Chapter 4 Chapter Four.Aigu

From the day Baoye was buried, the sky above Huanglang'er was always gray and hazy without wind and sand.Guan Baye and his brothers rested the salt cart in Wanjialou, sent the patriarch Baoye to be buried, and set off early the next morning.Although Ye Ye and Zhen Ye of Wanjialou specially set up a thank-you banquet for them, Guan Baye refused to accept it. God's white horse. The salt trucks of the Liuhe gang pushed away, but left many impressions and legends in Wanjialou; men were in teahouses, talking about Baye Guan on the street, and women were thinking about Guan Baye when they burned incense and knelt in front of the incense table. Guan Baye; especially Guan Baye chasing the thief on a horse and bringing back seven bloody heads is even more a miracle in people's eyes. It's not like the heroic stories in general legends, but what everyone saw. In fact, when Baoye’s large red-lacquered coffin was buried in the black pine forest outside the south gate of Wanjialou, seven human heads were lined up in front of the grave as sacrifices.

I don't like to start this killing ring. Guan Baye once said this to the Baoye in the grave when he visited the grave: For the kindness of Mr. Wan and Baoye to take care of the people in the world, I, Guan Dongshan, can't help it. meddle.What's more, I don't want my brothers to be involved in the Jianghu grievances. I have to kill these greedy and unjust bandits. They were killed by my surname Guan. He is hated by Judge Zhu Si. Feel free to come to me to settle accounts in the future. It has nothing to do with my good brothers. The sincerity of Guan Baye's words, the heart-wrenching words, made people cry, and the awe-inspiring demeanor that swallowed the sun and the moon was even more heart-wrenching.Although the fourth judge Zhu was not included among the seven heads!But in the past few decades, apart from Baye Guan who was able to do such a dramatic thing, there was no other person in the world who dared to chase the bandit alone and take off seven heads in one go.

Guan Baye left, but cast a kind of melancholy on his little aunt Wan Hanying.Speaking of which, it was all on Master Zhen's head, Master Zhen was so stubborn, and found out that Guan Baye was still single, so he wanted to betroth his younger sister to Guan Baye, and before he spoke, he discussed it with his sister face to face.According to Master Zhen, Guan Baye is a well-known hero in the Jianghu. Guan Baye can no longer lead the salt truck of the Liuhe Gang, wandering from south to north, and can settle down in Wanjialou to spend his time in peace.If this marriage can be negotiated, it will be good for each other.

Wan Hanying acquiesced. She is a girl with insight, and she also has calculations.The facts are before us, except for a man like Guan Baye, no one can be the young aunt of the Wan family.She fell in love with this handsome Guan Baye the first time she saw her. Since her brother brought up this matter, she always thought it was a bit hasty, but she couldn't easily let go of this rare opportunity because of the sorrow after the catastrophe. It is such a person who wanders in the rivers and lakes all year round and takes the road as his home. Every time he walks to Yan, it takes a year or so to pass Wanjialou.

But when Lord Zhen spoke, Guan Baye refused the marriage.But Guan Baye spoke frankly and sincerely, which forced Master Zhen to respect him. I, Guan Dongshan, can only appreciate Master Zhen's kindness.It's not that I don't want to climb high, it's really difficult.Just this time, I have to bear the hatred of judge Zhu Si, and I don't know how it will end in the future?I can't be greedy for my family and throw away these brothers who are struggling to survive. I hide in Wanjialou by myself and let Judge Zhu Si go to clean them up. , no matter life or death, there is no concern.In any case, Master Zhen, please forgive my intentions.

Guan Baye left just like that.Wan Hanying, however, was in the compound of the deep house, chewing on this sadness over and over again.The weather is getting colder every day, and the thrushes kept in the golden silk cages in the corridor can't help the morning frost, and they are all covered with blue silk wind.Looking at the caged bird on the porch, the more one looks, the more one feels like a caged bird, locked in the house of Wanjialou, and covered with a deserted lake covered with reed grass, so that one cannot see the distant world. I am a person who died when I landed, and I was brought up by my elder brother. A nurse from the Northland, Mama Yuan, and a maidservant have been with me for nineteen years.At the age when I can remember, I often listened to Lao Yuan's mother telling stories about the wars and famines that I had never seen before. Lao Yuan's mother also had two sons, one died at the muzzle of a gun, and the other died of starvation in front of her. On her back, her last daughter died of convulsions fourteen days after she was born, and she was hired to come to Wanjialou.

Those wandering stories made the outer edge of my childhood world covered in a circle of inexplicable fog, making me have to care about the wandering refugees.Although the barrenness does not reach Wanjialou, and the drought does not reach Wanjialou, the refugees often drift across the street of Wanjialou to unknown places, and all they see are strange faces. Since she was a child, she loved to ride on the back of a lion, staring blankly at those people; the blind man begging, the lame man scratching a knife, wailed so loudly that the whole street trembled; When she sang and cried about the autumn wind under the porch, she had missed them and the bleak shadow of the distant world on their backs.Now she is convinced that Baye Guan jumped out of that kind of fog, he is not a hero, he is not a hero, he is just a person who cares about others, living a life wandering here and there.In a nightmarish night, she had witnessed Guan Baye killing the bandits; in the dark castle, the faint firelight traced his huge figure on the stone wall, and he moved like a fast leopard, with every stretch gun, and the screams of the horse-thrower sounded outside.He rolled over twenty-four stone steps in the rain of bullets, forcing the gangsters back; he chased the robbers alone in the dark night, and brought back seven bloody heads; there seemed to be incomprehensible bravery and magic in his life.

After the catastrophe, the Wanjialou fell into silence. Yeye Jibao became the patriarch and handed over the gun team to the command of Xiao Guye. After Yeye became the patriarch, he remembered the words that Guan Baye left behind when he was leaving He said that if Judge Zhu Si had no undercover agents, he would never have the guts to raid Wanjialou at night. Remember that black mule with white cross! Ye Ye had checked that such an animal was raised by his own family, and among the nephews of the long family, it is impossible for anyone to secretly inform Judge Zhu Si.Although the fourth judge was forced to leave by Guan Baye this time, there is no guarantee that he will not make a comeback, so despite the freezing weather, he used to be on guard with the gun team with Young Master Gu, beating gongs and making patrols every night.

But Wan Hanying can ignore these things. The days in the high-walled compound are like a pool of still water. During the day, sitting by the brazier embroidering something, the red and green are all the shadows of the distant world. The sound of the gong was knocked one after another, and each time was more bitter and cold, and each time was more bleak.She couldn't understand, why Guan Baye declined this marriage? Before meeting Baye Guan, her life was peaceful. She was watering flowers and weeding in the courtyard, doing needlework with the women in the neighborhood while chatting casually about some homely things. She held paper-cut flowers and shoe-cut In spring and autumn, she would help Master Zhen, who was in charge, ride a horse to the farm in Shahekou, collect rent and calculate food, and allocate some land for various crops. She always tried every means to make Qifang's meeting team dress up brightly, perform brilliantly, and win praise and huge bonuses at the meeting.But after meeting Baye Guan, she became tired of everything in life.

Master Zhen knew that this temperamental younger sister was difficult to serve, so he persuaded him: "Fifth younger sister, the older brother didn't make this marriage a success. It's strange, and I'm the one to blame; but then I also wanted to open it, Guan Dongshan." He is a chivalrous man, he is used to wandering from south to north, now he is leading the Liuhe gang to make their way in the rivers and lakes, he refuses to agree, there are actually difficulties for him It's a joke, you think I'm worried about this?My little aunt really got angry: From now on, you don't need to mention the word Guan in front of me again, he is him, and I am me!Since he has difficulties, is it possible that he is still implicated and dependent on him?

That being said, after Master Zhen left, Wan Hanying closed the door, hugged the pillow and wept, half of the pillow was wet with tears. In the Wanliang shop on East Street, Aigu, who was called Wan Xiaoniang, was even more sad.Wan Liang rescued her from the fire pit of prostitution in the salt market. Even though she didn't have a name, she was satisfied. She knew that Wanjialou in Dangnan was an important place often visited by the Hanyan Gang, so she visited it with peace of mind. Even though the people in Wanjialou despised her and laughed at her as a prostitute, Wan Liang was kind and considerate to her, and his sister-in-law Wan Hanying's protection made her feel like a stranger. She was able to live without waves in Wanjialou, and she didn't ask God for anything. A little woman with a miserable fate, what more could she want?The string of years in the past frightened her, not because she couldn't bear to look back, but because she didn't dare to look back.Beside her pillow, she told Wan Liang about those villains, Bian San Mao Liu Crooked Eyes and Four, how they deliberately cheated and betrayed her when her father went to Kanto, but kept her in the dark; She was coaxed to go to Jinguli on the southeast of the Yellow River in the old city of North Xuzhou, saying that she was staying at the house of a godmother of Bian San. She was only fourteen years old when Liu Qiang poured her alcohol.She became a residual flower at the age of fourteen.She said that in the days of Fengyuetang, the embroidered soles were not stained with mud, and when they were out, they were all carried on the shoulders by the assistants. She sang, persuaded to drink, and stayed with her. lotus. She recounted those, like recounting a stranger's story, among those sisters in Fengyuetang, who didn't have a lot of blood and tears?If there were not so many tragic events in the world, it would not be possible to show such a powerful man as Guan Baye.In front of Wan Liang, she didn't mention the word Guandong Mountain, she was afraid that Guandong Mountain would tarnish his vigorous and vigorous name through her mouth.In Wanjialou, no one believed her blood-and-tear-stained experience, no one believed her own life experience spit out by a prostitute, and they always wanted to be a bitch like that was all deceit. She fell silent. She lives with Wan Liang peacefully, she is a peaceful person, she no longer looks back at the wind and dust.On the night of the Wanjialou Grand Tournament, she accompanied her little aunt and grandma Wan Hanying, and heard the name she had buried in her heart for a long time under the gate of Master Zhen's house. She had to see him, ask about her father's whereabouts, and cry about what happened after the farewell; she knew that Guan Baye would wash away the humiliation in her heart and punish those villains; but when she squeezed back with the crowd, When she was in the shop, Guan Baye went to the square again, and she squeezed into the square again, just as Judge Zhu Si's gangsters were shooting. The scene of that night was terrifying; gunshots came from all directions, bullets whizzed and whizzed past people's heads, there was a sound of explosions on the street houses, and the crowd watching the game was like a blown barrel, screaming in panic People push people, people step on people, people rush here and there.The flames shot up into the sky, reflecting the shadows of the crowd running around on the street wall, and the abandoned lantern torches were burning among the street corridors.She squeezed out of the crowd with great difficulty, was trampled off her shoes, stomped into the alley, and ran back to the shop from the back street.Unexpectedly, Wanliang Shop was occupied by bandits under Judge Zhu Si, and they crowded into the living room in front of them to fill the fire. She slipped from the bandits into the back room, hid in an empty wine jar, and waited until the third day. After a while, the clerk called her out, saying that it was the men from the Liuhe Gang who repelled the bandits and secured half of the street. Can you see Guan Baye?She trembled and asked a man in the Liuhe Gang, "Where is Ba Ye?" Eighth Master is over there in the square.said the man. She really wanted to find Wan Liang and ask him to lead the gun team to the ancestral hall to rescue the trapped Guan Baye. She was anxious to see him.When Guan Baye was imprisoned in North Xuzhou Prison, even though she was still a thirteen-year-old girl, she fell in love with him precociously.Dad often told her about the heroes in the book, Guan Baye was such a hero in distress, at that time she only loved him secretly, but she never thought of speaking.After many years, that friendship has become a fantasy, but she didn't think of herself when she was in danger, and she only cared about Guan Baye. She never dreamed that Guan Baye, who was trapped in the Wanjia Building, was not injured at all, but on the fourth watch, he brought the news of Wanliang's death.When Baye Guan chased the thief in the dark and brought back seven heads, she couldn't flock to the square to meet him like others, she just wore a heavy filial piety and guarded the mourning hall.Wanliang died, and the bright future she had just seen turned into a big black hole, making her dare not imagine the days before her eyes and the spring blossoms she had released long ago. Guan Baye left, he walked so fast that she didn't even get a chance to see him, in Wanjialou, during Wanliang's funeral, she couldn't leave the mourning hall and go to Yeye's house Paying respects to Guan Baye, although there is a past in North Xuzhou, but Guan Baye is not my kind of relative after all. Wanliang shop was temporarily closed in Jizhong, and the mourning hall was set up in the back house. She watched the lights on the mourning hall all day and all night. Maybe it was because she cried too much, or she was sick. The spirit lamp was in front of her eyes. The light inside is miserable green, and the flame is covered with a black and flickering halo.An outhouse without a name has no status in the family as usual. Wan Liang did not leave any children during his lifetime. The family discussed and handed over Wan Liang Shop to Wan Zhibang, an eight-year-old nephew close to Wan Liang's house, to inherit it. . And she's just a nameless widow with an idle job. She waited, she could only wait, when Baye Guan led the salt truck through Wanjialou again, she must find out the whereabouts of her father, and she wholeheartedly wanted to return to his lap to serve her for the rest of her life. Baye, where are you?She often asks this question in her heart. The first snow fell in the sky, and the big snowflakes fluttered, turning Wanjialou into a silver-white world. She sat by the fire, and the blazing fire could not warm the desolation in her heart. Wanliang was seven years old, and the family opened the ancestral hall for a meeting. She was summoned, and the patriarch, Ye Ye, told her, "Mother, old nephew Wanliang has been buried in the earth. You are young, your eyes are dark, and there is no one in your natal family." Come forward, willing to marry and keep?It is up to you to decide.Although the rules in the clan are strict, they don't force unnamed survivors to observe festivals, but after you make up your mind.It is hard to change. After two years in Wanjialou, it was the first time that Aigu stepped into the gate of the ancestral hall. The main hall of the Wanjia ancestral hall is majestic enough, the tiger-yellow mantle hangs obliquely, and the ancestral tablets on the shrine are stacked like mountains stacked to the top of the beam, the color of those memorial tablets becomes darker as they go up, as if they were old people sitting with a stern face; The incense sticks were burning vigorously, and bursts of fragrant smoke spewed out from the blooming red incense heads, which surrounded the huge brown beams. The chairs of the patriarchs and deacons were arranged in a horseshoe shape, and every face seemed to be covered with a layer of smoke. Frost. She had already heard about the family rules of the Wan family from Wan Liang, the dead ghost.She hesitated a little and knelt down in front of her elders. Guan Baye's shadow appeared in the smoke, but she gritted her teeth and said: I would like to guard Master Ye looked at her with pity, and sighed with half admiration. Wanjialou was robbed by bandits this time, I didn't expect that you would be involved.Master Zhen said: If you want to keep it, you have to take care of the reputation of the Wan family. I would like to keep Aigu said, she raised her head, her expression was firm and sad: I beg the clan to allow me to adopt my step-son Zhibang. The little girl wants to adopt her to rule the country, who in the clan has something to say?Ye Ye asked the deacons in each room. That's not going to work.A voice broke out in the silence: Yeye, you are here, I am Zhibang's biological father, I can't leave the child in the hands of a woman from a bad family background.What I mean is that Zhibang inherits the property, and Wanliangpu should be supervised by me. When Zhibang becomes an adult, I will hand it over to him.As for the young lady, she should share some of the land and let her live by herself. The shadow of Guan Baye is still floating in the smoke, only he can believe his tragic experience, only he can stand up and testify, but where is he?The words "Improper birth" pierced her heart and lungs like sharp knives, Ai Gu's face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. On both sides of the main hall, people from various clans were talking about the book She is a good-natured woman, but also able to observe integrity, Master Ye said slowly: "Heroes are born in the grass, and chivalrous women are born in the world. It seems that it is not appropriate to mention her background."Guan Baye who stepped forward to rescue him, what about his background?I sentenced her to adopt and rule the country, and to keep festivals. The patriarch's words are the law of Wanjialou, she kowtowed.Even if the hopeless years of loneliness lay on her slightly furrowed brows, she was willing to bear it.She knew that from now on, her love for Guan Ba ​​Ye would only be etched in her broken heart forever. And the sixteen salt carts led by Guan Baye are walking on the long road with wind and snow.Life on the rivers and lakes is like this: forcing people to leave all the past behind and keep their eyes on the front.After stepping out of the territory of Wanjia, no one can predict what kind of turmoil will arise in the future at the next moment? It was Guan Baye's idea to take advantage of the strong wind and snow to go on the road. This area is close to the ground of the Yanhe River, and there are many checkpoints set up by the private sector. , commonly known as trough.), each township has some font size, and the salt trucks that sell orders are not well done. In all likelihood, they will be sold at low prices by local snakes released from troughs, and they will never reach the lake. side. The salt truck is suffering on the long distance in the wind and snow. The wind is so fierce that the flakes of goose feathers are like feathered arrows shooting slantingly, shooting directly from behind.Snowflakes accumulated on the top of the human fur hat and the shoulders of the coat, and some pieces of snow penetrated the man's collar, making the man's spine numb, and in an instant it turned into wet snow water and flowed down the hollows of the spine. Downstream. Shorty Shi Er, who loves to whine, can't keep his mouth idle. While pushing the cart, he muttered: Hey, I said third child, how did Eighth Master do it? !In Wanjialou, Judge Zhu Si dared to fight, but here, he was careful about the fire everywhere; the group of hairy people in Kaer, the group of obstacles in the official channel, I don't believe they are more capable than Judge Zhu Si? !On the contrary, Ba Ye seemed to be avoiding them deliberately! Forget it, dwarf, the big bear sneered sourly and said, "You don't have the legs, so why do you need to meddle in your own business?"Ba Ye made up his mind, and he has his own reasons; if you close your eyes and listen to him, you will be right, at least he won't make you smash your head at the jug. When Da Gou Xiong mentioned the joke made by Shorty Shi Er at the Wanjialou Competition, the men behind all laughed. I have to tell you a little bit about what Eighth Master meant, and said to the third child: You have been in the Huai Gang, and you have been walking for more than a year, and your brain doesn't seem to be very clever!People make their way in the rivers and lakes, and they must not offend others unless they have to. Although the eighth master is famous, he is not a person who likes to kill lightly; There is no grudge, if Judge Zhu Si does not violate Wanjialou, and if Ba Ye is not present, I believe that Ba Ye will never abandon the salt truck and only look for Judge Zhu Si's fork.This time chasing the thief alone, he took off the seven heads of the four magistrates, all of which are righteous.In the early years, the Liuhe Gang was deeply favored by the care of the father and son of the Wan family. Seeing the Wanjia building being robbed and watching with nothing, is that still a man? !As for the pair of cards and the official slot, the situation is very different. Those who eat food in the private sector are not just as hungry as us?Many of them had been with Ba Ye back then, if people could guard the fields, cultivate the land, and live happily, who would have trouble with whom?They just want to leave a way for us to go, we have no reason to shoot at others.Although those local snakes released from the official trough are abominable, there are too many people of that kind along the way. If we confront them head-on and make enemies everywhere, there will be troubles along the way in the future, so why bother?After all, we are businessmen, we are not here to use force! Well, after all, you are an old Jianghu, talking and farting is all reasonable, Shier Shorty said: In any case, it is true that people do not suffer from foreign bears if they drive long distances in heavy snow, my fucking feet are as numb as stepping on Like on a layer of cotton. Since you think it makes sense, don't you have it?Said to the third child: "The east is the dam, and the south is the ferry. If we don't take advantage of the heavy snow and cross the river in the dark, we will surely cause trouble. Besides, the four judges have power here, and they have a lot of ears and eyes." How do you know that he won't plot against us secretly after having suffered from Eighth Master in Wanjialou?It's okay to arrive at the big lake early. You are smart, Xiang Laosan.Shorty Shi Er made a grimace and said: My mother's mouth insists that you are bald! Let's talk about other things, the big dog is salivating: talk about interesting things, such as the casino, the girls in the Yanshi hall, etc. I haven't been to Yanshi for several years; go to the lake Salt (meaning that the salt package is transported across Hongze Lake, the Boli is more abundant.) Although it is profitable, it is a pity that the journey is boring. When I return, I have to push an empty car and turn to the salt market to gamble. Come on, I didn't say it, you can stop making such crooked calculations as soon as possible, how much money can you sell for a salt cart?The gamble on the dam is very expensive, thirty or fifty yuan, two hands are turned out, and the whole thing flies!Can we compare with sea salt merchants and Lakers?Let's walk around hard, three or four months of blood and sweat is not enough for them to play a tea circle (go to a brothel without staying overnight, it is commonly known as a tea circle in the north.), the kind of place where money is spent like water, it is better for us to be less involved . That's about the same as you say to a dwarf, third child.The big dog squinted his eyes and said with a smile: "I'm so damn lucky. I'm really a lucky general. Three years ago, I went back to Yanshi for a small gamble. I won a pocketful of silver coins, which made my back hurt." I'm not as lucky as you, Shier shorty said dejectedly: I'm addicted to gambling, but every time I gamble, I lose!My mother was raised by a poor god, a poor man for eight lifetimes!Pooh!He spat and began to sing crookedly: Lose lose lose, call six he came from the hole I call it thin, but he is thick and thick! If you earn three Wen, you have to repay the debt of Liu Wen. Forced Lao Tzu to go home and sell piglets A group of bold and rough men just talked and rapped and sang and pushed the salt cart forward, and the unknown fate surrounded them like cold snowflakes; the guns were stuck in their waists, and the guns were placed in the box of the cart They don't have the leisure to watch the snow scene, nor ignore the cold and blurred fate. They only think of their wives with yellow and thin faces and disheveled hair, their hungry and howling children, and the lake. The big salt store over there, the black counter with grease stains, the calculated code (the salt store received the salt, as usual, it will issue a code card for calculating the catty, and pay with the card.), and pieces of shiny silver coins, with blood and sweat In exchange for those, going back to feed their families is their most fulfilling dream.Even in such a humble dream, blood and sword light are often thrown into it. While they were chatting and rushing on the road, Lei Yipao, who was walking at the beginning, was silent all the time, looking at the horseshoe prints in front of the car.The further you go, the shallower the hoof prints. Needless to say, near the ferry, Guan Baye, the leader of the road, urged the horse to go far away. Hey, this guy, Ba Ye, Lei Yipao interrupted several cheerful conversations behind him, and sighed with a lot of emotion: I really don't understand why he wants to join the Liuhe Gang and take risks for us poor people?With his reputation, courage and deeds, he has risen to great heights That's it!Shorty Shi Er said: Wanjialou's little aunt who looks like a fairy is holding it in both hands, and he still doesn't agree!Whoever sends me that kind of beauty to be his wife and child, even my bones will melt.Ba Ye doesn't understand, what kind of hero is he? ! Shut that stinking mouth of yours!Scolded at the third child. What are you afraid of?Hehe Shorty Shi Er shrank his head, let out a series of laughter, like a toad swallowing salt: What are you afraid of?This is not in Wanjialou. This is not the time for fun, the dwarf, and said to the third child: To be honest, if this trip was not supported by the banner of the Eighth Master, if we twirled off half of the beard of the fourth judge, ten lives would not be enough to pay for it; If Master Ba had thought for himself, he wouldn't have agreed to take the leg in the first place! Pushing the heavy salt truck in the wild wind and snow, the wheels were deeply embedded in the snow, rolling out criss-cross traces; they seemed to be the traces of their arduous life crawling, inextricably intertwined. The snowflakes are so dense that they dance towards the sky when the wind is strong, and sink towards the ground when the wind stops. Small snow mounds have accumulated on everyone's shoulders and backs.The gray snow cloud is very low, almost stretching across people's heads. The singing of the salt truck's axle was swept away by the wind, and it rang far in front of the truck. Through the fluttering snowflakes, people couldn't see Baibu. The scene outside, as if the sky and the earth are such a flashing silver-like chaos. Where did this mother go?Shorty Shi Er said. This should be Dawaer of Zheng's family, and he said to the third child: "It's not far ahead, it's time to reach the big ferry of Yanhe." Anyone who walks around knows that Zhengjia Dawa is a famous dangerous place on the West Road. Since the end of the Qing Dynasty, the seizure of private goods and robbery of salt goods have occurred in this wasteland one after another. I don’t know how many rumors of tragic killings have been left for the people. In the period of the head of Beiyang, officials everywhere competed to block salt, and several large-scale armed fights were held here. The people participating in the armed fights were like ants coming out of a nest, wandering for several miles, carrying nails, Shovels, wooden sticks, red-tasseled guns and spears, primitive weapons such as single knives and giant axes, face-to-face blind fights.Usually people who walk on their legs try their best to avoid passing through the Dadu Pass here, because there is an official card at the Dadu Pass, and they must suffer hardships if they encounter it; They are all used to playing hard, and when they heard Zheng Dawa and Dadukou, they couldn't help but sweat secretly. At this time, the salt cart was approaching the Dadu, and in the heavy snow, all the men who were pushing the salt cart heard the voices of people, mixed with the long neighing of white horses. There's trouble ahead again!Ray said. Guan Baye thought over and over again before deciding to go straight to Dadukou. The legs start from the east coast and go down to the Hongze Lake in the southwest. Whether you take the east road or the west road, there is a journey of six to seven hundred miles.Whether you are walking in a gang or taking a one-way trip, buying and selling is not as convenient as ordinary businessmen. Sometimes you rely on your legs during the day and kick your feet at night, and sometimes your front is unstable.On the west road, there are always fifty or seventy clamps, large and small, except for those who have to make up their minds to push hard, and have to circle around it like a millstone. Just because he met Judge Zhu Si in Wanjialou, and offended him with his face, Guan Baye decided to go straight to Dadukou instead of taking a detour; It's not easy to settle the account, it's easy to break into the den of thieves by taking a detour, if they attack secretly and ambushes in the dark, their own life and death matters are minor, and this group of brothers in the Liuhe Gang will inevitably be involved; if they go straight to Dadukou , although there are many checkpoints along the way, there are many people on the cards who are soldiers and braves that they have led. Behind them, there are also a lot of bitter tears. He should be clearer than anyone else, so as not to turn his face down and face each other with swords, and if some unreasonable animals deliberately torture them, it is not difficult to break through the checkpoint and pull out the card.I'm afraid that the trough set up by the government is rushing to cut the salt, and it will be annoying if you don't agree, but in comparison, it's easier to handle than meeting Judge Zhu Si. The man is on a white horse, with a snowstorm on his back, his heart is heavy, and he doesn't know how many feelings are suppressed.Most of the people who have been through the rivers and lakes for a long time have a tough appearance. At first glance, it seems that those iron-cast wild men are indifferent, but in their bones, their pride and emotion are full of heaven and earth. Watching the heavy snowfall, Guan Baye has long forgotten his own hunger and cold. Countless past events have turned into pieces of snowflakes, floating in his eyes. Whether it is love or hate, joy or sorrow, it is all in the time behind After falling, all that is left is a tired body.Endless wild roads, endless winds and frosts, heroes have been heroes, and chivalry have also been chivalrous. Then again, if there are not so many injustices in the world, how can there be any need for heroes to shed blood and throw their heads? !Throughout the ages, heroes and chivalry are all forced out by injustice in the world, and their fame spreads everywhere, while there is only an empty sadness left in their hearts. Who would want to leave the dark old nest and wander the rivers and lakes all year round?Right and wrong, kindness and resentment, forming an endless chain that cannot be untied?Who wants to fight hand-to-hand with someone?Who wants to be favored and never forget?But unless you don't stand on the rivers and lakes road Half my life has been in the rivers and lakes, and there are many events that are as vivid as yesterday. Although I suppress myself again and again, I don’t go back, I don’t think about it anymore, but those events, those messy images and sounds, will always snake around in a moment of silence. Deep down. I said, Ba Ye, should you start a family long ago? !Who ever said that?Grandpa Zhen said it so sincerely. I, Guan Dongshan, am not an unsympathetic man, and I have long been tired of wandering the rivers and lakes. I am not a hero, but an ordinary person made of flesh and blood, with a pulsating conscience.The daughter of the old prison guard Qin Zhen has not been found, the shackles imposed by the Beiyang government on the heads of the old people have not been removed, the blood feud between the boss of Shuangqiang Luo and the old brothers of the Liuhe gang has not been avenged, and Judge Zhu Si has kept this account on his own head. I have to risk my life to pick it up. Although I am tired of the rivers and lakes, I can't pick up my life of wandering in the rivers and lakes. The snorting of a white horse and a piece of jade interrupted Guan Baye's thoughts, and he couldn't help but think of Wan Jia again.Maybe it's just the times that have changed?The unrighteous people in the Jianghu are getting more and more powerful. Mr. Wan Jinbiao is so loyal and brave, how much worry has he raised for the people in the Jianghu?How much did you worry about it?Baoye and Yeye are all gentle and benevolent people; just like that, Judge Zhu Si turned his thoughts to Wanjialou, Xu Siqianjiu, who was a bandit, was willing to partner with Zhu, they Apart from seeing money, what else can the eyes see? ! No matter how hard I tried, not to mention seven heads, even if I had seventy heads, I would not be able to exchange the nineteen lives of Baoye and Wanjialou!With the strength of Wanjialou's guns, if no one released the water in the dark, it would never have caused such a chaotic situation, and it would never have caused Master Bao to lose his life.A black mule with white crosses?The key is here.I remember that when I was leaving, I specially reminded Lord Ye to pay attention to such an animal and try to find some clues. There are many families in Wanjialou, and there is no guarantee that there will be no grievances between the families. This is something that outsiders can hardly get involved in.But according to my guess, there is something strange in that market town?Ever since the boss of Shuangqiang Luo of the Old Liuhe Gang was wiped out, I have had doubts that I can't understand!But it's better to fold it first, this is Zheng's Dawa, and it's time to make a transition before noon. Baoye's steed is really a well-deserved steed, with its four hooves vacated, it hopped on the pine snow, smooth and light, and unconsciously, it had already left the salt team far behind.Although the dancing snowflakes often block the view, from the sand cuttings on both sides of the concave channel, it can be seen that this is the north bank of the Dadukou; there are three large ferry boats with square heads and flat bottoms in the Dadukou, and the ferrymen are all on the river mound. Villagers, these ferrymen usually don't stay at the ferry to wait for the transitional guests, but they all gather to gamble in the Fan's shop in Duikou. Anyone who has been to the Grand Ferry of the Yanhe River, no one knows the Fanjiapu. This old shop of the Fan family, which has been open for many generations, is located on a high pile on the bank of the river. One side is covered by trees, and the other side is a walled sandy moat. Below the moat is the torrential river.Fanjiapu strangles the Zhengjia Dawa in the north and Duhekou in the south. There is a road on the pile ridge, and the salt market on the dam in the east, so it has become a place where all kinds of people from the rivers and lakes gather; The thatched huts are also very spacious and clean. There are a total of a hundred or so houses arranged in eight formations along high piles, revealing layers of roof ridges, like a cottage choking the key points. Guan Baye braved the wind and snow to lead the reins, and the white horse left the concave path leading to the ferry and walked obliquely to the winding uphill road; it was noon, Guan Baye didn't intend to let the noise cart stay here, only because of this road The wind and snow were fierce, and there were still more than 20 miles of deserted roads to walk after crossing the river. It was time to eat here. The horses swept across a row of snow-wearing forests, and before they reached the square in front of the shop, they saw a large group of people around the square, chattering and arguing about something.There were six or seven heavy salt carts with baskets parked there, and two anti-private soldiers bravely sealed the cart with their big guns. A tax officer at a checkpoint was wearing a leather cap askew, kicking one leg on the salt basket. superior.Four or five guys in leather robes with guns slung across their backs were chatting poorly.The old innkeeper of Fan's Shop held the long pipe stem, bowed to the east and bowed to the west, and acted as a peacemaker there, while a few miserable men pushing the salt cart stayed by the handle with bitter faces. , It's all a taste of being at the mercy of others. No matter how the men in your trough divide it, I have to make a lottery first and pay the salt tax before talking about it.The tax official said: I'm fucking unlucky today. I caught three bad guys in a row and lost six or seven dollars. Don’t worry, Mr. Tax Official, Yuxing’s trough will pay you five yuan, and the seven carts of salt will go back to the trough with me, and the gross salt will be in a basket. For every hundred catties, Yuxing will pay you three yuan to save you from traveling a hundred miles It is quite a problem whether the salt can be kept when the car crosses the big ferry.The trouser legs were wrapped with scorpions and said: "Salt follow me, Yuxing Trough will cover your taxes, and I will not be mean to you!" 老曹，你可是霸王硬上弓，硬捏人的鼻子呀！包著滿嘴金牙的說：玉興槽子官字號兒，咱們老振興槽子可也不是私設的？ !我包卡子上六塊大洋，每百斤毛鹽出價三塊三。跟我去，連吃的住的，老振興全管了！ 請請諸位老爺高抬貴手！一個推鹽人哀告說：免得使諸位相爭傷和氣，還是放我們過渡口罷。稅官老爺帶諒些兒，每車上它兩三毛錢捐稅，讓您小賭，意思意思，彼此都是曉得的 那不成！稅官換了一條腿踹著鹽簍：這兒不是小關卡，上稅三五毛一車，他們天高皇帝遠，沒人來盤稅賬，十成十進腰包；大渡口靠著壩上的官鹽局，稽查老爺三天五日下來盤賬，不孝敬怎麼成？卡上弟兄多，查鹽辛苦，多少要分點小份兒，三分幾不分，再加上報庫，我終不成白苦白忙？所以我說，彼此全要顧到，至少每車要上這個數兒他伸手打了個七字記號，表示最少要上七角大洋的稅。 慢點兒談上稅好不好？一個手端茶壺，掖著袍角的漢子奸笑著，捏了稅官一把說：老李，鹽車沒長翅膀，你的賭本飛不掉的，何苦站在雪地裏爭？吩咐他們把腿子靠進廊下去，咱們先商量進槽子的事罷。 淮大爺，沒你的事，這批鹽歸玉興了！插攮子的老曹說：這批買賣，是兄弟我先招攬了的！ 玉興跟老振興扯平了分配的！包金牙的說：玉興三車，老振興四車，走腿子的哥們答應了的。 腿子先別動！淮大爺虎下臉來說：我他媽頂瞧不慣你們尖著腦殼爭生意，活像一窩餓狗搶骨頭，嗯嗯吭吭的吵成一團這七車鹽歸和泰槽子了！ snort!你姜淮可甭倚老賣老！老曹說：大夥兒全是在世面上混的，幹事總得分個先來後到。你端和泰的飯碗，我端玉興的飯碗，你想砸爛老子的飯碗？ 老曹裝模作樣的，擺出要拔攮子的架勢。 淮大爺不動聲色的笑著，一手反握著匣槍的槍把兒，並沒摘槍，就叫人拉開了，猶自奸笑說：小子，想死你也認認地方，憑你那一手，嫩得很呢！ 算了算了，兄弟夥，一個檯面上的人，幾車鹽犯不著太認真。一個胖子說：兄弟的意思是各槽子見眼都有份，各領一車回去交差。就說大雪天，過路的買賣少，車把車的，開個彩頭罷了。 薛二胖子說的對，這樣免得動肝火！有人附和說：各槽子全沾點兒，這才像那麼回事兒。 配不開，又有人說：各鎮官槽十三個，鹽祗有七車。 求求諸位老爺咱們都是拉單走湖鹽的，一路上，單是卡稅也交了好幾塊大洋了。若照官價，實在不夠維持的，可憐咱們全家老小，全等著這車鹽活命呢？一個走鹽的漢子幾乎哭泣下來，拱手哀告著，明知他的哀求是白費精神的事，情急起來，他也管不了那麼多了。 關八爺在這一片嘈切聲裏，牽著馬走過那些人的背後，鋪裏的夥計跑下門階接去韁繩，關八爺卻並不忙著進鋪裏去，手捏著馬鞭兒，叉著腰站在人群一邊看望著。一塊玉上了槽，看見馬料，發出歡悅的長嘶。雷一炮領著的響鹽車，浩浩蕩蕩的順著馬蹄印兒推上坡來，車軸的銳響使稅官嚥了一口吐沫。 drink!大買賣，稅官說：聽聲音，至少有廿輛鹽車，北幫來的。 開彩了！帶攮子的老曹說。 祗怕是是扎手貨，硬裏兒（意指大幫鹽車，攜有武器的。），吃下去吐不出來，把人撐死。 嘿嘿，薛二，淮大爺說：你真是個軟骨蟲！有什麼樣的硬裏子敢在大渡口挺腰？照你這麼說咱們這十三家官槽兒上的漢子全是飯桶囉？ ! 響鹽車吱吱唷唷的，在雪花飛舞中推過來了。 靠腿兒啦！ 這一聲悠長響亮的號子聲像要把彤雲滿布的天掀得崩騰一角一樣，十六輛響鹽車一路架在行林下面，十六條漢子朝廣場圍了過來。原是眯眯帶笑的稅官一聽號子聲，那張臉上的笑容立刻就凝固了，他是個機敏人，一聽來人打出這種歇車的號子，就知來的是大幫買賣，既能直闖到設有關卡的樊家鋪，就有它的仗恃。 扯個字型大小兒罷，我說。他三腳兩步搶過去哈著腰，衝著亂髯滿面的雷一炮說：兄弟我是這邊卡兒上管事的，諸位爺不見外，兄弟在這兒迎著啦。 雷一炮斜睨那稅官一眼，理出一個六字，再合起雙掌。六合幫的字型大小一亮出來，那稅官的身子忽然挫下去三寸，登登的退後兩步。而官槽兒上放出來截鹽的地頭蛇們可沒介意，伸著頸子，祗管數點著鹽車。 腿子十六條，外加這七條，七六大三，廿三條，十三家扯平，每處兩條，還他媽不足數兒。 噯，朋友，玉興槽兒上的曹大，在這兒等著諸位，渡口南，大隊緝得緊，兄弟全是一番好意，毛鹽帶簍打出三塊大洋百斤，諸位點個頭，兄弟掏腰包，請諸位喝杯水酒。老曹皮笑肉不笑的說。 老振興願開三塊三，不計虧蝕。包金牙的也湊合上了：祗消諸位點個頭，誰他媽硬截，我包了！ 熱鬧，熱鬧。雷一炮掀著鬍子說：可惜這幫買賣，兄弟作不得主，得要當家的放句話。咱們底下人，樂得吃喝玩樂。 嘿嘿，鹽到大渡口，當家的就是咱們。淮大爺端著茶壺踱出來了：不答應進官槽，卡兒上立刻扣車留鹽，到那時，連一文銅腥味全嗅不著，那可就晚了。 嗯，這話我倒頭一遭聽說過。您可是苟（與狗字諧音。）苟什麼大爺？關八爺從人叢背後緩緩踱出來，一手拎著馬鞭，一手拎著袍叉兒，慢吞吞的開口說：您可是姓苟的那一位？扣車留鹽，祗有他敢說。 人群騷動起來，略略顯出些侷促不安。因為誰也沒留意這個紅臉的大漢子是什麼時刻擠在人群裏面的，他這一身打扮，哪裏像是領腿子闖江湖的？ !灰閃閃的緞質披風連雪片全沾不上，領口以及襟袖全鑲著珍貴的貂毛；他的袍子是極昂貴的錦緞，漆黑的帶馬刺的靴筒一點污痕全沒有，光亮得能照見人影。他重棗般的臉又方又長，沉著中含帶幾分懾人心膽的威凜，他寬闊的雙肩晃在人頭之上，十足展露出他傲岸的身形。 面對著這樣一個不可測的陌生人物，淮大爺顯得有些口吃起來：我我我姓姜，姜子牙的姜，卻不是苟。他說：你可是認岔了人了？ 沒認岔，關八爺掂掂馬鞭說：您祖上姓過苟的，你是狗奸（與姜字諧音）的雜種。 淮大爺勃然變了臉色；無論如何，在大渡口一帶，姜淮這個名頭還是抖在檯面上叮噹響的，地頭蛇混世，全憑檯面上這一點兒；對方當眾兜頭罵開來，弄得他軟硬下不了台，情急之下，右手就朝槍把兒上貼了。在大渡口一帶，姜淮的匣槍玩得極熟，頗有點兒小名氣，他的手一貼著槍把兒，有些人就忙不迭的閃開了。 人們也祗看見淮大爺摘槍，可沒見對方那漢子動手，眨眼功夫，淮大爺的匣槍飛脫了手，他單膝跪倒在雪地上，茶壺扔碎在一邊，端茶壺的那隻手緊按在曾經摘槍的手背上，啊呵啊呵的喊叫著，上半身因熬不住疼，抖索得像發了瘧疾。而對方絲毫沒動聲色，祗是閒閒的悠蕩著那支細細的馬鞭。 起來罷，苟大爺。對方的聲音略帶點兒揶揄：論玩槍麼，您還嫩得很呢！ 而淮大爺沒有十朝半月的調養是起不來的了，他朝前仆倒下去，吱著牙打滾，滾得渾身是雪。沒有人看清對方的馬鞭是如何出手的，清脆的一聲響過之後，淮大爺那隻善玩匣槍的手，連腕帶手臂，暴起了一條拇指粗的紫色的鞭痕。 吩咐擺渡的，送這七輛鹽車過河。關八爺跟雷一炮說：該上多少稅，記在我頭上。他兩眼朝稅官棱了一棱，背轉身，大踏步的逕自走進鋪裏去了。 十三家槽子放出來的混混兒們，被這位不速之客的威凜氣勢懾伏了。眼看先前辛辛苦苦截下來的買賣推下坡去，後來的十六條漢子跟著進鋪，連氣也沒敢再吭。有人從雪地上把淮大爺架將起來，可憐淮大爺活像一頭夾著尾巴的癩狗，哪還有半點爺字輩的架勢；右手著鞭處，轉眼就暴腫起來，整個手背腫成發了酵的饅頭。 就算他凶罷，你的稅總得要上的。帶攮子的老曹挑撥說：我不信這幫腿子敢抗衙門？ 算啦罷，你！稅官比劃出一個字型大小說：來的是哪個幫子，你也沒睜開眼來看看？我寧願八輩子不摸牌九，也不敢收他們半個子兒。 六合幫？ !老曹說：敢情是在東路上擄過帥府親兵的？ 天底下哪還有第二個六合幫？ !胖子伸著舌頭說。 不單是那個六合幫，石二矮子拎著酒出來了，坐在樊家鋪大門的門檻兒上，插口說：而且領腿子的那一位，關東山關八爺，你們適才是見過的了！ 若說有麻煩，這麻煩也是石二矮子找出來的。 關八爺有這麼大的名頭，這麼大的面子；石二矮子放了話，話風裏刮著一個關字兒，當時就有幾匹牲口冒著風雪上路，通報了各號官槽子。早在關八爺打遼東回來時，風聲就播傳到壩上，有人說，北徐州走了張辮帥，新的督軍有意攬關八爺當司令，好抵禦即將北伐的南軍，（即從廣州誓師北伐的國民革命軍。）又有人說孫傳芳當人提起關八，誇稱他是北地無出其右的豪士，黑松林義釋彭老漢，為單挑民間疾苦進天牢捨命，直可比上古代的關雲長。更有人猜斷說，關八爺是條神龍，孫傳芳、馮國璋那些豹狼之輩休想拿官銜名爵，金銀財寶打動他。 關八爺是在連雲登的岸，一上岸就重領了六合幫，各大城鎮混世走道的候著他，鄉紳名士等著他，卻沒人等到關八爺。一直到前些天，朱四判官手下的散匪潰經壩上，才傳來關八爺在萬家樓漏臉的消息。朱四判官使十多支匣槍鎖住萬家樓宗祠的樓堡，想把關八爺栽在那兒，誰知不但沒有鎖住關八爺，反叫關八爺打得狼煙溜，連四判官的堂侄，也叫關八爺拎了頭去。 而坐在樊家鋪客堂裏的關八爺並沒想到這些，他跟北洋官府冰炭不同爐，跟各地混世走道鄉紳名士也少有瓜葛，籍籍浮名不是他所要的，他要的是民間的豐足和承平。為六合幫裏這夥弟兄，他必得履險江湖，單望能領著他們多走幾次道兒，把字型大小扯得響了，道路踩得實了，他就好隻身回到北徐州去，查訪愛姑的下落。 老獄卒秦鎮臨危時，曾把愛女愛姑的事交託給自己，也提及過卞三毛六的名字；五年來北洋官府裏變化很大，也不知愛姑會流落哪裏？這宗事在料想中並不難辦，卞三毛六有名有姓的人，即使不幹獄卒，也有線索可尋。自己急就急在雙槍羅老大那宗案子上，晃眼多年了，連半點蛛絲馬跡全摸不著，難道羅老大那干兄弟，真該冤沉海底麼？ 樊家鋪招待夠慇勤的，關八爺用飯時，卡子上那個歪鼻子邪眼的稅官竟也踅過來伺候著了。 小的姓李，十八子李，稅官說：小的福薄，沒趕上跟八爺受教，還是八爺您投案後，小的才補進緝私營來的。小的做夢也沒想到，會在這窮鄉僻壤小地方拜識八爺，還是那位姓石的老哥他提起您來 跟著稅官進來的，還有玉興槽上的老曹，老振興槽上的老潘；連被關八爺教訓過的姜淮也使圍巾吊著膀子過來請罪來了。 八爺，說句實在話，姜淮奉承說：從壩上到大小渡口，我姓姜的混得多少也有點面子，比起八爺您來，您是天，我是地，說什麼也攀不著您的腳跟，今兒八爺賞了我一馬鞭，嘿嘿，真夠我姓姜的受用一輩子！日後即使我這隻胳膊殘廢了，有人問起來，我可以大伸胳膊，誇說我捱過大名鼎鼎的當代豪傑關八爺一馬鞭兒，能栽在您手裏，算我祖上積德 一夥人像螞蟻見蜜似的圍著關八爺，使關八爺連一點兒酒興也叫弄沒了。在亂世的江湖上，最可惡的就是這幫吃江湖飯的毛蟲，天生兩付面孔，遇到軟弱可欺的，惡聲惡語黑良心整搬出來，欺壓善良像吃家常便飯，遇上硬扎的對手，立即換上另一具面孔，奉承得使人作嘔，使人骨肉分家。高明點兒的真俠士畏懼江湖不是沒道理的；單就這幫嘴臉來說罷，在江湖上打混的人群裏，十個之中就佔了七八個，說殺掉他們罷，他們又不該死罪，說教化他們罷，又等於硬教頑石點頭。 等那些人奉承完了，關八爺還是苦笑著站起身說：關東山，直性人，今天既然幸會諸位，可有句不甚中聽的話，要奉贈諸位的；無論諸位為生活，為飯碗，為哪一樁，可不能像今天這樣欺壓良民諸位心裏若真有個關東山，就請記著，我是言盡於此了。 天雖過了午，大雪並沒有停的意思；雷一炮過來請問，是否立即拔腿子起渡過鹽河？關八爺推開酒盞，正要吩咐動身，卻被那個老曹攔阻了。 八爺請甭介意，老曹說：那位石老哥一提起您在大渡口過境，咱們就有人飛騎報到壩上去了。東家早就關照咱們這夥在外邊拉腿子的，要是遇上八爺，無論如何請到壩上去，委屈著待幾天，官鹽局跟各家槽子上，不敢留六合幫半粒鹽，但八爺和您領的這干人，咱們東家們非留不可。 不是我不肯留。關八爺望著簾外的大雪說：轉眼進臘月了，頭場雪後不久，湖岸就要冰封，我總想趕得緊一點兒，能把這趟鹽放到大湖南岸去，在年前讓弟兄們回家團聚著，等數盡了九，再拉攏了到產地走二趟鹽，若在中途耽誤久了，誤了湖蕩口發船的期限，那就得困在壩上過年了。 八爺就是執意要走，也務請暫緩一步。老振興槽子上包金牙的老潘說：各槽上的東家，一聽八爺在大渡口過境，一準趕的來拜謁，瞧光景也就快到了，您要是先渡河走了，東家責怪下來，咱們實在挑不起這個千斤擔子，他們會罵咱們不會留客了！ 我說八爺，石二矮子吱著牙，插上一槓兒湊熱鬧來了：走買賣的不去壩上逛逛，推車趕路全提不起精神來，您不知如今鹽市多麼風光？ !河岸的船篷連接幾里地長，水上起城牆似的；半條街全設得有賭場，大賭小賭隨意來；各堂子裏的姑娘，拎著堂號燈籠出去應局，馱得滿街跑，眼全給照花了，尤其是北幫有位卞三爺開的如意堂子，沒有一個姑娘不會彈唱的！ 石二矮子眉飛色舞的談說著，冷不防被關八一把揪住了衣領，搖晃說：卞三開的如意堂妓館？ !you mean 不錯，大狗熊在那邊檯子上打著酒呃：有那麼一個卞三，聽說是打北徐州金谷里轉得來的；您問他們常走壩上的全該知道 這個您儘管問小的，稅官眯著眼說：如意堂如今倒還叫如意堂，不過龜公換成毛六了。 oh!關八爺不經意的哦了一聲，主意卻重新打定了。原以為尋找愛姑要費一番手腳的呢，誰知竟有這麼巧，自己正待尋找的卞三毛六，卻就在壩上！自己在北徐州做監的日子並不長，當時又帶著棍創，除了老獄卒秦鎮和小女兒愛姑常進監房為自己療創外，對其餘的獄卒都沒留下多少印象；卞三和毛六既轉到鹽市來設娼館！祗怕愛姑這事非得趕急去查探一番不可！那怕耽誤運鹽的日子，也管不了那麼多了！ 大風雪裏走腿子，苦兮兮不是人受的罪，八爺，石二矮子看出關八爺沉吟著，還以為關八爺不肯彎道兒去鹽市，就訴苦說：一雙手一路腿全是麻的。假若遇上朱四判官，不用打我就得躺在那兒去了！ 看大夥兒意思如何？Guan Baye said. 還在八爺一句話，雷一炮說：大雪裏推車實在太辛苦，就讓他們逛逛鹽市也好。再說，防人之心不可無。他壓低嗓子，湊近關八爺耳邊說：趁這個機會，也好打探些朱四判官的動靜 正說著，就聽外面起了一陣車馬滾動的聲音，有人報說：八爺，各官設鹽槽兒的東家，各縉紳，聽說您在這兒，全都冒雪趕得來了！ 在萬家樓，在珍爺家的後園子裏，兩個寂寞的影子對坐在垂落的簾子裏，那是萬菡英和新寡的愛姑。 飄飄的大雪把後園裏的假山盆景全掩覆了，成一片銀色的世界；在往年，萬菡英喜歡落雪天，喜歡捲起簾子，坐看滿園的雪景，大雪天的夜晚，要婢女把樸燈擦拭得亮亮的，約聚嫂嫂和鄰近的侄女們到後圍裏來，玩骨牌，鬥紙牌，剪鞋花，盡情的談些家常話；風雪再寒，也寒不進小姑奶奶的暖閣，暖閣裏的鐵架上有著一次能裝四十斤炭的大銅爐，升起火來，連皮襖全穿不住，到了深夜，每人的腳下全踏著絨鋪的錫泥兒，腕上還掛有玲瓏的小手爐；小姑奶奶是最愛熱鬧的女孩兒。 以萬菡英的身分，以萬家的財勢，她幾乎是要什麼就有什麼；她愛吃零食，保爺就送她四對景德細瓷的磁鼓兒，飛龍雙耳，寶塔頂蓋，鼓身燒著全套的仕女四季行樂圖，鮮明的彩色就像生長在白玉般的磁膚裏，使人愛不忍釋；她講究消夜，珍爺送她全套磁具不說，單是一套湯匙就夠人咋舌的了，匙身是雕花純銀的，柄上還嵌著七粒小寶石，說多堂皇就有多堂皇。她那匹胭脂馬是老二房牯爺送的，身價據說比保爺的白馬一塊玉還昂，胭脂馬的鬃毛留得很長，每天有管馬人替牠梳理，編結出一大把細細長長的辮子，尤其在雪地上馳馬，人和馬一色鮮紅，跳起來就像玉盤上疾滾著一隻紅球 但今年，小姑奶奶變了，再沒有愛熱鬧的興致了；她心裏總有些不太如適，總有些說不出名字來的朦朧的遠憂。她祗著人把愛姑接了來，陪她度過落雪天百無聊賴的時辰。她一開始就喜歡老侄兒萬梁從風塵裏領回來的這個女人，她是個與眾不同的人，不像萬家樓各房族裏祗知道愛玩愛樂的女孩子，她的眼瞳裏，亮著許多深沉難解的東西，許多天外的憂愁；儘管她談著，笑著，也掩不住那些烙在她生命裏的創痕。 她接著愛姑來，她覺得萬梁死後，她的身世更慘，她的寂寞和哀愁更深，她更要人安慰；另一方面，她想聽愛姑談她的遭遇，她要知道萬家樓外的遠方世界。 愛姑坐在她對面的椅子上，她穿著一身孝服，像一朵開在白玉瓶裏的花，雪光透簾來，落在她微俯著的白臉上，她原就缺乏血色的臉，白得更有些淒慘。 暖閣裏，跟往年一樣燃著爐火，金漆立几上，高大的碎瓷瓶中插著一束新採來的初吐苞的梅枝，碎雪沾著枝莖，進屋來就融化了，看上去濕漉漉的。一隻長毛的雪狸蹲在几角，呆望一陣兒紛舞的雪花，又轉睛望著八寶垂燈上拖懸下來的彩穗兒，不時朝上空探著爪子。廳堂的木柱邊放著一列朱紅的籠架兒，風罩裏的籠鳥吱吱喳喳的碎語著，也不知彼此在說些什麼？ ! 兩人裝了滿心的話，但都沉默著，想從亂裏整出一絲頭緒來。終還是愛姑先說了。 姑奶奶今年變了，愛姑說：保爺死後，再沒人陪你馳馬了那夜你可算受了驚啦。 受了驚麼？倒也不是受驚什麼的。朱四判官捲進萬家樓那一夜，自己祗是在做一場噩夢；夢醒後，萬家樓變了樣兒了，自己也變了。 我祗是有些說不出的愁悶。萬菡英說：萬家樓從沒死過那樣多的人，也從沒遭過那麼大的匪劫；你是走南到北跑過碼頭的，外鄉當真會遍地是匪嗎？ 愛姑點點頭：年年起荒，月月驚兵，北洋的帥爺們拿老民當豬狗，除開萬家樓這塊福地，哪兒還有人過的日子？ !在北徐州老黃河灘，哪天沒有插草為標出賣親人的？鹽河壩上，那些難民的圓頂蘆棚，牽牽連連好幾里，活像安了大營。 萬菡英翻弄著牙牌，玩著過五關斬六將，闖來闖去，總闖不通那些關口。也不知怎麼的，自己極不願提起的一個關字，卻先在心裏騰跳著。關八這個人也真是怪癖！萬家樓無波無浪的日子他不取，偏生要選他那走不盡的江湖路。很多唱本，很多傳說裏都有著前朝歲月裏的江湖人物的故事，哪篇哪節裏不流著滄桑的血淚？ ! 匪盜是人逼出來的，姑奶奶。愛姑說：那些守得住、熬得住的良民該受苦，還有什麼話說。天底下，能有多少關八爺去救他們？ ! 對方廢然嘆了口氣，把牙牌的方陣推散了。 不要當著我提關八爺。她說，聲音有些僵涼幽怨，好像夢語似的。 我不能不提他，小姑奶奶。愛姑說：我曉得八爺他那種人，他不能把自己關在萬家樓，放著天外的飢寒不管！你不能這樣怨著他，我知你心裏煩亂祗怪珍爺他提得不是時候 萬菡英的臉紅了，她沒想到跟她年歲相仿的愛姑，會這樣大方，這樣老成，當面跟她提到那宗沒成的婚事。 不是我怨什麼，小娘。她訥訥的說：關八爺回絕了這門親事，各房族全知道了，無論如何，對我