Chapter 12 Chapter 12.Guan Baye
Two lanterns that have not been cleaned for a long time are shaking under the long eaves at the intersection of a narrow street. The sound of the rain on the roof of the tin shed blended together, making the night sink in a cold and melancholy atmosphere.
The streets of Yangjiao Town on a rainy night are dark, and it is almost impossible to see the lights from the windows, and it is even more difficult to see pedestrians carrying lanterns under the corridor. Smashed horse lanterns.Some horses were temporarily tied between the colonnades, but did not loosen their girths or take off their saddles. A few irritable stallions bit and kicked the horses, and kept making little hooves and snorting noises.
Under the circles of yellow halos illuminated by the horse lanterns, there are fragments of light beating and flickering from the center of the waterlogged street; the continuous spring rain penetrates into the ground, causing a lot of accumulated water to condense in the recesses of the street center, and after overflowing, it will flow elsewhere .On the surface, this town, which was recently occupied by bandits, was sleeping peacefully in the rain. In fact, Judge Zhu Si had deployed fast gunmen everywhere, waiting in the dark.
In order not to make Baye Guan suspicious, the night market on the narrow street was still lit with scattered lights, and the doors of bathhouses, teahouses, and taverns were still wide open, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time.Some men in white clothes gathered around the living room of the tavern at the street corner, scrambling to throw the dice, and two guards sat with their long guns sideways, facing outwards, in the bar by the door. On the stool, with a cigarette in his mouth, with a lazy and careless look.
Well, man, there's a guy at the casino who says: You two gotta be on your toes, because if the doorknob is locked and we're late to announce, we're in trouble.Xiao Xie'er reported that last night he saw the doorknob leading a horse into the store, only seventy miles away from the foot, it's time to arrive tonight!
Don't be too careful with candles your mother, okay? !The man at the end of the bench said: Once bitten by a snake, and afraid of grass ropes for ten years, you are all frightened by Guan Ba. In fact, even if Guan Ba came, he would not choose the dark night to come against the rain. No matter how heroic he is !He also can't get away with shooting black guns in the back, can he not be afraid of this?
Hehehe, you can be regarded as measuring the thighs of a gentleman with the heart of a villain!The guy turned his face outward and said: If Guan Ba didn't have the guts, he would single-handedly hit us in the muzzle?He won't come if he's afraid that you'll shoot him in the back.To be honest, he came to Yangjiao Town this time at the invitation of the boss, and it is also the boss's job to shoot black guns. Fourth master didn't ask, we can't even help, we are not up to that standard.
Look, the little scorpion is coming on horseback!Another man with a crooked mouth said: Let's wait and hear what he has to say.
A sorrel horse came galloping in the rain, splashing water all the way, when the horse came to the corner of the street, the man on the horse reined in abruptly, causing the horse to curl up its front hooves and stand upright out of thin air. Circling, making a hissing sound.Xiao Xie'er flew off the horse, and hastily tied the leather reins to the porch post.
Even if you bastards are in high spirits, you are very happy to gamble around the table dry and dry. He is dripping with sweat, and his short riding boots are filled with rainwater, and he walks creaking. : I'm really unlucky. When I was assigned to pick up customers in the rain, when I saw Guan Baye's shadow, I felt a little hairy all over my body.
What do you say about the doorknob?Didn't he rush here overnight in the rain?
Look, little Xie'er pouted out and said: I met him at Xin's shop, I bet his white horse would break through the first gate in less than a meal.
Hearing Xiao Xie'er's words, the commotion in the room fell silent, the dice thrower was still grabbing the magnetic bowl, the rest of the people were all busy clearing up the money on the table, a few couldn't hold back, rushed to pick the hanging Gun straps on the wall.There was a horse neighing under the porch, and the flame of the simple lantern flashed and jumped when it met a gust of wind passing by the hood.
No matter how many guns are ready in Yangjiao Town, the name Guan Ba is always like a flash of light that can tear people's hearts apart. Wu Jiadu received fire twice, he was famous for knocking people down when he took a shot, and seeing blood when he stretched out his gun. Even in the dark night, he could also use the twilight of the stars and moon to capture the flashing figure of a hundred paces or so. With a pull, the head blossomed, as if stretching out a hand to put a plaster on a bald head.But that wasn't terrible, because no matter how capable he was, Baye Guan was still a man of flesh and blood. He went straight into Yangjiao Town single-handedly, surrounded by hundreds of guns, no matter what he had no room for him to use.I'm afraid that even though he clearly knows that there are hundreds of guns waiting to kill him, he still believes that he has nowhere to go, and it's really coming!This kind of courage, this kind of pride, this kind of awe-inspiring power, there is really no other person in the world.
Hey, you said Guan Ba is here, how will our boss deal with him?The dice clanged, and the man's hand holding the bowl trembled: I think this is really a big problem.
you are right!Xiao Xie'er said: Unless he draws his gun first, no one can kill him.You all know the temperament of our boss. If he openly kills Guan Ba who is unarmed, he will lose face in the world in the world in the future.Guan Baye has gone so far with this move, he forced our boss to use no tricks, so we must face him face to face!
As you said, what is the result of the showdown?
Little Scorpion shook his head.
Only God knows.He said: We'll just have to wait and see!
The rest of the people were also in twos and threes, speculating and discussing in whispers, some sympathized, some worried, some admired, some hated, some feared, Guan Baye had already created a storm in their hearts, no matter what everyone held No matter how you feel, everyone is anxiously waiting for the result, which may affect their future fate.
Xiao Xie'er asked the shopkeeper for a jug of hot wine and drank it.Many eyes casted their eyes on the street, between the far and near lamp balls, the middle of the street was dizzy, with some dazzling light spurs bursting out, those were raindrops meeting the glare of the lights.A guy was listening to something, suddenly he half-opened his mouth, and couldn't help reaching out to touch the handle of the pistol.
coming!He is coming!He said nervously: Listen.listen!It was the sound of hooves.
The other guy listened for a while, then shook his head and said: Don't be so nervous that it makes people panic, okay?Horseshoe here? !This is the sound of raindrops hitting tin.
Hey, there must be something wrong with your ears, that stomp said: Listen carefully.listen!Isn't this obviously the sound of horseshoes?It's rainy and the soil is soft, so I can't hear clearly.
good.Xiao Xie'er also seemed to have heard something, threw away the wine glass, tightened his gun belt and said: I have to go to the temple on North Street and report to the boss, the guests he is waiting for have entered the town!
He strode out of the shop door, quickly untied the leather rein on the porch pillar with skillful techniques, put his hands on the saddle and exerted strength, and flew flat on the horse's back. made the chestnut horse gallop into the rain like an arrow.Suddenly, the rest of the people really heard the sound of horseshoes stepping on the water, as if they sounded all the way from far, far away.
The sound of horseshoes is soft and slow, naturally forming a rhythm that wrings people's hearts.Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, this gentle and slow sound, but it overwhelmed all the gangsters who were hiding in the dark or gathering in teahouses and taverns. It became the only sound in the spring rainy night.Kicking, kicking, kicking, kicking, before seeing the figure, one can associate the majesty and aura of the incoming person from the steady and heavy sound of hooves, which makes the fingers holding the gun handle tremble nervously When he picked it up, it seemed that he was as small as a bug and ant in front of this visitor, and he was not worthy of shooting with him at all.Kicking, kicking, under the light ball of the doorway gate, the shadows of people and horses flashed, and quickly merged into the dizzy darkness, only the light spurs on the ground could be seen flashing around the horseshoes.
Slowly, the white horse passed through the second gate.In the darkness, people can vaguely see the hazy white silhouette. A piece of jade on a white horse seems to have seen the ambush behind the corridors on both sides, suddenly raised its neck, and let out a long and loud cry. It reverberated, causing the horses in the corridor to echo.
But the white horse still came slowly, approaching the street where the lights of the two horses were hazy, and the figure of Guan Baye was also clearly revealed against the light. He was sitting on the horse's back like a stone sculpture, with leather The horse's bridle was on the hitch in front of the saddle, and he wore neither a cape nor a cloak, and his blue satin silk cotton robe was all wet from the rain; his two guns were placed in a leather case, hanging On the side of the saddle, there are also crystal raindrops on his face.
Kicking, kicking, a white horse and a piece of jade don't need a lead, walking leisurely, the expression on Guan Baye's face is as peaceful as if he is pacing in the night rain, not only does he not disturb the people on both sides of the street and the corridor. Ma, the gun aimed at his chest and back, overtly and secretly, paid attention to it, and he didn't even seem to notice that the rain all over the street was hitting his face and clothes.
The white horse came straight, and the sound of the hooves kicking was a powerful nightmare spell, raising a binding magic power, making the bandits in the wine shop from panicked to dumbfounded, naturally The soldiers retreated into two rows, their hands holding the gun handles were loosened at some point, and they stood with their hands down, as if waiting for someone to come.The white horse walked down the corridor, Guan Baye grabbed the leather rein and shook it lightly, and it stopped firmly.
Shopkeeper, he smiled, and said to the shopkeeper who was standing dazed inside the long cabinet: Is there still a guest room here?
Oh, the owner woke up with a start, glanced left and right, put on a respectful smile, stepped out of the long cabinet door and said: Guest room?Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I heard that Ba Ye is coming. He has already cleaned it up and prepared it. Hey, please.
good.good.Guan Baye got off his horse, handed the leather reins into the shopkeeper's hand, did not touch his two pistols in the leather pistol case, but just brushed off the rain on his body, and stepped into the living room, Turning around, he said, "I'm sorry to trouble you to add some soy feed to the livestock. It's hard work these days because of the tight schedule."
Yes yes yes yes, the shop owner was a little too attentive, and he stuttered: Don't worry, Ba Ye, I will take care of it.He raised his voice again and called: "Xiao Er, lead Ba Ye upstairs."Seeing the hesitant expression of the clerk with bald sores on his head, he said, "Come here and lead the horse to the trough, and mix beans with the wheat bran to feed it raw. I will come and take care of Ba Ye."
Guan Baye stepped into the shop, and the gang of bandits in the shop became mice under the cat's paws. They all backed away and grunted reluctantly in their throats: "Baye."
Guan Baye folded his hands behind his back and looked at them with great interest. Two gentle, yet chilly eyes flashed across their faces like an electric torch. How long?
Well, um, the shopkeeper said in a deep thought: Fourth Master Zhu has been in town for at least half a month.
Have you not been robbed?Guan Baye said.
This one, we didn't start grabbing.A bandit interjected.
In Yangjiao Town, there may not be any big households that fourth master Zhu can look up to.The shopkeeper smiled wryly and said: This man is right, they didn't rob.
well.Guan Baye said: "There is hot tea and rice, wait for me to take it upstairs."In the copper stove, the charcoal fire is getting hotter, and my wet clothes are still waiting to be dried. Someone came to see me, and told him that I won’t see any guests tonight.He lifted the hem of his robe and walked to the stairs, then turned back suddenly, pushed the unattended dice bowl back to the center of the gaming table, made a beckoning gesture, and said with a smile: "You guys are busy, don't worry about me." As soon as Guan Bay came, he swept everyone's excitement.I have something to do with someone, and it has nothing to do with your boss, and you have nothing to do with it, so you can make fun of it. If anyone sees your boss tonight, please tell me, Guanba greets fourth master Zhu, and I will talk to you tomorrow. Just meet him.
It wasn't until Guan Baye Angzang's back disappeared at the stairs that the gangsters who were imprisoned by the other party's majestic nightmare began to roll their eyes like a ghost, you looked at me, I looked at you, exchanging surprises.A gunshot flew high into the sky, it was Sa Gang's signal.The messy herd of horses galloped across the street toward the north, the faint horns whistling intermittently.
Everyone knows that before Guan Baye meets Zhu Si Judge, Zhu Si Judge has already lost a battle.
mid afternoon.
The continuous drizzle stopped temporarily, and the low cumulus clouds on the zenith were still pressing down thickly, congealing into a whole piece of smoky gray, showing no sign of retreating.Guan Baye walked slowly on the wet street of Yangjiao Town, leaving his clear footprints on the wet sand on the street.Five steps away from him, the little Xie'er who was sent to meet him took the reins of a white horse and a piece of jade, and followed unhurriedly.Under the long corridors on both sides of the street, there were groups of bandits standing, chattering about something, and when Baye Guan passed by, they all lowered their heads and hands, watching his back silently.
I don't understand him?A gangster said: I don't understand what kind of character this Guan Baye is? !Our boss had a confrontation with him in Wanjialou and Wujiadu crossing. It can be said that he is a life and death enemy. What our boss worries about day and night is how to capture and kill him? !He actually came like this!
Alas, it's easy to come, hard to go!
I don't know who said this sentence from the bottom of my heart, causing many people to sigh in the same way.Not long ago, amidst the sound of gunfire, the howling of snail horns, and in the red-hot night, the name Guan Baye would make people frightened and frightened, even after leaving, this name still makes people feel anxious Uneasy, mentioning him is like facing a mighty liger.But after meeting, all these impressions caused by the illusion of panic disappeared. Guan Baye walked slowly, with a cloudy smile on his face, a smile that surpassed life and death, so profound Spreading dye in people's hearts, his eyes are gentle, serene and calm, but with a hint of pity, who is pity?His broad shoulders seemed to be carrying a day of gloomy melancholy.
This man can't die no matter what, another gangster said in admiration: To tell the truth, if you can die under his gun, you can die with conviction. We people, with dark hearts, feel dirty when we see him Very good, why draw a gun with him? !He is destined to die, and he should not die in our hands.What an upright and bright man, really
Guan Baye passed by slowly
This long, shabby and ancient street is familiar to every family in it. It is the place where the salt owls on the West Road must pass. When it rains and snows, brothers The gang set up their legs and often lingered in the town for a long time; in the past Taiping, the town once had a peaceful appearance, the whole narrow street was filled with the smell of smoked and roasted food, and the teahouses and wine shops were flying. The vagabonds in the foreign land laughed wide-eyed, and the songwriters gonged and drumd together, but they could not recall the tragic history. There was another slow drumming in the thatched-roofed buildings at the top of the town. Everyone has a sense of nostalgia leisurely.
The sad and sincere people in Yangjiao Town, who has owed donations and delayed taxes?Those Beiyang soldiers who ate the people's fat and drank the people's ointment were drunk and full, did they still remember the word "protecting the people"?Looking at the situation, they have to let the guys with guns and horses do whatever they want. If they want to be a human being in this chaotic world full of disasters, they have to look at it, they can’t think about it. My heart is burning!To be a human being, yes, the burden a person should carry is so heavy that it can crush a person to death, but before he dies, he still has to carry it, grit his teeth and walk down, maybe there is a deep pit in front of him How can one predict Judge Zhu Si's intentions?
Guan Baye was still walking slowly, the breeze came close to the ground, and the hem of his robe floated up. He picked up the fork of his robe and walked around a puddle to North Street.
Look, this is Guan Baye. In a window hole, a father pointed out and told his child: He is surrounded by hundreds of guns in all directions, but he is so relaxed. He is really a rare man in the world. What a pity.
God bless him.The mother clasped her hands together and said: He is so unarmed, I imagine Judge Zhu Si would not dare to do anything to him that day.
Not necessarily, the father shook his head: such a treacherous and cunning bandit leader like Judge Zhu Si, what evil idea can't be done? !It's too stupid for Guan Baye to insist on begging for fur from the tiger!
The woman seemed to be frightened, and knelt down in a ball, muttering: Amitabha, open your eyes, my God!
And Guan Baye walked over easily, and the big temple located on North Street was in front of him.
Judge Zhu Si's vigilance is also evident in these places. No matter where he goes, the Duozi kiln is always installed in a place with high terrain and open space, so that the gun can run quickly, just in case someone will shoot it softly.In the entire Yangjiao Town, in terms of terrain and terrain, there is no place more suitable than the North Street Temple; the temple is built on a sloping uphill slope, surrounded by green forests on three sides, and in front of the temple is a wide bluestone flat. One end is connected with a wide and short side street, and there are two stone steps leading to the stone flat.
In order to welcome Guan Baye, Judge Zhu Si deliberately put on a show of prestige. On both sides of the street, every three or five steps, there is a guy in soap clothes and double-spans (double-spans, that is, double guns.), waiting for him. Holding the handle of the gun in his hand, he puts on a posture that he can draw the gun at any time. The most striking thing is the delicately braided tassels of the gun, which are divided into five colors of red, yellow, blue, white and black, swaying in the wind.
Tell the boss, Xiao Xie'er leads the white horse to say hello: "Let's say that Lord Guan is here."
Guan Baye is here.
Guan Baye is here.Those people conveyed the same words expressionlessly, their voices were ahead of everyone else, the voices of Guan Baye had already spread to the temple before he even stepped onto Fangping.
Guan Baye didn't care about this kind of battle at all, he climbed the stone steps with his robe and fork on, and stepped up to Qingshiping.Qingshiping has just been washed by the spring rain, and it is very bright and clean. The stone surface is still wet with rain marks and small water pools, which reflect the shadow of the divided temple.
The two temple doors were wide open, Judge Zhu Si was wearing a long dark blue serge jacket with the front half open, with a black satin waist sash tied around the waist, and came out with his bare head and a fake and lazy expression on his face. , Songfu said with a smile: I really didn't expect it, hehehe, I didn't expect our mourning gate god, Guan Dongshan Guan Ba Ye, to really come here, and I, Zhu Si, should kowtow to welcome you.
There was no need to kowtow, Guan Ba walked over, patted Judge Zhu on the shoulder, and said in a relaxed tone: If you carry your head by yourself and let me put it in a horse bag, it will be easier than kowtow.
I should have done as you ordered, Judge Zhu Si narrowed his eyes with a smile, patted Guan Baye on the shoulder and said: I don’t want to die now, I said Baye, my beard hasn’t turned white yet, wouldn’t it be fine if I die? What a pity?
If you are dead, I should give you four words!
Those four words?Judge Zhu Si said.
The smile on Guan Baye's face slowly narrowed, and then his face turned cold, and he said slowly: "Death, yes, Yu, Gu!"These four words were said firmly and firmly, and they were hammered into Judge Zhu's heart like four hammers. He took a breath, spread his hands with a wry smile, and shrugged one shoulder.
When I talked about Guan Ba, I, Judge Zhu Si, never talked about twists and turns. He smiled bitterly and said: In my eyes, your Ba Ye is indeed a tough man. I really admire you, but I also really hate you!You should know that I am planning to kill you all the time!When we meet today, it is time for us to spread the table and settle accounts. I want to listen attentively to how you explain the four words that you are more than worthy of death.
If you also have gods and Buddhas in your heart, it will be easy to handle.Guan Baye said: At least I have to say clearly what I want to say one by one. Then, it is easy for you to kill me. I don't have a gun on me.
Don't worry, Zhu Si Judge said: I, Zhu Si Judge, admit that I am not a gentleman, but I am not as small as you think, Ba Ye. Even if I want to kill you, I will trade my life for my life. , at least I won't shoot you under the table, I'm not despicable enough to be so despicable.
You misunderstood, Guan Baye said: I mean: since I'm here, I will do as you please.
The banquet was placed in the middle of the front hall, and there were only two seats on the banquet, and there were two rows of men with guns standing on both sides.As soon as the four judges waved their hands to beg the guests, Guan Baye sat on the guest seat.Pour the wine for Ba Ye!The four judges said: "Bring us a big cup."Come on, Ba Ye, let's drink this first, and then listen to you, you have to say that this death deserves more than justification.
The wine cup collided with the wine cup, Guan Baye drank the wine and said: "Then I have to ask you first, what do you think of the four words "death to spare" added to your head?"
Straight to the point, fuck him?After Zhu Si drank the wine, his neck became a little thick: that is to say, if you don't give an explanation, I won't be convinced.
What is your reasoning? !Guan Baye stretched his chin and waited for the other party to speak, a smile appeared on his face again.
I've never been a fucking reasonable person!Judge Zhu Si said: But today is different. Your Eighth Master is the person I admire and hate the most. I might as well talk to you.I don't think I deserve to die. At best, I am a transparent villain who likes to set fires and kill people from the inside out.In this world, according to my opinion, there are four classes of wicked people. I am the class that deserves the least death, and there are three classes that are worse than me.
Wonderful theory, Guan Baye said: If you can listen today, you have gained a bit of knowledge.
This first-class person is a grassroots bandit like Judge Zhu Si!It's not that I'm complacent, Ba Ye, think about it, who the hell was not raised by his parents and mother, who was born with evil skin and bones, who wouldn't be happy if it wasn't his mother who killed and set fire? !I hope you don't mind my kind of heresy. I was like you back then, pouring tears and sweat into the soil in the fields. I am willing to bear the burden if the officials don't force me and the people don't oppose me. Fame, sell ancestors, fall into bandits?It's just arguing and complaining, fighting for its power.You Beiyang army forces yours, and Lao Tzu strengthens Lao Tzu, don’t talk about paying taxes and taxes, black and white, the two have nothing to do with each other!
The reasoning is indeed reasonable, Guan Baye said with a smile: It is a pity that the monk's lapel is opened in the opposite direction from that of ordinary people.It's not bad that you are expressing grievances, what about the old people?There are riots between officers and soldiers and bandits, your upper and lower teeth are facing each other, and your skin and bones are all broken!
I know you will criticize me like this, Judge Zhu's eyes are a little red: but the conscience of heaven and earth, in the past few years since I debuted, I have swallowed up bandits, big players, and robbed profiteers, and I have not disturbed those boneless, heartless, soft-hearted You bastards, I encourage them to wipe away the bear's tears, and follow me with a gun. Now, among the seven or eight hundred people under my command, which one is not an old man? !If I hadn't given them a hand, I'm afraid the Beiyang soldiers would have drained their bones!I said Ba Ye, you keep putting those old people on your head, but you are too stupid and stupid, but I hate them because they are too much like cartilage worms. The villains in the world are all fucking They are spoiled and used to it, and they deserve it!
Guan Baye listened, his whole body trembled, and a few drops of the newly filled wine in his hand spilled on the table.
The blue veins on Judge Zhu Si's forehead were bulging, and his hairy hands were holding the wine cup tightly, as if trying to crush something in his palms. His bristly beard was stuck to some residual wine, and he was slightly stiff , the red eyes are also a little moist.
There is no lie to the real person, Ba Ye!He said angrily: "One person became a thief, and the three generations of ancestors were dishonored. If I do this, I will bear a bad name for nothing. Who will sympathize with me?"Who understands the pain in my heart? !I'm a fucking diamond, I don't want to be a saint, I don't want to be a saint, and I don't care about the world? !I only know that I am not angry with the Beiyang Army. Whoever wants to hold a saint's card and put on a serious face to say about me, I will reward him with a shot, hehehe, right?He loves to be a saint, he loves to leave his name forever, and he just does it, and my mother is not blocking anyone, and no one is bothering me.Of course, my mother, Judge Zhu Si, is not a good person. My mother’s grass bandit is a grass bandit, and this is the first class of people; I also use scheming and tricks for villains from the inside out, and it’s all for selfishness. Save my head, which doesn't deserve to be stabbed!
Judge Zhu Si let go of his throat and yelled like that, although it was rough and vulgar, but he readily spit out the true meaning hidden deep in his heart. With an angry face, he nodded slowly.
So, what about the second type of person?
It also makes sense, Judge Zhu Si took a sip of his wine, exhaled and said: Although the second type of people are also considered bad guys, they don't have the courage to admit it directly.
Guan Baye raised his wine cup high, clinked glasses with the other party and said: so what about the three or four?
wait and see!Judge Zhu Si curled his lips and said contemptuously: The third type of people is full of benevolence and morality, full of male robbers and prostitutes, bad in their bones, and serious on the surface.The fourth type of person not only pretends to be serious, but also only allows him to do bad things, and forbids others to do bad things.Leading troops to the countryside and robbing Beiyang generals in the name of Jingxiang, this is a living example!
Guan Baye twirled the wine cup, meditating silently.
Finish this glass of wine, Ba Ye.Judgment Zhu Si held up a lamp to invite and said: You just said that I deserved to die, so it's time for you to explain it!
That's right, as you said, the old people are soft-headed slobbers. According to your opinion, all kind people in this world should be damned?Guan Baye said: The officials force you, you don’t raise your guns to fight against Beiyang, and Yanshi protects salt to fight against taxes, you’re a hindrance, those brothers in the Liuhe gang are neither bandits nor big profiteers, you still make them leave. His wife and children, buried in the Southern Wilderness, this is all what you, the four judges, should do with conscience? !If you are really a fool and do foolish things, you may not be guilty of death, but you are not foolish.
I am not confused.Judge Zhu Si said: "I'm just cruel and selfish. I can't forget that this is the reason why I plan to kill you. In the whole world, you are the only one who dares to count my crimes like this, but I don't understand. How dare you do it?" Heroes show pride, don't care about life and death, and take the world as their own responsibility. What kind of intentions do they have?
Guan Baye shook his head and smiled sadly: I am neither a hero nor a hero, so why don't I know how to cherish life and avoid death?I just have a heart to be a human being!
Judge Zhu Si put down his wine cup, suddenly shook his shoulders, and laughed miserably, with his mustaches stretched out and tears streaming down his face, he said after a long while: Love? !you mean?I, Judge Zhu Si, didn't see this. If you squeeze my bones, you can't squeeze out every drop of my love.
It can be seen and touched, Guan Baye said earnestly: If you touch your heart at night, it is pain.Think about Yanshi, think about those women, children, old and weak, and thousands of refugees in shacks. !We always wear this human skin, our parents, mothers and fathers, why didn't we become knucklers under the guns of villains, enduring humiliation and sorrow? !
Judge Zhu Si put his hands on the corner of the table and listened. His head was tilted to one side and drooped listlessly. Suddenly he raised his head and shook his head and said, "My eighth master, you are not only good at shooting, you are also good at writing." Serious enough; what you said almost moved me.But I have to ask first, when you come back to Yangjiao Town, do you want to persuade me to gather human guns to help Yanshi, and to expose the corpse together with those stupid birds?Or come to avenge your dead brothers?
Everything is up to you to weigh.Guan Baye said: If you are willing to gather people's guns to save Yanshi, I, Guan Ba's life and death, will be decided by you.
Judge Zhu Si groaned, his voice softened: Yes, Ba Ye, you are trying to drag me around by the braid, I admit defeat.But I have to make it clear that your love is always empty.If you want me to help Yanshi and risk my life to fight Beiyang, I, judge Zhu Si, will do it alone. Well, I can’t lead everyone into the soup pot. Although I respect you, I still want to kill you. I’m thinking, what a shame! Kill you first and then go to Yanshi to die. I really hate that there are people like you in the world, who dare to expose my scars under the muzzle of hundreds of guns!You forced me to go to Wanjialou and defeat Wujiadu miserably. I can't forget that I don't have your heart!
Guan Baye smiled lightly and said: I have already said it, so take it as you please, but today I am always a guest, and I haven't put down my glass yet!
Come, pour the wine for Ba Ye.Judge Zhu Si said with a dejected expression: I thought about it over and over again. I fell into your trap. You are not a hero enough to come here alone. people
That's easy, Guan Baye said: As long as you give me a chance to get a gun, let's go out to compare guns, won't it be enough? !If Guan Ba can still catch your eye, this is the most appropriate way.If I don’t die, I will eliminate the harm for the old people. If you don’t die, I hope you will keep your promise and gather brothers who are willing to relieve the people’s difficulties to help the salt market. What do you think?
become!Judge Zhu Si stretched out his big hairy hand across the table, shook hands with Guan Baye, turned his face and told Xiao Xie'er, "Blow the snail's horn, withdraw from the post, call all the guys back, and follow me for me!" Let Eighth Lord be a life and death witness!Although I am someone who is unwilling to die, I have to gamble on my luck this time!
After noon, the gray clouds on the top of the zenith turned, presumably because of a high wind, but the air on the ground was still heavy and damp, and there was not even a trace of wind thorns; , the remnants of last night's rain were still shining among the leaves, and under the shade of the leaves, there was a gloomy shadow of the dark sky, which was reflected in people's eyes, but it turned into a piece of damp and steaming water mist, pregnant with human beings. Confusion and anxiety surged up from the bottom of my heart.
Hundreds of chaotic horses made a chaotic sound, and bandits of all shapes and sizes gathered at both ends of the bluestone square, chattering one after another.This news is indeed amazing. No one would have expected that Guan Baye and Zhu Siye would decide to fight to the death one-on-one. Luojiao gathered them together, waiting to witness this battle, but from the temple of the temple , the sound of the two of them's heroic fist-guessing is flying out, you are the five chiefs, and he is eight horses, shouting so hotly, does that seem to be the opponent who is about to fight to the death?It's like two old friends who have been separated for many years!
The wine cup collided with the wine cup, and there were people on both sides adding food and changing the wine. When the wine was three points drunk, Judge Zhu Si bowed his waist, held the wine cup with both hands, and put his mustache chin against the edge of the cup, curled up. Tongue said: Ba Ye, we are going to fight with guns after a break, aren't you afraid?
Why be afraid?boss.Guan Baye said: There is always a coffin of soil after death, not to mention that we each have half of the life.
I, Judge Zhu Si squinted my eyes: To be honest, although I agreed to compete with you, I regretted it a little, and I was about to change my mind!
That's up to you, Guan Baye said.
Judgment Zhu Si's face suddenly turned blue and white, he shrugged his shoulders, and smiled secretly. It was not a smile, but a kind of intense pain in his heart, which turned into a puff of breath, which burst out uncontrollably. Passing through the throat, rushing through the gums, between the teeth and the nostrils, making his sauce-purple face strangely distorted: I didn't know until now that I was originally a person who was afraid of death. It's just a real opponent!I said Ba Ye, I'm really a little timid to compete with you. You draw the gun quickly and your marksmanship is very accurate. I'm afraid I won't survive today.
Not necessarily.Guan Baye said: If you have scruples, I would rather draw the gun slowly.
no.Judge Zhu Si said: "A gun has no eyes. If I shoot first, you will surely die. Are you willing to give your life as a gift?" !
That depends on whether it's worth it.
I suspect you are lying, Eighth Master.Judge Zhu Si said: I have been famous for killing people for many years, but I never thought of what it would be like to die. When I think about it today, I am really scared. I have to ask you something. Fucking death as home? !Wouldn't it be scary to have a knife across your neck and a gun to your chest? !
There is no one in the world who is not greedy for life. Guan Baye sighed and said: Only love can inspire people's courage. With it, women and children can still see death as home. I am not trying to reason with you. You will know that you are usually a domineering person , and until death is imminent, you may not be brave, just like sifting chaff with your legs.
When the wine was poured, Judge Zhu called out, then turned to Baye Guan, and continued: I still can't believe it, Lord Ba, I've never seen what love looks like.For half of my life, what I have heard and seen are gunshots, fire and blood, hatred and injustice, it seems that this is all in the world.Bring my three-bore chambered gun, along with the gun-wiping cloth and chicken oil. Today I really risked my life to accompany a gentleman, and that's what happened to me, good or bad.
Judge Zhu Si dipped a flannel cloth in chicken oil and wiped his two-point gun (a gun with a tight muzzle, most of which are new products, commonly known as a tight muzzle gun, which is relatively expensive. Buyers usually turn the muzzle of the gun upside down and the bullets upside down. The point of the bullet is embedded in the muzzle of the gun, which is the two-point mouth.), Guan Baye is still leisurely playing with the wine cup, a new gun with the same blue color, and a wandering thought is also spinning around the edge of the cup.
If he took the opportunity of the gun contest and shot and killed Judge Zhu Si, it would be a sure thing, but what if he was killed?Killing people is easy, and people are difficult. I tried my best at the banquet, hoping to wake him up with words. Although this man is a ferocious gangster, he is also like Qian Jiu, a straightforward person, chaotic and stubborn. Looking at the situation, If you don't sacrifice yourself, you won't be able to save him!Although it is not a pity to die, there are still many things that should be done. If the corpse is shot by the opponent, who will collect the civilian guns in Chaijiapu and Wanjialou?Who will support the crisis in Yanshi?Who will visit Aigu's whereabouts?All other personal grudges can be put aside temporarily, only the traitor who betrayed Boss Luo, ruined the old Liuhe Gang, colluded with Judge Zhu Si, and framed Baoye must not be allowed to live in this world. There is no reason!
There is something I have to ask you too, Guan Baye knows well that it is the practice in the underworld that he will never speak humanely to outsiders and the names of undercover ashes pickers, but when the situation is urgent, he has to bite the bullet and ask: Good morning些時，您撲萬家樓，那根暗線，是誰替您牽的？
我不知八爺您怎的會問起這個來的？那事跟您無關啊？ !
No.關八爺說：萬家樓房族多，裏面也許另有文章，那我倒無意過問，不過我總覺得，替你牽線的傢伙，極可能就是通報緝私營，圍殲掉老六合幫的那個人，那是我必報之仇！
oh.說來您不信，連我也不知他是誰。最先他是先跟老五接頭的，可惜老五早已死在您那伙人手裏了。朱四判官追索說：不錯，我也曾見過他，黑巾蒙臉，騎著一匹白疊叉的黑走騾，他說是祗要我闖進萬家樓撂倒他們族主保爺，除了任意捲劫之外，他們另送大洋五千整。
你收到那筆款項了？關八爺追問說。
一文不缺整五千。朱四判官說：雙方事先議妥交款的地方，在宗祠後邊的石板巷裏，保爺在前面一倒，五閻王就在後面替我收了錢，若不是你八爺擋了我的財路，我何止祗拿那筆錢？看光景，保爺那條命，您也有意寄在我頭上了。
我不能要一個土匪不殺人。關八爺說：有七顆人頭抵了保爺一命，咱們算是扯平，保爺的死，你祗是幫凶，我正要追那元兇。
話又說回來，八爺，朱四判官說：萬一您今天撞在我這槍口上，那就免談了。我若贏了您，我祗答允拚死幫鹽市，使那些人免於一劫，其餘的恕我辦不了！
那祗好把我這片心意，交給蒼天明察了！關八爺整妥杯筷，緩緩的放下酒盞說：無論如何，我總誠心謝您為我設宴，如今我關八酒醉飯飽，該是您動槍的時刻了說著，反手一推坐椅，緩緩的站起身，朝廟門外的青石方坪走過去。
朱四判官拎著匣槍跟了過來，捱著關八爺說：依理講，我這種人不配跟您比槍決死，可惜咱們天生就不是同一種人，我就是不跟您比槍，您也不會放過我，我自私，我要爭這一半免死的機會。
兩人併肩走到青石方坪中間站定，久候在方坪兩側的土匪全都瞪大了眼睛，伸長了脖頸，一度沉落了的嘈切聲旋又升騰起來，廟廊邊的白馬一塊玉見著主人，引頸發出一聲歡快的嘶鳴。雲散得很快，西側的樹梢上，落著一縷一縷穿透雲塊的黃得過份的陽光。
奉槍給八爺。朱四判官說，聲音有些僵涼喑啞，用八爺他自備的匣槍。
從小蠍兒手上接過皮槍匣，關八爺拉出他的匣槍來，帶著無比珍惜的神情，反覆凝視著，這管不算新的三膛匣槍跟自己的性命緊扣在一起業已好些年了，最初拿它護身保命，原沒把它當成喝人血奪人命的凶器看，一年年秋風落葉的辰光總在飄泊長途上撿視著它，翻一翻一年來積在心底的舊賬，生恐錯用了它，愧對拴繫在良心上的律法。
亂世人難做也正難在這兒，每個人要活著，又得肩負起從官府潰下的律法良心的律法，北洋官府非但不除奸鏟惡，反養奸扶惡，這奸這惡，都得由人趨身去鏟除。這些年來，雖沒逞血氣之勇錯用這管槍，總覺它仍留下了太多的血腥氣，難道這世上的惡人全非得伏屍槍下不成？ !
關八爺悲切的舉起眼，斜陽金色的光腳移走在大廟的廟脊上，曾經金碧輝煌的琉璃瓦，因年深日久遭受風雨霜雪的侵襲，已變得十分黯淡了，無數塔松，綠白菌子和粒狀苔覆蓋住久遠的往日，祗留下一片殘陽拍不醒的蒼涼從斜飛簷角間探出的叉角龍頭，展垂的鳳尾：整條勒滿古式花紋的廟脊上，站立著的各種樣傳說裏的神仙，那世界是和平縹緲的，離開腳下所踏的人間太遠太遠了。
神仙們治不了這個世界，也度不盡天下的蒼生，我關八又算什麼？盡力求取一個安心罷了！人生數十寒暑，事實上也無法想得太多，顧慮得太遠，有口氣為人在世，祗能說辦一宗事算一宗事，度一個人算一個人。想到這裏，他眼睛突然明亮起來，發出奕奕的光彩。
夥計們，豎起兩耳來，替我一個字一個字聽真了，朱四判官朝兩側揚聲喊說：我朱四在江湖上闖蕩半生，鳴鑼響角，聚眾拉槍，行過凶，作過惡，抬過人，撕過票（即殺掉人質。），在關八爺面前，都由我一人獨擔了！我幹的也是我幹的，不是我幹的，也算我幹的，關八爺找的是我，不會剃你們的頭毛，我是人老骨頭硬，頑石不點頭，是生是死不認罪的，寧可挨槍。我要槍口無情傷了八爺，我答允他從今洗手，幫他援鹽市，散夥後，願跟的跟我走，不願的不相強。假如八爺他傷了我，世上不差我朱四判官這個壞蛋，你們就聽八爺作主罷。你們看著辦，能替我備一口薄皮材，不拿我餵鷹餵狗就成了！
那些土匪們並非沒見過世面，可像今天這種光景，卻都畢生沒瞧過，大夥兒心裏有數，這兩人的槍法都是聞名的，若說槍響不傷人，那就難乎其難了！朱四判官的狗熊脾氣是那種樣，一旦決定什麼事情，九條牛也拉不轉，明知比槍的結果很慘，但任誰也說不上話，這場槍是比定了。太陽一寸一寸的朝下落。風把人汗毛吹得陰陰的。
請罷，八爺，朱四判官背轉臉去，噠的一聲抽栓頂火，墊起機頭，苦笑說：咱們背頂背南北走，小蠍兒，你退在一邊數數兒，一步一數，數至卅，咱們轉臉發槍，每人填三發槍火，三槍不倒人，咱們各行其是！
好罷，關八爺當場退掉多餘的槍火，徐徐的轉過身子，面對著大廟。一群歸鳥喧噪著，斜掠過廟脊，天頂的灰雲退盡了，露出井樣的深色的藍天。
小蠍兒用數位催著人走。
歸鳥飛進斜陽影裏，祗留下一群迷茫的抖動的黑點，神仙的世界，安然無驚的世界在關八爺凝注的瞳孔裏擴大，他走過去，他希冀中的人間原本是那樣的。
五六七八小蠍兒數著。
站立在青石方坪兩側的人群，幾乎連呼吸也停了，變成些木偶。空氣裏也塞滿了死寂，彷彿就要朝開迸裂。
朱四判官的兩腿有些打顫，死的預感圍繞著他，變成一面密密的巨網，網外是一片觸目的黃昏，求生的本能使他在這最後的時刻抓緊一些游舞得快如閃電的思索，假若想免死，自己必得要搶快半步旋身開槍，關八的槍法遠比自己高明，必得不容他有開槍的機會，要不然，即使自己發槍傷了他，自己也無法逃過他那三發槍火
十八，十九，二十
朱四呀朱四，你這老狐狸討了一輩子巧，難道竟為了保命，對關八爺這樣的豪雄也起這種歹心？ !朱四判官忽又興起這種自責來。No way!我不能也不配槍殺關八，我得壓偏槍口祗讓他帶傷，我既有這種念頭，焉知對方不手下留情？
廿六，廿七，廿八小蠍兒數著，聲音也變得僵涼了。朱四判官收斂心神，緊一緊滿浸掌汗的槍把兒，等到小蠍兒方一吐出卅兩個字，旋風般的擰轉身形，匣槍的槍口一低，砰砰的點出兩發槍火。
也就在這一剎功夫，眨眼間他祗看見關八爺挺身靜立著的脊背，長袍飄瓢的牽著晚風他脫口叫了一個啊字，但那聲驚呼並不能召回射出膛的槍彈，大錯已經鑄成了。
大錯已經鑄成了，這結果是他萬萬料想不到的關八爺在數至卅時，兩手壓根兒沒觸及插在腰間的匣槍槍柄，也壓根兒沒有轉身，他是挺著脊背打算挨槍。
當然他是挨了槍，一發槍火擦過他的左肩胛，使他左手垂落下來，另一發槍火射穿他的左腿，使他的身子歪側著，腳跟抽離了地面，鮮血從兩處傷口湧溢出來，灑在他長袍和靴筒上，他這才手捺著肩膀，緩緩旋轉過上半身，蒼白的臉上仍掛著笑意說：打罷，頭兒，你膛裏還有一粒火。
I saw it!I saw it!八爺！朱四判官忽然哀嚎著，屈膝跪在地上：您不會記恨我罷？八爺，您不是人，您就是神！
我祗是關八。關八爺說，疼痛和暈眩使他咬住牙，額角滾下豆大的汗粒，他原來紅塗塗的臉慘白得可怕，但他聲音仍是溫柔的，充滿了對世上的哀憐：我不恨你。我祗盼你記著你的話，救救鹽市罷。剛說完話，他就咚的一聲慣倒在石坪的血泊裏了。
我能救誰？ !八爺！朱四判官瘋狂一般的使頭額敲擊著石面，哀聲說：我這樣打傷您，八爺！八爺！ah!我是豬，我是狗！我是豬狗不如的扁毛畜牲！我祗能先救自己了！
他跪著，最後一束殘陽的黃光勾下他的影子，他挺起身子，把那支尚餘一粒槍彈的匣槍槍口反頂住自己的額角，跟著就響起一響悶悶的槍聲。
連天和地全跟著紅了。
朱四判官的靈柩就停在大廟的前殿中央。
那口黑漆大棺材是羊角鎮上一位信佛的老太太捐出來的，她為著他，捐出了她準備多年，自己要用的壽材。她相信朱四判官死後不會受地獄之災，就因他臨死前找著了他自己扔棄半輩子的良心。
嗨，放下屠刀，立地成佛呀！她數著念珠說。
成佛與否是世人的事，朱四判官是不會知道了。他的死被羊角鎮上的人們風一般的播傳著。他死後，他手下的七八百支槍並沒風流雲散各奔東西，暫由小蠍兒領著，一方面替他們死去的頭兒護靈，一方面等著帶重傷的關八爺傷勢略痊時，吩咐行止。至少他們已跟著四判官死過一回，復活後都不再是土匪了。
躺在祥生堂中藥鋪裏的關八爺是清醒著的，唯其清醒著，當小蠍兒進屋稟告朱四判官自己槍擊天庭時，他的痛苦就比傷口之痛更深了。
這都是我的錯，他流下不輕易湧溢的眼淚說：我存心捨己救他，成全他的聲名，誰知反而害了他，我不知你們頭兒竟這樣烈性？ !
您一樣成全他，他可又成全了咱們幾百弟兄。小蠍兒說：咱們落草為寇這多年，誰不是滿手血污？如今大夥兒全有意學著為人，祗有靜等八爺您吩咐和指撥了。您也甭太傷神，養傷要緊。先把彈頭鉗出來，再行敷藥調息，不久就可痊癒的。
我不能不想著，關八爺沉痛的說：你們頭兒要死也該死在鹽市，不該死在這兒，死在他自己的槍口上這正是他過份愚拙的地方，他這樣一死，我雙肩上的擔子，就重得夠挑的了他存心留我一命，讓我獨挑這付擔子，我怎能不挑？ !怎能不急？ !
急是沒用的，八爺，小蠍兒說：俗說好漢單怕病來磨，您的槍傷更重過病患，不按部就班的調治是下不得床的了！
調治歸調治，關八爺喘息說：有些事情，你得急著替我辦一辦，如今我是個帶傷的人，命還攢在你們手掌心，我逼殺了你們的頭兒，你們該怎樣處斷我不必猶疑好，就算你們信得過我關八，你們頭兒也曾說過不必相強的話，你出去問問他們，願不願為鹽市捨命？願的就留著，不願的就遣散了罷。
這我照辦，小蠍兒說：不知八爺還有什麼吩咐沒有？
煩你替我備一份紙箔，關八爺說：一俟彈頭取出來，我就得去奠靈！我的白馬鞍縴煩替我備妥，我不能因傷勢耽擱行程。你知道，鹽市是座危城！
您想帶著傷上路？Baye.去那兒用得著這麼急法兒？小蠍兒驚得張口結舌說：那可不是？ !
不必為我擔心了！關八爺說：這就算我的吩咐罷。我走後，你能集聚起多少人槍，就暫時紮在鎮上，聽我的消息再朝南拉，柴家堡、萬家樓是否肯拉槍助鹽市？目前還說不一定，非等我去後才能見出分曉。
小蠍兒瞧著對方疲倦的臉色，心裏老大的不忍，為怕他說話太多，耗傷元氣，就欠欠身子，悄悄的掩上了門退了出來。
而關八爺還在裏間獨自喃喃著，他明白自己的傷勢，肩傷並不重，祗要傷口不化膿潰裂，不消三五天就能合口了，而腿傷不同，彈頭深嵌在腿骨裏，即使順順當當的取出來，肉傷易痊，骨傷沒有百天養息是難得痊癒的。一百天是多長的時光？若按常理去養息療傷，一百天後，鹽市也許會變成一座火燒的廢墟，萬人埋骨的墳場了！明知這條左腿在養息沒痊時行動定會成殘，也顧不了那許多了，救鹽市賣命全不足惜，何況一腿？ !
就因抱定這樣想法，所以當祥生堂的中醫把彈頭夾在盤子裏，血跡沒乾，關八爺就扶創而起，嚷著替他備馬。但他雖有鐵打的心志，卻沒生就鐵打的身體，創口的劇疼使他陷入昏迷，直至朱四判官出殯前一天，他才勉強能扶杖下床。
我這一躺，躺有多少天了？
小蠍兒屈指數算著：連今天算在一起，才過了十三天。依您的傷勢來看，還是不宜走動，醫生說，不過百天走動，傷筋損骨，腿會成殘的。
十三天，關八爺自語著，一臉的焦灼與懊喪：你有得著什麼關乎鹽市的消息嗎？
我曾差人下去打聽過，小蠍兒說：至今差去的人還沒見回來。
你可不能把我瞞在鼓裏，這樣，你就害了鹽市了，關八爺說：我瞧出你在說謊！那謊話藏在你的眼裏，你瞞不了我，說實話罷，鹽市怎樣了？ !
小蠍兒嚅囁著垂下頭去：八爺，您包涵點兒，為了您的腿。鹽市的風聲很緊，原先一直鬧病的師長，發覺小菊花那姑娘在暗裏搗鬼，前幾天把她殺在西校場。聽說孫傳芳連來幾封急電，一再限期破鹽市，這幾天，江防軍業已在東西兩面跟鹽市接火了！我並非要說謊，八爺，實在是你那腿創不復元，乾急也沒有用場。
替我備馬！關八爺壓根兒沒理會小蠍兒下面談些什麼，暴躁的嚷著。
臉朝著朱四判官的靈棺，屈膝跪拜時，關八爺就覺著腿上的傷口復裂開來，鮮血順著褲管滴在靴筒裏，但他咬著沒吭聲，沒有時間再讓他顧及這些，他金花游舞的眼裏，祗看見鹽市的危亡。天已過午了，陰霾霾的，頗有雨意，但他必得立即上馬趕赴蘆葦蕩那邊的萬家樓去，無論傷勢怎樣，他也要死死撐持著，白馬放韁後，頂多入夜，就能趕至萬家樓。
他沒有要小蠍兒派人護持，逕自翻上馬背，領韁催馬哨出羊角鎮南門，順著低斜的荒路撥馬南行。
過度的焦灼找不著出處，此時此刻，關八爺滿心塞著空空蕩蕩的淒茫。人生就像眼前天色一樣的陰霾灰冷，不知怎樣撥開雲霧覓得著陽光？就拿西道上這條荒路來說罷，幾乎寫下了自己悲涼的半生，替老六合拉縴的日子寫在一塊滾動的雲裏，那些慘死的弟兄們曾互相吐述過的故事，繫在走過的蘆葦曠野的風中，幾個月前跨著麥騾，領著十六輛鹽車走過這裏，霜花抱樹，寒風刺骨，一轉眼間又變成遍野鬱綠了，那些弟兄的墳頭。怕也已遍生綠草了？
不錯，那時朱四判官插過狼牙樁，威風凜凜的圖捲萬家樓，而今也不過躺在七尺之棺裏，等著埋進黃土。一別半載的萬家樓，誰知又起過什麼樣的變化呢？正因為人事變遷太大了，料想不到的岔事太多了，像保爺被殺，鹽市舉槍，四判官飲彈，六合幫離散，才使得自己僕僕風塵，疲於奔命，自己雖為苦難人間盡力，誰又能知結果如何？ !
管它悲涼也罷，灰黯也罷，活一天總得朝前走一天，不止一回，自己常拿這話來勉慰自己，萬一走不動呢，爬也總得朝前爬了！左腿的傷處痛得麻麻木木的，涔涔的血水把褲管濕得粘在腿肉上，關八爺仍然咬牙叱著馬。
這回到得萬家樓，必得使大義說服業爺，鹽市這一舉關係太大了，假如合各方之力，能一戰擊散江防軍，孫傳芳的大軍在江南被北伐軍咬住，勢必無法抽調更多軍隊過江，前方後背內外受逼，孫軍極可能不戰自潰，北伐軍早一天過江，北地人們少受一天煎熬，他業爺該懂得這個道理。
業爺雖沒有保爺那樣精明果斷，但總該信過自己罷？何況還有個與自己極為投契的珍爺幫著拿主意呢。也許當初自己拒婚的事，會使珍爺記恨自己，記恨我關八太不通人情，如今再仔細考量，當初自己的決定一點兒也沒錯在那裏，菡英姑娘雖有些男人家的野性，終究是大家閨閣裏嬌養的千金
誰不想有個蔽風擋雨的小窩巢，供人從無盡的江湖道上息止？誰不想在終年飄泊中抓住一把根鬚？而關八不是那樣人，也沒生那種命，說什麼也不能拖累她，剖開自己的心胸腑腹，攤掠出的不是柔情，祗是鮮血，單是人間重壓已使自己透不過氣來，還能再加上情累麼？鹽市如今戰火殷紅，關八必須赴死，珍爺兄妹若是明眼人，就該體諒我當初拒絕婚事的用心了。
一陣輕微的暈眩的黑浪湧向眼前來，逼得關八爺不得不兜住馬韁，手扶在白馬頭上閉了一會兒眼。過了好半晌，強自撐持著低頭去看傷口，不單褲管浸泡在血裏，連馬鞍上，馬腹上，全沾染得透紅，短短的靴筒裏灌滿血漿，溢出靴口朝外流，一路全滴著錢大的血點兒。
假如像這樣下去，也許在半途上就會因失血過多，從馬背翻落下來，無依無靠的死去了。關八爺想到這兒，不由心頭一凜，立即抽出攮子來，割斷袍角，齊傷口以上，緊緊的勒了幾匝，覺得這樣雖然不能完全止血，至少也可以延緩時間，不至把體內的鮮血流盡。包紮了傷口之後，就猛力的使單腳磕鐙，催馬疾行。
處在這樣危急無助的辰光，天頂的重重疊疊的灰雲推湧著，翻滾著，互相交錯著，一陣狂風揚起路面的糙沙，雨意可愈來愈濃了。關八爺仰臉望望天色，兩道濃眉不由緊蹙著劍立起來，透過他飽有經驗的眼，他曉得這場雨再不是綿綿的春雨，卻是春殘夏接的季節中偶興的雷暴雨。
他兩耳仍極敏銳，聽得見半空滾動雲層裏嗡嗡的水鳴聲，這種水鳴聲正是雷暴雨來臨前的最顯明徵兆，民間通常把它傳說成雲縫中有蒼龍使巨尾絞水。而這種水鳴聲在先，沉雷在後的雷雨不同於一般雷雨之處甚多；一般雷雨來得快去得快，多係驟雨和陣雨，不致耽擱長途趕路人的行程太久，祗消找個落腳處暫避片刻就行了，而這種有蒼龍絞水的雷暴雨卻是發大水，起大泛的根源，因為它不單雨勢極為威猛，落雨的時間更長，一旦落下來，瓢澆似的嘩嘩傾潑，說不定能落幾天幾夜。
自己並非怕雷怕雨，常年走在長途路上，風霜雨雪也不知經歷過多少，上回冒著大雪趕路，也並沒把人難倒。但目前不同，自己知道沒合口的槍傷傷口最怕遭雨水，若被生水泡過，勢非化膿潰爛不可，再者，傷口正在流著血，單是血漿見了風容易凝固，祗要不經受劇烈震動就能阻住新血外流，但一遭雨水就不同了，還沒來得及濃凝的血漿會被雨水沖落，新血混了雨水，會流得更快。
這些還不是最可憂慮的事，頂使人擔心的卻是白馬一塊玉容易被暴雨驚嚇，發力狂奔，平時還好，帶著傷使不上全力，很難控得住韁繩，萬一在暴雨中墜馬，大羅神仙也救不活自己的性命，自己墜馬不關緊，救援鹽市豈不是也將化成一場夢幻煙雲？ !
雲層急劇的翻滾著，朝低空漫壓下來，天地隨著昏暝，猶如夜暗將臨，一陣陣貼地吹刮的疾風把帶粒的糙砂捲揚起來，刷刷的鞭打著關八爺飛飄的袍角；空氣是濕潤的，帶著一股雷雨前常嗅著的銅腥味，雨點還沒打下來，而雨水的冰寒之氣已經降落，透過人的衣裳侵入人的肌膚。風勢愈刮愈狂，刀劈一般的使路旁行林的枝葉飛翻，許多由細枝互擊產生的綠色碎葉，也漫空飄舞著。
陡的在眼前掠起一道鞭刷似的大閃，緊跟著響起一聲長長的繞雲滾轉的雷聲，這是一聲催雨雷，俗稱打天鼓，雷聲威猛，繞著天腳轟隆了半個圈兒，使極遠處撞響了隱隱的回聲。
遠處的蘆蕩梢尖上走著風的大浪，暈暝中聽不盡鳥雀的撲翅驚鳴，令人駭怖的雲腳朝下伸，和四周的林梢相合，一絲一縷的雲氣游著舞著落入曠野，煙非煙，霧非霧，真像想攫取什麼的龍爪一樣。
白馬迎著撲面而來的浸寒的雲氣，抖開的鬃毛劈破聲勢虎虎的狂風嚄嚄的鳴嘯著蜷蹄奔馳，彷彿這天地之間，祗有這一人一馬才配領受這天，這雲，這滾動的雷響和虎虎的狂風。牠奔馳著，牠白色的身影穿雲撥霧，像一條矯健的白色游龍，牠雙耳像兩柄合攏的白刃，在極度敏性的顫索裏聽著八方的消息，牠前蹄踡刨在糙砂之上，蹄花總在身後丈許遠近騰揚，牠的肚腹幾乎貼著地面，牠似乎知道主人的心事，奔馳得平穩急速，有若騰雲。
在雷暴欲臨沒臨的這一剎，關八爺拆除了一切游亂的意念，全神貫注，控韁催馬。他想過，無論暴風雨怎樣險惡，對他的傷勢怎樣不利，他既離開了羊角鎮，就不能半途折返。情勢逼得他祗有一條路可走，這場暴風雨他是非冒不可的了。可嘆的是這一路如此荒涼，一去卅里難見人煙，根本覓不著聊避風雨的地方，萬一暈眩落馬就是死路，除非能早一個時辰巴到三里彎的小