Emperor Kangxi: The First Rule of the Palace

Chapter 23: After Xiaozhuang, Wei Huchen met the old man on the way (2)
"Zha Xiaolian's heart was suddenly moved, and he sighed and said: "I heard people say that there is a beggar in Haining City. He doesn't drag a stick, his mouth is like a piece of paper, his clothes are like quails, he doesn't eat enough food, and he doesn't look hungry or cold. He is called "Tie" beggar, but you?'”

Kangxi suddenly came to his senses and said, "It turns out that Wu Liuyi got the title of 'Iron Beggar' from here!"

"The man said: 'Yes, I am an iron beggar!' Xiaolian asked again: 'Can I drink alcohol?'

"The iron beggar laughed loudly and said, 'If you can't drink alcohol, what kind of man are you?'

"So Xiaolian invited him to the porch, and the two of them sat facing each other and drank. Xiaolian had a cup, and the iron beggar had a pot. After drinking for more than thirty rounds, the iron beggar's expression remained unchanged, and Zha Xiaolian was already drunk and passed out. Said: 'You are really huge!' Then he returned drunk."

"This Zha is really open-minded!" Kangxi praised, quite envious.

"When I woke up that night, Zha Xiaolian suddenly thought, the weather is so cold, why didn't I invite the iron beggar to my house to avoid the snow? I ordered someone to send my fox fur and robe to the temple, and the iron beggar readily accepted it. No thanks either.

"The next afternoon, Zha Xiaolian went to visit Tie Gai, and seeing that he was still barefoot, he asked in surprise, 'Where's the robe and fur I gave you?'

"'Take it for wine.' The iron beggar smiled faintly, 'What is the use of those things for a beggar?'

"The more Xiao Lian felt that this person should not be taken lightly, and after inquiring about his background, he found out that this iron beggar was originally a child of an aristocratic family. His father, Wu Daoda, was observed by the Ming Dynasty. After his death, his family declined and became a beggar, traveling all over the world. During the chat, Wu Liuyi talked about the mountains and rivers in the south of the Yangtze River, and the formation of troops, all of which are in harmony...

"Zha Xiaolian couldn't help being startled, and said: 'Brother Wu Xian, I misjudged you! You are a marvel in China, how disrespectful it is to treat you as a drinking buddy!'"

Hearing this, Kangxi felt the blood rushing all over his body, and he was so excited that he didn't know what to say.

"Later, Zha Xiaolian invited Wu Liuyi to his home and treated him as a guest every day, saying: 'My virtuous brother is Jiaolong, please stay in my small pond for a while. Fang is in great chaos today, and he doesn't worry about being useless as a hero. The land of martial arts.'"

"Zha Xiaolian can also be regarded as a hero. Without the eyes of a hero, how can one recognize a real talent!" Kangxi said, "What happened afterwards?"

"When my Qing soldiers entered the customs, Hong Chengchou fought to Zhejiang. Zha Xiaolian subsidized the iron beggar and asked him to vote for Hong Chengchou. He fought straight from Fujian to Guangzhou and fought bloody battles for more than a hundred battles. His credit was not inferior to Oboi. I heard earlier He served as the magistrate of Xunzhou, and was later promoted to the admiral of the Nine Sects."

Hearing this, Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief and asked again: "Then why did the person surnamed Cha go to prison again?"

"Wu Liuyi sent a special envoy from Xunzhou to Haining to look for Zha Xiaolian. Only then did he know that Zha Yihuang's family was hit by a military disaster, poor and sick, and sold calligraphy for a living. Wu Liuyi immediately donated 3000 taels of money to help Zha Xiaolian restore his family. Ye. When Zha Xiaolian was visiting the Iron Beggar’s Garden, he accidentally praised the rockery in the garden. The next day, the Iron Beggar ordered people to dismantle it and send it directly to Haining by warship. Think about it, what kind of affection is this? !"

"Where does he get so much money as a magistrate?" Kangxi asked in surprise.

Aunt Su Ma laughed and said: "Master prefers to ask the truth - the wool comes from the sheep, and in the years of war, which general leads the army is not the golden mountain and the silver sea!"

Kangxi nodded and said, "Tell me about the imprisonment of Cha."

Aunt Su Ma smiled and said: "It's fate. There is a man named Zhuang Tingyu who has nothing to do and got a book about "Zhu Xiangguo History" from the Ming Dynasty. The person who wrote the preface was thinking about Cha Xiaolian He is very famous, so he signed his name in it silently. When Lord Shunzhi investigated the book, he was arrested."

"Oh!"

"Wu Liuyi panicked from then on. He hired a gentleman surnamed He. He was a big writer. He wrote memorials for him. He got [-]% off in a month. He insisted on exchanging his official position for Zha Xiaolian's life. Looking at Hong The old man's face and this Wu's meritorious deeds saved Zha Yihuang from death." At this point, Aunt Su Ma smiled, "Long Live Lord, if you pardon him from prison, can Wu Liuyi not be grateful to repay his kindness?"

After hearing this story, Kangxi did not speak for a long time.

It was already midnight when Wei Dongting came out of Suo'etu Mansion after the meeting. At this time, the wind stopped and the rain stopped. Occasionally, the moon shed a clear light from the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the deserted streets and alleys, giving people a sense of mystery. a feeling of.

As a result of the secret discussion between the three, the task of organizing Buku boy and capturing Ao Bai naturally fell on him.When he thought that he was about to serve the Holy One, he suddenly felt energetic; when he thought of Oboi's influence all over the capital, his heart sank again: what kind of people should we choose?From the acquaintances he knew, he weighed their characters, talents, strengths, and weaknesses, and listed many people at once, including Sun Dianchen, Zhang Wanqiang, Zhao Fengchun, Lang Shuang, Mingzhu... Unknowingly, he came here with a bridle. Weizi Alley in the northeast of Xizhimen.He suddenly thought that this place was not far from Yuepeng's shop, so he might as well meet He Guizhu and take him away overnight.If he refused, he had no choice but to silence the matter.

He didn't dare to think too much, turned the horse's head and whipped fiercely towards Yuepeng's shop.Just passing through a large Weizikeng by the side of the alley, I saw a group of night watchmen holding lanterns and shouting from a distance: "Who is riding a horse in front? Get down!" Before they could speak, the group of people had already rushed over on horseback.

Seeing that Wei Dongting was wearing the uniform of a third-class guard, those people did not dare to neglect him.The leader came forward and stabbed a thousand children and said: "The bid is to greet my lord, may I ask my lord where is Kui Ye going?"

Wei Dongting was about to answer, but he got more thoughtful and said: "Brother is a guard of the inner court, he just came out of the Aozhongtang mansion to discuss matters, just walk around." The night watchman smiled and said: "I'm sorry, my lord, brother is on business. Please show me your license before you can let me go." Wei Dongting heard the voice of the person familiar, and became more vigilant, and replied without thinking: "I'm on business at Aozhongtang, how dare you be so rude?"

The man sneered and said, "This capital city belongs to the Son of Heaven. Even if Ao Zhongtang comes here in person, he must verify his license before he can let him go!"

Wei Dongting was about to have a seizure, and saw by the light that standing in front of him was actually his brother Mu Zixu, who had sworn worship in Karaqin Left Banner in the past, hurriedly got off his horse, and laughed loudly: "Brother, you want to get me! Do you want to invite me to eat dog meat?"

Mu Zixu approached in surprise, glanced at Wei Dongting, threw the whip, turned over and bowed: "So it's the eldest brother! You made us think so hard." Wei Dongting took a step forward and asked He said: "Where are the donkey and the fourth child?" When the two people in the crowd heard the question about themselves, they had already rushed over, holding hands, laughing and jumping.

It turned out that when he was in Harqin, this Mu Zixu was a well-known local horse thief leader, because he took some scoundrels to steal Wei Dongting's pet dog. He, just ask him to sit and share.Wei Dongting liked their boldness, so he simply paid for a large jar of wine, drank together for a long night, and later became sworn brothers.Because of Wei Dongting's high status, no one was ashamed to be his elder, so they jointly promoted him to be "big brother".

After seeing them for so many years, Wei Dongting felt so displeased when he saw them for the first time!After enjoying it for a while, he asked, "Why did you guys come to Beijing?"

Hao Laosi laughed and said: "Brother knows it. Our brother has no family, so we can go wherever there is food. Not long after you arrived in Rehe that year, the Karaqin land was enclosed, and the common people escaped completely. Our brother Save it to eat the northwest wind? I rushed to Rehe to join you. I heard that you have come to Beijing. After we discussed it, we rushed to Beijing again..."

"It's hard for you to come so far away." Wei Dongting was very moved, "I'm afraid it's more than 3000 miles away?"

The stubborn donkey said with a smile: "We only do business with no capital, so we are afraid of the long distance!" Wei Dongting laughed out loud when he heard this.

Mu Zixu asked with a smile: "Elder brother is not an errand in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, why is he so proud, and is the emperor's bodyguard, and also in the Aozhongtang mansion?" Wei Dongting said with a grin: "It is true to be an errand for the emperor. Ao Zhongtang wants to raise the gate to scare you!"

"Here, I almost misunderstood!" said the stubborn donkey, "didn't you know that the more you said you came from Oboi, the more difficult it would be for you! Don't look at the shabbiness of the brothers, once the power is in your hands, you have to deal with them! "

Wei Dongting's heart skipped a beat: "These are quite a few good hands, they are all homeless and desperate, and they are worried that they won't be able to find anyone!" Then he laughed and said, "How many brothers are here? Brother, I'm treating you!"

Mu Zixu smiled and said: "Twelve in total—brothers, come, I have met Lord Wei!" Seeing that it was their leader's sworn brother, and such a character, the nine soldiers rushed over to greet him: "I want Lord Wei It's a waste!" Wei Dongting laughed and said, "It may not be that I was the cost. The owner of Yuepeng shop is my friend, let's disturb him at night!"

As the group entered the alley, they saw seven or eight people holding lanterns and supporting one person from a distance.Seeing them coming, these people hesitated for a moment, then turned into the alley and went east.Wei Dongting had something on his mind, so he paid extra attention, hurriedly called Mu Zixu over, and gave some instructions in a low voice.Mu Zixu turned his face and shouted: "Who is in front? Stop!" The group walked faster in a panic.

Mu Zixu ordered: "Third brother, fourth brother, you two ride around from the north to block the other end, and we squeeze from both ends here, and see where he goes like a dog!" Wei Dongting said: "I Go block it too." Then he rode away with Stubborn Donkey and Hao Laosi.

Hearing the sound of horseshoes, the group of people rushed to gallop.Just at the entrance of the alley, Wei Dongting's three cavalry also arrived, and the horizontal horse blocked the way.The stubborn donkey couldn't help saying, and the first thing in his pocket was a horse whip, cursing: "Beast! Are you deaf?" When Wei Dongting glanced at it, he couldn't help screaming: "Oops!" It was He Guizhu who had a rag stuffed in his mouth.

The leader was a big black man with braids coiled around his neck and a knife hanging from his waist.The rest of the colors are sea green shirts.Seeing that the person in front was beaten with blood all over his face, the big black man suddenly became furious.Just about to have a seizure, Wei Dongting asked coldly on the horse: "Who are you? Where are you going if you kidnap someone?"

Seeing that Wei Dongting was dressed in the uniform of a guard, and seeing Mu Zixu and others catching up from behind, the big black man knew that he would not be able to do so, so he hurried forward and slapped a thousand children: "I am Liu Jinbiao, and now I am working as an errand under Bumbleshan's sect. ——This man's name is Qian Ziqi, he is a servant of the Banfu, because he stole something and eloped, the master asked us to come out to investigate, and unexpectedly we bumped into..."

Seeing his nonsense, Wei Dongting knew that he was also a veteran of the rivers and lakes. He sneered and said: "Do you have a license?" The big black man hurriedly said: "I came out in a hurry, so I didn't bring it. If the adults don't believe it, please go to the class with the younger ones." Just ask and you'll know; otherwise, it's okay to send someone back to get it!"

"If you don't have a Shuntian Mansion license, you're committing crimes!" Wei Dongting shouted loudly, "Brothers, take it down!"

"Zha——" Mu Zixu agreed, and waved his hand, a dozen people drew their knives and surrounded them with a whoosh, ready to strike.Liu Jinbiao was startled, but became tough, arched his hands together and said: "Be bold, please ask your lord's name Taifu. This man is really a slave of my family..." Wei Dongting yelled: "We are acting according to orders , who will believe your nonsense! Tomorrow, you will go to patrol the yamen and tell them!"

Liu Jinbiao drew out his waist knife in a "swipe" manner, and said viciously: "Then don't blame the villain for being rude—" Just as he was speaking, Mu Zixu had already copied it behind him.He was born as a thief, and his footsteps were so light that Liu Jinbiao didn't even feel it—he felt his shoulder go numb like an electric shock, and Mu Zixu had pulled it out of its socket.Mu Zixu twisted his arm behind his back with one hand, and with the other hand he tried to hold the dagger back and forth in front of his neck: "Do you still dare to be rude?" Hao Laosi and the stubborn donkey took a step forward, pushing away He Guizhu's person, He pulled the shop owner over, but he didn't know what Wei Dongting wanted him to do, and he didn't let go.

Liu Jinbiao was disarmed, but his mouth was still stiff, and he yelled, "If you have the guts, kill me!"

The stubborn donkey got angry, and said loudly: "I've killed fewer people, so it doesn't matter if I add another bastard to you—" He stepped forward and grabbed Liu Jinbiao's chest, and said with a smile, "It's hot, Let you get rid of your anger!" He snatched the dagger from Mu Zixu's hand and was about to stab him in the chest.

"Brother!" Wei Dongting had already captured He Guizhu, he didn't intend to make matters worse, so he hurriedly stopped and said, "Don't get your hands dirty!"

Seeing that he didn't dare to kill, Liu Jinbiao simply said, "Which temple god are you, bigger than Mr. Ban?!"

The stubborn donkey was furious, he thrust the dagger into his waist, and with his two fingers like an awl, he plunged straight into Liu Jinbiao's right eye, tearing out the eyeball alive. "I don't want to give you any flair, I don't know that Lord Ma has three eyes!" Liu Jinbiao howled like a pig, struggled a bit, and was tightly held by Mu Zixu behind him, so he didn't move!The people who followed saw that the short man with abnormal features was so cruel by nature, they all closed their eyes and shook their heads in fright, and kept silent like cicadas.The stubborn donkey threw the eyeball to Hao Laosi and said, "Next, it's best to drink!" Then he asked, "Liu Jinbiao, should I give this eye to my brother too?" He shook his head with his bloodshot eyes closed.

Wei Dongting said with a "hum": "I'll teach you a lesson today, so that you know that there is no one named Ban in Beijing!" He shook his head, held He Guizhu and walked away.

(End of this chapter)