Small town neither too big nor too small, more than 600 families, in the town/subdues the poverty-stricken families' gateways, Chen Ping'an mostly recognizes, as for the family property rich wealthy families, doorstep is high, the peasant youngster may cross, spacious alley that some wealthy and powerful families huddle together, Chen Ping'an has not even visited, that side street, the multi- shops by the green slat of bulk, the wet weather, will not step on the mud to scatter. These quality of material extremely good green slats, after for a lot of years the stepping on steamroll of group of people vehicles, have stroked gently smoothly like the mirror. 小镇不大不小,六百多户人家,镇上穷苦人家的门户,陈平安大多认得,至于家底殷实的有钱人家,门槛高,泥腿子少年可跨不进去,一些个大户扎堆的宽敞巷弄,陈平安甚至都没有踏足过,那边的街道,多铺以大块大块的青石板,下雨天,绝不会一脚踩下去泥浆四溅。那些质地极佳的青石板,经过千百年来人马车辆的踩踏碾压,早已摩挲得光滑如镜。 Lu, Li, Zhao, the Song four surnames, the small town were great surname, the rural private school are the money that this several families paid, mostly had 2-3 big dragon kiln outside the city. Career experience includes the kiln service to oversee the manufacture of the official mansion of officer, with these families on a street. 卢、李、赵、宋四个姓氏,在小镇这边是大姓,乡塾就是这几家出的钱,在城外大多拥有2-3座大龙窑。历任窑务督造官的官邸,就和这几户人家在一条街上。 Ten letters that unluckily, Chen Ping'an must deliver today, almost is the extravagant household that the small town becomes famous, this is also very fair, dragon births dragon, phoenix births phoenix, mouse birth children to build tunnels, can mail a letter the distant traveller far from home who goes home, the family background is not definitely bad, otherwise does not have that energy to go out the long journey. And nine letters, Chen Ping'an actually went to two places, Good Fortune Deer Street and Peach Leaf Lane, when he first time on green slat that steps on a big way in such as the bedboard, some youngster nervous, slowed down the footsteps, actually somewhat felt inferior, cannot bear feel own straw sandal dirty street surface. 不凑巧,陈平安今天要送的十封信,几乎全是小镇出了名的阔绰户,这也很合情合理,龙生龙凤生凤,老鼠生儿打地洞,能够寄信回家的远方游子,家世肯定不差,否则也没那底气出门远行。其中九封信,陈平安其实就去了两个地方,福鹿街和桃叶巷,当他第一次踩在大如床板的青石板上,少年有些忐忑,放缓了脚步,竟然有些自惭形秽,忍不住觉得自己的草鞋脏了街面。 The first letter/believes that Chen Ping'an delivers, is the ancestor obtains a emperor gift of the emperor jade ruyi Lu Family, when the youngster stands in the entrance, even more uncomfortable. 陈平安送出去的第一封信,是祖上得到过一柄皇帝御赐玉如意的卢家,当少年站在门口,愈发局促不安。 The wealthy families are fastidious many, the Lu Family house did not say greatly, the entrance also places two stone lion, waits for the person to be high, the imposing manner is arrogant. Song Jixin said that this gadget can shunning ominous, suppressing evil, ominously what Chen Ping'an is not clear evil, is only very curious and the others the high lion mouth, probably also holds a stone ball of grain of plump, how does this carve? Chen Ping'an suppresses to touch stone ball the impulsion, walks up the stair, the buckle makes a sound that bronze lion gate head, quick has youngster to open the door to go out, heard is delivers a letter, that person of unemotional, uses two fingers to twirl one of the letter's corns, after receiving that letter, then the turning around half step walks into the house, closes to attach the colored drawing on pottery God of Wealth statue front door layer on layer/heavily. 有钱人家就是讲究多,卢家宅子大不说,门口还摆放两尊石狮子,等人高,气势凌人。宋集薪说这玩意儿能够避凶镇邪,陈平安根本不清楚何谓凶邪,只是很好奇等人高的狮子嘴里,好像还含着一粒圆滚滚的石球,这又是如何雕琢出来的？陈平安强忍住去触摸石球的冲动,走上台阶,扣响那个青铜狮子门首,很快就有个年轻人开门走出,一听说是来送信的,那人面无表情,用双指捻住信封一角,接过那封家书后,便转身快步走入宅子,重重关上贴有彩绘财神像的大门。 Later the delivering a letter process of youngster, is so ordinary, the Peach Leaf Lane corner has name of head of household sound others not obviously, what opening the door is benign countenance short and small old man, after receiving the letter/believes, said the sentence: „Young fellow, good work. Can come to rest, drinks a hot water?” 之后少年的送信过程,也是这般平淡无奇,桃叶巷街角有户名声不显的人家,开门的是个慈眉善目的矮小老人,收起信后,笑着说了句:“小伙子,辛苦了。要不要进来歇歇,喝口热水？” The youngster smile shyly, shake the head, are running departure. 少年腼腆笑了笑,摇摇头,跑着离去。 old man puts in the sleeve that letter gently, is not anxious to return to his home, looks up to the distant place, line of sight turbid. 老人将那封家书轻轻放入袖子,没有着急回去宅院,抬头望向远方,视线浑浊。 Finally the line of sight, from high to low, from far to near, is staring at street both sides peach tree, seemingly obsolete muddle-headed old man, this squeezes out smilling expression. 最后视线,由高到低,由远及近,凝视着街道两旁的桃树,貌似老朽昏聩的老人,这才挤出一丝笑意。 old man turns around to depart. 老人转身离去。 In a while, a color lovable small canary stops to the peach tree branch, the beak pecking is still tender, neighed gently. 没过多久,一只颜色可爱的小黄雀停到桃树枝头,喙啄犹嫩,轻轻嘶鸣。 Keeps the final that letter/believes, Chen Ping'an needs to send to school teacher that the rural private school instructs, in this period passed by one to tell fortunes booth, is young Daoist that wears the old-fashioned Daoist robe, after the stiff back assumes the table, he wears tall hat, like a blooming lotus flower. 留到最后的那封信,陈平安需要送去给乡塾授业的教书先生,期间路过一座算命摊子,是个身穿老旧道袍的年轻道士,挺直腰杆坐镇桌后,他头戴一顶高冠,像一朵绽放的莲花。 After young daoist sees the half step has run the youngster, without delay greeted: „youngster, passed through to pass by do not miss, pulls out a bamboo slip, poor daoist helped you be counted an trigram, can help you know in advance the good and bad fortune weal and woe.” 年轻道人看到快步跑过的少年后,赶紧打招呼道:“年轻人,走过路过不要错过,来抽一支签,贫道帮你算上一卦,可以帮你预知吉凶福祸。” Chen Ping'an has not stopped the footsteps, has turned the head, beckons with the hand. 陈平安没有停下脚步,不过转过头,摆摆手。 daoist still does not lose heart, the body leans forward, raises the voice, „youngster, poor daoist for person solution sign, must receive ten coins in those days, today makes an exception, only receives your three coins! Naturally, if take out in signed, your might as well again several plus one article tips, if the good luck overhead, is good draw, that poor daoist also only receives your five coins, how?” 道人犹不死心,身体前倾,提高嗓门,“年轻人,往日贫道替人解签,要收十文钱,今儿破个例,只收你三文钱！当然了,若是抽出了一支上签,你不妨再多加一文喜钱,如果鸿运当头,是上上签,那贫道也只收你五文钱,如何？” The distant place Chen Ping'an footsteps, obviously stopped, young daoist already set out with great speed, strike while the iron is hot, high sound said: „ On early in the morning, youngster you are the guest, poor daoist achieve the bottom on the good person simply, so long as you sit down draw lots, to tell you the truth, poor daoist will write some yellow paper rune, can help you pray for the ancestors, saves secret virtue, by the poor daoist ability, does not dare saying that certainly makes one throw the good embryo of very rich, 远处陈平安的脚步,明显停顿了一下,年轻道人已经火速起身,趁热打铁,高声道:“大早上的,年轻人你是头位客人,贫道干脆就好人做到底,只要你坐下抽签,实不相瞒,贫道会写一些黄纸符文,可以帮你为先人祈福,积攒阴德,以贫道的能耐,不敢说一定让人投个大富大贵的好胎, But must say that are many 1-2 points of karmic reward, after all is tries. ” Chen Ping'an gawked staring, turns around to return halfly believing and half doubting, sits on the bench before booth. 可要说多出1-2福报,终归是尝试一下的。”陈平安愣了愣,将信将疑地转身返回,坐在摊子前的长凳上。 Simple Daoist, a poor youngster, two big or small poor wretches, sits facing each other. 一朴素道士,一寒酸少年,两个大小穷光蛋,相对而坐。 daoist puts out a hand with a smile, hints the youngster to take up the bamboo tube containing lot for divination. 道人笑着伸出手,示意少年拿起签筒。 Chen Ping'an is indecisive, suddenly said: „My not draw lots, you only help me write yellow paper rune, is good?” 陈平安犹豫不决,突然说道:“我不抽签,你只帮我写一份黄纸符文,行不行？” In the Chen Ping'an memory, probably this wanders young daoist master hence, treated for at least 56 years in small town already, the appearance has no change actually, to who polite and amiable, usually is helps the person tell fortunes by phrenology tells fortunes by physiognomy and divines according to the diagrams draw lots, occasionally can also write the letter, interestingly, on the table that is only crowding around the bamboo tube containing lots for divination of 108 bamboo slips, in all these last few years, small town all people draw lots, no one take out good draw, no one sways under one to sign from the bamboo tube containing lot for divination, as if entire 108 bamboo slips, sign in the bamboo slip on not to have bad signing. 在陈平安的记忆中,好像这位云游至此的年轻道爷,在小镇已经待了最少五六年,模样倒是没什么变化,对谁也都和和气气的,平时就是帮人摸骨看相、算卦抽签,偶尔也能代写家书,有意思的是,桌案上那只拥簇着一百零八支竹签的签筒,这么多年来,小镇男男女女抽签,既没有谁抽出过上上签,也没有谁从签筒摇晃出一支下签,仿佛整整一百零八签,签签中上无坏签。 If at holidays, purely to ask for a good good luck, on small town common people flower ten coins, can accept, may really meet the worrying matter, some people are not definitely willing to come to here to be the fool. If said that this Daoist is the from head to tail swindler, poured was also unfair to others, the small town was so big, if really only will play tricks, swindling and abducting, had expelled. Therefore this young daoist skill, definitely not at physiognomy and solution bamboo slip two matters. Some actually slight illness small disasters, many people drank daoist one bowl of talisman water, quick can be getting better, was quite effective. 所以若是逢年过节,纯粹为了讨个好彩头,小镇百姓花上十文钱,也能接受,可真遇上烦心事,肯定不会有人愿意来这里当冤大头。若说这个道士是彻头彻尾的骗子,倒也冤枉了人家,小镇就这么大,如果真只会装神弄鬼、坑蒙拐骗,早就给人撵了出去。所以说这位年轻道人的功力,肯定不在相术、解签两事上。倒是有些小病小灾,很多人喝了道人的一碗符水,很快就能痊愈,颇为灵验。 young daoist shakes the head saying: „The poor daoist conduct, treats both the young and old honestly, reaches an agreement the understanding of sign to write the symbol same place, receives your five coins.” 年轻道人摇头道:“贫道行事,童叟无欺,说好了解签加写符一起,收你五文钱的。” Chen Ping'an refuted in a low voice: „Is three coins.” 陈平安低声反驳道:“是三文钱。” daoist haha said with a smile: „If by some chance take out good draw, were not five coins.” 道人哈哈笑道:“万一抽出上上签,可不就是五文钱了嘛。” Chen Ping'an sets firm resolve, puts out a hand to take the bamboo tube containing lot for divination, suddenly raised the head to ask: „How daoist priest knows on me has five coins?” 陈平安下定决心,伸手去拿签筒,突然抬头问道:“道长是如何知道我身上恰好有五文钱？” daoist sits respectfully, „poor daoist looks at the person good fortune thickness, how much the good luck in making money, is always very accurate.” 道人正襟危坐,“贫道看人福气厚薄,财运多寡,一向很准。” Chen Ping'an thinks, takes up that bamboo tube containing lot for divination. 陈平安想了想,拿起那只签筒。 The daoist smile said: „youngster, should not be anxious, in the life ultimately must have sometimes, when the life does not have demands not, regards with the moderation without the routine matter, is the first-grade completely safe law.” 道人微笑道:“年轻人,不要紧张,命里有时终须有,命里无时莫强求,以平常心看待无常事,便是第一等万全法。” Chen Ping'an returns on the bamboo tube containing lot for divination the table again, the facial expression is serious, asks: „daoist priest, I give you five coins, not draw lots, only invited daoist priest that yellow paper rune, writing was usually better, was good?” 陈平安重新将签筒放回桌上,神情郑重,问道:“道长,我把五文钱都给你,也不抽签了,只请道长将那张黄纸符文,写得比平时更好一些,行不行？” daoist smilling expression is usual, slightly makes the consideration, the nod said: „But.” 道人笑意如常,略作思量,点头道:“可。” On the table, the pen ink stone paper has arranged, daoist had asked carefully Chen Ping'an parents' name native place birthday, take out yellow talisman paper, quick finished, do something at one go. 桌案上,笔墨砚纸早就备好,道人仔细问过了陈平安爹娘的姓名籍贯生辰,抽出一张黄色符纸,很快就写完,一气呵成。 As for writing anything, Chen Ping'an knew nothing about. 至于写了什么,陈平安茫然不知。 Puts to start writing, raises that talisman paper, young daoist blows the ink marks, „after going home, the person stands in doorstep, burns the yellow paper outside doorstep, on line.” 搁下笔,提起那张符纸,年轻道人吹了吹墨迹,“拿回家后,人站在门槛内,将黄纸烧在门槛外,就行了。” The youngster received that talisman paper seriously, after collecting cautiously, had not forgotten that places on five copper coin the table, bows in thanks. 少年郑重其事地接过那张符纸,小心翼翼珍藏起来后,没有忘记把五枚铜钱放在桌案上,鞠躬致谢。 young daoist waves, hints the youngster to be busy at own matter going. 年轻道人挥挥手,示意少年忙自己的事情去。 Chen Ping'an disperses the leg to run to deliver the last letter/believes. 陈平安撒开腿跑去送最后一封信。 daoist by the chair, shot a look at a copper coin lazily, before bending the waist to put out a hand them to hug the body . 道人懒洋洋靠在椅子上,瞥了眼铜钱,弯腰伸手将它们搂到身前。 In the meantime, a small and exquisite canary, swoops from the upper air to the desktop on, pecked a some copper coin lightly, soon then did not have the interest, flutters to go far away. 就在此时,一只小巧玲珑的黄雀,从高空飞扑到桌面上,轻啄了一下某颗铜钱,很快便没了兴致,振翅远去。 „The yellow sparrow is waiting for the flowers, but the gentleman's peach blossoms have not yet bloomed.” “黄雀始欲衔花来,君家种桃花未开。” After daoist read this poetry easely, did intentionally confident and at ease to wield the sleeve gently, sighed: „In life eight chi (0.33 m), don't sought one zhang (3.33 m).” 道人悠悠然念完这句诗词后,故作潇洒地轻轻挥袖,叹气道:“命里八尺,莫求一丈啊。” This wields the sleeve, two bamboo slips fall from the sleeve, fall on the ground, daoist, without delay pick aiyu, is stealthy looks around everywhere, discovered that temporarily no one pays attention here, this feels relieved, enters the loose sleeve cuff that two bamboo slip conceals again. young daoist coughs, puts on a serious face , to continue to wait for gains without pains, waits for the next guest. 这一挥袖,就有两支竹签从袖子里滑落,掉在地上,道人哎呦一声,赶紧捡起来,然后鬼鬼祟祟四处张望,发现暂时无人留心这边,这才如释重负,重新将那两支竹签藏入宽松的袖口。年轻道人咳嗽一声,板起脸,继续守株待兔,等待下一位客人。 His some deeply moved, really make the money of female, is easier. 他有些感慨,果然还是赚女子的钱,更容易一些。 Actually, in the young daoist sleeve hides two bamboo slips, on most signs, most under signs, is used to make money. 其实,年轻道人袖中所藏两支竹签,一支是最上签,一支是最下签,都是用来挣大钱的。 Said for the bystander insufficient. 不足为外人道也。 The youngster were not naturally clear that these mysterious profound and abstruse principles, the footsteps are lithe, arrive at outside that rural private school dwelling, the nearby bamboo grove is elegant, the green meaning drops. 少年自然不清楚这些奥妙玄机,一路脚步轻盈,来到那座乡塾馆舍外,附近竹林郁郁,绿意欲滴。 Chen Ping'an slows down the footsteps, in the room resounds the mellow voice of middle-aged person, „sunrise has luminary, lamb fur as if moistened.” 陈平安放缓脚步,屋内响起中年人的醇厚嗓音,“日出有曜,羔裘如濡。” Afterward then the neat clear immature voices resound, „sunrise has luminary, lamb fur as if moistened.” 随后便有一阵齐整清脆的稚嫩嗓音响起,“日出有曜,羔裘如濡。” Chen Ping'an looks up, display of vigour and vitality, bright vast. 陈平安抬头望去,旭日东升,煌煌泱泱。 Youngster lost in thought. 少年怔怔出神。 When he has gotten back one's composure, the private school child is assuming an air of self approbation, according to the request of Mister, recited a passage adeptly: „Jingzhe, the world produces, myriad things beginning glory. The night lies early good, broad step in court, Nobleman goes slowly, so that fresh will......” 等他回过神,蒙学孩童正在摇头晃脑,按照先生的要求,娴熟背诵一段文章:“惊蛰时分,天地生发,万物始荣。夜卧早行,广步于庭,君子缓行,以便生志……” Chen Ping'an stands in the school entrance, starts to speak but hesitates. 陈平安站在学塾门口,欲言又止。 Middle-aged Confucian Scholar of two temple slightly frosts turns the head to look, goes out of the room gently. 两鬓微霜的中年儒士转头望来,轻轻走出屋子。 Chen Ping'an dispatches correspondence both hands, said respectfully: „This is the Mister correspondence.” 陈平安将书信双手递出去,恭敬道:“这是先生的书信。” After a azure garments tall man received the envelope, warm voice said: „Later safe/without matter time, you can come to here to audit.” 一袭青衫的高大男人接过信封后,温声说道:“以后无事的时候,你可以多来这里旁听。” Chen Ping'an is somewhat awkward, after all he not necessarily really has the time this hear of this Mister to teach, the youngster is not willing to deceive him. 陈平安有些为难,毕竟他未必真有时间来此听这位先生教书,少年不愿欺骗他。 The men smile, are with good intention saying: „Might as well, the truth all in the book, cultivates the behavior actually outside the book. You go busily.” 男人笑了笑,善解人意道:“无妨,道理全在书上,做人却在书外。你去忙吧。” Chen Ping'an relaxes, says goodbye to depart. 陈平安松了口气,告辞离去。 After the youngster run is very far, the unexpected happening turns the head to look. 少年跑出去很远后,鬼使神差地转头回望。 Sees only that Mister consistently to stand in the entrance, the form bathes in the sunlight, looks from afar, just likes the Deity. 只见那位先生始终站在门口,身影沐浴在阳光中,远远望去,恍若神人。