Fu Shifeng

Chapter 219
"Jun Yu of Zhaoyang is here. We missed you from a distance, so please forgive me."

In the evening, as soon as Cheng Sanwu left the banquet hosted by the governor of Huzhou, he was invited by the Guan family to attend another banquet with him at the manor house in the city. Chang Qing beside him shook his head and sighed, so he had no choice but to accompany him.

After Cheng Sanwu arrived in Huzhou, he received various invitations before he even had time to go to Wulingzhuang. In addition to the martial arts people who gradually gathered in Huzhou and wanted to see him, local officials and wealthy families also held banquets in his honor.

At the same time, there were also generous contributions. Cheng Sanwu didn't care about it at all and just accepted it all.

"I'm afraid that's not right?"

Arriving at Guan's Mansion, as soon as he sat down at the table, a gift sheet was presented to him. Cheng Sanwu glanced at it casually, and then threw it to Chang Qing for a look. He looked at the treasures and silk treasures inside and whispered to Cheng Sanwu:
"I don't think these look like a reward for killing the thief, but rather a deliberately flattering offer. The Huzhou Guan clan is overly enthusiastic and probably has ulterior motives."

Cheng Sanwu laughed it off: "Look at what you said, what is my status now? It's very common for them to have ulterior motives, it's just human nature."

While the two were talking, food and wine were brought to the table. At the same time, more than a dozen singing prostitutes and dancers came to the hall to perform. Cheng Sanwu ate and drank with peace of mind. While he was drunk, three old men in brocade robes came to offer a toast. They are all descendants of the Guan family in Huzhou.

Changqing raised his eyes and saw that in addition to the flattery on the faces of these three people, there was also a hint of greed hidden in their faces. They clearly wanted to rely on Cheng Sanwu for personal gain.

"Jun Zhaoyang, I wonder if the singing and dancing in this land of Wu and Yue are good for your eyes?" one of the old men in brocade robes asked.

"Not bad, really not bad." Cheng Sanwu looked at the dancers wearing several layers of gauze skirts with great interest, and then smiled and said: "I am flattered by your warm hospitality."

Opposite me, the old man in brocade robe poured the wine in person: "Mr. Zhaoyang is my great benefactor of the Guan family in Huzhou. I cannot entertain you too much."

"Oh? It seems that Fan Zhongming's head is more valuable than I originally expected." Cheng Sanwu reached behind his arm, brought the wooden box to the table, opened it with a flick, and revealed the forged head.

However, this move frightened the three old men of the Guan family to death. They all covered their faces with their sleeves and did not dare to look.

Cheng Sanwu and Changqing both sneered secretly when they saw this. These old men in brocade robes were weak and had obviously not experienced any killings for a long time.

What is strange is that even though there have been no wars in Jiangnan for many years, there are still open and covert fights between various martial arts factions and powerful people. I really don’t know how they can be so timid and fragile despite being so rich.

"Hahahaha - I scared some old brothers!" Cheng Sanwu covered the wooden box and put it down, and immediately put on a friendly attitude: "I have heard before that the Guan family in Huzhou has great rules and is very particular. If not If I take Fan Zhongming’s head, I’m afraid I won’t be able to receive the reward.”

The three old men in brocade robes hurriedly replied: "Mr. Zhaoyang is laughing at me. I am just a country man, relying on diligence and frugality to manage my family and amass some extravagant wealth. In the past, it would have been difficult for me to get into the eyes of Mr. Zhaoyang."

"Exactly! Mr. Zhaoyang is the pillar of the imperial court. It is a great honor for our Huzhou Guan clan to be able to make friends with you."

"We are very particular about our rules, but they are all old habits. We should not have restrained someone like Zhaoyang Jun in the first place. We were afraid of offending, so we set up a banquet to ask for Zhaoyang Jun's forgiveness."

Listening to the docile rhetoric, Cheng Sanwu no longer had much favorable impression of this group of people. At this time, Chang Qing next to him asked: "Since it is an old and bad habit, why not abolish the old and establish the new?"

Seeing that Chang Qing was handsome and elegant, the three old men in brocade robes regarded him as Cheng Sanwu's staff and did not dare to be careless. They replied respectfully: "To tell you the truth, since the thief Fan Zhongming killed all the men of the master's family, we The power in the clan was gradually controlled by Mrs. He."

"In the past, whenever there was any major matter in the clan, such as land and property, building bridges and paving roads, digging wells and canals, the head family would discuss it with a group of side clans, and come up with a charter that everyone agreed with before starting the work."

"But now, Mrs. He is becoming more and more stubborn. She alone has the final say on all matters concerning the Guan family in Huzhou, and does not let our Guan family interfere at all. She even recruited a group of cheap maids from her hometown to do anything to the Guan family. Beat and scold.”

While the three old men in brocade robes were talking, Cheng Sanwu had already eaten half of a steamed goose with soy sauce. Listening to the other party's complaints, he anticipated what the other party wanted to say, so he slapped the table and pretended to be angry:
"Okay! According to the laws of this dynasty, when a slave beats his master, what should he do...how should he do it?"

Cheng Sanwu didn't know anything about the law, so he had to turn his head and look to Changqing for help.

"Slaves who harm their masters will be hanged." Changqing couldn't help but sigh secretly. He was also a human being, but if he was unfortunate enough to be a slave, his status would be comparable to that of an animal.Therefore, he did not want to keep slaves. When he was in Chang'an, the slaves given to him by the four wealthy people were later transferred to Su Wangting for settlement.

The three old men in golden robes nodded immediately after hearing this: "That's right! Mrs. He allowed her slaves to kill the Guan family's children. A few days ago, one of my sons had his legs kicked off by his slaves just because he made some minor mistakes. Drag him to the county government office for questioning!"

Speaking of this, one of the old men in brocade robes raised his sleeves to wipe away his tears, while the other two also sighed and complained constantly:

"Mrs. He relied on her past power, and the local governor and county magistrate did not dare to embarrass her. My descendants of the Guan family are becoming more and more embarrassed every day, and the ancestral inheritance is about to be taken away by those outsiders. It is really unbearable. !”

Seeing this group of people in despair and bursting into tears, Cheng Sanwu didn't feel any sincerity at all. He turned to look at Changqing, who looked like it had nothing to do with him.

"What difficulties do these old brothers have in telling me this?" Cheng Sanwu asked following the other party's words.

The three old men in golden robes said quickly: "We hope Lord Zhaoyang will uphold justice for us and help the Guan family in Huzhou regain their property!"

Cheng Sanwu immediately asked: "Do you want me to kill Mrs. He?"

As soon as these words came out, the three people opposite were so frightened that their old faces turned pale, and they waved their hands repeatedly: "It doesn't have to be like this... Ku Lie."

"Jun Zhaoyang's words can be regarded as Jiuding. If Mrs. He can be urged a little to make her take the initiative to go into seclusion, so that our Huzhou Guan clan can make our own decisions again, then there will be no need to kill anyone."

Changqing raised his glass and tasted it expressionlessly, but in his heart he had already made a judgment on these old people of the Guan family in Huzhou. They were just a group of people who only saw profit and cherished their lives. They were greedy for wealth and intended to get something for nothing through Cheng Sanwu, but they were timid. Like a rat, he is afraid of making things worse.

"It's not that easy." Cheng Sanwu said: "If Madam He refuses to give in, even breaking the sky won't work. And according to what you guys said, there seems to be a group of experts beside Madam He?"

Seeing the three old men nodding, Cheng Sanwu said: "Then at least the wings must be plucked out. If you want to succeed without blood, I advise you not to put too much hope in it."

The old man in Jinpao said quickly: "Mr. Zhaoyang has no problem killing the bunch of cheap maids raised by Mrs. He... Of course, there is nothing wrong with keeping them for your own use."

"What? They are beautiful?" Cheng Sanwu raised his eyebrows.The three old men in brocade robes all showed obscene looks, which made people sick to their stomachs: "There are many of them with outstanding looks. Even if they are sold to a brothel, they will be worth a lot of money."

Cheng Sanwu smiled and nodded subtly, while Changqing on the side endured the anger and left with a puff of sleeves.

"But I came to Huzhou this time to receive a reward." Cheng Sanwu said: "You clearly want me to force Mrs. He to abdicate in favor of someone more worthy. This matter... is not easy to handle."

The smile on the face of the old man in golden robe was full of flattery: "Jun Zhaoyang, please rest assured. Not only can you get the reward for killing Thief Fan, but the future of our Huzhou Guan family's industry will also belong to Jun Zhaoyang."

"Okay! It's settled then." Cheng Sanwu slapped the table and raised his glass in praise.

After the banquet, Cheng Sanwu and others were arranged to stay overnight in a guest house, and three old men in brocade robes were sent away. Changqing couldn't help but ask, "Are you going to help them?"

Cheng Sanwu did not answer directly: "Are you not happy?"

"Yes, I am indeed not happy." Changqing said frankly: "Although I have never met Mrs. He, I have inquired about it after I came to Huzhou. According to local people, Mrs. He's benefits to the countryside are not That kind of powerful man who invades and bullies men and women.

"The Guan family in Huzhou has gone through a catastrophe, and it is obvious that she was the one who protected her today. But these people are not grateful, and actually want to seek wealth and murder, and divide the family property? This is not only vicious, but also short-sighted! What if there is no such thing? Old madam, the Guan family in Huzhou will never be able to sustain it."

"Then you want to help Mrs. He?" Cheng Sanwu chuckled and said, "Let me remind you that sometimes you can't look at someone solely based on outside rumors."

"Of course I understand." Changqing sighed.

"You don't have to worry about this. The dominatrix and I have our own arrangements. Just let those people continue to show off." Cheng Sanwu waved his hand: "Get some rest early. You may still be busy tomorrow."

The two of them went back to their rooms to rest. Changqing was thinking hard as usual. Half an hour later, he suddenly sensed two people coming into the courtyard. They were light-footed and short of breath. They were obviously ordinary people with no foundation.

Chang Qing's spiritual sense was so keen that even without opening the door or window, he could still sense that the arrival was two women. They came to the outside of Cheng Sanwu's house by familiar routes, quietly opened the door and entered.

A moment later, there was a buzzing sound in Cheng Sanwu's room, followed by a woman moaning and screaming.

Changqing reluctantly restrained her spiritual sense. This must be a maid sent by the Guan family to please Cheng Sanwu.Naturally, Cheng Sanwu would not refuse anyone who came and enjoyed it.

In fact, Changqing guessed that Cheng Sanwu and Afu had more than simple intentions for their trip, but since they refused to say it clearly, it was hard for him to ask further.

Too lazy to think about it, Changqing fell asleep.Just after lying down for a moment, he made another secret and cast a spell. A spiritual talisman was printed on the door leaf through the air, blocking out the sound.

……

The next morning, Cheng Sanwuyi felt refreshed and refreshed.

Although the maid sent by the Guan family to serve her is far inferior to Afu, she is used to eating delicacies from the mountains and seas, and occasionally trying green vegetables and tofu is a good change of taste.

Leaving Wucheng County and heading south, the scenery along the way is beautiful, the sky is high and the clouds are clear. There is no frost and snow in the winter in the south of the Yangtze River, and it is naturally not bitterly cold. The distant mountains are like splashes of paint on a scroll, and the poetic and picturesque scenery can be seen.

The area around Taihu Lake has been called the Land of Wu since ancient times, and there are countless mountains named after Wuling. However, Wulingzhuang, as a martial arts family in the south of the Yangtze River, has a name that everyone knows and knows.

Wulingzhuang is famous in the south of the Yangtze River for its swords swinging in cold blue and flying kites and fish flying in the palms. It integrates poetry, painting and martial arts, and its reputation coexists with elegance.

Originally, Cheng Sanwu thought that this set of sword and palm skills was too elegant, but when he saw the swaying mountains and sea of ​​bamboos around Wuling Village, the rolling blue waves, and the nine-curved stream outside the village with gulls skimming the water, he understood the creative move. The predecessors were inspired by the scene and understood it naturally.

"Are there any masters who are proficient in these two martial arts in Wulingzhuang today?" Cheng Sanwu asked Zhang Jida who was on the side, and it was he who was introducing Wulingzhuang's martial arts just now.

"There should still be some." Zhang Jida said: "It is said that Mrs. He revealed a few years ago that when she married into Wuling Village, even if the head of the Guan family did not teach her deliberately, she was able to master it through the influence of her ears and eyes. "

"Mrs. He is too old to fight with a sword, right? There are no other juniors?" Cheng Sanwu was entertained by the Guan clan last night, and Zhang Jida and other martial arts people were not invited to participate.

"It's natural." Zhang Jida said: "Mrs. He was born in a famous family in Yuezhou. After Wulingzhuang suffered a disaster, she invited fellow Jianghu people from Yuezhou to help, such as Shuiyuezhai, Yue Numen, Jiuwan Residence.”

Cheng Sanwu had a vague impression of Shui Yue Zhai. A Fu once mentioned it, so he asked: "Why do these sects all smell like powder?"

Zhang Jida smiled and said: "That's natural, because these sects only accept women as disciples. It is said that Mrs. He was very outstanding in Yuezhou when she was young. The masters of these three sects all wanted to recruit her into their sect. Later, Mrs. He didn't know what to do. Through some means, although she did not join these three sects, she learned the martial arts of these three sects at the same time, and has always maintained a deep friendship. Therefore, she was able to recruit disciples from these three sects to defend Wuling Village in times of crisis."

"In other words, Wulingzhuang itself is on the same side as these three sects, and I have to deal with these little girls together?" Cheng Sanwu asked.

"With Lord Zhaoyang's ability, it must be no problem." Zhang Jida complimented.

Cheng Sanwu asked again: "These sects are all women. It is impossible for Fan Zhongming not to be tempted. Has he taken action against these sects?"

"Of course!" Zhang Jida said with excitement: "At that time, Fan Zhongming was not alone, but led a group of extremely vicious people into Shuiyuezhai, intending to attack the fake nun who led the practice, but the other two families were in time. They came to help each other and took care of each other, which in turn killed Fan Zhongming's accomplices to pieces, and he himself gradually disappeared."

Cheng Sanwu muttered: "This fat pig is really capable of causing trouble. I think the reward of [-] yuan is a bit too little."

Zhang Jida hurriedly said after hearing this: "Jun Zhaoyang has done great merit by killing Fan Thief. If Mrs. He refuses to give in, she would be ungrateful!"

(End of this chapter)