carrying book, Wei He continues to walk toward the cloth shop, soon, actually saw that the roadside also has the distillery unexpectedly. 提着书,魏合继续朝布匹店走去,不多时,却看到路边居然还有酒坊。 However the distillery entrance wine taste does not have. Displaces, is the big share tea flavor. 不过酒坊门口已经一点酒味也没了。取而代之的,是大股子茶水味道。 In the distillery this season, still flutters even unceasingly the boasting speaking voice. 酒坊里就算是这个时节,也不断飘出吹牛说话声。 Wei He paused, walks to lift the curtain, entered the distillery. 魏合顿了顿,走过去掀开门帘,进了酒坊。 Fangli sat ten people sparsely, majority is the clothes is neat. 坊里稀稀疏疏坐了十来人,大部分都是衣着打扮还算整齐。 Can also be able to maintain the dignity in this way of the world, person but who can also drink tea, many are the people of some family properties. 能在这个世道还能维持体面,还能来喝茶的人,多是有些家底之人。 Nearby corner, squats to sit three dishevelled hair and dirty face emaciated people, in front of three people put a wooden sign, above respective crooked writes: Sells into servitude to bury the father, sells into servitude to bury mother, sells into servitude to bury the younger brother. 一旁的墙角处,蹲坐着三个蓬头垢面的瘦弱人,三人前面都放了一块木牌,上边各自歪斜的写着:卖身葬父,卖身葬母,卖身葬弟。 Three people arrange one row, miserable incomparable, but why Wei He actually does not know, the heart is speechless. 三人排成一排,凄凉无比,但魏合却不知道为何,心头无语。 His carrying book arrives at a spatial table to sit down. 他提着书走到一张空桌边坐下。 Immediately then the girl goes forward, pours water to him. And said the price carefully. 马上便有一女孩上前,给他倒水。并且小心的说了价钱。 Some different tea different prices, here does not need multigrain noodles to trade, but receives the Tongcheng Gang relief sign. 不同茶水有不同价钱,这里不用杂粮面交易,而是收通城帮的救济牌。 „Tongcheng Gang relief sign?” The Wei He surprise, „what is that?” “通城帮救济牌？”魏合诧异,“那是什么？” „ Customer has not to know, this Tongcheng Gang Gang Lord his old person, pities big fellow to earn a living difficultly, then provided batches of reliefs. “客官有所不知,这通城帮帮主他老人家,怜悯大家伙艰难过活,便发放了一批批救济。 This relief sign, is used to receive the relief food. The relief sign, can trade certain amount multigrain noodles together. ” 这救济牌,就是用来领取救济粮的。一块救济牌,能换一定量的杂粮面。” Girl skilled answered, does not know evidently said many. 女孩熟练的解释道,看样子也是不知道说了多少遍。 Relief sign? 救济牌？ Of can Tongcheng Gang this three gangs and two sects, such good intention? 这三帮二派之一的通城帮,会这么好心？ Wei He does not believe that in this world does not have good with no reason at all. And the back has the scheme. 魏合不信,这世上没有无缘无故的好。其中背后定有图谋。 „If the guest does not have the relief sign, can pay a bill with inner city gold bean.” Girl reminder. “若是客人没有救济牌,也可以用内城金豆付账。”女孩提醒。 gold bean Wei He has actually. 金豆魏合倒是有。 He killed many mountain bandit recently, in the purse that snatches are most, was this type says is gold bean, actually doped the angle copper of gold. 他最近杀了不少的山匪,抢来的钱袋子里最多的,就是这种说是金豆,其实只是掺杂了黄金的铜角。 This thing ten can trade a piece of gold leaf, ten pieces of gold leaves trade tael of gold, is the inner city simplest currency. 这东西十颗能换一片金叶,十片金叶换一两黄金,算是内城最简单的流通货币。 The inner city can also the present maintain the stable price, depends entirely on the stability of Seven Families Union. 内城还能如今维持稳定物价,也是全靠七家盟的稳定。 Does not know this Seven Families Union, how long but can also support. 就是不知这七家盟,还能撑多久。 The Wei He heart sighed, wanted pot buckwheat barley tea, placed on the table, calmly is drinking, as for the price was gold bean . 魏合心头叹息,要了一壶荞麦茶,放在桌上,静静喝着,至于价钱就是一颗金豆,还有余。 The shop owner volume sent out his one plate of shelled peanuts. 店家额外送了他一碟花生米。 That shelled peanut some stale tastes, actually in pot buckwheat barley tea, full is the buckwheat and miscellaneous grains meter/rice, drinks up the water also to work as the food to eat. 那花生米都有些霉味了,倒是一壶荞麦茶里,满满的全是荞麦和杂粮米,喝完水还能当饭吃。 Wei He sits down safely, is planned in this present city of pleasant to hear situation, this distillery teahouse and so on place, chatted the good destination that boasted, naturally was the news circulation agglomeration. 魏合安心坐下,便是打算好好听听这如今的城里情况,这酒坊茶馆之类的地方,正是闲聊吹牛的好去处,也自然是消息流通的聚集地。 The person who generally can come to this place, does not worry to eat and drink, idles is all right dry/does loose cultivator. This humanoid often has spends freely the time greatly, since the family/home does not worry the food and clothing, naturally is not the common family, has certain family property heel (background). 一般能来这种地方的人,都是不愁吃喝,闲得没事干的散人。这类人往往有大把时间挥霍,家里既然不愁吃穿,也自然不是寻常家庭,都有一定家底跟脚。 So however comes, the news naturally has quick much. 如此而来,消息自然多有灵通。 Once some people have what amusing thing unusual happening, often will come to here to publicize the dissemination, shares with the good friend, by this in everyone's key concern that this becomes, obtains the vanity and feeling of satisfaction in position. 这部分人一旦有什么趣事奇事,往往都会来这里宣扬传播,和好友分享,以此在这成为的大家的关注焦点,获得地位上的虚荣心和满足感。 But the accumulations of these people, further attracted person who does their business. If the storyteller, Jianghu sings for a living, sells bent/tune people and others. 而这些人的聚集,也进一步吸引了做他们生意的人。如说书人,江湖卖唱,卖曲人等。 The entertaining fashion becomes many, further brings in more popularity. 娱乐方式变多,又进一步引来更多人气。 But these storytellers and so on, because of being widely traveled, can further bring various many genuine and fake uncertain message information. 而这些说书人之类,因为走南闯北,也能进一步带来更多真假不定的各种消息信息。 Wei He wants is this type of channel. In any case after his present Stone Skin , without urging of Master Zheng to stare, free time big. Spends a day of time probe is also the matter of necessary. 魏合要的就是这种渠道。反正他如今石皮后,没了郑师的督促盯着,自由时间一大把。花一天时间调查情况也是必要之事。 ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ Perpetual Peace Escort Office. 永和镖局。 In somewhat miserable stone slab square. 有些凄凉的石板广场上。 Several Great Chief and Cheng Family main men, present. Many armed escort, came from the each area sub-bureau. 几个大镖头和程家的主干男人们,都在场。还有不少的镖师,也都从各个町的分局来了。 Dozens about hundred people gather together, dense is the head/number of people, is waits for a news. 数十近百人聚在一起,黑压压的全是人头,都是来等个消息。 Cheng Shaojiu also stands in the front row of Cheng Family adult male, calmly is waiting for the news. 程少久也站在程家男丁的前列,静静等着消息。 Is waiting for the main chief Cheng Zhengxing news. 等着总镖头程正兴的消息。 Soon, Cheng Zhengxing and several armed escort come from the square together. 不多时,程正兴和几个镖师一起从广场外进来。 His complexion is stiff, does not say a word, walks toward the speech wooden table of highest place. 他面色僵硬,一言不发,一路朝着最高处的讲话木台走去。 surroundings armed escort are in abundance automatic to him give away a road. 周围镖师们纷纷自动给他让出一条路。 Soon, when Cheng Zhengxing arrives at the Cheng Shaojiu side, paused, looked at oneself nephew one eyes, wants to say anything. 不多时,程正兴走到程少久身边时,顿了顿,看了自己侄子一眼,想说什么。 But has not opened the mouth, but continues to move toward the stage. 但还是没开口,而是继续走向高台。 In stage. 高台上。 Quick Cheng Zhengxing walks step by step, stands the highest place, is gazing at everyone downward. 很快程正兴一步步走上去,站到最高处,往下注视着大家。 The people also focus to him on abundance. 众人也纷纷聚焦到他身上。 Very peaceful atmosphere, was just more peaceful at this time, even was static somewhat fearfully. 刚刚就很安静的气氛,此时更加安静,甚至静得有些可怕。 Everyone turns very quiet slightly, the arrival of waiting stop press. 所有人都微微屏住呼吸,等待最后消息的到来。 Cheng Zhengxing looks around, this big escort office team, is his foot, spent for dozens years to fight. 程正兴举目四望,这诺大的镖局队伍,是他一手一脚,花了数十年时间打拼出来。 But now ..... 而现在..... He opened the opens the mouth, wants to speak. 他张了张口,想要说话。 But Sun is too spicy, hot exposing to the sun must he perspire unexpectedly. 但太阳太辣,热腾腾的晒得他居然都出汗了。 He feels the chest to be depressed, the deep breath several times, cannot alleviate, instead is getting more and more stuffy. 他感觉胸口发闷,深呼吸了几次,都没能缓解过来,反而越来越闷。 Recently he stayed up late continuously, bustles about, to maintain the escort office present vitality. 最近他连续熬夜,东奔西走,就是为了维持镖局如今的生机。 But this last escort, is all qualifications that he turns over/stands up. 而这最后一单镖,就是他翻身的一切本钱。 He all, pressed. 他把所有的一切,都压了上去。 But .... 但.... In Cheng Zhengxing heart an icy coldness, then obviously hot day. His actually whole body feels cold. 程正兴心中一片冰凉,明明那么热的天。他却浑身发冷。 He makes an effort to shake hand, in the palm does not have a temperature. 他用力握了握手,掌心里没有一点温度。 „I......” “我......” He opens the mouth finally. 他终于张开口。 Everyone is staring at him. 所有人都盯着他。 Everyone is waiting for him. 所有人都等着他。 Cheng Zhengxing opens the mouth again. 程正兴再度张开口。 „I .... Let everyone ....” “我....让大家....” He felt suddenly at present an intermittent dizziness, the ear one deceives, seemed stopped up by anything, suddenly anything cannot hear. 他忽然感觉眼前一阵阵晕眩,耳朵一下蒙住,仿佛被什么东西堵住,突然什么也听不到。 Body cannot help but in the future one supine. 身体不由自主的往后一仰。 pū tōng. 噗通。 His anything does not know. 他什么也不知道了。 Cheng Family must but actually. 程家要倒了。 This news is ordinary just like the storm, spreads through armed escort there that the settlement leaves rapidly. 这个消息宛如风暴一般,迅速通过结算离开的镖师那里传开。 armed escort are waiting for this escort trip to recall all finally. 镖师们都在等着最后这趟镖能不能挽回一切。 But pitifully, this escort trip ended, was robbed. 但可惜,这趟镖完了,被劫了。 But was sent by great expectations main chief Cheng Zhengxing, fell ill thoroughly, faints to fall to the ground at the scene. 而被寄以厚望的总镖头程正兴,也彻底一病不起,当场晕厥倒地。 Because lost the dart, Perpetual Peace Escort Office must pay faced with a large amount of indemnity of sky-high price. 因为失了镖,永和镖局要面临一笔天价的巨额赔款需要支付。 But the Cheng Zhengxing stupor fell ill, escort office no one can take on the general situation. Before could not have paid the armed escort wage quickly, now main chief drops down, accumulation armed escort are unable to endure patiently finally. 而程正兴昏迷病倒,镖局无人能担大局。之前本来就已经快发不出镖师薪水了,现在总镖头倒下,原本聚集的镖师们终于无法忍耐。 Person who part of old armed escort heavy sentiments, in the family/home have the grain, leaves behind waiting reluctantly. 一部分老镖师重感情,家里有粮的人,勉强留下等待情况。 But most young armed escort originally are flowing, at this time leaves rapidly, seeks for other manual labor. 但大部分年轻镖师本就是流动来流动去,此时迅速离开,寻找其他活计。 In short one day, escort office is rapid, Cheng Shaojiu under the assistance of two chief, all grain assets in the family/home criticizes. 短短一天内,镖局迅速人烟稀少,程少久在两个镖头的辅助下,把家里所有粮食资产清算一遍。 Actually discovered with amazement, unexpectedly is worse enough pays damages this escort trip value. 却骇然发现,居然还差一些才够赔付这趟镖的价值。 „According to double payment customs .... At least also lacks seven hundred tael of gold ....” “按照双倍赔付规矩....至少还缺七百两黄金....” Cheng Shaojiu wife Cheng née Zhang that the accountants come, the worried look said in a low voice. 账房出身的程少久妻子程张氏,低声愁眉道。 „700 taels ....” Cheng Shaojiu clenches teeth to look at front box of commodity and grain meat. “七百两....”程少久咬牙看着面前的一箱箱物资和粮肉。 If usually, seven hundred tael of gold, although is nothing more or less, but his escort office big enterprise has lots of assets, can take. 若是平日里,七百两黄金虽然不多不少,但他镖局家大业大,也能拿出来。 But now... 但现在... The uncle falling ill stupor, in the family/home everyone's pin money planned, support of several Great Chief. 大伯病倒昏迷,家里所有人的私房钱都筹了出来,其中还有几个大镖头的鼎力支持。 Actually lacks seven hundred tael of gold .... 却还是缺七百两黄金.... Whom can he ask to borrow this sum of money? 他能找谁借这笔钱？ surroundings who can with obtaining this sum of money? 周围谁能拿得出这笔钱？ In the Cheng Shaojiu heart a confusedness, is the same just like the mountain simultaneously, presses layer on layer/heavily in his heart. 程少久心中一片迷茫,同时宛如有一座山一样,重重压在他心头。 „Young Main Chief ....” Great Chief Cheng Kai starts to speak but hesitates, but is thinking seven hundred tael of gold gaps, he simply does not have the means to collect so many. “少总镖头....”大镖头程凯欲言又止,但想着七百两黄金的缺口,他根本没办法凑出这么多。 „That side wanted in our two days, gave the answer, otherwise took Silver-Mouthed Black Snake rearing method to go out to bill at a reduced price.” The wife Cheng née Zhang sound reverberates in the Cheng Shaojiu ear. “那边要我们就这两天内,给出答复,否则就拿银吻黑蛇的蓄养法出去抵价。”妻子程张氏的声音在程少久耳边回响。 He is clenching teeth, does not know how oneself are returns to the room to rest. 他咬着牙,根本不知道自己是怎么回房休息的。 Next day, his ignorant person said that is tries to find the solution, changes the clothes, in the Turning Mountain Fist Courtyard direction. 第二天,他浑浑噩噩的一个人说是去想办法,换上衣服,朝着回山拳院方向去了。 Arrived courtyard, he stood in his corner/horn dull, looks at the raising charcoal fire the iron sand basin, motionless. 到了院子里,他呆呆的站在自己的一角里,看着升起炭火的铁砂盆,一动不动。 surroundings usually in the fellow apprentices who he is on intimate terms, does not utter a word, does not come to call with him. 周围平日里和他称兄道弟的师兄弟,都一声不吭,也不过来和他招呼。 But Xiao Ran Jiang Yan Jiang Su three people, has become estranged with him gradually, does not treat sees him. 而萧然江严姜苏三人,也早已和他渐渐疏远,不怎么待见他。 He raises eyes to look, knew in the heart everyone should knows the escort office matter. 他举目看去,心知大家都应该是知道镖局的事了。 „Brother Cheng.” “程哥。” Suddenly the Wei He form approaches toward him. 忽然魏合的身影朝他走近过来。 „I heard escort office to have an accident yesterday, has you who anything must help to open the mouth although.” “我昨天听到镖局出事了,有什么要帮忙的你尽管开口。” Cheng Shaojiu and he relates the sworn friend, he also accommodates alongside in Perpetual Peace Escort Office, now escort office has the issue, he worried that Cheng Shaojiu cannot deal with, hurries to ask the situation. 程少久和他关系莫逆,他也在永和镖局挂靠,如今镖局有问题,他担心程少久这边应付不来,也赶紧过来问问情况。 Cheng Shaojiu looked up Wei He. 程少久抬头看了看魏合。 The opens the mouth just wants to inquire the matter of money, but the heart smiles bitterly suddenly. 张口正想询问钱的事,但心头忽又苦笑。 That is seven hundred tael of gold .... Junior Brother Wei He that receives him is clear, accommodating alongside that one month adds at most four ten tael of gold. 那可是七百两黄金....魏合师弟的那点收入他更是清楚,一个月加起来才顶多四十两黄金的挂靠。 Where can with obtaining so much money? 哪里能拿得出这么多钱？ Has words on the tip of the tongue, Cheng Shaojiu silent, also received, on the face shows the smile. 话到嘴边,程少久沉默了下,又收了回去,脸上露出笑容。 „All right, I can process. Relax Little He (small river).” “没事,我能处理。放心吧小河。” Coming out makes Wei He also follow to be worried, was inferior one refrain from speaking. 与其说出来让魏合也跟着担心,不如自己一个人闷着。 After all this is the Cheng Family matter , there is nothing to do with Wei He. 毕竟这是自己程家的事,和魏合无关。 Even if said that Wei He was still helpless except for the worry, such being the case, was inferior that did not say. 就算说出来,魏合除了担心也无能为力,既然如此,不如不说。 „Relax.” The Cheng Shaojiu racket the Wei He shoulder, said with a smile again. “放心。”程少久再度拍拍魏合肩膀,笑道。 „Has speaks frankly, your my brother who anything needs to help, I am Cheng He godfather. A person do not refrain from speaking.” Wei He said solemnly. “有什么需要帮忙的直说,你我兄弟,我还是程荷的干爹。别一个人闷着。”魏合沉声道。 He has been snatching the person recently, the harvest is good, in addition own income accumulates has not been using, but accumulated enough 1500 over gold banknotes, is just thinking looks to be able to help. 他最近一直在抢人,收获不错,加上自己的收入攒着没怎么用,可是攒了足足一千五出头的金票,正想着看能不能帮上忙。 „Knew, relax.” Cheng Shaojiu hear of he said, is so, he more does not want to implicate Wei He. “知道了,放心吧。”程少久听他这么说,越是如此,他越是不想拖累魏合。 The matter of own family/home, oneself process, how could to implicate the brothers. 自己家的事,自己处理,岂能拖累兄弟。 „Was only this month wage may result to suspend.” The Cheng Shaojiu forced smile said. “只是这个月的薪水可得暂停下来了。”程少久苦笑道。 „That is all right, first processes your side to be important.” Wei He nods. “那没事,先处理你那边要紧。”魏合点头。 He looked that Cheng Shaojiu is really as if all right, then also feels relieved slowly. 他看程少久似乎真的没事,便也慢慢放心下来。 „Are you really all right?” “你真没事？” „Really does not have the issue.” Cheng Shaojiu shows a bright smile. “真的没问题。”程少久露出一个灿烂的笑容。 He knows that the surroundings people are looking at him, more was at this time, more cannot show one's ignorance, cannot fluster. 他知道周围人都在看着他,越是这个时候,就越是不能露怯,不能慌。 Now uncle already but actually, if even he also shows one's ignorance, revealed the details, that beforehand Cheng Family these enemies, will not be in a daze shortly. 如今大伯已经倒了,如果连他也露了怯,露了底细,那以前程家的那些对头,可不会眼看着发呆。 They like the hungry wolf, will be feeble while Cheng Family, throws to tear and bite the meat of his family/home from four sides in abundance! 他们会像饿狼,趁着程家衰弱,纷纷从四面扑上来撕咬他家的肉！