Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 265
Seeing Mr. Zhuang wait for Chuyu to go out with Xiyun and Xicai and talk, Cao Yong knew that there was something important to discuss, but when he saw what was in the envelope, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

It was a very inconspicuous black iron finger, but it made Cao Yong feel familiar.He looked carefully at the wrench, and there was a faint mountain on it, followed by a pattern of the sun and the moon rising together.

Mr. Zhuang originally asked Cao Yong to pay attention to the letter, but unexpectedly, he paid attention to the finger puller, and asked with some doubts, "Fu Ruo has seen this thing?"

Hearing this, Cao Yong shook his head and said, "This is the first time I've seen it before, but it looks familiar!" Then, he put his finger on his thumb, held it up to his eyes, and said to Mr. Zhuang : "Sir, how could Du Xiong have this finger puller? Could it be that the other party also likes to ride and shoot, so he wears this?"

At present, this finger is not a decoration, except when practicing arrows or hunting, few people wear it.

Mr. Zhuang pointed to the letter ignored by Cao Yong, and said: "This is the letter brought by the servant of Du Xiong's family, but the letter has no beginning or end, and I don't know where it is sent!" Looking at the wrench finger, he said: "This is probably used as a token, but this object is unusual. This is the token of the Hongmen hall master!"

Sure enough, Cao Yong took off the finger and sighed in his heart.There was nothing wrong with it at first glance, but after a closer look, except for the different design, it was the same as the finger wrench he got in the other courtyard in Hangzhou back then.The previous ring finger only had a simple plum blossom pattern on it.

It is also Cao Yong's resentment to mention the finger.It's a good encounter with a monk who is about to die, and the other party is the founder of the famous Hongmen, which is also an adventure.Why is it that the legendary martial arts cheats or peerless magical skills are all missing, and only a broken finger is left for him to pass on.

Although he is not a big man, Cao Yong is not willing to be a man who breaks his promise and becomes fat. No matter what great man this monk was before his death, he was just a dying old man when he met him.

However, Cao Yong was not dazed yet. He knew that Hongmen's rule of "anti-Qing and restoring the Ming Dynasty" was destined to open up the Shanli faction, which was a "rebellion" that the court would not tolerate.Naturally, he would not hold the plum blossom finger and go all over the sky to look for "Wu Tiancheng" of "Dahong Mountain".

He had already wrapped the finger in wax oil and buried it under the "Green Emerald" stone in the East Garden of Jiangning Weaving Mansion.

The East Garden has always been sealed for the sake of taking over, and few people go there. The word "Diaicui" was written by Kangxi himself. Unless the dynasty changes, no one should have the courage to move it easily.Bury things there, Cao Yong is very at ease.

It was inconvenient when I was young, and I couldn't take care of that; when I was older, Cao Yong paid attention to books related to Hunan's geography and travel notes. After reading countless books, he couldn't find the place "Dahong Mountain".Or if there is any metaphor in it, he can only let it go.But he didn't expect to see something from Hongmen in Shandong today.

Mr. Zhuang didn't notice Cao Yong's strangeness, and seeing that he responded, he just thought he didn't know the allusion of "Hongmen", and explained: "They were very active in the eight southern provinces in the early years, but they were depressed because of the chaos in the 40 years of Kangxi. These years, few people have mentioned it. I didn't expect to see this in the north, and I don't know what the relationship between Du Xiong and Hongmen is." Speaking of this, he thought for a while and said: "Fu Ruo, Zhang Yi and the others went to interrogate Na Du The family has gone, Du Xiong's side, it's not easy to wait any longer! He is panicking right now, who knows what will happen!"

Cao Yong had just heard Chu Yu and the others mention the matter of Du Xiong's daughter sneaking in, and he was still a little scared.Listening to Xicai's report, the members of the Du family are already full of resentment, if they really have evil intentions and make Chuyu slip up, they will be too late to regret.

It's really strange, obviously he is the victim, but how come he became like a "wicked person" instead?That Du Xiong was also a no-brainer, he fell into this kind of thing in a daze, he didn't think about how to find out what was wrong, find the person behind the scenes to make amends, instead he did something that was not there.

When Cao Yong heard about the matter of the Du family, he felt very distasteful, and agreed with Mr. Zhuang's proposal to arrest Du Xiong.

*
Not only was Du Ping imprisoned in the county government prison, but he was also taken directly to the now vacant torture room.

This was specially explained by Mr. Zhuang, because he thought that he might be able to ask some serious questions. If there are many people outside, it would be inappropriate.Therefore, Du Ping was brought here by Zhang Yi and others.

After tying Du Ping to the pillar, only Zhao Tong was left behind by Zhang Yi, and the others were dismissed temporarily.

Because his master was seriously injured, Zhang Yi showed no mercy to the Du family. Holding a whip, he shouted and asked, "Say! What did that bastard tell you? If you want to die, you must explain it to the master." !"

With fear on his face, Du Ping said, "What is the official talking about? It's just that my master sent the young master to bring the young master out to play. How can there be anything else?"

Zhang Yi saw him talking nonsense with empty teeth, how could he have a good temper?With a wave of his arm, a whip has been whipped to Du Ping's body.The whip slightly scratched Du Ping's cheek, leaving a bloodstain.

Du Ping screamed in pain, but still insisted that his master did not explain.Seeing that Zhang Yi was such a rascal, his subordinates couldn't stop, whip after whip, whipping him fiercely.

Du Ping was indeed a loyal servant. He was tied to a pillar and received more than ten whips.

Zhang Yi was so angry that his attacks became more and more ruthless.Du Ping's body and face were covered with welts, bloody, with his eyes closed, the moans in his mouth became smaller and smaller.

Zhang Yi wanted to fight again, but was stopped by Zhao Tong next to him.Zhao Tong glanced at Du Ping, who was covered in blood, and said with a sneer: "I didn't expect that a good man would come out of this corner! I want to remind you that the little boy you brought is still there. If you think he's dead Long, just keep silent!"

The snake struck seven inches, it hit Du Ping's sore spot.He immediately opened his eyes, with a look of fear on his face, he asked anxiously: "What are you doing to my young master? Where is my young master?"

Because he is a loyal servant, Zhao Tongxin also admired him somewhat, but when he remembered that it was the Du family who almost killed his own master, the sympathy he felt disappeared immediately, and he snorted coldly and said: "How about him, doesn't it depend on whether you are smart or not? If you tell me, he will be fine; otherwise, the master will lose his patience, and Bao Buqi will break his two legs first and vent his anger!"

He spoke viciously, and Du Ping was terrified.Although he was by Du Xiong's side on weekdays, the Du family also had some thugs who guarded the courtyard, but compared to the man with a fierce face in front of him, he looked like a naughty boy.

After all, Du Ping is in his 20s, and he has some experience and knows the priorities.Among other things, the mere act of collaborating with bandits is enough to kill my master.Therefore, he still closed his eyes and returned to his previous appearance.

Although Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong looked ferocious, they were by Cao Yong's side on weekdays, just acting as long-term followers. After all, it was the first time they had encountered this kind of interrogation. Apart from being cruel, they really had no other experience.Seeing that Du Ping had turned into an "iron broad bean" that couldn't be bitten off, both of them frowned and looked at each other, wondering if it was really necessary to bring that kid from the Du family here to make him more sensible.

However, it's just an interrogation of a person, and they have to make such a big show, wouldn't they appear to be useless?
Just as he was hesitating, he heard footsteps outside the door, followed by Xiaoman's voice, saying: "Brother Zhang, Brother Zhao, is everything all right?"

The two opened the door and let Xiao Man in, and saw that what he was carrying in his hand was the young master of the Du family.Du Jie had walnuts stuffed into his mouth, his arms were tied up again, his face was disfigured from crying, and he looked very pitiful.

Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong were two, but they didn't feel sorry for him, they only thought that Xiao Man came at the right time.Zhang Yi said with a smile: "Brother Xiaoman, you are getting smarter every day! This kid is keeping his eyes open, we are thinking about bringing this brat over here, you are really timely!"

Xiaoman handed Du Jie to Zhao Tong, and said with a smile: "Two brothers, Master Wei sent me here. I don't have that face, I take the credit for nothing!"

Zhang Yi asked: "Master Wei is back? I think the third and fourth sons of Ren are going to be punched again, let them lead people to watch Zhuangzi, and they can release these people!"

Zhao Tong followed Yinghe and said: "No, they are really promising! Release the son and daughter of the Du family's bastard, and we will lose face when we are still tired. It's really hateful!"

Xiaoman said: "Listening to Zhou Feng who went with me, Master Wei kicked them several times! He has already taken the warrant of the uncle and gone to Dujiazhuang to arrest people. He will come back after a while! Master Wei heard that the two elder brothers Here, I’ve said it, I’m afraid this guy won’t be able to speak, so I have to use this brat to trick me, and I also said, sir, let these bumpkins see our methods, so that they won’t be underestimated again!”

The last few sentences, imitating Wei Hei's tone vividly, made both Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong laugh.

Although Duan closed his eyes, he only felt the burning pain in his body, but his ears could still hear clearly.

Hearing the conversation between the two, he opened his eyes. The one held in his hands like a chicken was not his young master, or who?He was so terrified that he couldn't speak. After a while, Fang asked loudly: "What are you going to do? Even if my master offends your lord, what are you doing to my young master? If you are like this, there is no king. law?"

Zhao Tong pulled out the saber from his waist and fiddled with it a few times in front of Du Jie, the tip of the knife never leaving the child's neck.

Du Jie is only seven years old, where has he ever been threatened like this?Display opened his eyes wide, then rolled his eyes, and passed out.

When Du Ping saw him, he didn't know how safe his young master was. He struggled vigorously, his eyes were bloodshot, and his mouth let out a heart-shattering roar, like a wounded beast.

Not only Xiao Man turned pale with fright, but even Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong lost their composure.

Zhao Tongsu was cold-faced, but still holding on, he took the tip of a knife and gestured at the child's limbs, stared at Du An, and said in his mouth: "What are you screaming for! Since you want to be a good man, I will help you! What is it? Arms first or legs first, this is for you to choose, or do you want Master to make the decision for you?"

Having said that, but looking at the poor child, how could Zhao Tong do anything?After all, unlike brothers Wu Mao and Wu Sheng, the brothers of the Wu family had followed Cao Yong in their early years, had more knowledge, and had personally seen bloody killings.

Zhao Tong and Zhang Yi were pampered in the capital, and the errands they did on weekdays were just errands, and they had never seen such things.Besides, they know Cao Yong's temper, and they don't treat the common people like nothing like other powerful families.

Even with Mr. Zhuang's orders, they didn't let them touch the child after all. If they really wanted to mutilate the child for the sake of asking for a confession, they really couldn't do it.

After all, children are innocent, if it were Du Xiong who was here, they probably would have already greeted them with their knives without anyone telling them.

Zhao Tong was still hesitating, when he heard someone snort outside the door.

It turned out that Wei Hei was worried after all, so he came over to have a look.However, seeing that Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong were masters who could only move their mouths but could not act, they pushed the door in with a cold face.

Seeing his ugly face, Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong felt ashamed, they both bowed their heads and said, "Master Wei!"

Wei Hei glanced at them coldly, and said, "You guys are kind-hearted! Don't forget, who are these people now? People who can make adults think, they don't deserve your soft-heartedness!"

Zhang Yi and Zhao Tong were shy, and said in unison: "Master Wei taught me that I know I was wrong!"

Du Ping's eyes were still red, staring fixedly at this side.

Wei Hei didn't even look at him, he directly held Du Jie in his hand, slapped him down, and woke him up.Then he took the walnut out of his mouth, and untied the rope on his body.

Du Jie was so frightened that he shivered and opened his mouth, not daring to cry out.

Wei Hei flicked his shoulder, only to hear the sound of the bones being staggered, and Du Jie immediately let out a cry like killing a pig.

Not to mention how Du Ping saw it, even Xiao Man and Zhang Yi who were on the side felt chills.Only Zhao Tong watched Wei Hei's technique carefully, with an inadvertent look of envy on his face.

Wei Hei nodded secretly when he saw it.After this accident, he also found something wrong, that is, there are too few people around Cao Yong who can use their strength.Although most of them were born in the Cao family, and their loyalty could be guaranteed, they were all naive, and there were not many hard-hearted ones.If it continues like this, it's really not good.

*
To the west of the city, Du's Village, study room.

Besides Du Xiong, Du Hui and Du Bin were also there.The two were eating happily at Fushun Restaurant, when they saw the young servant from Du's family coming to look for him panting, saying that Du Xiong was in a hurry and asked the second master to go over and talk immediately.

Du Hui was complacent, knowing that his elder brother couldn't hold on anymore, was he ignorant, he was still resisting a few days ago, now he is obediently asking him to make peace?
Hearing that it was a family matter of the Du family, Du Bin wanted to avoid it and not get involved with the past, but he couldn't bear Du Hui's kind words and begged, so he came over to watch the excitement.

After entering the room, Du Hui held back his complacency, with a look of sadness on his face, he clasped his fists and said, "Brother, please mourn! My niece..." At this point, he paused, and said, "The one named Zhao Not a thing!"

Du Xiong's eyes were a little numb, he stiffened his body, and sat softly on the chair behind the desk.Seeing that there was an official following behind his brother, his face was full of horror and surprise.

Only then did Du Hui seem to remember, turned sideways, pointed to Du Bin, and introduced to his eldest brother: "Brother, this is Mr. Du from Antonwei, who has the same surname as us. We belonged to a family 500 years ago. !"

Du Xiong just nodded his head and didn't even get up, which was really rude.Not to mention that Du Bin felt annoyed, even Du Hui couldn't get rid of his face. He frowned and said in a low voice, "Brother, you've met Master Du soon!"

Du Xiong just raised his arm, and said weakly: "This is the Du family's business, let's invite this military master to go to the living room for tea first!"

Du Hui wanted to say more, but Du Bin looked at Du Xiong's ashen face and was wearing mourning clothes. He was too lazy to care about his impoliteness, so he said to Du Hui: "Brother Du, there are still brothers who need to be taken care of over there. Let's talk tomorrow." , Brother, go back first!"

Du Hui wanted to keep Du Hui back, but Du Bin waved his hand and said, "Why are you being polite to my brother? Let's get busy with the stall at home first! My brother won't be here for a few days, and I will have time to talk later!" While speaking, he strode out up.

Du Hui had no choice but to follow behind, sent out the gate, and then went back to the study. He couldn't help complaining to Du Xiong: "How could the elder brother do this? It's not easy for the brother to be thick-skinned and invite Mr. Du to come home. Let him be a middleman and intercede with Daotai!"

Du Xiong didn't answer, but took out a small wooden box from the desk, pushed it in front of Du Hui, and said, "Second brother, these are my elder brother's house deed and land deed, and those uncles are in the hands of my aunt. After the funeral, find a day and ask the clansmen to separate the family, who would have thought it would be like this!"

Du Hui didn't know his brother's intentions, so he couldn't help being stunned.

Du Xiong stood up and knelt down in front of Du Hui with a "plop".

Du Hui rushed to help him and asked, "Brother, what are you doing? You killed brother!"

Du Xiong sighed, and said in despair: "Jie'er was taken away by them! Now my brother has figured it out, I'm afraid my brother's life won't be saved. I only hope that the second brother can see the brotherhood of the compatriots, and treat your sister-in-law and you Take care of my niece!"

********
(End of this chapter)