Chapter 18 3/4

--three-- A night of wind and snow blocked the bamboo gate of Xiong Cilu's house. In the early morning snow, Xiong Cilu clapped his hands, swept the snow with a bamboo broom, swept the path from the door, and pushed open the gate.The morning sun shines on the snow, reflecting a faint pink, while the shadows that have not been illuminated by the sun glow a light blue, setting off each other, making the white snow look pure and colorful.Xiong Cilu couldn't help but looked up at the rising sun, only to see a man in a windbreaker and hood walking on the snow.He recognized it, it was his friend Xu Yuanwen.

When the two met, they bowed their hands to each other.Xu Yuanwen waved his sleeves freely, pointed to the path that had just been swept out, and said, "It can be said that this snow path has never been swept by a guest." Xiong Cilu said, "Let me use Lao Du's original sentence: Pengmen is from now on for the king. Open!" Xiong Cilu and Xu Yuanwen met three years ago at a banquet for Lu Jian's farewell.When they met for the first time, they didn't like each other.Xiong Cilu didn't like Xu Yuanwen's talented tone, and Xu Yuanwen didn't like Xiong Cilu's Taoist face either.It is no wonder that the backgrounds and circumstances of the two are so different.

Xiong Zenlu, whose characters are Jingxiu, is a native of Xiaogan, Hubei, with a scholarly family.Although the family is not poor, it is not rich.When Zhang Xianzhong invaded Huguang, dozens of Xiong Cilu and his family were killed. Only Xiong Cilu survived because he hid back to his natal home with his mother. From then on, mother and child depended on each other and lived a poor life.The mother is very strict with her son's class supervision, and Xiong Cilu's knowledge is profound and profound. It is really thanks to his mother's teaching.When he came to Beijing three years ago, his mother urged him repeatedly, asking him to study abroad, meet teachers and friends, and increase his knowledge.Many people admire his knowledge and character; but his temperament is too strict, and his Taoism is too serious, which makes people respect him at a distance.He didn't care about this either, so he bought three or two academies, took a generous bundle of repairs, and sent most of them back to Huguang to serve his mother, and the rest bought two huts in Taohuakeng between Longquan Temple and Taiqing Temple in Nancheng , I come and go alone on weekdays. After school, I may read, practice calligraphy and recite poems, or art flowers, plant chrysanthemums and weeds. I am contented and have nothing to ask for.

So people gave him a wonderful title: Commoner Gaoshi. Xu Yuanwen is very different.He was born in a well-known family in the south of the Yangtze River - the Xu family in Kunshan, Jiangsu.People can't verify the relationship between the Kunshan Xu family and Xu Da, the king of Zhongshan in the early Ming Dynasty, and Xu Jie, the prime minister in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, but the Xu family is indeed rich and prosperous for generations, and has produced many scholars. Marriages are also unusual.Xu Yuanwen's uncle is Gu Yanwu, a well-known scholar in the north and south. Xu Yuanwen was known as Gongsu, and the three brothers were all famous for their talents and learning, and Xu Yuanwen was especially regarded as a child prodigy.It is said that when he was twelve years old, he took the exam as a scholar.Seeing that he was young, his peers said, "I'm going to be an official. How high do you want to be?" Said: "Be a scholar without talent." It made everyone laugh. They wanted to laugh at him, but they were laughed at by him.It is also said that he went to a banquet with his father when he was young, and a prince and a minister gave him a glass of wine at the same time, so he had to take a glass with both hands.Shang Shu immediately said to him; "holding two cups of civil and military wine, do you drink Wen? Do you drink martial arts?" He immediately said to his superiors: "There are thousands of books of sages and sages in his chest. I hope the sages and the sages!"...these legends Nature added luster to him.

His poetic talent is superb, his personality is unrestrained and unrestrained, and all literati and poets admire him.Yunquan, a scholar in Jinling, suddenly threatened at a banquet one day: I would like to become a peerless beauty and hold a dustpan for Gongsu.Another Wuxi scholar Feng Yun presented a poem saying: "I would like to be a gentleman's wife in the next life, but I am only worried about not having plum blossoms." These praises and comments naturally aroused Mrs. Yuanwen's poetry, so that in the poem there is "cultivation to the world". The sentence "a talented man and a woman, don't hesitate to be as thin as a plum blossom", the overwhelming heart, love for talent and love at the same time, can be said to reach the extreme, and it was passed down as a good talk for a while.However, in the eyes of the strict and upright Xiong Cilu, all these romantic stories passed down by wild literati are not too frivolous?

If it weren't for a chance, these two people might never know each other for the rest of their lives, thinking that they are incompatible with each other all their lives. That Qingming Festival, Xu Yuanwen and a group of friends took advantage of the Longquan Temple Poetry Fair to have a great time.Unexpectedly, it was raining heavily after the meeting. Xu Yuanwen, who was on his way home, had to knock on a gate on the side of the road, loudly begging for shelter from the rain.It was Xiong Cilu who came out to open the door, the two couldn't help being startled, after all, they had known each other before, so they bowed their hands in salute.It was hard to talk in the rain, so Xiong Cilu invited Xu Yuanwen into the house.

After entering Pengmen, Xu Yuanwen suddenly felt his eyes light up.At the beginning of spring, the chill is still strong, and the city and suburbs are still a desolate and deserted scene, but Xiong Cilu's yard is already full of blue colors.When he stepped into the house, he felt greenery, and Xu Yuanwen was even more amazed: Although the walls are bleak, they are clean and dust-free. The tea bowl and stove, the square table and the round stool are well placed. The most eye-catching thing is that the walls and tables, and in front of the window steps, are full of pots and soil, all planted with green grass.Those grasses are graceful and graceful, and they are extraordinarily charming. Xu Yuanwen couldn't name them, and he had never seen them before, so he kept praising them.Xiong Cilu has become addicted to grass, and was very happy to receive such sincere appreciation. He led Xu Yuanwen into the back room to see his favorite Cuiyun grass.Xu Yuanwen was surprised to see that the chairs and desks under the window were all worn out, and an open umbrella was tied to the back of the chair. The paper and inkstone on the table were spread out, and the ink was dripping. It was obvious that the owner had been sitting under the umbrella to write an article just now.Seeing Xu Yuanwen looking at the umbrella, Xiong Cilu pointed to the roof indifferently and said, "When it rains, it leaks." There was a pot of green cloud grass on the table, and two small pottery bowls beside it, one containing white beans and the other containing black beans , Xu Yuanwen picked it up curiously and said, "Brother Cilu, use this as a substitute for chess?" Xiong Cilu shook his head and said kindly: "No, this is a good prescription for the ancient sages to clarify their thoughts. Yu often sits silently and throws a white bean into the bowl every time he has a good thought, and throws a black bean into the bowl every time he has an evil thought. At first there are more black beans and less white beans, then there are more white beans and less black beans. There are no more black beans, and in the end even the white beans are gone, so we can reach the ultimate state. My little brother is still far away from the ultimate state, and there are both white beans and black beans." He frankly showed Xu Yuanwen another bowl, and it was indeed white. Beans, black beans roughly the same amount.

Xu Yuanwen felt very respectful for a moment, and said: "Unexpectedly, Brother Cilu studied so hard!...Brother wrote books in the rain, there must be good sentences?" Xiong Cilu said, "But after reading Song history, I saw a few poems. Chanting Yue Wang's poems, I feel something occasionally, I just got a couplet, please enlighten me." He handed the paper on the table to Xu Yuanwen, only to see two poems written on it, the ink is not completely dry: If the prime minister meets Han Tuozhou , the general has been Guo Fenyang. Xu Yuanwen clapped the table and exclaimed: "A good sentence, it's absolutely amazing! There are more than ten million poems chanting the king of Yue. These two lines are novel and unprecedented. Why don't you continue them into a whole poem?..." When Xu Yuanwen left, the sky had already cleared, The setting sun slantly shines on the courtyard after the new rain, and the emerald green grass is lying on the ground, drinking the raindrops, without gaps, it looks like a green carpet, full of spring.Xu Yuanwen sighed unknowingly: "Respecting the garden of fragrant grasses, people suddenly feel full of business, so poetic and picturesque, it's really hard to linger!..." A few days later, Xiong Cilu was invited to return and received warm hospitality.Xu's mansion is spacious and gorgeous, and naturally it is not comparable to Xiong's residence.But Xiong Cilu was also satisfied with the elegance and quietness of the study room and the dignified calligraphy and painting on the wall.The two chatted over wine and tea in the study, which was very enjoyable.What caught Xiong Cilu's attention was the inscription on the owner's stationery.

There is a duan inkstone on the table, and the cover of the red sandalwood inkstone box is engraved with an inscription titled "Inscription on inkstone for personal use". , accompany me to drink, painting worms and graffiti is not ugly to me, and tell you that you will know that you are a black man, and you will stay with me forever." Xiong Cilu picked up the Yangxian sand pot where they tasted tea, and there was an inscription neatly written in official script on it "The top is like a bucket, the bottom is like a scorpion, Ao with seven feet, and Chi with seven heads. You can drink tea from Yuchuan and wine from Jingu." Later, a line of the next line was written in lower case: Ding Youchunyuan Wenzhi Yuyanjing.

Seeing that he paid so much attention to the inscription, Xu Yuanwen smiled and brought a hollow powder-based porcelain pillow in the color of pine, crane and white clouds from the couch in the corner of the study, and said, "This inscription is a so-called game work. Please don't make fun of it." Xiong Cilu took it over and took a look. The inscription on the pillow read: "Sweet country, drunk country, gentle country, the dream of the three is good or bad? Immortals cook yellow rice with me." Xiong Cilu secretly marveled.These inscriptions are indeed full of talent, solemn and humorous, humorous and free and easy, which shows the author's talent and skill.What he especially appreciates is the philosophy contained in the inscription.How thoroughly that pillow inscription speaks!It suits him so well.He really wanted to applaud the case, but he never had the habit of expressing emotion or anger, so he couldn't help but sigh: "Unexpectedly, romantic talents are not superficial!" Xu Yuanwen laughed loudly, and Xiong Cilu's usually stern face also changed. So gentle and kind.They found something in common with each other, and thus developed a friendship.

However, one is poor and the other is rich, and the poor is very honest and unwilling to take a penny. He has repeatedly declined donations from rich friends and invitations to be guests.Wealthy friends are not surprised. Every three to five months, they will visit Xiongci's shabby room in person. The two reciprocate with poetry and wine, and talk tirelessly.Xu Yuanwen was still in contact with literati and bureaucrats, and Xiong Cilu was still teaching Mengtong in the academy, so the relationship between the two was quite natural. The two had already met on the Double Ninth Day in September this year, why did Xu Yuanwen come to visit again?When Xu Yuanwen entered the room, he was not polite, and said straight to the point: "Jingxiu, you are profound in Confucianism and full of economics. Could it be that you have spent your whole life in the academy?" Xiong Cilu was surprised: "What does Gongsu mean by this?" Xu Yuanwen said: "After the great chaos, people's minds will be settled. Soon Yunnan and Guizhou will be recovered, and the world will be unified. If you want to secure the world, you must have Confucius, Mencius and Zhu Chengsheng. In the early years, Mr. Lu's honorable brother will be a master of Taoism and a generation of masters. Don't you want to make a difference?" Xiong Cilu said: "It seems that Gong Su also intends to become an official? Can your uncle, Mr. Ting Lin, agree?" Xu Yuanwen smiled boldly and said: "A man has been a man for a lifetime, not to mention gaining fame and conferring his wife and son." , even if the world rises and falls, the old saying that everyone is responsible is still applicable today. You and I are full of talents and learning, why don't you do something to govern the country and the world? It is not in vain to make the people of the world live and work in peace and to win a long history. This is my life. As for my uncle, he has always been ashamed of eating Zhou Su and wants to keep festivals for the Ming Dynasty, but in recent years he has not objected to our brother becoming an official, which shows that people's thoughts are irreversible. Does Jingxiu really want to be Qi and Yi? " "Oh, that's not true. The extermination of Zhang Xianzhong in this dynasty has the kindness of revenge for my family, and I don't want to go to Shouyang Mountain. But the only way to get a scholar to be an official is the imperial examination..." "Exactly! I was also worried about the imperial examination In the beginning of the late Ming Dynasty, there were many disadvantages. This year, Li Zhenye and Zhang Wopu took the lead in the case of the Shuntian Examination, and people were very happy; the malpractice of the Jiangnan Examination has already occurred, and the court will definitely punish it. The emperor is wise and promising, and the imperial examinations of the world must be selected I will sweep away the filth and put an end to the evils. Isn't this the day when I am born?" Xiong Cilu was already tempted, but he remained calm. "Jingxiu, many friends from the same way have come to our place to gather and discuss, so you should go and talk with us." Xiong Cilu thought for a while and said, "Let me think twice. Today is really not free." "Oh, there is something to do in the academy "No, I'm going to burn incense at Haihui Temple outside the city to fulfill my wish." "The wind and snow have just stopped, and it's cold outside the city. Let's go another day." His principles of life, whether the weather is cloudy, sunny, cold or warm, is nothing to worry about..." Xu Yuanwen saw that his moral energy had come up again, and he laughed quickly: "Come on, go on! Don't bother you, let's meet again another day. " When Xiong Cilu walked out of Haihui Temple, the sky was fine and the sun was shining brightly. The snow in the field was moist and moist, as if it was about to melt, and the air was very clear and fresh.The suburbs are really different from the city, it really makes people open-minded and bright!Just now he asked for a lottery in front of the Buddha, and he was very happy when he got an auspicious character.Since his mother sent a letter telling him to hire Miss Ye, he had expressed nothing on the surface, but he was actually so excited that he came to Haihui Temple for fortune-telling.Even the most learned people, in the face of unknowable and uncontrollable fate, sometimes cannot help but turn to the gods for help.However, he valued his reputation very much, so he deliberately chose Haihui Temple, which is far outside the city, so as not to be known as a joke. He took square steps and walked south leisurely.I can see a square pavilion on the side of the road from a distance, and the words "wine" and "tea" on both sides can be clearly seen from a long distance.He felt thirsty and quickened his pace. Although Fangting is old, it is very spacious and the location is good. It faces the official road, close to the bridge of Liangshui River, surrounded by windows, and the inside of the pavilion is very bright.The owner's house sells tea, wine and food, so it's just a place to rest when traveling.It stopped because of the wind and snow, and there were not many guests in the pavilion.As soon as Xiong Cilu entered the door, the owner quickly got up to greet him.Xiong Cilu looked around, and saw a pair of couplets on the pillars of the pavilion: Sneak away to have a cup of tea in the name of busyness, and bring a pot of wine to seek clothing and food for pleasure. Although this couplet is slang, there is a trace of sourness in the humor.Xiong Cilu nodded, followed the guidance of the shop owner, and took a seat on the side of the pavilion.The man brought hot tea, and he ordered a few more snacks. He ate it with great taste, and he was really hungry. There was a loud neighing of horses outside the pavilion, and the sound of hooves. Five or six cavalry dismounted in front of the pavilion and strode into the square pavilion.The guests looked at their Manchurian attire and demeanor, and they all lowered their heads to drink tea and drink, and even their voices disappeared. The leader, who seemed to be an officer, suddenly stopped to look at the couplet, and read it softly with great interest.Although he has the special flavor of Manchu speaking Chinese, he can still read it fluently.Several guests looked at him secretly, but only Xiong Cilu sat upright, not squinting, not paying attention at all. "Master, is this couplet written recently?" The little officer asked with a smile. "No, no, it will be there when the villain enters this wine and food shop." The little officer nodded with a smile, "It's hard for him to be so coincidental." He looked around the entire tea booth, and the guests quickly avoided his eyes.Only Xiong Cilu drank tea as if no one was around. The Manchu officer just took a fancy to him, pushed away the shop owner who wanted to lead him to the seat, and walked straight to the opposite of Xiong Cilu. "Mister is a scribe?" The visitor greeted with a smile. "Don't dare, I'm just a Confucian scholar." Xiong Cilu could only bow his hands politely, and looked up at the visitor.Then, he had to take a second look, and weighed it in his heart: Although this person's sable hat, old robe, and black riding boots are inconspicuous, his face is like a crown of jade, his eyes are like morning stars, and he is radiant and radiant. He is by no means an ordinary sergeant; but he is said to be a noble son, but he does not look slick; he is said to be a relative of the emperor, but he is not arrogant. Xiong Cilu is not sure who he is.Xiong Cilu's indifferent attitude did not make the other party unhappy. He smiled considerately and sat down.The shop owner and the waiter hurried forward to entertain him, and there were snacks and tea sets in front of him immediately. The Manchurian officer put one hand on the table and one elbow resting on the back of the chair. His posture was very good-looking. He obviously wanted to talk to Xiong Cilu about something.The other two soldiers who didn't want to come along talked to the monk at the same table, and the voice rang throughout the tea booth, attracting everyone: "Hey, I said monk, why do you eat steamed buns? How dare you break meat? The only one in the world Taoist priest Huoju, is there still monk Huoju?" The teasing words came from the little Man Bing, who spoke a fluent, impeccable Beijing accent. "Amitabha! The poor monk's steamed buns don't have stuffing." The monk was kind-hearted and looked about fifty years old, speaking in a low, clear voice. "Oh, oh, no wonder you eat so much in one meal!" Man Bing did not relax, and continued to teasely point to the plates of white steamed buns in front of the monk: "Look at you, the truth, the truth..." He couldn't find it for a while. When he found the appropriate word, he glanced out of the window for a few times, and suddenly continued happily: "It's like your graveyard outside the city!" I checked the expression of the Manchurian officer, obviously hoping to win his smile. The old monk squinted his eyes and looked at the numerous barren mounds in the distance, they really looked alike.He smiled slightly, and recited clearly: "There are buns outside the city, and stuffed buns inside the city." Xiong Cilu and his tablemate couldn't help being startled, and they turned to look at the monk together, their expressions unavoidably a little horrified .But the two soldiers didn't understand what the old monk was saying, and they kept shouting: "Nonsense, nonsense! Sincerely don't let people understand?" "What mantou stuffing! Who is mantou stuffing? You are The monk closed his eyes half-closed and said calmly: "If the old monk does not practice liberation, he will end up as stuffed buns just like you... In short, life and death are determined, wealth and honor are in the sky, everything is pre-determined, and there is no escape. Those who should be stuffed with steamed buns must be, and those who are liberated will eventually be liberated." "The more you talk, the more confused I become. I don't understand big numbers or decimal numbers!" Man Bing twisted his neck, and his voice became louder. The monk smiled again: "Forget it, the old monk came to enlighten you today. There was an old man who was proficient in numerology. One day, a Taoist came to ask about numbers. He sat on the bamboo bed of the old man's house, and the bed collapsed immediately. The Taoist wanted compensation, and the old man smiled and said, "Success and failure are countless, so why bother to compensate!" He showed the Taoist the broken foot of the bed, and saw a line of small characters on it: This bed has a certain day, a certain month, and a fairy came to sit on it. The old man smiled and said to the Taoist: You must be a fairy! The Taoist was very surprised, and quickly said: Can't even hide from the gods? As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared. Not only is the army full, Even the guests in the tea pavilion were horrified and stunned by the monk's words.Xiong Cilu remained calm, his deskmate winked at him frequently, and asked in a low voice, "Who is this monk?" Xiong Cilu shook his head.He really doesn't know. Satisfied with everyone's response, the monk put the steamed buns into a cloth bag and left his seat.He stood by the pavilion pillar for a while, then folded his hands together, and said to the shopkeeper: "Benefactor, this pair of couplets is too vulgar. Would the old monk give you one?" The shopkeeper was all smiles, and quickly said: "Old Monk Cheng, thank you very much for your kindness. It's on the cabinet! Listen carefully, it's written clearly!" The monk closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment, and read word by word: "The four things are all empty, sit for a while and you can't distinguish between me; there are roads at both ends, eat one Each lamp has its own thing." After reading, he folded his palms together and bowed his head to thank the shopkeeper, then turned and left. "Old monk, stay!" The Manchurian officer jumped up and ran to the monk: "May I ask the old monk's name, where is the treasure temple?" Seeing that the monk's clear eyes were only staring at himself and did not answer, he quickly added: "I listen The old monk is very talented in his speech. Although the words of the old monk’s words are simple, they are full of Zen principles, and I admire them very much!” The monk still stared at the other party intently, and said: “The poor monk’s name is clever, and his dharma name is simple. Pu, I live in the Haihui Temple in the south of the city." The officer laughed and said, "The old monk talks about numbers, but he doesn't know others but hides himself?" The monk smiled kindly: "The path between the pine shade and the cold invades the surface, and the mountains are so beautiful. Cui Diyi. In terms of numbers, a poor monk should meet a noble person today. " The officer's smile disappeared immediately, his eyes widened, and he looked at the monk up and down. The monk ignored him, bowed slightly, turned around and left.The officer was stunned for a moment, then ran out of the door, and the two soldiers also rushed out of the tea pavilion.The shopkeeper became anxious, and he followed up and shouted twice, only to find that they were still standing in front of the door talking, so he was relieved. Xiong Cilu put the tea money on the table, dusted off his clothes, straightened his hat, stood up, and went out through the door on the other side.The sky outside is still very clear. The nearby villages and the western mountains in the distance are very clear when you look up.He didn't want to go back to the city, so he walked towards the west facing the sun.At this moment, he never imagined that he would meet this Manchurian officer whom he met in a strange way again. The wind quickly turned chilly after the sun leveled.Xiong Cilu is not afraid of the cold, but he is afraid that it will be too late and the city gate will be closed and he will not be able to return home.Just as he was about to turn around, a sound of knocking came to his ears. He glanced sideways inadvertently, a dilapidated adobe thatched hut was shivering in the cold wind in the field south of the main road, ten feet away.Can people live in this dilapidated wall?Xiong Cilu walked over curiously, and a bleak picture unfolded in front of his eyes: under the eaves of an empty earthen house, a gray-haired old man in ragged clothes, holding an old chipped axe, struggled to Chop the firewood again and again.His head was dripping with sweat, his face was sad, and his thin neck, arms, and legs were like the dry sticks under his hands. The old man's appearance was so pitiful that Xiong Cilu couldn't help being moved with compassion. He stepped forward and said, "Old man!" Passing Xiong Cilu, as if he hadn't seen anything, he raised his ax to chop wood. "Old man, you are so old, why do you still do such strenuous work? What about your son and grandson? " The ax in the old man's hand dropped, and his eyes widened: "God, this is Huguang accent!" "Yes, yes, I am a Confucian scholar in Huguang. Listening to the old man, are you also from Huguang?" "Oh, folks! Folks! "The old man spoke in Cantonese without changing anything, looked at Xiong Cilu, opened his toothless mouth, smiled affectionately, and kept wiping away his tears with his sleeve. "Old man, you..." Before Xiong Cilu could say anything, the old man shouted in shock: "Be careful!" He grabbed Xiong Cilu and fell to the ground together.A loud arrow screamed and flew behind Xiong Cilu, nailing a gray rabbit who didn't know when it ran to the field.In fact, the arrow was still far away from them, so there was no need to panic, but the old man was already trembling with fright. A horse came galloping, the rider jumped off the horse and picked up the gray rabbit, hung it by the side of the saddle, and then led the horse over, it turned out to be the Manchurian officer who was at the same table at the tea pavilion!He was also taken aback when he saw Xiong Cilu, and then smiled cheerfully: "Aha, we are so destined, we meet again! I'm really sorry, the archery is too fast, are you startled?" The true nature of a gentleman." Xiong Ciluwen's answer made the officer laugh again.He pointed and said, "Are you acquainted with this old man?" "No. I don't know each other before. It's so close to Gyeonggi, the people are so poor, and they have nothing to support them. It's sad!" The officer then took a closer look at the old man, and even walked away. After entering the adobe thatched hut that was not protected from the wind and rain, he turned around, and when he came out, his complexion changed drastically, and his relaxed and heroic spirit disappeared, his brows were furrowed, and he remained silent.Xiong Cilu didn't know what to say to this Manchurian officer.The old man was terrified when he first saw the rider in uniform, but now he realized that he was not malicious, so he dared to peek at him. The officer finally sighed, and asked: "Old man, why are you in such a situation? Who bullied you?" The old man looked at him sadly, with fear in his tone: "You?..." The officer said: " Don’t be afraid, old man, I’m just a small subordinate Niu Luzhangjing..." Xiong Cilu couldn't help but glanced at him, he blushed for no reason, and continued: "But my uncle works in the Ministry of Punishment, what is wrong with me? , You just tell me." The old man looked at him suspiciously, but dared not speak. "The old man is so poor... I also have an uncle who works in the Fujian Cleaning Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs. He is in charge of helping the poor. He can always help you?" Really useful.Xiong Cilu looked at him again, but he pretended not to see it.But the old man understood, knelt down in front of his feet with a "plop", kowtowed repeatedly and said, "The elder is the master of the villain! The elder is the master of the villain!..." The old man's Huguang accent was too strong, and the young Niu Luzhang Jing didn't quite understand.When the old man talked about it, he didn't understand at all.He waved his hand, asking the old man to stop, and said, "Where is the old man from?" Xiong Cilu said, "Master Zhang Jing, he is from my hometown, from Huguang. Let me tell you... old man, tell me." , This lord is very kind!" The old man talked about his life experience and experiences, and he burst into tears, so he couldn't speak. Forty years ago, the old man suffered a catastrophe in his hometown. He came to the capital alone. He started from a small business of making sesame seed cakes and fruits, and finally bought land to build a house, married a wife and had children. His family was very prosperous.After the national change, Gyeonggi scrambled to enclose land, and all his good fields of dozens of acres were occupied. He cried and complained everywhere, and the Ministry of Households changed him to the sandy and poor land by the Liangshui River, which was still scattered in Lilila. of three places.The old man had no choice but to separate the family from his two sons, and to cultivate a piece of land to make ends meet.Unexpectedly, the youngest son who was plundered by the banner in the early years of Shunzhi did not die, because he could not stand the beating and abuse of his master, and he escaped after finding out the news of his father and brother.The first time I fled to my second brother’s house, because the law of escape was strict, my second brother was beheaded as the owner of the nest; the second time I fled to my eldest brother’s house, my eldest brother died because of this, and he himself was beaten to death by his master’s family for escaping twice. .The three sons are gone, and the elderly couple are lonely and miserable.But even so, doom still refused to let them go.One of the chief officers under his banner took a fancy to the old man's house and forced the old couple to invest in it. The old couple refused to obey, but the chief officer led someone to call the door, accusing the old couple of hiding and fleeing.The old wife was frightened to death, and the old man was forced to donate his land, house, and property, leaving his old life behind.Now that I have nothing, I have to get up in this shabby hut and borrow and sell firewood in exchange for food... At the end, the old man burst into tears, and Xiong Cilu's eye circles were also red. Niu Luzhangjing's face was pale, his black eyebrows were tightly knit together, and his heavy breathing could be heard clearly.After some difficulty, he asked, "Why didn't you sue?" Xiong Cilu sighed and said, "How could he sue? The law of escape is the imperial law, who dares not to obey it? I heard that anyone in the court who opposes the law of escape People, all dismissed from their jobs, even the ministers will not be spared. What can a small poor person do?" The old man understood, shook his head and shook his hands again and again: "Don't dare to sue, dare not sue. The people under the banner are already powerful, and even more Don't say that he is still the royal family!" Zhang Jing was shocked: "What did you say? Who is the royal family?" The old man was afraid, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "No, no! I didn't say anything!..." After a lot of persuasion and comfort, the old man revealed the truth tremblingly: the mother-in-law who robbed him of his property was a Mongolian Gege who married a Manchu early, and her half-sister was the current emperor's son-in-law. nobleman. The young Lord Zhang Jing was also frightened, dumbfounded and speechless.Xiong Cilu glanced at him, and said with a sneer in his heart: I thought you were really courageous, but you are also a coward if you don't want to! Xiong Cilu's thoughts may have been revealed from his eyes. After Zhang Jing glanced at him, he suddenly blushed with embarrassment, and shouted: "What are you laughing at? How dare you belittle me? Look at me..." He He choked violently and fell silent. "Master Zhang Jing," Xiong Cilu said calmly, "the student didn't say anything." Zhang Jing snorted angrily: "You didn't say anything, but your eyes said everything!" "I What did your eyes say?" "You...you are resenting the law of encroachment and escape!" "Oh, Mr. Zhang Jing, the law of enclosure and escape is so harmful to the people, can the people not be resentful? You are not Did you see it with your own eyes?" Zhang Jing was speechless.Xiong Cilu sighed: "The people are poor and the country is weak, and the people are resentful and the country is in chaos. It is an eternal truth. Master Zhang Jing looked at Xiong Cilu for a long time, and suddenly smiled and said: "Please tell me your name, sir? "Xiong Cilu frowned, and said solemnly: "The surname is Xiong Cilu, the name is Jingxiu, the surname is Huguang, and he lives in Taohuakeng beside Longquan Temple in Nancheng..." "Why, you are Xiong Cilu?" " Niu Lu Zhang Jing blurted out in surprise. This time, it was Xiong Cilu's turn to ask: "What did you say? "Oh, nothing."I have heard of your name, so I must ask him for advice in the future. It's getting late, sir, you can go back to the city. " "What about you? What about this old man?" "Don't worry, I have my own way." The master Zhang Jing regained his composure, bent down and said to the old man kindly: "Old man, I have a horse here, please sit on it, and we will find the chief judge together!" As he watched, he looked at Xiong Cilu proudly and winked mischievously. With complex emotions such as surprise, admiration, and worry that he couldn't explain clearly, Xiong Cilu looked at the back of the old man Ma and Zhang Jing Ma Xia who were gradually going away.Under the reflection of the setting sun and in the howling cold wind, the figure was so clear, as if it would never disappear from the flat field. On the way back to the city, what Xiong Cilu lingered in his mind were all the impressions from today's journey.However, there is still a miracle waiting for him! In the middle of the night, Xiong Cilu, who was soundly asleep, was awakened by the knock on the door.His house was completely bare, and he was never afraid of thieves, and the knock on the door was loud and urgent, and he didn't act like a secret agent.He asked loudly: "Who is it?" Someone outside the door replied: "Please open the door, sir. I have something important to ask." Xiong Cilu put on his clothes and shoes, lit the lamp for plastic surgery, and went out to open the door after everything was tidied up.He was shocked in his heart: by the dim candlelight and the slight starlight in the sky, he saw that from the door to the courtyard door, to the gate outside the bamboo fence, and on both sides of the road, there were dark crowds of people standing.As far as the people in front of the door were concerned, they were all dressed in uniform black robes and leather caps with cuffs on their heads. In the dark night, they all looked tall and burly, with burning eyes. Xiong Cilu was afraid, but when he thought of the ancient saying that a gentleman is not afraid of violence and power, he puffed up his chest again, shook his head, and asked calmly, "Why do you come here, give Lu a humble scholar?" A man in livery walked two steps closer, and said with a smile, "Mr. is overjoyed. The rich man of the capital, Mr. Luo, wants to invite you to set up a mansion." "Mr. Luo?" Xiong Cilu repeated in surprise.He counted his acquaintances in the capital, and there was not a rich man surnamed Luo who was still a rich man. "Duke Luo is here in person!" The man in livery looked back, hurriedly led the crowd back, and made way for the middle of the road, bowed their heads and stood with their hands held down, with a very respectful expression.Xiong Cilu was afraid that they would trample on his grass roots and flower seedlings, but seeing how polite they were, he couldn't help nodding his head in appreciation. Luo Gong walked over quickly, bowed his hands to Xiong Cilu, and said with a smile on his face: "Mr. Xiong, his name has been admired for a long time, and he is like a thunderbolt. Today, I know the thorns. I am lucky!" It was very natural and sincere, Xiong Cilu had no choice but to reply: "I really don't dare to be so! Please enter the humble house for a while." Luo Gong was not polite, and immediately entered the room.Xiong Cilu said apologetically, "Your honored guest came unexpectedly, so please forgive me for not being able to treat each other with tea and wine." Luo Gong laughed heartily and waved his hand heartily: "I should apologize to Mr. for disturbing you." Mr. Qingmeng, extremely disrespectful! But due to the situation, I have to do so. Although Luo is very powerful, but he doesn't like to show off in front of others, so he chooses to visit at night, sir. Isn't it strange?" Mr. Luo has black eyebrows and black beard. Very majestic, especially a pair of eyes, as clear as autumn water, burning like dawn stars, and quick to speak, hearty and free and easy, it is easy to attract people's favor.Xiong Cilu thanked Xiong repeatedly, and Luo went straight to the point, saying bluntly: "I heard that Mr. Moral articles have long been well-known in the countryside, and now they are even famous in the capital. Luo has two nephews, who suffer from lack of good scholars, and would like to ask Mr. is a teacher." Xiong Cilu shook his head and said: "Under the great reputation, it is actually hard to be worthy. I am a corporal in the south, so I am not a teacher. Besides, I have set up the library for three years, and I am tired of it early. I will return to my hometown soon." Luo The father-in-law said very sincerely: "My mother has been widowed for many years, and she is eager to hope that her son will become a dragon. But my brothers are not up to date, and they dropped out of school when they were young. It is a pity to this day. My mother intends to make her grandchildren famous for their articles and morals, but famous teachers are rare. Knowing the prestige of Mr., my mother asked me to invite him by name. As a son, how dare you disobey? Besides, Luo admires Mr. very much, and asked him to read me sincerely..." Xiong Cilu couldn't stand Mr. Luo's repeated pleas, I also liked his bold demeanor, so I agreed.Luo Gong was overjoyed and said: "Mr. Meng is very kind and friendly, and the Luo family is very grateful!" After bowing deeply to Xiong Cilu and thanking Xiong Cilu, he straightened up and said hello to the door: "Come on, prepare your horse!" A capable bannerman immediately entered the house and asked Xiong Cilu for instructions on how to pack his luggage.Xiong Cilu was surprised and said, "Go tonight?" Luo Gong said with a smile: "Sir, don't be surprised. Luo always likes to do things quickly and neatly, and the day's work must be done on the same day. Today, Luo came to welcome Mr. in person. "Xiong Cilu couldn't object, so he had to let him.So Luo Gong accompanied Xiong Cilu on horseback. Dozens of servants left Xiong Cilu's former residence in Taohuakeng lively and lively, carrying lamps and burning torches. After walking for less than half an hour, Xiong Cilu became confused, turning around, all roads he had never walked before, and he couldn't tell the north, south, east, and west.When he arrived at the gate of Luo Mansion, Xiong Cilu was surprised again: what a mansion with lofty walls and majestic buildings and brilliant lights!He had never been to such a rich and luxurious place in his life.But he kept in mind the teachings of the sages, and he did not take pleasure in things or sorrow for himself, and maintained the demeanor that a gentleman should have. Luo Gong sent him to the upper room of a quiet small courtyard, and then left.Several handsome bookboys immediately came up to entertain him attentively, serving tea and water, making the bed and putting down the tent.Not long after, an old servant ran up to him and said respectfully: "Mister, there are a lot of people in the house, the place is vast, and the family rules are very strict. If you need anything, please tell the servant immediately, and the servant will act for you. Sir, don't move around at will, don't leave this courtyard, lest the slaves be punished... "Xiong Cilu is unhappy, the so-called rich family is as deep as the sea! The next day, Luo Gong brought two children to come to apprentice.The ceremony of apprenticeship is very solemn, just meeting the school ceremony is a hundred taels of silver.This surprisingly generous treatment dispelled Xiong Ci's idea of ​​leaving the hall.而且，两个弟子黑发卷卷，极为聪颖可爱，绝非他这几年设馆时的弟子可比。这样一来，熊赐履就接受了罗府家馆那必须牺牲部分自由但待遇十分优厚的条件。 罗公对熊赐履说：“因家母爱孙心切，不许他们早起。并请先生千万不要笞挞他们，有了过失请告诉罗某，自有家法处置。"此后，两个弟子每日午后来馆读书，熊赐履便尽心教授。 罗公的供奉极为丰厚，还不时前来相陪说话。至于寄往湖广的束修，也从不需要熊赐履经手，每过数月便得母亲家书，告以"已收银若干，望安心就馆，母平安"。 --Four-- 人们不记得有哪一年冬天，象顺治十四年冬天那般和暖。 呼啸的刺骨寒风很晚才来临，地面和屋檐上的冰凌都存不住，一过午便化尽了。但是，这年冬天顺治皇帝从南苑发出的一道又一道谕诏，却象猛然刮来的卷地狂风，震动了朝野，不管心里对它赞同还是反对，全被它的猛烈和突然惊住了。满洲亲贵受到前所未有的冲击。 十二月，第一道谕旨下，重申停止圈地：“京畿百姓自圈地、圈房之后，流离失所，饥寒起身。良善者无以为命，丧鼓乐生之心；不肖者煽惑讹言，相从为盗，以致陷罪者多。长此以往，则国无宁日。此后仍遵前旨，永不许圈占民间房地。“次日，又有谕旨，命吏部开列因请宽逃人之禁而得罪流徙的言官；三日后，一道就逃人法专向满洲官兵的谕诏发下来了：“……朕念满洲官民人等，攻战勤劳，佐成大业，贫家役使之人，皆获自艰辛，加之抚养。乃十余年间背逃日众，隐匿尤多，特立严法。以一人之逃匿而株连数家，以无知之奴婢而累及官吏，皆念尔等数十年之劳苦，万不得已而设，非朕本怀也。年来逃人未止，小民牵连，被害者多。尔等当思家人何以轻去？必非无因。尔能容彼身，彼自体尔心。若专恃严法，全不体恤，逃者仍众，何益之有？ “朕为万国主，犯法诸人，孰非天生烝民、朝廷赤子？今后宜体朕意省改，使奴婢充盈，安享富贵。如有旗下奸宄横行，许督抚逮捕，并本主治罪！……”这道谕诏如同一次地震，激起了剧烈的反响。督、抚居然可以对旗下人逮捕、治罪！这不是破天荒的事吗？有的人奔走相告，喜笑颜开；有的人如有所思，深自反省；有的人神色沮丧，长吁短叹；更有人愤愤不平，哭到家庙告祖。总而言之，它触动了每一个人，不管他是汉是满，是旗人是贫民，朝野一派沸腾。 顺治皇帝仿佛不理会这些已刮得很猛的风，接着又下了一道谕旨，就象在沸油里溅进了水，简直炸开了。他批下吏部上奏的官员稽考功过的题本上，要求选拔确有学问才能的人进部院各衙门，替下一批颟顸无能之辈。使人们激动的不仅是这道谕旨本身，而是由吏部传出的皇上亲自点到的那些"确有学问才能"的人名录：杜立德、李霨、王崇简、王熙、王弘祚、冯溥、孙廷铨、伊桑阿……老天爷，除了伊桑阿，全都是蛮子文士！唯一的一个正黄旗满洲人伊桑阿，也是顺治九年中式的进士！snort!文人们都交好运了！ ……大雪纷纷，总管太监吴良辅领着小太监吴禄骑马从南苑赶回大内。吴良辅貂帽风衣，吴禄披了件斗篷，踏着雪顶着风，急急忙忙北行。 走到前门棋盘街闹市，酒楼上飘来的阵阵酒香阻住了吴良辅的马蹄。他在一间宽大的门脸前下了马。这是一处带楼座的酒馆，高悬着"杏花村"的黄杨木底松绿大字匾额，檐下吊了一串系着红绿绸子的牌幌，写着十几样名酒：玫瑰露、状元红、竹叶青、莲花白、苹果露、五加皮、黄连液、佛手露、史国公、雪花白、茵陈露等等。 吴良辅把缰绳扔给门前冲他点头哈腰的酒馆伙计，领先上了酒楼。吴禄惴惴不安，东张西望，几乎跟不上吴良辅的脚步。老板恭敬地引他们进一间小小的雅座，酒、菜霎时便到。吴良辅脱去风衣貂帽，开怀畅饮，并招呼吴禄动筷子喝酒。 吴禄不到十八岁，是个伶牙俐齿、眉清目秀的小太监。他十岁入宫，在大内万善殿内书堂读过书，专为在御前侍候受过训练，这是许多太监一辈子也巴望不到的福分。这正是总管太监吴良辅赐给的恩惠，他对吴良辅自然感激不荆大约是因为同姓，加上这孩子乖巧、会奉承，吴良辅居然很喜欢他，近日又把他提拔成养心殿御前太监，这可是了不得的荣耀！吴禄对于吴良辅来说，既是心腹，又象子侄，说是兄弟也不错，说是朋友也可以。吴良辅那么有权势，百官大臣都以结交他为荣；吴良辅那么凶狠阴沉，小太监见了他如同耗子见猫；唯独对这个吴禄，吴良辅是闻声则喜，觑面便笑，他从来都管吴禄叫"小幺儿"，恨不得把一身的本事都传给他，把他当成亲儿子似的。有权势的大太监，多半都有这路毛玻吴良辅喝了两盅酒，身上热和了，伸手捏捏吴禄的耳朵垂，笑道：“小幺儿，还不喝两盅暖暖身子？"吴禄心里不安，回答说：“总管，咱们是奉万岁爷旨意回宫见皇后娘娘的，误了事……”吴良辅哈哈一笑：“误不了！万岁爷那心里我还不知道？ 要不是碍着家规呀、礼法呀，他才不想打发咱们跑这一趟呢！"吴禄点点头，一耸眉尖，又说：“可喝多了酒，怎么敢见皇后娘娘呢？”“没事儿！喝两口醋就解了酒味儿啦。再说，还怕她怪罪？ 她这中宫未必坐得长！ ..." 吴禄一惊，回头想想，又慢慢点了点头，拿起了酒杯。 “小幺儿，这些日子我忙得晕头转向，总没逮着空儿问问清楚。那天在茶亭，憨璞老和尚到底说了点儿什么，万岁爷到底给打动了没有？你细细说给我听听。“吴禄于是绘声绘色地把那天茶亭里和尚的表演和皇上的反应细说一遍，听得吴良辅频频点头，面露喜色。吴禄最后说：“和尚说他曾经遍游江南，与南中耆旧诗词往还唱和。万岁爷听了格外高兴，说以后要往海会寺拜望他哩！”“好，好，太好了！"吴良辅高兴得双手在胸前一握，满面含笑。这完全是个女子的动作，含着一种说不出的娇媚，一般人看了会觉得肉麻。吴禄早看惯了，只管问着他不明白的事：“就让和尚去见万岁爷不就成了？干吗要弄这么个圈套？”“这你就不懂了！“吴良辅眯着眼儿笑，"万岁爷的心性你还摸不透。这叫做偶然机遇，最能让万岁爷上心、觉着有趣。 要是和尚求见，不但身分低了，不得万岁爷看重，而且不要一两天工夫，万岁爷就会撂到脑后去了。再有一层，要是正经八百地引见和尚，汤若望又要诤谏个没完，又该咱们吃瘪。”“可人家都说…………”吴禄迟疑地望望吴良辅，又小声嗫嚅着说：“人家都说汤若望是真圣人，咱们何苦……”吴良辅眼睛里明明有一股怒火。不过，他半笑不笑地看了吴禄一会儿，说：“实话对你讲，小幺儿，我费这么大心思，要万岁爷亲近佛爷，为的就是避开那位圣人。只要有他在，咱们总没有舒心快意的时候。他跟咱们是猴儿吃麻花--满拧！ 哼，他还真当自个儿是万岁爷的品德师父呢！也不想想，他那天主圣母什么的，在咱们中国谁吃那一套啊？能抗得过咱的如来佛观世音？能抗得过咱的玉皇大帝、王母娘娘吗？……要论他那个人儿，挺正经，不贪赃不枉法的，可那又顶啥？他堵了咱爷儿们的路哇！……哎，我说小幺儿，陈之遴给的那几万银票到手没有？”“人家说，要等那差使到手才交钱呢！”“哈，猴精！一点儿亏不吃啊！……”吴良辅转眼间又感慨起来，拍拍吴禄的肩膀：“咱爷儿们这路人，一辈子有什么指望？不就多落俩钱儿，图个老来福！不趁着年轻力壮、万岁爷宠信的当口多弄点，将来收尸都没有人啊！……”他摇摇头，又点点头，表情很有点悲凉，使他漂亮的面容刹那间象是老了十多岁，眼皮下嘴角边的皱纹都越加触目了。 “可是万岁爷跟太后都那么看重汤老爷，咱们动得了他？”“要不叫他圣人呢？要不咱爷儿们得小心着办呢？不过这话还有另一说，"尽管两人坐在小小的单间，吴良辅还是向四周望望风，压低嗓子说：“你说万岁爷跟太后为什么赶着他叫玛法？告诉你吧，小幺儿，那是为了南明永历！……”“啊？"吴禄的眼睛瞪得溜圆，张了张嘴。 “小孩子家，这样的大事你就参不透了！永历一家老小都进了天主教，文臣瞿式耜、武将焦琏什么的全都是教徒。这天主教传来中国也七八十年了，传教士哪儿都有，永历那边儿也不老少。汤若望道德学问是传教士里拔尖儿的，你想，朝廷尊他敬他重用他，会没有道理？”“呀，万岁爷和太后真有心计啊！"吴禄叹了一声。 “什么心计！这叫治国的本事！"吴良辅赶紧训诫他两句，又接着说：“眼下孙可望降了，永历看看就要玩儿完。只要南明一垮，这位汤玛法的好日子就不多了！……不信，走着瞧！"吴禄生怕总管喝醉，小心翼翼地说：“总管，咱们走吧？”“着哪门子急！"吴良辅脸一沉，要发脾气，忽而一回味，暧昧地笑了：“哦，我想起来了，你新近认了个干妹子，是景仁宫里头的吧？怪不得急着要走，半个多月不见面儿，想坏了，是不是？"吴禄也嘻嘻地笑了。 “罢，罢！咱们走！"吴良辅端起醋壶，连着喝了三大口，酸得他龇牙咧嘴，可还不住嘴地调笑：“小幺儿，有了妹子结了对子，可别忘了哥哥。喝醋的味儿真不好受哇！"雪下得越发大了，密如帘栊，仿佛从天顶垂下一面巨大的轻纱，透过它看远近景色，更显得庄重、肃穆，还带有一点神秘。金殿碧阁化为玉宇琼楼，皇家御苑别是一种风姿。 坤宁宫里，温暖如春。鎏金银丝罩的熏炉内，红螺炭火正旺，烧得又红又亮，和头顶悬着佩玉流苏的金红色宫灯相辉映，耀得东暖阁明亮照眼；一对绘着八仙庆寿的粉底五彩瓷大花瓶里，插着初放的红梅和白梅；几只椭圆形的郎窑水仙盆中，淡黄蕊洁白瓣的水仙花在碧玉似的长叶衬托下分外精神；浓郁的花香和着熏炉里阵阵飘出的沉香，把整个坤宁宫都包在一团馥郁醉人的温香中了。 皇后的住处，今天换了几样摆设，使前来问候、说话解闷的主位娘娘们又是看又是摸，赞不绝口。淑惠妃是皇后的亲妹子，又是每天必来的人，最为随便，守着那台紫檀龙凤五风铜镜台，不住口地称道那活生生的雕工，时不时地对镜台上那面荷兰国进贡的大圆镜瞧几眼，扬扬眉，掠掠鬓，欣赏自己娇美的面影。 端妃扯着恭妃，要她看那对脂玉夔龙雕花插瓶。恭妃却扯着端妃，要她去看南窗下那一对金海棠花福寿大茶盘。后来，两人一道走到南边大炕一角，静妃在那儿静静地站着，低头望着八仙桌上的摆设--那是在一对翡翠瓷观音瓶之间躺着的一件古铜蕉叶花觚，蕉叶舒卷自如，象真的一样，谁能想到是用坚硬的铜制成的呢？更妙的是花觚内透亮的清水养着两朵带叶的红芍药。这便是宫中有名的唐花了。 静妃，就是四年前被顺治废掉的第一个皇后。因为皇上不在宫中，她也来坤宁宫向皇后请安。被废以来，她一向落拓，今天却特意打扮了一下，显得容貌俏丽，衣着华美，还竭力维持着当年的格格和正位中宫时的高贵气度。这是因为，尽管宫规宫礼只讲位分等级，不论其他；但在博尔济吉特家的格格里，她毕竟辈分最高--是皇后的姑妈，不能太塌架。 不过命运对她的打击清清楚楚印在她的眼角和额头，二十二三岁的人，蛛网似的细纹已经铺满了这些地方，搽脂抹粉也遮盖不祝如果她笑一笑，便如三十岁上下的妇人了。见端妃和恭妃走来，静妃强笑道：“瞧这花觚古色古香的，真是件宝贝。"端妃笑道：“淑惠妃刚才说，这是皇上二次大婚时的妆奁呢。姐姐你那次进宫，妆奁一定是更……”恭妃连忙向端妃使眼色，端妃缩住口，旋又笑道：“妹妹有口无心，姐姐请莫生气。"这真无异于当众奚落。但静妃几年来受冷遇，早已习惯了，不在意地说：“这花觚配鲜红芍药，更是艳丽非凡的了。"端妃道：“芍药虽好，总比不上花王牡丹。"恭妃也笑道：“是埃况且这是唐花，不是当令名花，要按月令来说，早已过时了。"静妃冷冷扫了她们一眼，淡淡一笑，反击道：“说的是。 腊月当令，唯有梅花。其他百花百草，任有百媚千娇，也只好凋零自落了。“端妃、恭妃互相看了一眼，连连点头说：“正是呢，姐姐说得对。"那边，皇后的亲妹子淑惠妃照着镜子，头也不回地招呼皇后：“姐姐，瞧见吗？今儿个象谁下了帖子似的，咱们博尔济吉特家的人都来齐了。哦，不过，还少个谨贵人。"听皇后不答，她才回头去看。皇后坐在那里，正对着一双黄面红里百子五彩大果盘发愣。她连忙走近，看了一眼那彩色大果盘里神态各异、活泼顽皮的一百个小孩儿，顿时明白了姐姐心头的苦楚。她自己心里也不是滋味。不过她毕竟负担轻些、想得开些。她用绣花粉红绸绢轻轻往姐姐面前一摇，笑道：“姐姐，打发他们叫谨贵人来，凑个双数儿，咱们好斗牌啊！"皇后这才回过神来，看了妹妹一眼，轻轻叹口气。 “要不，咱们打马吊玩玩？” 皇后摇摇头。 “姐姐，"淑惠妃放低了声音：“你要闷出病来的。找太医来瞧瞧？要不，到后花园去赏雪？……”皇后苦笑道：“你别瞎张罗啦。"淑惠妃装作生气的样子：“可不是，谁叫我没长谨贵人那么一张厉害嘴哩？她不来，姐姐就不给笑脸儿！……咦？说曹操，曹操到！……”果然，康妃和谨贵人披着貂皮风雪氅，前来向皇后请安了。眼快心灵的淑惠妃一眼就看出来，这两位心里都有事。谨贵人没了平日的爽利劲儿，眼圈儿红红的。What's the matter? 坤宁宫总管太监跟脚儿进来禀告：“万岁爷打发吴总管和小吴子来向皇后报信儿。"屋里的娘娘们登时住了口，停了动作，眼巴巴地瞧着皇后。皇后也觉着心口跳得怦怦直响，声音有些发抖：“传他们进来！"吴良辅和吴禄叩过了头，恭恭敬敬地跪在炕前地毯上，吴良辅说：“奴才给皇后、主位们请安。”“罢了。回宫来有什么事？”“禀娘娘，奴才奉万岁爷差遣，回宫禀告娘娘，皇太后前天夜里三更时分起，浑身发热，涕泪不止，头痛头晕。昨儿个病势更重，又添了咳嗽。今儿个一直昏睡不醒……”“召太医瞧了没有？”“太医院的院使和左院判领了八名御医在南苑侍候着。万岁爷心中焦虑，昨日往上帝坛祷祀，今儿又冒雪再次前往。皇贵妃娘娘日夜侍奉太后床前，寝食俱废……”淑惠妃撇嘴哼了一声，背转身去。端妃和恭妃互相交换了个眼色，满脸不屑的表情。倒是平日最恨董鄂妃的谨贵人毫无表情，象是什么也没听到，望着地面发呆。 吴良辅继续禀道：“要是皇后和主位们想去南苑……”坐在皇后身边的淑惠妃一口接过来：“南苑要是用得着我们姐妹，哪儿还等到今天？我们一个个笨嘴拙舌的，又不会甜言蜜语，又弄不来那个诗呀画儿的，没的惹人家讨厌！"吴良辅赶紧低头，不敢说话了。 十一月中旬，皇帝和皇贵妃陪着皇太后游幸南苑，仿佛儿子、媳妇同着老母三人去享天伦之乐。皇后嘴里不说，心里可不是滋味。妃嫔贵人们，就更加愤愤不平，怨声载道了。 整整一个月，宫廷的中心转移到了南苑，大内一派冷清。皇上在宫里，不管怎么说还有点儿盼头，这一个月，连点活气儿都没了。现在太后病了，又想起我们来了！哼，谁得脸谁应承去吧！别净想好处自个儿揣，坏事让别人摊！……不过，这么多妃嫔贵人，连皇后在内，敢于把这不满形于辞色的，也还只有这位淑惠妃。 看两名太监叩个头要退下的样子，淑惠妃看了姐姐一眼，对他们喝道：“慢着！还有话问你们！”“喳，喳。"两名太监赶紧跪好。 “皇上身子骨好吗？” “回主位的话，万岁爷今冬在南苑校猎，能吃能睡，人长胖了，面色也红润了。”“还有呢？”“还有？……”吴良辅摸不着头脑。 “大胆！都说皇上近日办了件什么事儿，京师全传遍了，怎么还瞒着我们姐妹？““回主位，有，有！万岁爷办那件事可真厉害！不止京师，怕是天下人都要盛赞万岁爷呢！……小吴子那会儿就在万岁爷跟前……小吴子，还不快细细禀告！”“喳、喳！"吴禄磕了响头之后，便发挥他口齿伶俐的特长，讲起那天皇上微服出猎、遇上劈木柴老汉的故事。最精彩、最有戏剧性的部分在后头，在皇上陪老汉到镇上找参领讲理的时候。 在参领的住宅大门，门丁根本不让他们靠近。是皇上一口流利的满语，才使门丁疑惑着进去通报。谁知那参领竟以为小事一段，自己懒得出来，叫他老婆出来应付。这女人高大肥胖，一向凶横惯了，哪里把他们放在眼里，兜头就是一顿臭骂，还说什么"就是抢了，就是占了，谁叫他是蛮子，活该！你敢拿我怎么样！“皇上气极了，说：“你们竟敢这样无法无天，告到地方去，有你们什么好？"参领老婆扬头大笑，说：“只要你敢告，去告好了！我要怕了你，下辈子不是人！"说罢，她又竖起眉毛恶狠狠地叫骂，要他们滚开。她见皇上站在那儿不动，抄起门边的杠子就朝皇上砸去，嘴里还骂着：“打死你这个多管闲事的小杂种！"皇上大怒，一声断喝，抽出他的硬弓只一挡，那女人的棍子飞出去两丈远。这时候，皇上的侍卫队赶来护驾，几百人把这所宅子围了个密不透风。参领和他老