The Taiping Residence was quiet at night. Except for the lanterns in front of the door, only the tofu shop in the backyard was lit.
The lights here stay on all night.
After Sun Cai ordered the stew, he used the key to open the door from the inside.
The guys joking on the porch outside the door hurriedly got up.
"Please do your best, and if you dare to steal wine and food while working, I will drive you back." Sun Cai walked out of the door and looked at the two young men and said.
"Master, you said it three times a day. We have written it down and don't say it again." A person said with a smile.
Sun Cai sighed.
"It's useless if you don't take it seriously if you say it ten times!" He said, "Good times are hard to come by these days. You have changed your luck so easily. If you don't work hard, we will drive you back to be beggars!"
"Master, don't worry, master, don't worry, even if you don't do it well, we will do it well!" said the two guys.
Sun Cai nodded with dignity, then spat when he realized something was wrong.
While he was making jokes, Sun Cai suddenly stopped and turned his ears outward.
"Master? What's wrong?" a waiter asked in confusion.
"I seem to hear a lot of footsteps?" Sun Cai said, with a bit of uncertainty.
It was a dark night, and even the insects were gone. The two guys subconsciously looked towards the door, and there seemed to be real sobbing coming from them, and they couldn't help but shudder.
"It's not yet July and a half, no, nocturnal ghost..." said a low voice.
Sun Cai sighed.
"Ghost, damn your head!" he said with a glare, pointing at the restaurant in front of him and pointing at the tofu shop behind his back, "Where is this place? Taiping Residence, Taiping Tofu, the tofu shop used by Lord Buddha! Which ghost dares to come?
"
That's true, the two guys stood up straight again.
"It's hot today, so I'll lay out a mat in the yard and sleep." Sun Cai raised his head and said swaggeringly.
As expected, he walked towards the courtyard as he spoke. As he walked into the courtyard, he heard the sharp and whirling sound of a woman's cries outside coming from far and near, tearing the silence of the night.
This was no longer a cry, it seemed to be laughing, shouting, or a meaningless roar. It passed through the ears and made people's hair stand on end.
What kind of things can make people make such noises? Or, in other words, they are not human at all...
Sun Cai screamed and jumped up, and the two waiters in the corridor also screamed and hugged each other.
The lamps in Taiping Juli lit up one after another, the windows and doors opened, footsteps sounded, and people asked questions.
"Sun Cai, what are you doing?"
Xu Bangchui looked up from upstairs and shouted.
In the yard, Sun Cai held his head and trembled, pointing out.
"The night ghosts cry!" he said tremblingly.
Xu Bangchui stared outside. At this time, there was constant noise all around. People were talking about laughing, but there was no sound of crying.
"What's wrong?"
Xu Maoxiu has come out.
Because of the special nature of the tofu shop, the brothers slept nearby and surrounded the tofu shop, so that if something happened, they could guard it as quickly and closely as possible.
"Sun Cai is suffering from hysteria." Xu Bangchui said angrily.
"I'm not hysterical, there's someone crying outside!" Sun Cai shouted hurriedly.
But you can't bear the name of hysteria, otherwise your job will be ruined.
Xu Maoxiu frowned and raised his hand.
"Everyone be quiet!" he shouted with a sigh of relief.
The chatter and laughter suddenly stopped.
Everyone held their breath and kept silent.
The sharp and elongated cry came far and near with the sound of wind.
The yard suddenly became chaotic again.
"Look, there are torches!" the man standing on the second floor shouted, pointing outwards.
Torch?
People upstairs stood on tiptoe, while those downstairs rushed to the door to look through the crack.
Sure enough, a group of people appeared in the dark night, with three or four burning torches, like a fiery snake snaking towards this side.
"It's Mrs. Asong!"
Suddenly someone shouted from upstairs.
Sister-in-law A Song? Li Dashao’s wife?
Xu Maoxiu looked up at the man and saw that it was a boy brought by Li Dashao. He was obviously very familiar with Li Dashao's family. At this time, his face was shocked and seemed to be afraid.
"Those people are all from our village, and they are carrying someone!" he shouted again.
Xu Maoxiu and Fan Jianglin looked at each other, and their hearts skipped a beat.
Something happened!
The city gates of the capital were closed at the end of the day with drums beating, and opened with drums at the fifth watch. Now that it is summer, the sun rises early, so it is changed to the fourth watch.
So when he was called up in the middle of the night, the city gate guard didn't look good at all.
"Why are you yelling?" They poked their heads out and scolded, "The night ghosts don't need to call us when they walk."
There were more than a dozen people in front of the city gate, holding torches. Their pale faces were reflected in the black smoke, and they were no better than ghosts.
The guards at the city gate saw a lot of weird things, but they still couldn't help but shudder.
"Look." Another one hit his companion with his arm, "Blood."
Everyone looked down and saw that the bodies of these people under the torch were stained with blood.
The city gate guards immediately shrank back.
"Master, we are going to the city to see a doctor!" Xu Maoxiu shouted loudly, "Emergency rescue!"
According to the law, exceptions can be made to open the city gates in cases of illness, childbirth, and funerals.
Is it an emergency? No wonder.
The city gate guard stuck his head out again.
"Is there any ultimatum?" he asked.
Xu Maoxiu hurriedly raised the document in his hand.
The city gate slowly opened, and several guards were able to see people up close, and they couldn't help but be startled.
There was a man lying on the door panel. His face was no longer recognisable, it was bruised, swollen and stained with blood.
This was obviously caused by a blow.
The city gate guard shook his head meaningfully.
Xu Maoxiu handed a handful of money to the guard.
"Let the poor man worry about it, just take this little money and drink tea," he said.
Seeing that this man was tall, dressed simply but acted calmly, the guards weighed the money in their hands and nodded with satisfaction.
"The nearest wrestling club is on this street." He pointed and asked the two guards to follow him.
Although there was already a written ultimatum, they still had to follow those who entered the city in the middle of the night in person.
Xu Maoxiu had already raised his feet and took steps. I don’t know if he heard it or not.
"This way, follow me quickly." He shouted, running towards the city first.
The crowd then rushed forward with cheers. The two guards shook their heads and were about to follow, when another person stumbled back behind them.
This is a woman, her body is also stained with blood, her hands are tightly holding a package in front of her, and the package is also stained with blood.
Under the illumination of the city gate lamp, the woman's face was pale and her eyes were lifeless, like a ghost.
"Still, still." She murmured.
"What's still there?" the guard asked.
The woman seemed lost and ignored him.
"Still, still." She murmured and stumbled forward.
The guards had seen many people who had suffered sudden changes like this, and some were frightened and even fainted on the spot, and some were frightened to madness.
It seems that this woman is the latter.
"The world is difficult." The guard sighed. For many people, a small change can completely turn their lives upside down.
He waved his hand and motioned for the two guards to follow him.
After this delay, the group of people had already ran far away on the street, and the two guards were running to catch up.
Chaotic footsteps sounded on the street in the middle of the night.
"No, no, the medical center is over here!"
The two guards saw that the crowd in front did not go towards the broken pipe just pointed out, but walked along the street towards the city, and they couldn't help shouting.
No one paid any attention to them.
Even the woman who was last and would fall after just a few steps did not look back. She got up, stumbled, then fell, then got up again, and kept running forward over and over again.
Could it be a bad guy!
The two guards were shocked and watched the group of people disappear on the street.
"There are so many of them..." said one tremblingly.
If there is really a murder, the two of them are not enough to be sacrificed.
But if a murder was actually committed, even if they were lucky enough to escape at this time, they would definitely be dead when investigated later.
While they were sweating, the sound of horse hooves sounded on the street, and the two of them were immediately overjoyed.
Anyone who dares to walk around on the street in the middle of the night is committing a night crime, let alone riding a horse.
Those who can do this are naturally famous.
This is the Jinwu Guard patrolling the streets.
"Adults!" They turned and ran towards the sound of horse hooves, waving their hands and shouting, "Someone is coming quickly!"
Seeing someone shouting and rushing over in the middle of the night, the patrolman pulled a dozen or so people on guard and pulled out their knives.
"Who?" the leader of the men shouted.
"Sir, sir, we are the city gate guards." The two people shouted hurriedly, walked closer, turned on the headlights, and saw the leading man clearly. They were overjoyed, "It turned out to be General Liu!" [Note 1]
After hearing this, he took a few glances and put away his weapons.
"If you don't defend the city, what are you doing in the street?" Lord Liu asked.
"Sir, some people came into the city seeking medical treatment just now. We escorted them for inspection, but they ran away..." the two men replied hurriedly.
Is this so? Someone dares to cause trouble? How bold!
Mr. Liu was furious and took out the waist knife that he had just put away.
"My sons, follow me to catch the thief!" he shouted.
Accompanied by the sound of hooves like a heavy rainstorm, a dozen or so patrolling cavalry whipped up strong winds on the street, only blowing the two city gate guards to stagger.
"This is a good opportunity to make meritorious deeds, let's go quickly!" shouted one, holding his hat and standing firm.
With these soldiers and generals around, it is not their turn to catch thieves and shed blood, but they are still indispensable for being loyal to their duties, being brave and fearless.
The two people spread their legs and chased after him.
Xu Maoxiu and others were stopped in front of Cheng Jiaoniang's door.
"We are here to treat patients! They are not evil people!" Xu Maoxiu shouted urgently, pointing at Li Dashao lying on the door panel.
The people around were running along this way when they were stopped by the armored soldiers. They were all gasping for air and gasping for air. Some of them were in poor health and simply fell to the ground.
It's too bad to be a gangster like this.
General Liu was already half convinced that it was a misunderstanding. He glanced at the man on the door panel and frowned again.
"Then why are you running around if you don't look for a medical center?" he asked.
"Sir, it can't be cured by just any medical clinic." Xu Maoxiu said.
General Liu had more doubts in his mind.
"This was an injury. The skin injury looks terrible. It can't kill anyone. Why can't it be cured?" he shouted.
Xu Maoxiu looked at him with a sad expression.
Sometimes, death is easier than life.
"Sanlang-kun! It is indeed you!"
The maid's voice came, and the door of a house not far away opened.
The maid Jin Geer ran out holding a lamp.
"What happened? Why are you here at this time?" the maid asked anxiously.
Xu Maoxiu turned around.
"Please sister, please help." He said in a hoarse voice.
younger sister?
General Liu was even more surprised, could his sister save his life?
He raised his head and looked around the house. The lanterns in the yard were already lit, illuminating the clean and tidy yard.
The sound of rocks being struck made him startled. Looking for the sound, he saw water gurgling from the bamboo mat on the rockery in the corner, washing the smooth rocks.
Is this...a medical clinic?
He turned his gaze to the corridor. The man on the door panel had been put down, and a woman was walking out. With the light in the room behind her, he couldn't see her description clearly. He only saw her shaking her wide sleeves and kneeling down.
"Is it just a skin injury?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked, looking at Li Dashao on the door panel.
"No." Xu Maoxiu said, his voice a little hoarse.
The maids Banqin and Brother Jin were all gathered around. Seeing the unrecognizable Li Dashao, their eyes were red and weeping. After hearing this, they all looked at Xu Maoxiu.
He's already been beaten like this, are there still injuries?
Cheng Jiaoniang didn't look at Xu Maoxiu, but at Li Dashao. Her eyes gradually moved down, then she stopped and sat up straight.
Although her expression was as dull as ever, this action was enough to show her shock at this time.
The three maids, Banqin and others, looked at Li Dashao hurriedly.
The body lying flat, the hand on the side... no, there is no hand, only the bare and blood-stained wrist that is wrapped tightly.
"Where are your hands?" the maid screamed.
hand?
General Liu took a step forward and looked at the man on the door panel.
"Still, still."
The woman's murmur sounded again, and General Liu was knocked down. He frowned and watched a woman stumble past, holding something tightly in her hand.
"Still, still." She stumbled and fell when she stepped up the steps.
The maid Banqin was busy crying and went to help her.
Mrs. Song didn't seem to notice. She struggled to the corridor and knelt down next to Li Dashao. With a somewhat relieved look on her face, she placed the cloth bag next to Li Dashao, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
She carefully opened the cloth bag, revealing a blue-white hand.
"Still, still." She still said, with a smile on her face.
hand!
One hand!
Broken hand!
The maid and Banqin were standing closest, and when they suddenly saw it, they couldn't help but scream and hide their faces and retreat. Brother Jin was also frightened and took a few steps back.
General Liu took a few steps forward, with a bit of surprise and a bit of complexity.
That's it...
This is what the lady said, is it troublesome?
Oh my god, oh my god.
The maid covered her mouth and looked horrified.
The cries of the maids and the dull sighs of the men in the yard, coupled with Mrs. Asong's laughter and repeated two-word murmurs, made the atmosphere almost breathless.
"I...I..."
Li Dashao woke up faintly on the door panel, his swollen eyes showed a slight slit, and his broken lips wriggled.
"Help…"
His voice was weak and weak, but Xu Maoxiu and others who were near could still hear him clearly.
"Brother, don't be afraid." Xu Maoxiu said hoarsely, reaching out to hold his arm, "Here it is, the thief has been beaten away, you are fine."
It’s okay…
Li Dashao slowly turned his head.
"I, my life has been saved..." He murmured, trying hard to open his eyes. When he saw Cheng Jiaoniang in front of him, he suddenly gained a little more strength, "Madam, madam... can my disease be cured?"
?”
"It can be cured." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Diseases can naturally be cured, but what about the hands?
The maid and Banqin tightly covered their mouths to hide their uncontrollable crying.
Li Dashao grinned.
"Yes, madam, you cured my disease...and...my life..." He said weakly, trying to raise his hand, and then he thought of something and gasped quickly, "My, my, hand
…”
Xu Maoxiu turned around and couldn't bear to watch or listen to it any more.
Sister-in-law A Song, who had been muttering beside her, heard this and immediately held up the severed hand happily.
"Here it is, there it is." She said loudly.
Banqin couldn't bear it anymore and burst into tears.
Sister-in-law A Song looked a little panicked and helpless, as if she didn't understand why she was crying.
"Here he is, he's here." She still said, holding on to the severed hand tightly.
"Knock her out." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Maoxiu raised his hand without hesitation and hit Mrs. A Song hard on the back of her neck.
Mrs. Asong fell down softly.
"Help me go down," Cheng Jiaoniang said.
The maid and Banqin hurriedly worked together to help him retreat.
The severed hand fell to the ground, becoming increasingly green and white under the flickering lamp.
Li Dashao's face was dripping with blood and his voice was whimpering.
"No more...no more..." he sobbed.
Without hands, even if there is life, what's the use?
Without his hands, he is no longer a cook, he is a waste, and he becomes a waste again.
Just like the trash who was driven away by Zuifeng Tower, just like the trash who was lying on the bed waiting to die.
He is a waste.
Even though he has lived a good life for a few days with the help of noble people, he is still a waste and will eventually become a waste. This is his life, this is fate.
"Madam, actually, life cannot be cured..." Li Dashao murmured.
******************
Please give me votes. I want any votes. Even if I lose, I still want to hold on to this breath!
The main text is 4604 words, and there is no charge for the other 200 words.
Note 1: The lowest rank of military attache, here are the envoys on the left and right under the Jinwu Guard.
It was a pleasure to read in one sitting, two chapters combined into one, and there will be no updates in the afternoon.
PS: Recommendation: Everyone in the world says that a gentleman would rather live in pieces than in pieces.
Why should I be broken jade, turned into dust, and trampled under people's feet?
I just want to be an ugly tile, standing firmly on the highest point, fearless of wind and rain, scorching heat and winter, looking down at you, becoming the mud on the ground.
(Brother-in-law is a magic horse, just for killing him.)
Liu Anhuaming's new book "Disaster", ISBN 3103042, or click on the book title below to reach it. (To be continued)
