Although the courtyard in front of us is dilapidated and dilapidated, it is kept very clean. There is a large amount of chopped dry firewood stacked neatly in one corner of the courtyard, and the stack is higher than the courtyard wall. Despite this, there are many things in the courtyard.

The big man with a yellow face was still chopping firewood enthusiastically, as if he was tireless. He had been chopping all morning.

The ax of the big yellow-faced man was polished brilliantly, but there were many gaps on the axe blade, and it was severely corroded. I don't know whether it was because it was too old or was used too hard. The movements of the axe made by the big yellow-faced man

He is very skillful. When the ax goes down, the waist-thick wood will be split into two halves with just the right force and accuracy. There is never a need for a second axe, so the efficiency is very high.

However, the dirty little hands outside the courtyard wall were also very "efficient" and kept stealing the pile of dry firewood stacked in the corner. The big yellow-faced man seemed not to notice, and just continued to immerse himself in chopping firewood.

The few little kids who were hiding outside the wall to steal firewood were cautious at first, but when they found out that the big yellow-faced man ignored them, they became even more unscrupulous. The little kid who took the lead was about eight or nine years old.

He just climbed up the courtyard wall, picked up the dry firewood on the firewood pile, and threw it outside the wall. Several friends outside the wall happily picked it up with smiles.

At this time, two burly men turned into the alley where the courtyard was located. Seeing these little bastards stealing firewood, one of them couldn't help but angrily yelled: "—straight thief!"

The children on the ground suddenly dispersed, but they did not forget to take away their "trophies" when they ran away. The child on the wall was so frightened that he jumped down, and fell so hard that his teeth cracked.

Mouth.

"You deserve it, you little brat stole things." The big man who had scolded him before came forward with a ferocious smile, pinched the child's neck, lifted it up, and slapped the child loudly on the butt, making the child cry on the spot.

.

At this time, the courtyard door opened with a clang, and the yellow-faced man who was chopping firewood in the courtyard poked his head out, frowned and said: "Shixin, you have strong hands, don't be insignificant."

Luo Shixin then put the little kid down, kicked his butt, and cursed: "Little brat, if you dare to steal anything next time, watch your skin carefully and get out of here!"

The little kid immediately ran away and disappeared at the end of the alley. Luo Shixin clapped his hands and walked back to the courtyard gate. He said to the yellow-faced man, "A good man will be bullied by others, and a horse bullied by others will be ridden. Brother Qin, you are too much."

You are indulging in these lawless little bastards. Last time I bought a piece of mutton, intending to honor my mother, so I hung it under the eaves, but as soon as I turned around, it was stolen by these little rascals."

Qin Qiong sighed and said: "They are all children from poor families, why should we be like them?"

Luo Shixin shook his head and said: "Poverty is not a reason to steal or rob. I remember that I just stole a bun, and Brother Qin almost broke my hand. He also told me that people who are poor cannot be short-minded. What's wrong with Brother Qin now?

On the contrary, you are indulging these little thieves. What is hateful is that these little thieves call you Qin Da Fool behind your back. If you don’t teach them a lesson, they will dare to burn, kill and loot in the future."

The man who came with Luo Shixin was named Fan Hu. He nodded and agreed: "Shixin is right. It takes three years to learn well and three days to learn bad. Brother Qin can't indulge these little bastards too much, otherwise your

Their good intentions actually harmed them.”

Qin Qiong was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "You are right, it's just that Brother Qin is getting older and his heart has become softer."

Luo Shixin frowned and said, "Brother Qin is in his prime, how old is he?"

Fan Hu quickly took the opportunity to say: "Yes, the world is in turmoil now, and a man should rise up and build a great career, but Brother Qin is living in seclusion in a deep alley. Isn't he wasting his years and wasting his good martial arts skills?

"

Qin Qiong remained silent and walked back to the firewood pile to continue chopping firewood. Seeing this, Luo Shixin sighed and said, "Brother Qin, are you still blaming yourself for General Zhang?"

Qin Qiong slashed with the axe, splitting the firewood and the wooden pier and mat underneath into two halves, and his breathing became obviously rapid.

"General Zhang has been gone for two years now. The emperor is gone, the Sui Dynasty is gone, and I have come out a long time ago. Brother Qin, haven't you been able to come out yet? Do you want to continue to be depressed?" Luo Shixin asked with red eyes.

road.

Qin Qiong took a few deep breaths and struck out with the ax, but this time it missed the mark. The firewood flew out and fell several meters away. Qin Qiong threw the ax away, sighed and said: "Shi Xin, you have a clear conscience."

, and brother, I feel guilty, I feel sorry for General Zhang."

Luo Shixin said angrily: "Then go and atone for your sins instead of hiding at home and chopping firewood like a coward."

"Atonement? Shixin, how do you think eldest brother should atone for his sins?" Qin Qiong's eyes were blank and her expression was bitter.

Luo Shixin said loudly: "Although the Great Sui Dynasty is gone, Qijun is still there, the Qijun sons who followed General Zhang are still there, and the people of Qijun are still there. If Brother Qin wants to atone for his sins, then stand up and guard with the brothers."

Qi County, protect the people of Qi County, so that the people of Qi County can live a good life.

When I buried General Zhang by the Yellow River in Xingyang, I vowed to send him back to his hometown for a grand burial. But now that Li Mi still dominates the Central Plains, I can't fulfill this promise. If Brother Qin wants to atone for his sins, then stand up.

, lead the brothers to avenge General Zhang, send General Zhang’s body back to his hometown, and let General Zhang return to his roots.”

Qin Qiong held her head in both hands in pain, and her veins stood out!

Luo Shixin and Fan Hu looked at each other and were about to strike while the iron was hot. Suddenly there was a violent cough in the room. The door opened and Mother Qin walked out tremblingly on crutches.

Qin Qiong quickly stepped forward to support her mother and said apologetically: "My child woke up my mother and deserves death!"

Qin's eyes were dim, almost blind, and she murmured into the air: "Qiong'er, is your father back?"

"Mother, it's been more than ten years since my father was gone, have you forgotten?" Qin Qiong whispered.

"Oh, mother, I forgot, how long has it been since your father died? Who were you talking to just now?" Qin's mother was obviously a little confused.

Luo Shixin hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Mother, the child is here to see you."

"Whose child are you from? How can you identify your mother at random?" Qin's mother tried hard to open her eyes, trying to see Luo Shixin clearly in front of her, but she could only see a blurry figure.

Luo Shixin said with a smile: "I am Shixin, mother, how could you forget the child?"

Qin's mother obviously remembered at this time, nodded and said: "It turns out to be Shixin, please don't steal other people's steamed buns and eat them. If you want to eat steamed buns, just tell your mother, I'll make them for you, but you don't dare."

If you steal it again, be careful and Brother Qin will give you a discount."

Luo Shixin smiled and said: "That's what I did when I was a child. Now I have stopped stealing a long time ago, and I can still earn money to honor you, mother. By the way, I brought a few kilograms of mutton to you, mother, and will stew it later."

Let mother have a taste."

"Haha, good boy, my mother's teeth are bad and she can't eat. You can keep it for yourself. Eat well and don't steal other people's buns anymore." Qin's mother said with a toothless grin.

"Mom, I stopped stealing a long time ago!"

"As long as you don't steal it, mother will make steamed buns for you!"

Luo Shixin couldn't help crying or laughing, Qin Qiong said: "Mother, please go in and have a rest. Shixin is no longer a child."

Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin helped Qin's mother into the house and just as she sat down, two soldiers hurried into the yard. When Luo Shixin saw it, he immediately got up and walked out of the house, asking: "What's the matter?"

"General Luo, there is a man coming from outside the city. He calls himself King Gao Changqing of Qi. He wants to see you by name, General Luo." The soldier reported.

Luo Shixin couldn't help but feel happy, and Fan Hu blurted out: "King Gao Changqing of Qi actually came in person. It seems that the rumors are true. This son is indeed tolerant and generous, and he is eager for talents."

Luo Shixin smiled and said: "If Gao Changqing doesn't have this kind of tolerance, why should I, Luo Shixin, surrender to him?"

Fan Hu said excitedly: "Everyone respects me a foot, and I respect a person a foot. Without further ado, Shixin should hurry out of the city to greet us, so as not to appear too arrogant and rude."

Luo Shixin nodded and quickly returned to the house and said: "Brother Qin, King Gao Changqing of Qi is here in person. Do you want to go out of the city with me to welcome him?"

Qin Qiong hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head and said, "No need."
Chapter completed!