In Dongzhang's mansion, Zhang Fu looked at the brightly lit hall with lingering fear. Then he stared at Zhang Bo, who was somewhat lost. He lowered his voice and scolded: "Why are you so confused? You surrendered to Qin and you dared to take Zhang Bo in?
Er’s wife, son! Aren’t you trying to bring disaster to the Zhang family?”
Zhang Bo explained feebly: "Brother, no matter what you say, the Huang family in Waihuang has been friends with my family for two generations. Zhang Er is also a great hero from Wei Dong. He has always been respectful to the Zhang family in our household, no matter what.
We have sent people to attend weddings and funerals. I have been friends with him for many years, and we often refer to him as uncle and nephew. When Waihuang fell, he entrusted me to take care of his wife. How could I ignore it?"
"Therefore, by raising my clan and surrendering to the Qin Dynasty, I am aware of the situation, and by taking in Zhang Er's wife and son, I am keeping my righteousness..."
"You have kept your word. Now that this matter has been exposed, what situation will it put Zhang? Why didn't you discuss it with me in advance?"
Zhang Fu was so angry that he stamped his feet. Originally, the Zhang family had Zhang Cang as an official in Xianyang. Because of their surrender, their brothers became stingy husbands and three elders one after another. When the old Wei Dynasty fell and the new rule of the Qin State was established, it was the reason for the family's development and growth.
A good opportunity, but now, all these efforts have been ruined by Zhang Bo's "righteousness" move.
Zhang Er is now a fugitive targeted by the Qin army, and even his family members have been put on a wanted order. Does taking in his wife and son mean that the Zhang family in Hufu has become Zhang Er's accomplice, and they are still obsessed with resisting Qin?
But he has no choice but to stick to small righteousness and ignore the overall situation. This is the temperament of his clan brother. Zhang Er may have seen through this in him, so in times of crisis, he entrusted him with his wife. The most dangerous place is often the safest.
Zhang Bo surrendered to Qin early and became an official of the Qin State, so the Qin officials did not expect that Zhang Er's wife and children were still hidden in his home.
Zhang Bo was so cool that he hid the two of them at home for two months, still acting as if nothing was wrong. If Dong Zhang hadn't reported it to the Qin officials through a betrayal of his master's servant, even Zhang Fu would have been kept in the dark about this matter.
Zhang Bo still said stubbornly: "The mother and son are only staying here temporarily. Chen Yu will soon send someone to pick them up, change their names, and take them to Zhao..."
Zhang Fu sighed: "There is no chance to leave. That black man is sitting in the hall outside, holding your two sons and my Zhang Zhong on the sword. Do we want to protect Zhang Er's wife and son?
If you want to win over your own children and clan, let’s first think about how to explain it to the Qin officials.”
While talking, he also muttered happily: "Fortunately, this black man Youyou is easy to talk to, and Chen Ping was also advising him. He didn't listen to the slave's report and led his troops to arrest the person. Instead, he
They were tied up and sent overnight for us to handle on our own..."
Just now, the black husband left and returned, frightening Zhang Bo and making Zhang Fu jump.
He threw the tied slave in front of the two of them, and then kept saying: "According to Qin law, a son sues his parents, and a concubine sues the master. If it is not an official complaint, the officials will not listen, so he was escorted back and left to the Zhang family to deal with."
…”
Of course, the two of them did not understand that "official lawsuit" and "non-official lawsuit" are the forms of litigation in Qinlu. Official lawsuits are cases in which people who are not related to them by blood are accused of theft, murder, injury, etc.
All cases reported to the public office must be accepted by Qin officials and cannot be refused.
"Non-official lawsuits" refer to children suing their parents, slaves suing their masters, etc. Qin officials generally do not accept cases that are non-official lawsuits.
This special rule in Qin's laws became a good excuse for Heifu to let the Zhang family go without breaking up the relationship between the two parties. He chose to be polite first and then fight, allowing Zhang Bo to make up for the stupid things he had done before.
However, after giving the Zhang family enough steps, Heifu's next words were full of threats.
"Zhang Shifu, this matter is not kept secret enough, even a small servant can know it. It is conceivable that there are countless people in the mansion who know about it! I am worried that after tomorrow, there will be an endless stream of people who will report this matter!
I can still help Zhang Shifu suppress them in Hufu Township, but if they sue them to Waihuang, they will sue them to Daliang."
Heifu sneered: "Zhang Shifu, I can't protect you anymore!"
With that said, Hei Fu threw a dagger at the feet of the Zhang brothers and said coldly to them: "Between the officials of Qin State and Qing Xia Xinyi, the two Zhang Juns should make a decision quickly.
OK!"
After saying this, Heifu and two of his men held Zhang Bo and Zhang Fu's sons at swords, and threatened them to get rid of Zhang Er's wife and son before dawn!
"In this way, firstly, we can prevent anyone from continuing to sue; secondly, we can save the entire Zhang family and Zihu's official position in Xianyang, so that he does not have to sit and be punished; thirdly, I can also explain to the superiors..."
…
Now, that unlucky slave had been killed by the Zhang brothers and buried under a tree in the backyard. But when it was his turn to "deal with" Zhang Er's wife and son, Zhang Bo hesitated.
Zhang Fu knew that time waits for no one. After looking at the time, he suddenly became angry and said to Zhang Bo: "The lives of the entire Zhang family and the rise and fall of the clan are all tied to this. My brother, you must make a decision!"
Of course Zhang Bo is aware of his current situation. The Zhang family has been tied to the Qin State. Seeing that Daliang is in danger day by day, Taoqiu and other places have been captured by the Qin army one after another. They are just small country lords and will never rebel again.
Therefore, there is only one choice, which is to kill Zhang Er's wife and son, and give the body to Hei Fu for delivery!
Zhang Bo, who had been tough for half his life, suddenly became cowardly at this moment. He was unable to give orders for a long time, and even sent people to the hall to ask Hei Fu: "Can the Qin soldiers take action?"
After a while, Chen Ping responded on the order of Hei Fu, and said lightly: "This matter started because of Zhang Shifu, and it should be concluded by Zhang Shifu himself, so as to prove to Youyou that Zhang's heart is towards the Qin State...
"
"If Zhang Jun really can't do anything, it would be fine to hand over Zhang Er's wife and son directly to You You, but in that case, You You can't guarantee whether Zhang Er's wife will confess when she comes to the superior.
Take them in and protect them..."
After saying this, Chen Ping bowed his head heavily, said goodbye and returned.
"What a ruthless Qin man!" Zhang Bo scolded: "He doesn't want to get his hands dirty, so why am I willing? This is because he wants my family to completely enmity with Zhang Er, cut off all escape options, and have no choice but to serve Qin wholeheartedly!
"
He was scolded, but when things came to a head, Zhang Bo had no choice but to choose the former between the lives of his parents and children, the future of his family and "faithfulness".
Under Zhang Fu's urging, he could only weakly gesture with his hands and let two servants who were loyal to the Zhang family hold sharp knives and follow him to the outside of the most mysterious courtyard and knock on the door...
…
It was already midnight, and the yard was dark, but not long after, the door opened. The old woman who had been arranged by Zhang Bo to take care of Zhang Er's wife, feed and clothe her son, cursed in a low voice as she opened the door.
"Who?"
"it's me……"
Seeing that the master was coming in person in the middle of the night, the old woman quickly stepped back and saluted. When she raised her head, she saw two boy servants holding sharp swords following closely behind her, and she was even more frightened.
After hearing the sound, Ms. Huang inside also hurriedly put on her clothes and walked out of the back room, only to see that she was in her thirties, but her charm was still the same as before, with curvy eyebrows, beautiful eyes, and delicate skin. She was worthy of being the most beautiful woman outside. She was wearing She wears a two-color underskirt that is long and falls to the floor. Her long black hair hangs down behind her. Because of the cool night breeze, she is also wearing a dark red dress. Under the moonlight, it is particularly dazzling.
"It turns out to be uncle."
After seeing Zhang Bo, Huang respectfully made a Wanfu salute to him. She bowed her knees solemnly and slowly and lowered her head. But when she looked up, she saw Zhang Bo's bitter face and two sword-wielding men on the left and right. Child servant.
Huang understood something immediately, and her face instantly became as pale as the moonlight.
"Niece... no, Mrs. Zhang, let's let it go. I am old, I really can't keep you and your son safe..."
Zhang Bo was speechless and could only bow his head and sigh.
After being dizzy for a while, Mrs. Huang regained her footing. She grabbed her clothes on her chest and said with difficulty: "I have been following my husband for nine years, and I often dream of swords and swords. I have long expected that such a day would come... …”
She raised her eyes and asked: "I dare to ask my uncle, but the Qin official came to the door?"
Zhang Bo nodded.
She wrung her hands and said, "Will I survive this time?"
Zhang Bo shook his head.
Mrs. Huang nodded silently, then turned around and looked at the ajar door. Her and Zhang Er's son, who was less than eight years old, was sleeping soundly inside, unaware that something was happening outside that would determine his fate.
Huang seemed to have made up her mind. She raised her hands to the level of her eyebrows, knelt down on her knees, lowered her head to the ground, and stayed up for a long time. Then she gave the heaviest bow to Zhang Bo...
Zhang Bo quickly avoided it and said shamefully: "I am ashamed to receive this gift."
"My uncle can bear it! When my uncle was in exile in the Yellow River, he took my mother and daughter in for two months out of love for an old friend. During this period, there was an endless supply of food and clothing, so that my mother and son could live a peaceful time in this chaotic world."
"Now that the officials of Qin are pressing the door, I think my uncle must hand over my mother and son, but he is afraid that I will be tortured and say something I shouldn't say, which will implicate the Zhang family. Therefore, when he hands me over, I will be a corpse. The corpse...is this what it is?"
Zhang Bo tilted his head. Although he didn't want to admit it, this was what he planned to do.
Huang said again: "But Ao'er is only seven years old and doesn't know the world. No matter how cruel the Qin officials are, they won't torture him. They ask for a confession from a child. I hope my uncle can save Ao'er's life because of the long-term friendship between the two families. !”
She raised her head and said with tears in her eyes: "His father has been wandering for half his life. He is nearly forty years old now. It is unknown whether he is alive or dead. Even if he survives, it is unknown whether he will have any heirs in the future." Zhang Ao then She is his only flesh and blood! The Qin people arrested my mother and son in order to force him to surrender. Zhang Ao's crime will not lead to death. Even if he joins the Qin Dynasty as a slave or a subordinate, he can at least leave an heir for his father..."
"I am willing to die in exchange for Zhang Ao's life, and I hope my uncle will allow me!"
What Huang said was so sincere that Zhang Bo was extremely ashamed. At this moment, his heart softened and he nodded inexplicably.
Huang was overjoyed, bowed her head three times, and then walked backwards back into the house.
She opened the thin gauze curtain, walked to the couch, gently stroked the child's hair, showed a soft smile, and left a last kiss on his cheek, with some tears staining it.
Finally, when Zhang Ao was in a daze, muttering in search of his mother, Huang forced herself to leave again.
She walked out of the room and reluctantly looked back at the figure of the child on the bed. Tears were streaming down her face, but she was still cruel. She closed the door with both hands. However, she stood on the steps and took out the shorts that Zhang Er had given her for self-defense. blade.
Huang's eyes were determined, and he slowly raised the short blade, raised it above his chest, and raised it to his slender neck...
Seeing this scene, Zhang Bo burst into tears. This bloated old man in his fifties actually knelt down and bowed his head in front of Mrs. Huang.
The dagger slipped from his hand and made a clanking sound...
The body was laid out on the steps.
The moon is pale.
Deep clothes are blood red...
…
Accompanied by children howling and crying in the backyard, Heifu and his men finally received the results of Zhang's treatment.
Zhang Bo walked ahead with a gloomy face. His two servants wrapped a blood-stained corpse in a large roll of white silk cloth and slowly walked to the hall before putting it down.
What appeared in front of Hei Fu and the others was a female corpse with a peaceful expression...
"Is this really Zhang Er's wife Huang?" Hei Fu was a little doubtful.
"The matter has been settled. As for whether you believe it or not, it depends on you." Zhang Bo stared at Hei Fu, his eyes full of regret.
Zhang Fu hurriedly pulled the sleeve of the clan brother, came over to take a look, and said with a cupped hand: "Nine years ago, Zhang Er married the Huang family and invited my two brothers. This is indeed the Huang family, there is no doubt about it!"
"Where is Zhang Ao, Zhang Er's son?" Chen Ping took a look and saw that there was only one body, so he couldn't help but ask. He was very concerned about this.
Zhang Bo said coldly: "A seven-year-old child, what does he know? I don't want to take action. If the person is in the backyard, Youyou can take it to the superior for a report. If both mother and child die, I'm afraid it can't be used to coerce Zhang Er. Bring him to justice."
Although the words were unpleasant to hear, one could faintly hear that Zhang Bo hoped that Hei Fu could spare the child's life.
Chen Ping shook his head disapprovingly, but in front of the Zhang brothers, he hesitated to speak.
Heifu laughed loudly. He put away the sword that had been in his hand, released Zhang Bo's son, and said: "Since Zhang Bo's husband doesn't care about the child talking nonsense, what do I care about? Second and third sons, take the corpse with you. , young children, return to camp!”
He knew that what he was playing today was a complete "bad guy".
But Hei Fu was also helpless. He was ordered to arrest the mother and son, but they were hiding in Zhang Cang's uncle's house. Hei Fu could not destroy the Zhang family in order to fulfill the wanted order. Not only would he not be able to complete the food collection task, but Hei Fu would also be helpless. He disrupted the order of his hometown, and even made enemies with Zhang Cang who was far away in Xianyang. He was the only person he knew these days who had the potential to be a scientist. Just to catch Zhang Er's wife and son, he was rewarded with tens of thousands of dollars? It's not worth it. .
But Heifu can't let it go, because this matter cannot be hidden. If someone comes to Waihuang afterwards and Daliang files a complaint, not only will Zhang be blamed, but he himself will also be involved. A cover-up charge will be inevitable. .
After much deliberation, he still forced Zhang to take action himself, kill Zhang Er's wife and son, and lay their bodies outside. It would be better to say that Zhang and himself captured and killed them together. This would not only bring an end to the matter, but also Can protect the Zhang family.
Although Zhang Bo killed the older one and left the younger one behind in the end, it didn't do any harm.
When leaving Zhang's house, unlike Zhang Fu and Zhang's children who were apologizing and thanking Hei Fu for "promoting his noble hand", the old and bloated Zhang Bo had lost the strength to walk after tonight's blow. He was helpless. Several boy servants carried him, looked at Hei Fu steadily, and suddenly said:
"Hei Fu, I won't thank you. If you commit an unjust act against me today, I will bear a grudge against you!"
"Shut up!" Zhang Fu scolded you quickly, and then said with a smile: "Don't worry about You You, I know your difficulties, Zhang will remember You You's kindness, and I will also write a letter to Zihu in Xianyang Tell him the truth truthfully..."
Heifu shook his head and said he didn't care.
There is no need for him to argue with this bloated old man who is outspoken but has no courage to resist. From the looks of it, Zhang Bo may not live long.
Heifu asked Dongmen Leopard to carry Zhang Ao, who was struggling and crying for his mother, on his shoulders. While walking in the inner courtyard, he thought: "Yes, Zhang Bo, you will hate me in five years, ten years. I have been carrying this hatred into the coffin. But the Zhang family and Zhang Cang who are far away in Xianyang will thank me! Thank me for saving me!"
