Great Wei Nengchen

It turned out that the ground squirrel was persecuted by the noble family back then, and his wife and son died. He vowed to take revenge, but his martial arts skills were low, and he was alone, unable to deal with these wealthy families. Frustrated, he suddenly thought: "I can't take revenge on the living, but I will take revenge." Can't you die?"

So he resolutely joined the ranks of local tomb robbers in Qingzhou. It is strange to say that the ground squirrel who has no improvement in literature and martial arts is quite talented in tomb robbers. In just one year, he became a well-known tomb robber in Qingzhou. The boss, relying on his sharp eyes and accurate judgment of the topography, once robbed four large tombs of officials' families within a month, and found countless gold, silver and jewels.

It's a pity that people are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being strong, and the chinchilla who doesn't know how to keep a low profile is wanted by the government with a lot of money, and finally betrayed by a money-grubbing underling, and thrown into jail; On the road of man, the Yellow Turban Uprising broke out. Zhang Jiao led people to break through the city, opened warehouses to release food, and released the prisoners. He survived the disaster and resolutely joined the Yellow Turban Army out of gratitude and resentment towards the government.Even after Zhang Jiao was defeated and killed, the ground squirrel was still loyal to the cause of the rebellion, actively running around and contacting the rest of the Yellow Turban Army; this time he risked his life to sell horses in the territory of the Huns outside the Great Wall, just to raise mounts for the rebel army.

"The river water is as clear as a dragon, and the mountain is as strong as a tiger. It is full of yin and embracing the sun. This is a great place of geomantic omen... However, here, the blue dragon is in the west, and the white tiger is in the east. The yin and yang are reversed. It is said that this is called "Dragon's Back", but it is an image of anti-clients and powerful ministers deceiving the emperor; a place of great viciousness and evil, and a place of great wealth and wealth... Weird! How strange!

When the ground squirrel was puzzled, the old Zhengtou beside him said, "Boss Huang, crossing the river is the site of the 'Panlong Pavilion' Gongsun's family. There are hundreds of soldiers and more than a thousand strong men, who bully men and women, smuggle goods, and commit all kinds of crimes; just to be on the safe side, should we take a detour?"

"The Panlong River stretches for nearly a hundred miles. The current is fast, densely covered with hidden reefs, and the river is so wide that even smaller fishing boats cannot pass it. Only here is the slow flow, flat terrain, and wooden bridges to cross the river. If it is a detour, it will definitely consume For a long time, the brothers in Qingzhou are still waiting for our war horses, so they must cross the river quickly; as for the Zhu family, although they are overbearing, as long as we pay the toll in full, they will not make things difficult for us," the squirrel thought Said for a while.

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"Panlong Pavilion" or should be called "Gongsun Pavilion". The domineering girl, dominating one side, and secretly smuggled a large number of ironware, salt, and silk to the outside of the Great Wall...became a character who can eat both black and white for a hundred miles around, and the Gongsun family also inherited the position of the head of the "Panlong Pavilion"!

The Gongsun family's mansion was built on the highest point of the Panlong Pavilion. It is said that this is the place where the dragon's head is located. The Fengshui is excellent. In groups, they are not inferior to ordinary official families.

At this time, sitting on the main seat in the main hall, there is a young man, aged 24 or [-] years old, with a thin figure, willow-leaf eyebrows, peach blossom eyes, a tall nose, thin lips, a white face without a beard, and a full face. The long hair on the head is loose and tied on the forehead with a pink ribbon. If you don't see the Adam's apple on your neck, you will definitely be mistaken for a beautiful woman; it's just the dark circles under the eyes and the sunken cheeks. , it shows that this young man is a bit too lustful...he is a romantic young man;

He is Gongsun Xun, the owner of Panlong Pavilion. It is said that when his grandfather, the old man who spent money to buy Xiaolian, was alive, he had a night dream of a purple stake falling from the sky. Incomparably, he also drew a mysterious pattern with 28 constellation seals, and wrote three big golden characters "Sleepy Dragon Pile", which was falling in the yard of his house, and the old man was so scared that he woke up suddenly. At this time, someone came to report that his eldest grandson was born; the overjoyed old man thought it was a great auspicious omen, so he gave his grandson a baby name; 'Xiaomu', the big name--Gongsun Xun; Everyone in the village calls him 'Mr. Zimu'!

After Lao Xiaolian passed away, his son took over the family business, but this old man Gongsun was not in good health, he usually recuperated in the back house, and left many things to his son Gongsun Zimu to deal with; Don't forget, he was taught by a famous teacher since he was a child. He is both civil and military. When he grew up, he traveled around and made friends with heroes; Point, hate three points, avoid three points...

At this time, the 'Mr. Zimu' was closing his eyes slightly, planning in his mind to spend the night in that concubine's room tonight. Even though he is not very old, he has married a concubine's room of 17 rooms. I usually like to go out and pick some wild flowers...

report! ... A servant guarding the gate of the villa ran in, knelt down and saluted, and said, "My lord, there is a group of horse dealers driving more than a hundred fine horses from the north bank of the river, and they want to borrow the way from the village."

"Oh? What kind of horse? Have you ever seen it clearly? How many horse dealers guard it?"

Report back to the young master: "The more than a hundred horses are fat, strong, tall horses. Judging from the coat color and demeanor, there is no doubt that they are Huns horses outside the pass. A total of 27 horse dealers led the team; they have arrived at the bridge."

'Hun horse! 'Mr. Zimu suddenly opened his peach blossom eyes, revealing a hint of greed. After thinking for a while, he said to the side: "Zhu Jiu, go and have a look. According to the rules of our 'Panlongting' Gongsun's family, the past goods Every tenth tax, let them keep [-]% of the horse goods. I am preparing to form riding slaves. I will buy the rest of the horses at a low price;

Since the beginning of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, the national tax on the imperial grain was only "one tax for thirty", but a small local tyrant dared to "tax one for every ten". His dominance and greed can be seen.

"No, my lord!" Following the voice, a person walked out from the side, about forty years old, fat, with a swollen face, he was the chief housekeeper under the son of Zimu, who was originally a slave son of the Gongsun family, and was given the surname Zhu , named Zhu Dayong; because he can flirt and take some shameful scapegoats for his master, so he was deeply loved by the old man of the previous generation, and now he has been promoted to the position of the chief housekeeper.Zhu Dayong flatters his superiors and bullies his subordinates, he is cruel and mean, he often bullies the weak and weak in Zhuangzhong, and deducts Zhuang Ding's salary because he is fat; the subordinates call him "pig intestines" behind his back! '.

15. Chapter 15 Coiling Dragon Castle

The width of the wooden bridge on the Panlong River can only allow one car and horse to pass through. Because it is located in the northern Xinjiang, there are often Hun Huqi who harass the inland every September when the grass is yellow and the horses are fat. Therefore, the Gongsun family built a wooden bridge on the river. , In addition, there is a beacon tower on a high place. Once the smoke of the wolf rises, the bridge will be set on fire immediately; with the big river blocking it on three sides, even thousands of troops will not be able to cross it.Mr. Zimu also asked people to place huge stones in the shallow water near the bridge during the dry season in spring, artificially creating hidden reefs, making it difficult for boats to cross the river. Therefore, although the Panlong Pavilion is located on the border of Youzhou, it is as stable as Mount Tai.

A group of gophers walked slowly across the wooden bridge, and saw the whole picture of the Panlong Pavilion. The circumference of the city wall was seven miles long, and the foundation was built with huge stones, which were rammed with loess, gravel, lime, and glutinous rice juice; It is one foot five feet high, and there are two city gates in the north and south. Outside the north gate, a half-moon-shaped moat, one foot deep and three feet wide, is dug to attract river water. In the water, giant wooden thorns are forked upside down. A suspension bridge is set up on it, and an iron lock turntable is used to stir it; It's really one man guarding the gate, and ten thousand men can't open it.What a majestic Panlong Pavilion, compared with the dilapidated Crouching Tiger Pavilion on the other side of the river, it is hard to believe that the two were equally famous...

As the drawbridge was lowered, a group of fully armed Zhuang Ding walked out of the castle. They all had hideous faces and were by no means kind. They looked at the caravan like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. The leader was fat and big. With a swollen face, it was the "steward of the large intestine"; Zhu Dayong straightened his chest, put his hands behind his back, raised his chin, walked up to the horse team and asked proudly: "Where do you come from? Where are you going? But Do you understand the rules of my Panlong Pavilion?"

The ground squirrel hurried forward, bowed and saluted, and said with a wretched expression: "The villain came from Liaodong, brought some livestock to sell in Qingzhou, and passed through Guibao Land, of course he understands the rules."

"You understand Panlongting's rules, but do you understand Zhu Jiuye's rules?" Butler Dachang raised his chin even higher.

Hearing the words of "Big Intestine Steward", Zhang Yan, who was standing in the front row of the cavalry, was furious. Not to mention that he had to "draw one every ten draws" when passing the Panlong Pavilion, and a servant dared to blackmail him. He has never been so cowardly as a young master of the Yellow Turban Army , urging the horse under his crotch to come forward to argue, but Lao Zheng grabbed his arm and squeezed his arm hard, reminding him that a small indifference can lead to a big conspiracy, and the form is not as good as a human being. , a baby face flushed with anger.

The squirrel who was also full of anger forced a more flattering smile and said: "How can you forget your share, Master Jiu?" He took out a piece of Hetian white jade from his sleeve and stuffed it, and then looked at the big intestine steward Zhuang Ding, who was watching eagerly behind him, cursed secretly in his heart, then took out a bunch of five baht coins from his pocket and handed it over, saying, "Brothers, please have a bowl of wine!"

He lowered his head and looked at the five baht coins in his hand. They were all "Jianwu five baht coins" with "exquisite casting, smooth surface, clear money writing, and finer strokes." "Big Intestine Steward" nodded with a smile.

We must know that after the middle of the Eastern Han Dynasty, prices rose, currency depreciated, five baht coins were poorly made, and their quality gradually declined. The larger ones weighed less than 3 grams, and most of them were around 2 grams. "Five baht", the handwriting is shallow but not obvious, the strokes are thick, and the flesh surface is full of blemishes, which caused the price to soar and the money and goods to be poor. It can be said that half of the reason for the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty was the government's ineffective supervision of currency circulation.

"You're a sensible kid!" The 'Big Intestine Steward', who was laughing into a ball of steamed stuffed buns, first put the jade ring into his arms, and then put the string of five baht coins... also into his arms. "Open the gate, let them in, and then find the accountant to settle the road tax. The old rule is to draw one every ten!"

"promise!……"

As the figure above the castle swayed and the turntable stirred, "Boom!...Squeak!" The north gate of the castle was lifted up, and the dark door opened completely like the mouth of a man-eating beast.

In Panlong Castle, the butler Dachang looked at the cashier and calculated the number, while looking at the horses with greedy eyes, "They are all fat, strong, and pure-colored Xiongnu horses. If they are in their own hands, they will be sold. The profit is doubled!

Thinking of this, he said in an unquestionable tone: "Boss Huang, Qingzhou is a long way away. Lord Jiu sees you working hard selling horses, and wants to help you. Most of these horses are old, weak, sick and disabled, and it is difficult to plow and pull carts. The Lord is showing kindness, how about I ask for [-] yuan per horse?"

Looking at the greedy pig intestines that eat people without spitting out bones, the ground squirrel is also furious. In the Central Plains, a plow horse is usually worth 20 yuan, and a war horse is worth 50 yuan. It is still normal to sell it for [-] yuan. Now that the world is in turmoil and prices are soaring, it is possible for a Xiongnu war horse to sell for [-] million yuan. But Zhu Dachang wants to buy his Xiongnu war horse at the usual price of a farm horse. : It is tolerable, which is unbearable!

"If you go back to Lord Jiu, these horses have already been reserved by someone, and you can't give them away," the squirrel replied stiffly.

"Their money is money, so isn't Jiuye my money?" Zhu Dachang's eyes showed a fierce look, and at the same time he made a gesture, and the surrounding Zhuang Ding immediately surrounded him with swords and guns.

Seeing this, the men of the horse team immediately became vigilant, touching the handles of their knives, and guarding the horses. The smarter ones were already secretly observing the road in the castle, and were about to charge out with their horses. The impulsive Zhang Yan even It was half out of the scabbard, ready for a fight, and the old Zheng quickly protected him behind him. The horses are small. If something happens to this young master, how can he be worthy of the spirit of "General Tiangong"? !

"Huh... I don't know how to flatter you!" Looking at the changes of the caravan guys, Zhu Dachang, who didn't want to make matters worse on the spot, snorted coldly, turned around and walked towards Zhu's mansion. Senior, if there is a real fight, I'm afraid he won't be able to fall.

Back in the main hall of Zhu's house, the "Big Intestine Steward" who was still proud just now immediately showed a look of a slave, and trotted all the way to the front of "Mr. Zimu", knelt down and saluted, and said: "I want to report to you, my little one." Let the caravan in, and the accountant is collecting taxes."

"Oh, how are the horses?"

"My son, they are all fat and strong Hun war horses. The young one wanted to pay [-] yuan a horse (say [-], and I quoted [-]. The owner wants to eat kickbacks. It's really a black-hearted pig's intestines). Come here, who knows that the leader of the horse team doesn't know how to praise, not only wants to use a knife on the little one, but also speaks rudely to you, young master, please let the young one make the decision! After finishing speaking, Zhu Dachang hugged Mr. Zimu's calf, crying, It looks like you have been wronged by the sky!"

"Don't eat and drink a toast!"

"Don't touch them yet. There are too many people in the castle. They are driving the horses. They must go south along the river bank. Longshoupo, fifty miles away, is the place they must pass through. It is also the only choice for them to camp tonight. Bring sixty soldiers with me, and bring back the horses, since they don't want money, let's stay together with their lives, hurry down and prepare, don't show any flaws!" Mr. Zimu suddenly opened his eyes. Those big peach blossom eyes reveal bursts of murderous intent!

"Little one understands!" Zhu Dachang desperately nodded his head, showing a triumphant smile, then bowed and slowly backed out.

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16. Chapter 16 Murder in the Night

After walking out of the "Panlong Pavilion" in fear, the ground squirrel and others immediately urged the horses to run wildly all the way, wanting to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible; fortunately, nothing happened along the way, and after more than 40 miles, everyone finally grew out With a sigh of relief, the sky gradually darkened.

"Boss Huang, it's already getting late. Longshoupo is in front of you. It faces south to shelter from the wind, and there are green grasses for horses. Shall we camp there tonight?" Old Zheng looked at the sun and said. .

"No, even though I've come out, I'm still uneasy. Can I make it through the night and leave this place!" The chinchilla looked terrified.

"It's getting late, the road after Longshoupo is rough and difficult, not to mention the brothers and the horses are already exhausted, if you encounter a beast at night, you will be in trouble." Looking at the tired faces of his men, Old Zheng head said helplessly.

"Okay, then set up camp at Longshoupo, everyone be vigilant, and arrange double the number of people on duty tonight!"

"promise!……"

With a shout of cheers, all the guys quickly started to set up camp. They have been running around in the wild all year round, and they are familiar with this set. In a short time, the warm and strong cowhide tents were set up, and the horses were fixed with wooden stakes around them. The ropes are coiled layer by layer, the raging bonfire is lit, the water is boiled, and the food is cooked... The horses also start to eat the fertile weeds on the ground. Autumn is the season for grass yellow and horse fat.

Looking at the busy figures of the crowd, only the ground squirrel was more dull, and his eyes kept moving. Maybe it was the reason for long-term contact with ghosts and gods in tomb robbers. He had a magical sixth sense, and he could always foresee some danger coming. He also personally checked the surrounding situation on one side, and arranged for a night-time sentry. He waited until everyone finished eating and when the moon was on the treetops, there was still nothing around, so he breathed a sigh of relief, "Maybe I am too Be suspicious..."

Late at night, the cold wind blows, the field of Longshoupo is extremely calm, there is not even a bird in the air, the men who have worked hard for a day soon snore like thunder in the thick cowhide tent, and the horses are completely quiet. Occasionally, one or two horses would snort and gnaw a few mouthfuls of grass. The men on duty at night were loyal to patrolling around at first, but as the night deepened, their tiredness surged, and they gradually relaxed.

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At midnight, on the east side of Longshoupo, in the dense pine forest, a group of black shadows slowly swam over like poisonous snakes...

There are about six to seventy people in this group. The leader is a man with a black gauze around his face, a black shirt covering his body, a soft belt tied around his waist, thick-soled cowhide fast boots, and a three-foot Qingfeng sword in his hand. It kept shaking like a pool of autumn water, only a pair of peach blossom eyes were exposed and shot out bursts of cold light; the rest of the people were also covered with black cloth, holding bows, arrows and weapons in their hands, a group of people just silently lurking in the dense forest ...

Beside Peach Blossom Eyes, a fat figure followed closely. Through the hazy moonlight, one could see that the flesh on this person's face was a little distorted, and there was an incomparably greedy look in his eyes, like a bird. The jackal who found the prey was Zhu Dayong, the "large intestine steward" of Panlong Pavilion.