Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen Blood Stained Gospel Church
one
In April of the Gengzi Year, Boxing of Yihe was also introduced into Taigu.The first stop of the introduction to Taigu was Shuixiu Village in the north of the city.
Just in April, Qiu Taiji's wife, Yao Shi, was about to give birth.
Madam Yao's anticipation for this childbirth really surpassed that of the first childbirth nine years ago.At that time, I also placed many expectations and dreams, and I also wholeheartedly hoped to give birth to a baby boy.But the first child is still more fear than expectation.This time it was different, since she decisively took the servant Guo Yunsheng into her arms, and got pregnant soon as she wished, Mrs. Yao seemed not to be afraid of anything.No matter what, I will give birth to this child smoothly, and I am very much looking forward to it, as long as he is a boy!
If there is another girl, then everything she has paid will be in vain.If this is the case, she will drive this little thing Guo Yunsheng away with a stick!
In the past ten months, there has not been a day when she has not believed that what she is pregnant with is a boy.
However, as the delivery approached, Mrs. Yao couldn't help but feel some fear: Maybe you were asked to give birth to a baby girl, or even bloody disasters were waiting for you.You are not a woman, retribution is waiting for you.This year's sky is also so bad, not only is it an unlucky leap to August, but also the drought is getting more and more dangerous.There was a drought last year, and this year there will be a severe drought. The wheat will definitely not be harvested, and the autumn crops will be too dry to plant.There is no doubt that the year of famine will be encountered.It's not a good sign that such a terrible year just happened to be the birth of this bastard.
She tried her best to dispel these random thoughts, but she couldn't.
She didn't want to tell Guo Yunsheng the sorrow in her heart.Tell him, so what?He can say whatever you want to hear, but he is too immature, not a woman's backer, not a man who can lift up the sky.
It was in this state of mind that Mrs. Yao finally agreed to the proposal of the foreign wife in this village: please ask the female doctor from the Western Clinic of the American Congregational Church in the city to deliver her baby.
The woman's in-law's family name is Guo, and the man does business locally.The family is only well-off, but the couple have both entered the Congregational Church.In Shuixiu Village, this is unique, and the villagers call this woman Eryang's Wife.Eryang's wife persuades people to join foreign religions and believe in Christ all day long.Speaking of joining a foreign religion, the gods, gods, ghosts and ghosts of the past have no control over you, and you can also not pay food, taxes, or servants, because the government does not care about foreign religions.Unfortunately, no one in Shuixiu Village listened to her.After listening to her, isn't that offending both the government and the gods and ghosts, so that you won't have to live a good life in this life or the next?
Before, Mrs. Yao could get along with this woman.Since joining the Congregational Church three years ago, Mrs. Yao has been reluctant to let her visit.When she came to visit, she took the trouble to persuade Mrs. Yao to believe in Christ and join the Congregational Church.Of course Mrs. Yao would not listen to her.In order to ensure the safety of the man who has been stationed abroad for many years, his family prays to all kinds of gods every day, how dare he offend!In the past year, she had an affair with Yun Sheng, and she dared not offend gods and ghosts.
However, when Mrs. Eryang found out that Mrs. Yao was pregnant, she stopped pestering her to join a foreign religion. She just kept talking about how the Congregational Western clinics can deliver babies and keep mothers and babies safe. Adults and children are not welcome. A little sin.Especially after giving birth, women can go to the ground as usual after only lying down for seven days, and there are not so many taboos about confinement.Why are Westerners so strong?It means sitting well during confinement.
No matter how nice the words are, Mrs. Yao still won't believe them.Give birth by yourself and ask foreigners to deliver it?That's even more inappropriate!
It's just that, during the Chinese New Year, spring begins, and the March day with red flowers and willows and green flowers, one day after another passes by.The excessive expectation of pregnancy and the hidden sense of guilt are also increasing day by day.When a woman gives birth, it is the gate of life and death.At this juncture of life and death, who would forgive her more?Eryang's wife always said that the Christians of foreign religions are the most forgiving, and foreign religions don't have too many taboos.And the gods from all walks of life that I pray to every day, will they forgive you?It is always said that good is rewarded with good, and evil is rewarded with evil.I have committed a crime, can I escape the evil reward?
Mrs. Yao seemed to be desperate, so she had to seek help from foreign religions.She didn't join the foreign religion, she just asked the doctor of the foreign religion to help her once to give birth to the child.
Mrs. Eryang was very happy to see that Mrs. Yao finally obeyed her.The Qiu family is in Shuixiu Village, so it can be considered a big family.It is a great merit to be able to persuade such a wealthy lady to believe in foreign medicine and teach foreign medicine.
On March 16th, Mrs. Eryang accompanied Mrs. Yao to Limei Village in the south of the city in the Qiu family's carriage to meet Dr. Xiyang.
At that time, the western medicine clinic of the Congregational Church was located in Shunlaizi Garden in Limei Village.Limeizhuang is the old base of the Congregational Society in Taigu, but during the Gengzi period, there were two Chinese people in the clinic: Sang Aiqing and his wife.The American doctor who had previously worked in the clinic returned to the United States two years ago due to illness, and the church hired the Chinese couple from Shandong.Eryang's wife said that Dr. Sang had stayed abroad, and his Western medical skills were no different.
Mrs. Yao was not too scared when she saw that the doctor was Chinese.There is no ceremony in the meeting, and it is called sitting when entering the door.Sitting down, the male doctor asked how it had been for a few months, how he was eating, and whether there was any abnormality, and asked the female doctor to lead him into the inner room.The female doctor just touched it to see if the legs and feet were swollen, and then pressed a cold thing against the flesh and listened.At the end, there is nothing to say, but I don’t dare to lie down all the time, try to get down to the ground and move around more, and I also eat what I should eat in terms of diet.
Will it really go into labor and give birth to a child?
Mrs. Yao asked repeatedly, and Dr. Sang and his wife answered without ambiguity.This pair of Chinese and Western doctors have always been kind and kind, without fairy air or dignity, but they are very reliable.
They asked how far Shuixiu was, and then explained that before giving birth next month, they would go to Shuixiu first and do this check again.
When parting, Mrs. Yao wanted to leave a gift money, but Dr. Sang didn't care whether he was high or low.Said that they had already received the salary of the Congregational Church, and no gift money was received for medical treatment.Eryang's wife also said that the Axiom Society's medical treatment is for charity and does not accept money.This made Mrs. Yao feel very sorry.
In the late Qing Dynasty, few people dared to believe in the Western medical skills brought by the church at first, especially among ordinary people.Therefore, even if there is no charge for the church's medical treatment, few people dare to accept it.Of course, the church's practice of medicine is also to expand its influence.
But for Mrs. Yao, meeting with a Western doctor this time gave her a lot of comfort.These two kind doctors said unequivocally: You have nothing to do!If this is the case, and she can successfully give birth to this boy, she will enter a foreign religion!
During the meeting, Mrs. Yao asked the female doctor: Can you find out whether it is a man or a woman?It's a pity that people say they can't figure it out.
Back at Shuixiu, Mrs. Yao felt much relieved.She listened to Dr. Sang's words and walked around her courtyard from time to time.When it comes to eating and drinking, I no longer have so many taboos, and I can eat whatever I want.In short, I look forward to more, less fear, and concentrate on waiting for the day of delivery.
But on the eighth day of April, seeing that the time of childbirth was getting closer, Yun Sheng suddenly ran back from the outside and said that more than 20 Zhili Yihe boxers had come to the village.They moved into the Daren Temple near the village, and they wanted to set up an altar in Shuixiu to pass on their skills.
Mrs. Yao had also vaguely heard about Boxing Boxing, so she didn't pay much attention to it.Her mind is all on her own pregnancy, and she doesn't care about other things.Now, after hearing what Yun Sheng said, he still doesn't care too much, and thinks it's just a show.Yun Sheng also said that this gang of boxers was against foreigners and foreign religions.This caught her attention.
To fight against foreigners and foreign teachers?Did foreigners mess with them?What kind of countermeasure?
Why they only fight against foreigners, Yun Sheng said he didn't know, he only heard that Boxing Boxing is a kind of magical skill, and it is accurate to catch foreigners and foreign sects.
As soon as she heard that it was a magical skill, Mrs. Yao's heart was shocked: Could it be that it was God's will that she should not ask a foreign doctor?
She quickly told Yun Sheng not to say anything, whoever wants to come, whoever comes.
A few days later, Eryang's wife also ran over in a panic and said: Dr. Sang is inconvenient to come to Shuixiu.You are about to give birth, and you don't dare to ride in a bumpy car anymore.You have to be prepared. If you don't invite Dr. Sang, you have to tell the midwife in the village, right?I'm afraid of delaying you.
Mrs. Yao asked: Dr. Sang, why can't you come to Shuixiu?
Eryang's wife said excitedly: You still don't know?Our Shuixiu stationed in the Boxers from Zhili!Boxers, have you heard of it?
Those who hate religions and destroy foreigners, in Shandong and Zhili, they burn churches when they see foreigners, and kill foreigners when they see them, just like bandits!Who would have thought that they would also come to Taigu?Our Shuixiu is still the first village where they settled in Taigu. Do you think Dr. Sang and the others can still come?
Why do they hate foreigners?
The bandit is violent, and he knows why!People like me who have joined foreign religions, they are called Ermaozi, and they are not willing to be lightly forgiven.Fortunately, they have little power, otherwise, how would I dare to go back to the village?
so smart?
No!
After Eryang's wife left, Mrs. Yao's heart suddenly became cold.It's not that she is teaching to foreigners, but she just feels that her family may not escape the evil retribution!Just now I wanted to ask for help from foreigners and foreign religions, suddenly there was a Boxer Fist that specifically hates religions and destroys foreigners, and the first stop was at Shuixiu. Wasn't it aimed at her?
The desperate Mrs. Yao was restless for two days, but she gradually calmed down.What to do, let's do it.Anyway, as long as she has one breath, she will give birth to the child.
After arriving on April 16th, there was still no movement in her body, and Mrs. Yao was already a little uneasy.It just so happened that on this day, Yun Sheng took back another post from the village exposing the Boxers.He said that it was passed on from the neighbors, and he told him to pass it on after reading it. If it is passed on, it will eliminate disasters.He could not recognize many characters on the post.
Mrs. Yao didn't think too much, she was about to come over and read on:
Guangxu twenty-sixth year flyer
Confucian sages and Zhang Tianshi from Shandong Shengfu passed on the message.Quick pass by those who see.Pass one to avoid disaster.Pass ten cards to save the family from disaster.If it is not passed on, it will be a crime of slashing with a knife.
God assists boxing, boxers, only because devils make trouble in the Central Plains.
Advise to teach, be confident in heaven, and forget ancestors if you don't believe in gods and Buddhas.
Men have sex with each other, women commit adultery, and ghost children are all born by mother and child.
There is no rain in the sky, and the ground is scorched and dry. It is the devils who support the sky.
The gods were also angry, and the immortals were also annoyed, so they went down the mountain together to pass on the Tao.
It's not evil, it's not white lotus.Chant mantras, read mantras.
Raise the yellow watch, respect the cigarettes, and invite all the gods out of the caves
She couldn't finish reading, and she already felt a little terrified.Then, a pain emerged from the abdomen.My God, the critical moment of life and death is really coming?
Mrs. Yao threw down the Jietie and called out to Yunsheng: "Go quickly, go and call your aunt!"
Guo Yunsheng wanted to bend over to pick up the poster, but Mrs. Yao changed her tone and shouted angrily: "You who have been stabbed, go and call your aunt!"
Yun Sheng was startled and ran away in a hurry.
God, it's a matter of life and death!
That night, Mrs. Yao finally gave birth to a baby, and it was really a boy!
It went well, of course, after the delivery, Mrs. Yao realized that she was still alive, and heard that it was really a baby boy, so she threw away the pain of dying once just now.During those few hours, she really felt that she was going to die, she couldn't catch anything, she just fell into the abyss of death.There is no rain in the sky, and the ground is parched.Men commit crimes, women commit rape.These lingering words are really forcing her to die
But she didn't die after all.
Really got a boy!
God, you still have eyes.
two
The Christian Congregational Church in Taigu was sent by the Chinese Missionary Mission of Oberlin University in the United States in 1883, that is, the eighth year of Guangxu, to establish a missionary mission. It has been 17 years since the Gengzi Year.In the past seventeen years, only about one hundred and fifty believers have been developed in Taigu.The preaching of the Gospel is not so much.
At the beginning, the American pastor chose Taigu as the first evangelizing site in Shanxi because of the prosperous business and convenient transportation in Taigu.Don't you know that people in Taigu regard business with almost religious admiration and reverence.Seeing that big businessmen almost turned a blind eye to the Congregational Society, they ignored it.Taigu's business is prosperous, and there are many merchants, so that ordinary people have no worries about food and clothing, so they don't want to join foreign religions just to take advantage of it.
Therefore, it is really difficult for the Congregational Society to preach in Taigu.
However, the Congregational Church belongs to Protestantism, and its preaching is more pragmatic and more ascetic.The Congregational Church of Oberlin University, in addition to directly preaching in Taigu, spread its teachings more by opening drug rehabilitation centers, clinics and foreign-style schools.Furthermore, it can also receive guaranteed funding from the American General Assembly.Therefore, in the Gengzi period, it can be said that the Congregation Society and the villagers of Taigu did not have much grievances.Its impact is insignificant, and it has no local grievances.
But the Boxers finally spread to Taigu, and the American missionaries of the Congregational Church were still greatly shocked.How could they not know what the Boxers did in Shandong, Zhili, Beijing and Tianjin!What frightened them in particular was that Lord Yuxian, who had indulged the Boxers in Shandong, was sent by the Qing government to Shanxi as governor.Yuxian was dismissed as governor of Shandong last year, and it was the American envoy who took the lead in reading several of his books.He went to Shanxi to take up the post, so he didn't take good care of your American church?
Therefore, within a few days after the Chihli Boxers came to Shuixiu, the American priests of the Congregational Church couldn't sit still, and rushed out one after another, asking for help everywhere.Needless to say, the government and big merchants are the most important of their appeals.
Mrs. Laihaode naturally hurried to Kang's house again, begging to see the old lady Du Yunqing.
Du Yunqing didn't hear that Taigu came to the Boxers: Who will sue her for such news?Seeing that Mrs. Lehoude was so anxious, she was a little puzzled.
Taigu also came to the Boxers?
Not really.I heard that there are more Taiyuan Prefectures!
Taigu doesn't come much?where are they
Not many, there are twenty or thirty people living in Shuixiu.
Shuixiu is not far away.I keep hearing you talk about Yihequan, Yihequan, I really want to meet them.What kind of superficiality are they that scare you Westerners like this?
Old madam, it's not how powerful they are, it's because the government indulged them too much!The Boxers in Shandong made such a fuss, killing people and setting fire everywhere, because the governor of Shandong, Yu Xiantai, was against them.The old lady doesn't know yet, does she?This Yuxian has been transferred to be the governor of Shanxi.
I don't care who is the governor.Taigu's Yihequan really lives in Shuixiu?Let's see when I set up a car to see them.
Madam, now is really not the time to joke!Boxer Boxing spreads very quickly, once there are too many people, not only we will be hurt, even your big families will not be guaranteed not to be looted.Shandong and Zhili are precedents. Where Boxer is rampant, the government can't control it, and let them burn, kill and loot!
Can the Chinese who have joined your foreign religion not let them go?
No!Those who believe in religion in your country are called Ermaozi, and they will be killed indiscriminately.
Mrs. Lehoud, if this is the case, then I still want to join your Congregational Church!
The old lady wants to convert to Christ again?
What, can't enter?
Of course you can, of course you can.only at times like this
I just want to join your foreign religion at this time and see how the Boxers fight against me!Will they pull me out and kill me too?
What can't those bandits do?
That's good!I have decided to join your foreign school, the sooner the better.To join your Congregational Church, do you still need to be baptized?Can it be held tomorrow?The sooner the better!
tomorrow?The old lady is joking again.Converting to Christ is a sacred thing. How can someone who wants to act according to the canon be so hasty?
Isn't it urgent now?Don't bother, the sooner the better.If I miss the Boxers, I will not join your Congregational Church!
Mrs. Lehoud became more and more incomprehensible.In the first month of the lunar year, Mrs. Kang suddenly proposed to convert to Christ. Mrs. Lehoud was very pleasantly surprised.The Lord is still great!But just after telling the good news to the elders of the Congregational Church, the old lady changed her mind again within a few days: I won’t join, I won’t join, and I won’t join your foreign religion.What's going on here?Just after asking a few words, the old lady actually lost her temper.
Now, Taigu has come to the Boxers, the Axiom Society is facing a crisis situation, and the old lady suddenly wants to join the Church again, the sooner the better!Moreover, when I heard that the Boxers also killed Ermaozi, I seemed very happy, and I was even more anxious to join the group.She was so eager to join the association, as if she wanted to get the Boxers killed?This is simply not how ordinary people think!
Therefore, Mrs. Leihoude only vaguely agreed.Looking at the situation, there is not much hope for the Kang family to help.Mrs. Laihaode briefly mentioned a few words: Your family is a well-known family in Taigu, and it should be obligatory to contact all walks of life to stop the Boxer from spreading in Guixian and avoid great disasters.
Unexpectedly, when Mrs. Kang heard this, she actually said: Since I want to join your Congregational Church and protect the teaching and foreign affairs, it is my duty to do so.I'll tell the third master to come forward and contact all walks of life!
Seeing that she agreed so happily, Mrs. Laihoude added another sentence: The second master of your mansion is a famous boxer in Taigu.If the second master can come forward to contact the martial arts world, he can also deter the boxers.
The second master is eager to ask, I'm afraid he doesn't have that kind of ability.With the third master's appearance, the business world and martial arts world can all be connected!
Mrs. Lehoud said some words of gratitude and hurried away.She felt that Du Yunqing was a little unusual, so she didn't dare to have any hopes.
As for why the old lady was so abnormal, she couldn't care less to think about it.
In fact, Du Yunqing wanted to join a foreign religion all of a sudden, and he still wanted to make the old man feel uncomfortable.She hoped that the Boxers would really make a big fuss, surround the Kang family, and try to arrest her, an old lady: that would be an interesting situation.At that time, will the old man and their entire Kang family save her, the old lady?Or, would they take the opportunity to use the boxer knife to kill her, and then say that it was too late to rescue her?
Even if she really wanted to die, she wanted to see what happened.
She promised to seek the new third master for the Congregational Society, and she also wanted to try the third master.After the third master took charge of the family, he still respected her as an old lady.Come to greet on time, come to report some things, and keep asking: What are your orders?After that, Sanniang also became very filial to her.The third master was not like this earlier, how could he put such a young old lady in his eyes?So, who knows if this respect is sincere, or just for the sake of appearance?
After sending off Mrs. Lehoud on the front foot, she went to see the third master on the back foot.
As soon as he entered the courtyard where the third master lived, he saw the third master and Sanniang coming out, and Sanniang took the lead, came to support the old lady, and said in repeated voices:
If you have any orders, send someone to call first, and his third master has already trotted over, so how can the old lady come here in person?
Du Yunqing said: Look at what you said, it seems that I came here just to beg your third master!It's okay, I'm not happy to come?
San Niang hurriedly said: If the old lady thinks this way, she will wrong us too much!I mean, even if the old lady came to love us, she had to call Du Mu first, so we could pick it up?
Du Yunqing sneered in her heart, and said: How could I make such a big deal?
After entering the room and sitting down, Du Yunqing asked the third master: Taigu also came to Yihequan?
The third master said: I heard that thirty or twenty Boxers of Yihe came from Zhili, and they lived in Shuixiu, and they wanted to set up an altar to pass on their skills.
Boxing really came, and no one told me?
The third master hurriedly said: I just heard what the second master said.Their Martial Escort Agency valued this matter more than ordinary people.
You don't take the Boxers seriously?
I don't mean that either.This year the Boxers made a fuss in Zhili, Beijing and Tianjin, which is really worrying.Beijing and Tianjin have our name!
Taigu, I don't think it matters.The only foreign religion in Taigu is the American Congregational Church, and there are not many villagers who have believed in it.In Taigu, there have never been such teaching cases as foreign believers in Zhili, Shandong, who ran rampant in the countryside, dominated land and property, and took up lawsuits.Therefore, I think that the spread of the Boxer Regiment to Taigu did not achieve much success.
It's noisy in Beijing and Tianjin, but can't it be a climate in Taigu?
The old lady is also acquainted with the female priests of the Congregational Church. How many believers do they have after ten years of hard work?There are not many believers in the Congregational Church, and there are not many believers in the Boxers.The two of them are mutually restraining and mutually reinforcing, and if one is not strong, the other is not much stronger.
It's really like what you said, that's fine.But the Congregational Society panicked, saying that the Boxer Rebellion was spreading rapidly, and they had a way to confuse the villagers.He also said that a new governor in the province is facing Boxer.
The new governor, Mr. Yuxian, didn't he only focus on boxing in Shandong, but he just couldn't hold it down, so he wanted to recruit peace.As a result, more and more people were recruited, and it became even more unstoppable.
So, while the Boxers are in Taigu and can't afford the mountains, you have to make up your mind early.Third Master, you are a capable person, and you should come forward as soon as possible to contact all walks of life to prevent the spread of Yihe, isn't it a good opportunity for you to show your skills?
Sanniang hurriedly said: How can he have such a great ability?
Du Yunqing said: Don't ask your third master to come forward, but wait for the old man to come forward?
The third master hurriedly said: I can resist in the front, how dare I push it to the old man?It's just that the old man doesn't seem to care about Boxing Boxing.Did the old lady mean what the old lady said just now?
The old man didn't ask me to deliver the decree, I was just talking casually.Whether it is foreign religion or Boxing Boxing, it has nothing to do with me!
The third master hurriedly said: The old lady's instruction is to tell us to plan ahead, just in case, how dare we not listen?I'm going to the city right now to plan with the shopkeepers Sun Da of the ticket shop and the shopkeeper Lin Da of the tea shop to see how to prevent the Boxer Rebellion.
You also have to contact Wujie, right?They are all for boxing, but Taigu Xingyi fist can't hold back the foreign boxing Yihe fist?
Contact the martial arts world, there is a second master.
Your second master has martial arts, but you are not a general, and you have to rely on the third master to contact the martial arts world!
Sanniang said again: "What general talent does he have?"If the old lady praises him so much, isn't it afraid that he will forget who he is?
The third master also said: To contact the martial arts world, you have to rely on the second master.
Du Yunqing said: You just don't like to hear what I say!
The third master hurriedly said: How can it be?When I find time, I will also go to see Master Che Er.
Whether it's true or not, the third master agreed to what Du Yunqing said.She returned to the old courtyard with some satisfaction, really wanting to meet the old thing.Boxer Boxing has been spread to Taigu, ask the old man, what does he think?But after thinking about it, I finally gave up.
She didn't mention the matter of joining the Congregational Church to the third master, let alone tell the old man.Surprise them when you're Congregationalist.
three
The third master has been looking forward to it for many years, and finally took over the management of foreign affairs and commercial affairs. Why did he meet such a time!
After the new year, the scene of severe drought becomes more and more obvious day by day.There was a drought last year, and there was not much harvest in autumn.Drought again this year.Not a single snowflake fell all winter, and after the beginning of spring, it was windy as well.Seeing that the spring and March have passed, the fields are so dry that there are no seeds in most of the acres.There is no doubt that the famine year.
Although the Kang family started their business as a business, they don't really count on the crops in the field, but the drought and the unrest will endanger their business.The Boxer Boxing in Shandong can spread to Zhili, Beijing and Tianjin, which is closely related to this year's severe drought.It's a natural disaster linked to a man-made disaster.
Because he just came into power, the third master ran to the city's shop very frequently.All the ticket shops and tea houses showed him were letters and newspapers about the Boxers.First, Shandong Yihequan flowed into Zhili, and then endangered Beijing and Tianjin; then, Fengzhen, Jining, and Tuoketuo outside the pass, and Yingkou, Jinzhou, and Liaoyang outside the pass were also introduced into the Boxers.The old gangs everywhere are very worried, and they have repeatedly urged the old gangs: whether to follow the precedent during the Hongyang Rebellion and plan to withdraw the village as soon as possible?
Should we make early plans to withdraw from the tea house? The shopkeeper Sun Da of the ticket shop and the shopkeeper Lin Da of the tea house have very different opinions.
Shopkeeper Sun clearly didn't take the Boxers seriously, and said flatly: It's just a game for the foolish people in the countryside, and it won't make a difference.It was good that they made trouble in Beijing and Tianjin, the imperial court saw their truth in person, issued an imperial edict, and blown them away.Shopkeeper Sun repeatedly said that he and the old man had personally encountered the Boxers during their southern tour, and they were vulnerable to a single blow!Our two boxers from Taigu subdued a large area of Boxers with a little trick.The government must be tricky, trying to scare the foreigners with the boxers, and deliberately stood still; if the officers and soldiers moved a little, how could the Boxers escape to the capital!
Lin Da, the shopkeeper of the tea house, strongly advocated the withdrawal of the tea house.He said that if Boxing Boxing really broke out, it would be more terrifying than the Taiping Army.Hong Yang's Taiping Army, after all, still has a leader and military regulations, not everyone can join.After joining the Taiping Army, at least they had to issue weapons and take care of their food.As for Boxing Boxing, there is no leader like Hong Yang, the leader is a ghost invited temporarily.There are no group rules or rules, men, women, old or young, whoever wants to join, just find a red cloth and tie it, and that's it.After entering Yihequan, besides practicing boxing and passing on skills, he doesn't have to worry about food.This kind of boxing can really develop as many people as you want, and you don't need to raise military salaries anyway, and you don't need to abide by any rules.After reciting a few spells, saying that a ghost is possessed, he can lift his own big knife and go to the streets to kill people.The whole world is full of such mobs and wanton people, what kind of business do we still have!The government is too fatuous to indulge them in the name of supporting the Qing Dynasty and destroying the foreigners.This will help the Qing Dynasty and destroy the Yang Dynasty?Dream it!
The third master agrees with shopkeeper Lin's proposition, besides, he is always prepared.But the shopkeeper Sun Da respected his words, and if he didn't ask Piao Zhuang to withdraw, the third master couldn't help it for a while.The ticket office does not move, only the tea house is withdrawn?
The third master has asked the old man many times, no matter how critical the words are, the old man always said: I don't care, let you figure it out.
Is the old man looking at him coldly?
At such times, the third master always thought of Qiu Taiji.If shopkeeper Qiu is by his side, it will definitely give him some advice.By my side, there is only one person who can give an idea!But Qiu Taiji's naturalization, which is far away from his mouth, can't call him back.It's not even convenient to communicate with Qiu Taiji directly.
There is such an old rule in Xibang shops: No one below the big shopkeeper can deal directly with the boss.Letters and newspapers stationed abroad can only be sent to the old account, and cannot be sent directly to the host; letters to the host must be forwarded through the old account.This is in order to maintain the position of the shopkeeper of Lingdong University, the owner does not allow others to make irresponsible remarks.Although the third master regards Qiu Taiji as Tian Chengyuan's future leader, it is inconvenient to break this old rule.
Therefore, if the third master wanted to know Qiu Taiji's knowledge, he could only ask for the naturalized letter from the old account and read it carefully.But from the letter of Guihao, we know that Qiu Taiji is not naturalized, and he went all the way to Kulun and Qiaktu in the spring.
Seeing that the situation in Beijing and Tianjin is getting worse and worse, shopkeeper Sun Da is still sitting still, and the third master really has nothing to do.
Now that the Boxer Regiment has spread to Taigu, how can Master Sun sit still?Even the old lady, who has always been indifferent to world affairs, couldn't sit still.Where is the old man?Still don't care?
When the third master comforted the old lady, he tried his best to say that righteousness and boxing could not make a difference, but that was not sincere.When he said this, he had another intention: he wanted to pass on Master Sun's knowledge to the nursing home through the old lady.The old man heard the old lady say this kind of argument, if he agrees, he will be calm; if he disagrees, there must be some news.Therefore, after seeing the old lady, the third master did not go to see the old lady again, but hurried into the city.
Sure enough, shopkeeper Sun Taigu just laughed at Taigu's Yihequan:
I knew it a long time ago. There are so many foolish people from Zhili who hide in Shuixiu and dare not enter the city.I heard that only some 14 or 15-year-old village boys saw the novelty, followed them to pray to the gods and practice kung fu.Not worth mentioning.In Taigu, they can't make any waves.
The third master had no choice but to lose his smile and said: I am relieved to hear what the shopkeeper said.I heard that there are quite a lot of boxers in Taiyuan Mansion, and they are also very noisy?
There are many believers in Catholicism in Taiyuan, but not many believe in Congregationalists in Taigu.
It is said that the new governor, Yuxian, was partial to the Boxers in Shandong.
Shanxi is not as good as Shandong, he wants to be biased, and there are not so many Boxers.
The situation in Beijing and Tianjin is still not improving, which is always worrying.
We don't need to worry about the situation in Beijing and Tianjin!In front of the imperial court, no matter how chaotic it seems to me, there is a limit.Can the court not be afraid of chaos?Can the Queen Mother not be afraid of chaos?Civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty are all worried.
Since Shopkeeper Sun is still knowledgeable like this, the third master really has nothing to say, so he said something else to Shopkeeper Sun: This year, I wanted to follow the example of the old man and the shopkeeper, and go to the south of the Yangtze River. Not calm.Boxer Boxing really can't do much, so I went to Jiangnan as soon as possible.
Third Master, I told you to leave early, but you just didn't listen.In April, it is not cool to go south.However, it is much more enjoyable than when we went on the road in June last year.If you want to leave, third master, you should hurry up.
Then listen to the shopkeeper and leave early.This time going south, I want to simply run farther.First go to Hankou, then to Suzhou and Shanghai, then to Fuzhou and Xiamen, and then to Guangzhou.I like to run, the farther I go, the less I want to go back.
The third master is in his prime and has a heroic spirit.When we arrived in Shanghai last year, the old man and I also wanted to go further south to Hangzhou.It's just that age is not forgiving, and every bone in my body hurts every time I ride a car, so I had to rest in Shanghai.After taking a break, you still have to travel thousands of miles, go back!
The shopkeeper is so exhausted accompanying the old man, I should go further.When I travel far, I like to ride a horse rather than take a sedan chair.A sedan chair is a dead thing, but a horse is spiritual. It will be considerate of you on a long journey.
I used to ride horses a lot when I was young.Horses are spiritual, but it is not easy to meet a good horse!Just like life, how many confidants can you meet?
The shopkeeper is right!I often go out and about, but I haven't met a few very satisfactory horses.
The third master and shopkeeper Sun were chatting like this, when suddenly a young friend ran in in a panic, and said incoherently: "Hurry up, I want to kill someone!"The shopkeeper, the young master, wants to kill someone!
Shopkeeper Sun shouted, "Why panic!Nothing to do, just panic like this!What happened up front, tell me first!
The friend said in a panic: Wei Luyi, a foreign priest from the Congregational Church, came to the cabinet to get money, and just handed over the banknote, suddenly a strong man with a big knife rushed into our shop.He shouted that Grandpa was a Boxer, rushed over and grabbed Wei Luyi, and was about to kill him with a knife.
When Shopkeeper Sun heard this, he also panicked, and hurriedly asked: Did you kill him?
not when i left
The third master has already quickly taken off his long gown, dressed in short clothes, and said to Sun Beiming: You can't show up, big shopkeeper, I'll go out and have a look first!Leaving this sentence behind, he ran out.
The Christian Congregational Church in Taigu received the missionary funds allocated by the American General Assembly, which was first remitted to Shanghai through the Bank of America, and then transferred to Tiancheng Yuanhu No., and remitted to Taigu.At that time, Xibang Bank didn't pay much attention to foreigners' foreign exchange, but Tian Chengyuan had undertaken this exchange business for more than ten years.Therefore, Wei Luyi is also an old client of Tian Chengyuan, if something unexpected happens, it is not a trivial matter.In the front shop, swords were on the verge of breaking out, and it was already in a mess: several young friends were desperately blocking the man with the knife, and this man was holding Wei Luyi tightly!There were quite a few people crowded outside the door, but most of them seemed to be locals watching the excitement.
The third master also knows a few sets of Xingyi boxing, and he has honed his body outside the mouth for many years.Seeing this situation, he jumped up to the man.The man obviously didn't expect this move, he was startled suddenly, the foreign priest Wei Luyi took the opportunity to struggle desperately, broke free from the big man's hand, and fled to the back of the locker room.
The man regained his composure and tried to chase after him, but was blocked by the third master.
The third master clasped his fists to salute, and said calmly, "Excuse me, brother, what's your name?"
The man shouted angrily: Get out of the way, get out of the way, I am Zhang Tianshi from Shandong!Under the order of the Jade Emperor, come to arrest the foreign devils, whoever dares to stand in the way, will be the first to kill me!When he said that, he raised the big knife in his hand.
The third master did not evade, and still said calmly: Don't worry, foreign devils can't escape.The following is the guarding martial artist of this number. He can't get out after he enters the backyard.We really didn't know in advance that the Celestial Master came to our account.Come, sir, please have a cup of tea!Brothers under the Heavenly Master, please come in and have a cup of tea!Serve tea!
This Tianshi Zhang was obviously calmed down by the calm demeanor of the third master, and his arrogance was invisible. What is the name of this master?
My surname is Kang, my profession is three, so you can call me Kang San.Call your brothers to come in!
But none of the people around the entrance of the shop came in.
Zhang Tianshi said frankly: I am the only one who came today!I have a god possessed, and it is no problem to catch a few foreign devils.Kang San, you also know the Boxers, right?
At this time, the friend on the counter had already brought tea.The third master said: "The celestial master should sit down and talk, please, sir!"
Zhang Tianshi finally sat down.
Kang San, have you heard of Boxing Boxing?
It's really very lonely and ignorant to take care of the owner's hospital day and night.Ask the celestial master, does Yihequan belong to the southern or northern sect?We Taigu warriors all practice Xingyiquan, which was passed down from Yuejiaquan in the Song Dynasty.Heavenly Master heard of it?
Our Yihequan is a divine fist, and it is not the same as the martial arts practiced by you mortals!The gods gave us merit, just to catch the foreign devils who made trouble in the Central Plains.You see what the drought has become this year, why is it so dry?It is because the foreign devils ran rampant in the Central Plains and angered the gods and Buddhas.I have a post here, you can take a look.Since you have martial arts skills, I advise you to practice our Boxing Boxing early, otherwise, you will be in great trouble!
While speaking, Zhang Tianshi took out a yellow paper flyer from his arms and handed it to the third master.
The third master picked it up without looking at it, so he said: I am a warrior, and I don't recognize any big characters.
Ask the accountant to read it to you.As soon as you hear it, you have to follow us!
Don't be afraid of the celestial master's jokes, whether you can practice your magic fist or not, you have to listen to our boss.I take care of the home for my employer and earn some money so that I can support my family.My master is my parents. If my master doesn't allow me to practice Yihe boxing, I really won't be able to obey.Fortunately, our owner's shopkeeper is very open-minded. If he read the post, maybe he won't block it?
Tell you shopkeeper, if you don't join the Boxers, his firm will also be in trouble!
Be sure to tell!Listen to the accent, Tianshi is from Jizhou, Zhili, right?
nonsense!本人是山東張天師，無人不知的。
那就失敬了。直隸深州、冀州，有在下的幾位形意拳武友，所以熟悉深冀一帶話語。粗聽天師口音，倒有些像。
像個鬼！
失敬了，失敬了。
康三，把那位洋鬼子交出來吧！
天師在上，這可是太難為在下了！
我是替天行道！
天師也該知道，武人以德當頭。在下受雇於東家，不能白拿人家銀子。東家又是商號，最忌在號中傷害客戶。這個洋鬼子，要是大街上給你逮著，我不能管；今日他來本號取銀，給你逮走，這不是要毀東家名譽嗎？東家雇了在下，就為護院護客。所以，我實在是不能從命的！
我不聽你囉嗦！交，還是不交？
在下實在不能從命。
張天師騰地一下站起來，握刀怒喝道：那就都閃開，爺爺進去抓拿！
這時，三爺已經掃見：鋪面房內除了字號的伙友，已悄悄進來兩位鏢局的武師。他就忙遞了眼色過去，不叫武師妄動。
跟著，他也從容站起來，擋在了張天師前頭，帶笑說：天師，這是實在不能從命的。本號是做銀錢生意的，一向有規矩：生人不許入內。
fart!洋鬼子能進去，爺爺進不去？說著就奮然舉起刀來。
三爺從容依舊，笑臉依舊，說：洋鬼子有銀子存在櫃上，他是本號的主顧，不算是生人！
fart!那爺爺是生人？那天上的玉皇爺也是生人？閃開，今天爺爺偏要進去！
三爺依舊笑著說：天師這樣難為我，那我只得出招了。我敵不過天師，也得拚命盡職的。只要殺不死我，我就得拚命護莊！說時，三爺已取一個三體站樁的迎戰架勢，穩穩站定。
那兩位悄然趕來的武師，又欲上來助戰，立刻給三爺拿眼色按下去了。
三爺和張天師就這樣對峙了片刻，張天師終於放下刀來，忿忿地說：今天先不跟你計較！等我拿下這個洋鬼子，再來跟你算賬！在大街上，我一樣能拿下這個洋鬼子！說完，張天師提刀奪門而去。
誰也沒有料到，氣勢凶狠的張天師會這樣收場。站在一邊觀戰的眾伙友，除稍稍鬆了一口氣，似乎還不相信張天師是真走了。
兩位被緊急召來的武師，過來大讚三爺：今日才開了眼界，三爺這份膽氣，真還沒見過！
三爺一笑，說：就一個假山東人，還用得著什麼膽氣！
Four
剛說義和團成不了氣候，倒提刀殺上門來了！這件事，叫孫北溟吃驚不小。尤其才接手主持商務的少東家三爺，親自出面退敵，更令孫北溟覺得尷尬。
三爺早給他說過：世道不靖，櫃上該從鏢局雇一二武師來，以備不測。可他一笑置之，根本沒當一回事：在太谷，若有人敢欺負天成元，那知縣衙門也該給踏平了。
現在倒好，誰家還沒動呢，就先拿天成元開刀！今天還幸虧三爺在，靠智勇雙全，嚇退了這個膽大妄為的張天師。要是沒三爺，還不知鬧成什麼樣呢！老號這些人，真還沒有會武功的。不用說把這位美國教士給砍了，來個血染天成元，就是稍傷著點皮肉，也得壞了行市！不管人家是美國人，還是中國人，總是來照顧你家生意，結果倒好，剛進門就先挨了一刀！以後，誰還敢來？
那天三爺嚇退張天師後，孫北溟頭一件事，就是趕緊撫慰躲在後院的魏路易，說了不少賠禮的話。好在魏路易驚魂未定，嚇得不輕，只顧連連感謝三爺救了他一命。臨走，只請求派個人，護送他回南街福音堂。孫北溟當然答應了，安排一位鏢局武師去護送。
送走洋教士，孫北溟自然要大讚三爺。三爺不叫誇他，只是再次提起：還是雇一二鏢局武師，來護莊守夜，較為安全吧？孫北溟當然一口答應了。
三爺走後，孫北溟匆忙換了一身捐納來的衣服，坐轎趕往縣衙，去見知縣胡德修。
見是天成元的大掌櫃求見，胡德修當然立馬就叫進來了。
見著胡大人，孫北溟也沒客套幾句，就將剛剛發生的一幕，說給他聽。
真有義和團提刀上街殺洋人？胡德修聽了也是大吃一驚！
There is such a thing?
我能編了這樣的故事，嚇唬胡大人？
這幫拳匪，才來太谷幾天，竟敢如此膽大妄為！
胡大人，乘他們在太谷，還不成氣候，何不速加剿滅？
孫掌櫃，你是不知，省上新來的這位巡撫大人有明令，對義和拳不得剿滅，只可設法招為民軍團練，加以管束。還說這是朝廷的意思。
我看還是這位巡撫大人自己的意思，都說他在山東就向著義和拳。朝廷不叫剿滅，那袁項城到了山東，怎麼就貼出佈告，公開剿滅拳會？
胡德修嘆了口氣，說：我們攤了這樣一個巡撫大人，能有什麼辦法？
叫我看，就是因為這位毓賢大人移任山西，才把義和拳給招引來了。山西教案本來也不多的。
身在官場，這樣的話我是不便說的。
那胡大人真打算招撫這幫直隸來的拳匪？
我也正拿不定主意。
叫我看，那幫愚民，你收羅起來，只怕是光吃軍糧，不聽管束的。我們津號來信說，義和拳在天津得了勢，竟把官府大員當聽差似的，吆喝來，吆喝去。
那坐視不管，我也罪責難逃的。
胡大人，我倒是有一個主意，不知該說不該說？
孫掌櫃，你今天就是不來，我也要去拜訪你們各位鄉賢，共謀良策的。孫掌櫃已有高見，那真是太好了！快說，我恭聽。
孫北溟瞅了瞅胡大人左右。胡德修會意，立刻將左右幕僚及差役都打發走了。
我這主意是剛才忽然思得，如不妥，盡可不聽。
說吧，不用多慮。
剛才聽胡大人說，毓賢大人有明令，叫你將義和拳民招為民軍團練。我看，正可以由此做些文章。招撫直隸流竄來的那幫拳匪，是萬萬不可行的。但太谷本地鄉間，習拳練武的風氣也甚濃厚，所練的形意拳又是真武藝。所以，胡大人不妨借招撫義和拳的名義，在太谷鄉間招募一支團練，以應對不測之需。
招募一支團練？
right.胡大人手下如有一支強悍的團練，誰想胡作非為，只怕也得三思而行。
胡德修沉思不語。
孫北溟一眼就看出，胡大人是怕自擁強大民軍，引起上頭猜疑。尤其是遇了毓賢這樣的上司，更得萬分小心。就說：
胡大人也無需多慮，太谷不過巴掌大一個地界，招募一二百人，就足夠你鎮山了。再說，兵不在多，在精。有形意拳功底的一二百人，還不是精兵？
唔，要這樣，倒真是一步棋。
胡大人如願意這樣做，團練的糧餉，我們商界來籌措。
真難得孫掌櫃及時來獻良策！局面眼看要亂，本官手下實在也沒有幾個官兵武人。經孫掌櫃這樣一點撥，才豁然開朗！那我就和同僚合計一下，盡早依孫掌櫃所言，招募民軍團練。
孫北溟的這一偶來靈感，真還促成了一支二百來人的團練，在太谷組建起來。雖然為時已晚，到底也為數月後收拾殘局，預備了一點實力。
孫北溟這次來見縣太爺，本來也不是為獻策獻計，不過是受了那位假張天師的忽然襲擊，想找胡大人發發牢騷。結果，倒意外獻了良策！出來時，當然有幾分得意。
三爺勇退張天師這件事，很快就傳到老太爺耳朵裡了。他立刻召見了三爺。
自從老太爺把料理外間商務的擔子交給三爺後，真還沒有召見過他。他倒是不斷進老院請示匯報，可老太爺就是那句話：我不管了，由你們張羅吧。所以，聽說老太爺召見他，三爺當然很興奮。這一向，老太爺對他不冷不熱，原來是嫌他沒有作為。
所以，進老院前，三爺以為老太爺一定要誇他。
老太爺見了他，果然詳細問了他勇退張天師的過程，有些像聽故事那樣感興趣。三爺心裡自然滿是得意。
你怎麼知道這個張天師是假的？
義和團的揭帖上，哪一份沒打張天師的旗號？要說在京城、天津，張天師親自出山打頭陣，那還有人信；來太谷打頭陣，他能顧得上嗎？
京師、天津鬧得更厲害了？
No!天津滿大街都是拳民。京師設壇傳功的，也不少。
京號、津號有信報來嗎？
有。他們都問撤不撤莊？
孫大掌櫃叫撤不叫撤？
不叫撤。仍舊說義和拳不足慮。
你說該撤不該撤？
我還是贊同茶莊林大掌櫃的，早作撤莊準備，畢竟好些。
老太爺聽他還是這樣說，就把話岔開：不管他們了，還說這個張天師吧。即便是假的，你就一定能打過人家？
就他一個人，看著又不像有什麼武功；就是真有武功，也得跟他拼了。那貨氣焰太甚，不壓住他，真能給你血染字號！
你倒成了英雄了。
為兒不過盡力而為吧。
叫我看，你這是狗拿耗子！
三爺真是沒有料到，老太爺會來這樣一句！What does it mean?他多管了閒事？眼看拳匪在自家字號，要舉刀殺人，他也不管呀？
三爺不解其意，想問問，老太爺已揮手叫他退下。他也只好離開。
表了半天功，老太爺卻給他了一句：狗拿耗子，多管閒事！字號是有規矩，東家不能干涉號事。這也算是西幫的鐵規了。可他這也是干涉號事？
老太爺或許是嫌他這樣露臉，叫孫大掌櫃太難為情了：堂堂天成元老號，竟然這樣無能無人？但他當時實在也沒有多想，一聽說拳匪要殺人，就跳出去了。難道他見死不救，就對了？
三爺實在也是想不通，悶了兩天，倒將原先火暴好勝的舊脾氣，又給悶出來了。不叫管自家字號，難道還不叫管那些直隸來的義和拳！
這天，三爺叫了護院武師包世靜，專程到貫家堡拜訪車毅齋師傅。
車二師傅當然知道從直隸來了義和拳，而且居然也聽說了三爺勇退張天師的事，很讚揚了幾句。
三爺趕緊把話岔開，說：這個冒充張天師的直隸人，我聽他口音，像是深州、冀州一帶人。那一帶，習拳練武風氣也甚，你們有不少武友。
車二師傅一聽，笑了說：三爺意思，是疑心我們跟這些義和拳有交情，把他們勾引到太谷了？
車師傅，我可沒這意思！我只是想問問，這些義和團，是不是以前練過武功？
車二師傅又笑了，說：三爺，你是親自跟他們交過手的；有沒有武功，你比我們清楚吧？
三爺忙說：誰也沒碰著誰，哪能叫交手？
我連見還沒見過這些人呢。不過，有形意拳的兄弟去水秀見過他們。倒真是深州冀州一帶人，可跟我們這些練武的，實在不是一路。領頭的大師兄叫神通真人，二師兄是他胞弟，三爺你遇見的那個張天師，還不算頭領呢。神通真人，張天師，一聽就不是真名，不過是頂了這樣的大名，張揚聲勢吧。
嚇唬咱們太谷人呢！
聽我們那位兄弟說，他還真想跟那大師兄、二師兄過過招，可人家非得叫他先入伙，再比武。他沒答應，在水秀躲了兩天，偷偷看了一回人家祭壇演武。跟跳大神一樣，真與我們不是一路。
可人家就敢提刀上街殺人呀！
這就跟我們習武之人，更不一路了。我們習形意拳的，最講究武德在先！否則，你傳授高強武藝，豈不是度人做江洋大盜嗎？就是押鏢護院，沒有武德，誰敢用你？
可人家也說是替天行道，扶清滅洋。
要不它能傳得那樣快？
說時，車二師傅從案頭摸來一張義和團揭帖，遞給三爺：三爺你看看，一般鄉人見過這樣的揭帖，誰敢不跟他們走？
三爺接住一看，跟那天張天師遞給他的一個樣：
山東總團傳出，見者速傳免難。
增福財神降壇。由義裡香煙撲面來。義和團得仙。庚子年，刀兵起。十方大難人死七分。祭法悲災，可免。傳一張免一身之災。傳兩張。免一家之災。見者不傳，故說惡言，為神大怒，更加重災。善者可免，惡者難逃。如不傳抄者，等至七八月之間，人死無數。雞鳴丑時，才分人間善惡。天有十怒：一怒天下不安寧，二怒山東一掃平，三怒湖海水連天，四怒四川起狼煙，五怒中原大荒旱，六怒遍地人死多一半，七怒有衣無人穿。若言那三怒，南天門上走一遭去。戊亥就是陽關。定六月十九日面向東南，焚香。七月二十六日，向東南焚香大吉。
車二師傅問三爺：你看了信不信？
三爺說：我時常跑口外，出生入死也不算稀罕了。陷到絕境，常常是天地神鬼都不靈。等到你什麼也指望不上，鬆了心，只等死了，倒死不了，力氣也有了，辦法也有了，真像有神顯了靈。我只信這一位神，別的神鬼都不信。
車二師傅說：可一般鄉人，只是今年這大旱，也會相信他們。
三爺說：車師傅，你們練形意拳的，不會相信吧？
車師傅又笑了，說：三爺你先問包師傅。
包世靜說：去年我跟了老太爺下漢口，在河南就遇見過義和拳。他們哪有武功！我看，裝神弄鬼也不大精通。就會一樣：橫，見誰對誰橫！
三爺說：我是想聽聽車師傅的見教。
車二師傅說：我早說過了，跟他們不是一路。
三爺就說：那我今兒來，算是來對了。
車二師傅忙問：三爺有什麼吩咐？
三爺說：今兒來，就是想請車師傅出面，將太谷武界的高手招呼起來，趁義和拳還沒坐大，把它壓住、攆走！太谷真叫他們禍害一回，誰能受得住？
車二師傅聽了，卻不說話。
三爺忙說：車師傅，這是造福一方的義舉善事，還有為難之處嗎？
車二師傅說：三爺，你還不知道我？我不過一介鄉農，雖喜歡練拳，實在只是一種嗜好。叫我號令江湖，嘯聚一方，真還沒那本事。
車師傅，哪是叫你嘯聚落草？只是招呼武界弟兄，保太谷平安而已。師傅武名赫赫，人望又高，振臂一呼，太谷形意拳就是鐵軍一支，那幾個直隸來的毛賊，哪還敢久留？
哈哈，三爺真把我們形意拳看成天兵天將了。其實，我們哪有那本事？我知道三爺是一番好意，可我們實在不便從命的。義和拳雖和我們不是一路，但人家有扶清滅洋的旗號，朝廷官府還睜一隻眼，閉一隻眼呢，我們就拉一股人馬跟人家廝殺？真走了那一步，我車某豈不是將形意拳的兄弟，置於嘯聚落草、反叛朝廷的死境了？再說，義和拳招惹的是洋人，我們也犯不著去護洋助洋。洋人畢竟也夠可惡！
車師傅，我看官府也不是都向著義和拳。袁世凱去了山東，就大滅義和團。
官府出面，怎麼都行。我們能？
太谷的知縣胡老爺，我們能說上話。
三爺，就是官府允許我們起來滅義和拳，那也只怕越滅越多！山東、直隸遍地都是義和團，你攆走他這一小股，還不知要招引來多少呢！再說，我們有武藝的，去欺負他們那些沒武功的，於形意拳武德也有忤逆。
三爺終於說服不了車二師傅，心裡窩得火氣更大了。在老太爺那裡碰了一鼻子灰，在車二師傅這裡又碰了軟釘子，真不知道是怎麼了！
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太谷的義和團，真如車二師傅所預料，很快就野火般燒起來。四月傳來，到五月，平川七十二村，已是村村設壇了，隨處可見包紅巾的拳民。
拳民多為農家貧寒子弟，年輕，體壯，不識字。鄉間識字的子弟，都惦記著入商號呢，他們不會攙和義和團。除了農家子弟，攙和進來的還有城裡的一些閒散遊民。他們聽人唸了唸