the West Bianmen.When Wang Wu returned to the Escort, the sky was already bright.

"Fifth Master, you are back!" said the manager in relief, "There is a deal to escort the officials and family members, and the other four important boxes will be sent to Xuzhou for business, and I am willing to pay five hundred taels of silver, but I have specified it. Please go out on your own. I didn’t dare to promise others, so I ask you to make up your own mind.” "No! It's an official and an important box. It's obviously a corrupt official! When I have the time to work for them, you return him." The manager knew Wang Wu's temper, so he wouldn't accept this deal, let alone five hundred taels, even five thousand taels of silver.First of all, when there is a business coming to your door, you have to say it, but now with his words, it is useless to say more.So promise, turn around and leave.

"Slow down, please come back!" Wang Wu stopped the manager and said, "The situation is not good these few days, so don't take any business indiscriminately, just tell me first." "Yes!" "Also, please take care of all the stewards and troopers. If you have nothing to do, you can play in the escort agency. You can drink if you want money, just don't run around." Wang Wu's intention is that if he is planning to do something big, he should control the manpower in advance.The person in charge didn't understand, and asked in a low voice, "Is someone coming to find trouble?"

"No!" Wang Wu patted him on the shoulder and said, "I can't tell you now, so you can worry about it for two days!" "Fifth Lord!" The manager said with a smile, "You probably have to meddle in your own business again." "Yes! I want to take care of the very interesting business of the stall." Wang Wu said again, "I want to put some money on the cabinet. Take a look and find me a bank note of two or three hundred taels, preferably ten taels or two. Twelve sheets." When the steward took the bank note, Wang Wu went out again.I planned to enter Xuanwumen, pass through the city, go to Shenwumen and Di'anmen to find people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and eunuchs for information, but who knew that the city gate was closed!

"This has never happened!" Someone was asking the soldiers guarding the city, "What is it for?" "Who knows why? The trains have stopped. It's definitely not a good thing." The soldier replied, "I advise you to go home quickly!" As soon as Wang Wu heard this, he hit his horse and left.Going back through Caishikou, entering the southern half of the alley, seeing that there is nothing unusual about it, it is half relieved.Then enter the trouser leg alley, but seeing Liuyang Guild Hall is still as quiet as before, a stone in my heart just fell completely.

If you come to see Tan Sitong during the daytime, you can be generous and recognize him at the door, and say before he opens his mouth, "Master Tan has gone out." "Oh," Wang Wuxian asked leisurely, "Is it entering the palace?" There was a smile on the door, he stopped talking, and finally couldn't help but said: "It's good to be able to enter the palace!" It's inconvenient to ask more questions, Wang Wu nodded and said, "I'll go see Mr. Tan's housekeeper." Seeing Tan Gui, he knew that Tan Sitong had gone to the Japanese Legation in Dongjiaomin Lane.This made Wang Wu feel relieved, thinking that he must have taken refuge there.But he couldn't help but be puzzled, why did Tan Sitong change his mind after saying that he would not run away.

This mystery can only be answered by meeting Tan Sitong.However, the Japanese Legation is in Dongjiaomin Lane, and since the inner city is closed, Tan Sitong cannot go out of Xuanwumen to attend the appointment, and he does not want him to come to the appointment, because judging from the danger of the current situation, as soon as he leaves the Japanese Legation, he may be arrested. Arrest, the next thing is an accident! Having said that, he felt that he should wait in the big wine tank opened by his apprentice, in case the city gate was closed and reopened, Tan Sitong would also take the risk to come to the appointment to discuss the important matter of rescue.

Thinking of stopping, he immediately said to Tan Gui: "Housekeeper, I'm leaving first! If you have any news or need to find me, you can come to my escort agency. If I'm not here, please wait for me there. If you have something to say, you don’t need to tell the people there.” "Yes!" Tan Gui asked, "Where is Fifth Master going now?" Wang Wu looked at the chiming clock and said, "It's only past nine o'clock. I'll go back to the Escort Bureau. I have an appointment with your young master at noon. Even if he can't come, I'll still wait for him there." Wu also said the place to meet, so that Tan Gui could get in touch when it was urgent.

After leaving the guild hall, Wang Wu was at a loss, the city gate was closed, the inside and the outside were cut off, and he couldn't do anything, so he lazily followed the horse that knew the way home, turning east and west, and he didn't even know the way. Look, just tap on the stirrup with a horsewhip, thinking about something. All of a sudden, with a sound of "xi hu hu hu", the horse lifted its hooves and stood upright.Wang Wu was caught off guard and was almost thrown off the ground.Grabbing the mane with one hand, he threw his body forward and pushed the horse down. Then he took a closer look, and realized that it was a very beautiful rear carriage. It was driving so fast that his horse was frightened. .

Of course the car also stopped, and the person in the car was lifting the curtain to look out. He was a very handsome young man, he seemed to have a kind face, but half of his face was covered, so he couldn't see clearly, so he couldn't remember who it was at the moment. But the boy in the car saw it clearly, and shouted in a clear and loud voice: "Fifth Master! You are startled! " Then the curtain of the car was lifted, and the people in the car appeared, wearing a sapphire blue satin jacket, a vest with a pipa lapel of jujube red Ningxia silk, and a black satin cap with a huge emerald embedded in it.With long nose augmentation, golden fish eyes, and a shy expression on his face, anyone can tell that he is a female role of the three major Hui classes.Of course Wang Wu recognized him, he was the head of the Sixi troupe, the son-in-law of Mei Qiaoling who was famous for his chivalry among the actors, and Qin Zhifen who was nicknamed Wujiu.

"Long time no see!" Wang Wu got off his horse and greeted, "When will I bother you?" "Fifth Lord joins in, so what else is there to say?" Qin Zhifen asked immediately, "Fifth Master can't be free right now?" "What's the matter? Tell me!" "It's inconvenient to talk on the road. Come to my 'below' and sit down!" "This is over there!" Wang Wu took a closer look, "Isn't it Li Tieguai Xiejie?" "What's the matter?" Qin Zhifen unconsciously revealed Xiaodan's figure, took out a snow-green silk handkerchief from her sleeve, covered her mouth and smiled, "Fifth Master can't even recognize the road!" It was inconvenient for Wang Wu to say clearly that he had a great concern, so he just said, "I can't be too much to accompany you, but fortunately your place is not far away, so I can just say a few words." "Yes, yes!" Qin Zhifen bent down and replied, "I know Fifth Master is warm-hearted and busy with friends all day long, so I would never dare to delay Fifth Master's time." What Wang Wu said made Wang Wu feel very comfortable, but he also knew that it had already been revealed in the words that Qin Zhifen also had something to ask for help, otherwise why would he ask himself to talk to him?On weekdays, Wang Wu would be willing to help, but now the situation is different, maybe there is no time to meddle in his business.That being the case, there is no need to waste other people's work! So he said: "Zhifen, you need me to do something for you. It's just a matter of fact, but I can't do it today! I have something that I can't be more anxious about. If it doesn't matter if you stop for a few days, then I say no." If you make excuses, you have to sell some strength." Upon hearing this, Qin Zhifen was stunned, staring blankly at Wang Wu, blinking her goldfish eyes constantly.It's like a quick look, as if about to shed tears.That pitiful expression made Wang Wuda unbearable, thinking in his heart, no wonder so many high-ranking officials and celebrities are obsessed with "Xianggong", and there is something more touching about it. Thinking of this, he couldn't help sighing, stomped his feet and blurted out: "Okay! to your place. " When this happened, Qin Zhifen burst into tears, picked up his skirt, and greeted him on the street, "Fifth Master, get in the car!" He got up and called his little attendant, "Little Si, take Fifth Master's horse." go back." After speaking, he jumped up and got on the side of the car.Although he is a native of Huadan, but some scenes require staggering kung fu, so he often practices his skills, and his skills are quite agile. Wang Wu sees it and appreciates it.I thought it would be a proud thing to have such a famous Hong Xianggong in Nine Cities cross the shaft for me and lift it up on the big wine tank, so I didn't make any excuses, and got into the car with a smile. Qin Zhifen not only crossed the shaft for him, but to show respect, she drove the cart for him herself, holding the whip in her hand, and with a "crash" sound, she yelled: "D'er——huh!" It stopped at Hanjiatan. Each of Xianggong Zili's buildings has a hall name. Qin Zhifen's building is named Jingfutang. It is a very neat courtyard house. The study room for guests is in the east. It is luxuriously and elegantly furnished.There are many calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall. The first one is called "Zhifen Xiaoyou", and the lower one is Li Junke, Sheng Boxi, Fan Fanshan, Yi Shifu and so on.Wang Wu is very familiar with the officialdom, and knows that these are a group of famous people who are famous for their public affairs. "Fifth Master," Qin Zhifen stretched out her hand and said, "Take off your clothes!" "You're welcome! If you have something to say, just say it, see what I can do, and immediately find a way to do it for you." "Yes, yes!" Qin Zhifen hurriedly summoned people to serve tea, pack cigarettes, and set out fruit plates. After the red tape was over, she asked, "Fifth Master, have you heard about Mr. Zhang?" "Master Zhang! That Master Zhang?" "Master Zhang from the household department, Zhang Yinhuan." "It turned out to be him!" Wang Wu remembered. He had heard people say that Qin Zhifen's "Old Dou" was very wealthy. His surname was Zhang. He was the servant of the household department. He lived in Xila Hutong. "How is Master Zhang?" "Fifth Lord, haven't you heard? At noon yesterday, Lord Chong, the admiral of the Nine Gates, sent a lot of soldiers to block both ends of Xila Hutong, saying that he was ordered to capture Lord Zhang." "I haven't heard of it. I only know that there was an accident in the Mishi Hutong Nanhai Guild Hall. Kang Youwei was wanted to be arrested, but he was not caught." "By the way, it's Mr. Zhang's fellow villager Kang Youwei, Mr. Kang!" Qin Zhifen said, "Master Kang was not arrested, and he was said to be hiding in Mr. Zhang's mansion. In the end, a relative of Mr. Zhang was arrested by mistake, and he was released after asking what was wrong. from." "Isn't it all right?" "But," Qin Zhifen followed up his words, asking questions: "Why is the inner city closed again today? I heard that the trains are also stopped!" "I don't know." Wang Wu frowned and said, "I can't wait to enter the city!" "Really!" Qin Zhifen seemed to be overjoyed, her face raised, her eyebrows and eyes moved. "That's really my luck. I met Fu Xing by mistake. Master Wu!" He called out, but he didn't continue, his eyes drooped, he put his left leg on his right leg, and swung his right hand to the left , holding a handkerchief with his left hand slightly resting on the back of his right hand, this is the kind of sitting posture that "fathers" rarely see.Wang Wu found it interesting, so he forgot to urge him, and let him think quietly. "Fifth Lord," Qin Zhifen wanted to stop and asked, "You want to go to the city but can't?" "correct!" "I'll give it a try, maybe it will work. If Master Wu goes in, can you please go to Xila Alley and ask for news about Mr. Zhang?" "Why not!" "That's really grateful! Fifth Master, I'm here to thank you!" As he said, he knelt down to pay his respects, and with his left hand, the silk handkerchief flew up in the air, just like the figure of Princess Tie Jing apologizing to Empress Dowager Xiao. "It's easy to say, easy to say!" Wang Wu hurriedly pulled him up. "But there's one thing I don't quite understand." What Wang Wusuo felt strange was that since Qin Zhifen had a way to enter the city, why didn't she go to inquire about it herself, and just dropped in to inquire about it. When he asked the question bluntly, Qin Zhifen blushed like a shy girl. "Fifth Master, I'm going, not everyone is making a fuss!" He looked at him and said, "Even if you change your clothes, you can't hide it from people. If you want to trust someone, there is really no one to trust. The Nine Gates Admiral, this yamen, Who can afford it!" Admiral of the Nine Gates is a common name for the title of Infantry Commander. The inner city of the capital has nine gates, and the ground under the jurisdiction of the Infantry Commander is not limited to the inner city.Defending the imperial residence and apprehending traitors are the tasks of the infantry commander, and they have great authority. Moreover, the case involved by Zhang Yinhuan is so serious, no wonder no one dares to provoke him. From this understanding, it can be imagined that Qin Zhifen's solemn thanks is nothing more than a concern for Zhang Yinhuan like a close relative.Who says actors are innocent?Wang Wu said respectfully: "Okay! Brother, as long as I can enter the city, I will definitely find out the real news about Mr. Zhang." At this moment, a large chime clock with a long copper chain struck melodiously. Wang Wu looked up and saw that it was eleven o'clock, remembering his date with Tan Sitong.His apprentice's big wine tank is at the entrance of Tangfang Hutong on Guang'anmen Street, and Xila Hutong is far away from Dong'anmen in the inner city. If you enter the city, it is absolutely impossible to come back at noon thing. At this time, I feel a little regretful, and I have lost my promise!Of course Qin Zhifen could see his embarrassment, but deliberately didn't ask, trying to force him to keep his promise.This made Wang Wu unable to change his words, and was so anxious that sweat appeared on his forehead. In a hurry, he came up with a better consideration than keeping an appointment, and said happily: "Zhifen, let me tell you the truth, I have an appointment at noon, and I have to make it, but now I can't say it! Please send a guy to Guang'anmen Street Looking for the shopkeeper on the big wine vat at the entrance of Tangfang Hutong. He is my apprentice, his surname is Zhao, and he has a tuft of hair on the root of his left ear, which is very easy to recognize." "That's right! What do you say when you find Shopkeeper Zhao? Fifth Master, please order!" "My buddy, please tell my apprentice: I have an appointment with Uncle Tan from Hunan to meet with him. He also knows Uncle Tan. However, Uncle Tan may not be able to go. If he does, he will make arrangements and wait for me. ! If Uncle Tan wants to leave..." Wang Wu pondered for a moment and said, "Let my apprentice protect him. If someone touches Uncle Tan, he will stop recognizing me as a master!" Qin Zhifen stuck out her tongue childishly, "What a guy!" He suddenly lowered his voice, "Fifth Master, who is this Uncle Tan?" "It's okay to tell you! This Uncle Tan is just like your Master Zhang, there may be a catastrophe in front of you!" "Your Mr. Zhang" is a bit harsh, but Qin Zhifen has no time to care about it.He had already guessed something, but when he heard Wang Wu comparing Zhang Yinhuan and confirming that his guess was correct, Qu Ran said, "This is really a matter of absolute error!" He said, "I have to go there myself." "No, no! You can't go!" Wang Wu hastily stopped, "My apprentice's business has been open for almost ten years, and no one as beautiful as you has ever entered the door. Once you go, I'm afraid it won't cause a stir on the street! It's a trivial matter to smash my apprentice's big wine tank, how can Uncle Tan hide it?" Qin Zhifen smiled shyly again, "Since the fifth master said so, I will send someone else." He said, "Leave this matter to me, and it will be done."