After the city gate opened at Mao hour, merchants and traveling farmers rushed in and out of the city gate.
The ship that arrived yesterday was unloading its cargo at the pier and took this opportunity to bring it into the city. There was a lot of noise and bustle among the carriages and horses.
From Yangzhou east to the Yangtze River, you can go to the sea to Japan, Ryukyu and other places in Southeast Asia. Therefore, Yangzhou has become one of the most important transshipment stations for foreign countries in the country, busier and more tense than any other city.
However, the atmosphere today is a bit strange. There are a large number of officers and soldiers in the city and outside the city, and the customs inspection is much stricter. There are long queues. However, although everyone is anxious, no one dares to complain, because
Anyone who is used to traveling around the world can see that there are many big men in imperial guard uniforms among the local officers and soldiers. No one dares to offend the most domineering imperial guards from the capital unless they risk their lives.
There are five markets in the city, among which the Nanmen Market facing the Yangtze River is the most prosperous. There are at least dozens of stalls offering various kinds of food, ranging in size. It is suitable for tourists who are preparing to take a boat ride on the river.
The ideal location for restoration.
In addition to being a transportation hub, Yangzhou is also a famous fireworks destination since ancient times. Whether it is a wealthy businessman with a fortune, a celebrity who claims to be a literary and elegant man, or a swinger who is a swordsman and a knight, it is not considered a trip if he does not visit here.
A hero in the romantic field.
Therefore, the situation is prosperous and we can meet each other.
Among the food stalls at the south gate, Lao Feng's vegetable and meat steamed buns are the most famous. In addition, Lao Feng's concubine Zhensao, who specializes in selling steamed buns, has a beautiful face and has become a living sign to attract business.
When Lao Feng entered the kitchen from the inside and handed a steaming plate of vegetable and meat buns to the front of the shop for Mrs. Zhen to sell, impatient customers rushed to hand over their money.
Sister-in-law Zhen was so busy that she was dripping with sweat when suddenly a young man with a big head emerged from the crowd and said with a wide smile: "Eight vegetable and meat buns, hello, Sister-in-law Zhen!"
This man was none other than Xu Ziling. Because he was afraid of being seen by Old Feng, he deliberately hunched over and was half shorter than the others. His appearance made people laugh.
Fortunately, his appearance is very lovable, with long and elegant eyes, a high nose bridge, a broad forehead, and a smile like sunshine hanging from the corner of his mouth. If it weren't for his oily face, ragged clothes, and the slap in the face from Boss Yan,
She has swollen blue lips and looks really good. Now! I don’t dare to compliment you very much.
When Sister-in-law Zhen saw him, she looked back worriedly at Old Feng and Doctor Evil who were busy in the kitchen. She felt relieved when she saw that they couldn't see what was going on here.
While dealing with other customers, she pretended to be coquettish and said: "If you don't have money, what kind of buns can you buy like others?"
Xu Ziling smiled and said, "Nothing is owed, I will pay you back tomorrow."
Sister-in-law Zhen took the four buns as quickly as possible, hesitated for a moment and took two more, wrapped them in paper, stuffed them into his hands, and cursed in a low voice: "This is the last trip, alas! Look at you.
What was the beating like?"
Xu Ziling cheered and stepped out of the crowd. He straightened his waist and immediately felt more confident.
It turns out that although he is young, he is already as tall as an adult man, with broad shoulders and narrow waist, but he is thinner due to malnutrition.
After squeezing through a row of fruit and vegetable stalls, Hengli Kou Zhong grabbed it, grabbed a bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and asked vaguely: "Is this the last trip again?"
Kou Zhong was one year older than him, but half an inch shorter, with broad shoulders and thick arms, making him quite stout.
Although he owes Xu Ziling's handsomeness, he has a big face and large ears, and his profile has a strong and manly look. His expression is nonchalant, which is very attractive. His eyes are deep and agile, and they are by no means inferior to Xu Ziling, which makes people feel that this son is destined to have a bright future.
Not in the pool.
However, his clothes were patched here and there, making him filthier than Xu Ziling, and not much better than a little beggar.
Xu Ziling was already eating his third bun and frowned: "Don't talk about Sister Zhen's appearance, okay? How many kind-hearted people like her are there in Yangzhou now? It's a pity that her family owes money, and her father values money.
As fate would have it, I sold her to stinky old Feng as my concubine. God must be blind."
The two of them walked out of the market at this time and came to the street. They squeezed in the flow of people leaving the city and walked towards the south gate.
Kou Zhong filled his stomach, put his head on Xu Ziling's shoulder and looked around: "There are so many fat sheep today, it's best to find someone who is older, has gorgeous clothes, is single, and is full of worries, and won't even know if he loses his money bag."
Planting old fools."
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said, "That time, you were the bastard who wanted to attack the old man. Later, when he saw someone snatching him, he pretended to have found the money bag and returned it to him. I was so tired that I was beaten up by the bad-mouthed boss."
Kou Zhongshan said: "Don't forget that I was only going to pay back half of the money to the old man. It was you who wanted to please the old man and insisted that I pay back the whole amount intact. Now you are talking about me. Hey! But we stole.
A true good man is also a Taoist.
Ha! Look!"
Xu Ziling followed his gaze and happened to catch a glimpse of an old Confucian scholar in his fifties, walking towards the city gate.
This gentleman was dressed gorgeously, had a hurried expression, and walked quickly with his head lowered. He fully met all the conditions proposed by Kou Zhong.
What a coincidence.
Both of them were stunned, their eyes falling on the slight bulge of his clothes behind his back. Of course, he had hidden his money bag on his lower back.
Kou Zhong leaned into Xu Ziling's ear and said, "Whether we can have good luck or not depends on whether this guy is just showing off."
Xu Ziling said anxiously: "I must pay back Sister Zhen's money first."
As the two men were chasing after them, suddenly a group of officers and soldiers came towards them. They were startled, turned around, and rushed to the other end of the cross alley, where there was another parallel street in the south of Yucheng.
The two of them sat down slumped against the wall.
After sighing for a while, Kou Zhong thought about his misfortune and said: "How about we try to apply for the imperial examination. Although our materials are obtained from eavesdropping on Old Master Bai's lectures, at least they are better than those useless people who paid enough silver to listen to the lectures."
, if you are named on the list, you will be able to become a high official without having to travel long distances or take the risk of traveling long distances."
Xu Ziling said angrily: "You said you were going to join the rebel army, and now you changed your mind and wanted to take the imperial examination. You said it was as easy as going to peek at those girls in Chunfeng Yuan taking a bath. After all..."
Kou Zhong punched him in the ribs and winked.
Xu Ziling looked at the way he came and saw the old Confucian scholar imitating them and walking hastily, turning a blind eye to them and running towards the street.
The two of them were overjoyed, jumped up, and chased after the old Confucian scholar.
The time for action has come.
The old Confucian scholar hurried on his way, unaware that there was a crack in his clothes behind him.
Just now he was heading out of the city through the south gate, but he was so frightened by the tight security that he shrank back. He knew that it was not appropriate to go out at this time, and he did not dare to return home. He was even more afraid of disturbing others when he was looking for friends. He was wandering in his heart when a figure flashed and someone blocked his way.
.
When the old Confucian scholar was shocked and shocked, he was already being held hostage by people from left to right, unable to move.
The person blocking the road was none other than Yu Wenhuaji and his subordinates. This master of the Yuwen clan came to the old Confucian scholar with a smile. After looking at him up and down for a few times, he said calmly: "This is not Tian who is famous in Jiangdu for his poetry."
Teacher Wen? I heard that the teacher is a close friend of Master Shilong. Just now we took the liberty to visit Teacher Tian in your mansion, but we unintentionally fished out Master Shi’s body from the bottom of the well. Now Teacher Tian is in a hurry and doesn’t know where he is.
Why?"
Tian Wen's expression changed drastically, but he could still speak.
At this time, passers-by noticed something was wrong. Among the people surrounding Tian Wen, they saw that there were senior guards from the city. Who dared to intervene.
The hands of the two big men holding Tian Wen were not idle. They searched Tian Wen's body, but could not find the book that should be on him.
Zhang Shihe took action personally. After a while, he found that the clothes on Tian Wen's back were cut with a sharp weapon, and his expression changed: "No! The book was taken away."
Yu Wenhua and his eyes flashed with cold light, and he said in a deep voice: "Chen Shou Bei!"
Chen Shoubei, who was usually domineering, stepped forward hurriedly, and when he made eye contact with Yu Wenhuaji, his legs immediately became weak, and he knelt down and said in a trembling voice: "I'm here!"
Yu Wenhuaji said coldly: "Immediately seal the city gate, and at the same time catch all the thieves and ruffians. If they can't hand over what the Lord wants, they will have no chance of surviving."
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong sat side by side in a quiet alley in the east of the city, staring blankly at the open book.
Xu Ziling said disappointedly: "Next time you pick up something, don't run into these people who look like teachers. This strange book like ghost drawings is more difficult to understand than the Book of Heaven. Don't you, Master Zhong, often boast that you are rich in knowledge? Tell me.
What is written on it?"
Kou Zhong said proudly: "How could I be as ignorant and incompetent as you? This must be a martial arts secret book from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era. Once you practice it, you will be invincible in the world. Even Master Shi will be willing to be defeated. Just look at these human figures.
The image is the secret to the circulation of qi through the meridians. Ha! I found a treasure this time. Look! Have you ever seen this kind of strange paper?"
Xu Ziling laughed and said, "Stop boasting. Read these two words for me and see how you can learn them skillfully."
Kou Zhong was very angry and said with bright eyes: "As long as someone can write it, there will be someone who can read it. Let us find the most knowledgeable old scholar and ask him to translate these strange words, while we, Yangzhou Shuanglong, are responsible for practicing.
This is called division of labor and cooperation, everyone gets what he deserves, do you understand?"
Xu Ziling said dejectedly: "Do you think you are the general manager of Yangzhou? Who is willing to obey our instructions so obediently? Now that our Yangzhou twin snakes have trouble eating even one meal, it seems that we have to take out the hidden food and exchange it for two steamed buns."
It's more practical to have a full stomach."
Kou Zhong laughed, stood up, covered his book with his clothes, and stretched: "I, Master Zhong, will be in charge of lunch. Come on! Let's go home first, collect the silver coins, and then go to the pier outside the city to do the damn thing."
We have no capital to buy and sell two orders, and then we run away immediately, otherwise it will be terrible if the smelly boss finds out that we are pregnant with treasures."
Xu Ziling still felt frightened when he thought of yesterday's severe beating. He jumped up and followed Kou Zhong to sneak to his "home" in the abandoned garden.
Yu Wenhuaji was sitting in the lobby of the General Manager's Mansion, drinking hot tea. Accompanying him was Yuchi Sheng, the General Manager of Yangzhou.
Not only are the two acquainted, but their relationship is also extraordinary.
Before Yang Jian established the Sui Dynasty, he was a minister of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Later, after Emperor Xuan of Zhou Dynasty Yuwen Yun died of illness, Yang Jian colluded with Zheng Yi, an internal historian, and Liu Fang, an imperial official.
The emperor took power. A year later, Yang Jian forced Emperor Jing to abdicate and proclaimed himself emperor.
The surname Yuwen of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was replaced by the surname Yang.
However, due to the deep-rooted power of the Yuwen surname, even though Yang Jian became emperor, he was still unable to uproot the Yuwen fighting clan. When his son Yang Guang became emperor, the Yuwen surname became stronger again.
Strictly speaking, although Yuwen seemed to serve the Sui Dynasty loyally, in fact he only buried hatred deep in his heart.
After Yang Jian seized the position, three ministers who supported the Yuwen family of the Northern Zhou Dynasty rebelled. They were Wei Chizhou, the governor of Xiangzhou, Sima Xiaonan, the governor of Zhengzhou, and Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou. These people were either related to the Yuwen family or were loyal to the royal family of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.
Among them, Yuchi Zhou is Yuchi Sheng’s cousin, which shows the close relationship between the two.
Therefore, the two of them talked about secrets without any scruples.
Yu Wenhuaji sighed and said: "This book is really of great importance. I have prepared experts. As soon as I get the treasure book, I will immediately pretend that it has been successfully deciphered and give it to the faint king to practice. I guarantee that it will be finished within three months."
He practiced to death. He couldn't get what he was supposed to get, but it turned out to be a series of twists and turns. The disadvantage is that he couldn't even try to pass it off as another copy."
Yuchi Sheng snorted coldly and said: "Even if there is no treasure book, I am afraid that the Yang family will still be unable to secure the throne. God bless the Zhou Dynasty. Since this faint king came to the throne, he has been violently conquering internally and building a lot of construction projects; he has been aggressively militarizing externally, and he has conquered Goryeo in the east, and has been defeated in three battles. Now. Now
Rebels are everywhere, as long as we seize the opportunity, we will be able to repeat the glorious days of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Yu Wenhua's eyes flashed with cold light, and he said in a deep voice: "Yang Guang's days are numbered. The only thing we can worry about is the other three surnamed fighting clans. Among them, the Li clan is the one that should not be underestimated. The clan leader Li Yuan
She is the aunt and nephew of Empress Dowager Dugu, so she is deeply trusted by the Yang family, especially my Yuwen family. If we cannot quell the three surnamed fighting clans in one day, our restoration of the Great Zhou Dynasty will inevitably encounter great resistance."
He paused and then said: "As for the foreigners, the Turks are actually the biggest scourge. Now the rebellious people have joined the Turks in the north and relied on their power, making the Turks even more powerful. And the four masters of the Turks are even more superb in martial arts. I think
Just thinking about it makes people worry."
Yuchi Sheng said: "I don't think you need to worry too much about the Li family. Although Li Yuan is Yang Guang's cousin, he is deeply tabooed by Yang Guang simply because he shows kindness and befriends heroes. Li Yuan is now protecting himself.
No time, as long as we can lay out a clever plan to deepen Yang Guang's suspicion of Li Yuan, we might be able to kill someone with a knife, allowing us to reap the benefits."
Yu Wenhuaji had a smile in his eyes and nodded in approval, when Zhang Shihe came in and reported: "Something is clear!"
Yu Wenhuaji and Yuchi were overjoyed to win.
Zhang Shihe said: "According to Tian Wen's confession, before he was arrested, he was hit by two young hooligans aged fifteen or six. It seems that these two boys stole the treasure book."
Yu Wenhuaji said happily: "Shihe must have found out who these two laughing hooligans are, and that's why they came to tell the good news."
Zhang Shihe said with a smile: "That's right. One of these two people is named Kou Zhong and the other is Xu Ziling. They are the most famous pickpockets in Yangzhou. Their boss is named Yan Kuan. Now they have been escorted to find Na."
Yuchi Sheng laughed and said: "This is easy to handle. Unless they can grow wings from their ribs, they will never escape our grasp as long as they are still in the city."
Yu Wenhuaji breathed a sigh of relief and leaned on the back of the chair, as if the treasure book had been in his hands.
Before the two of them had a chance to collect more than ten strings of five-baht coins, Xu Ziling, who was in charge of looking out, spied the dejected Boss Yan walking towards the ruined garden, being escorted by more than a dozen big men.
Xu Ziling was a very smart person. Although he was shocked, he still knew how to quietly rush to meet up with Yu Kou Zhong, and together they went to another broken house with only three rotten walls left, and hid in a cave specially dug to avoid Boss Yan.
It was also covered with wooden boards covered with fallen coconut sand to camouflage the ground, leaving only a small gap for ventilation.
The sound of "bang bang bang bang" rummaging through boxes and boxes kept coming from their little den.
After a while, I heard Boss Yan's howl, which sounded like he was being beaten severely.
Although they wished someone could beat Boss Yan to death, they still couldn't bear it when they heard his current situation.
I was shocked again and didn't know what happened.
Boss Yan is finally a well-known figure in Yangzhou City, with more than twenty brothers under his command. He recently became the grandpa of the leader of the Zhuhua Gang, Chang Ci, but in front of these big men, he is not even as good as a pig or a dog.
A sinister voice sounded over there: "Search for me!"
As soon as these words came out, Yangzhou Shuanglong immediately changed from hazy to snake, curled up in a heap, and did not dare to speak even a breath.
Boss Yan's trembling voice came: "Masters, please give me a little more time. I will definitely get the book back. I can guarantee it with your head...ah!" It was obvious that he was either punched or kicked.
Footsteps sounded next to the crypt, followed by someone calling: "Can't you find anyone yet?"
Boss Yan begged for mercy in a hoarse and painful voice: "Please give me one more chance. These two damn boys must have gone to Shilong Martial Arts Arena to peek at the people practicing kung fu in the martial arts arena, ah!"
The gloomy voice said: "Shilong's martial arts field was closed to us this morning, what else is there to see?"
After a pause, he said: "You four stay here for me until they come back. You ruffian, take us to all the places where this kid would go to search for them one by one. Quick, drag him up!"
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other in the crypt, both seeing the other being frightened and turning pale.
At the same time, the two of them thought of the culvert next to the east gate that led to the outside of the city.