The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 170 Extreme Personality

Lu Xiangsheng spent some money and finally met brothers Li Hongji and Li Hongyi in the cell of Yunsi Yamen.The two brothers were imprisoned for several days and could only drink one meal of gruel every day. They were extremely hungry. They were in rags and had unkempt hair. Especially Li Hongji, who smelled like urine all over his body. Keep people away.

Lu Xiangsheng was surprised when he saw this and said, "We haven't seen each other for only a few days. Why is Brother Li doing this?"

It turned out that Li Hongji lost control of his mood and beat Jia Xin, the ambassador of Yancang, and then Jia Lian. As a result, he was subdued by the Yamen servants and put into the prison of Yunsi Yamen. Not only was Yan Yin taken away, but also all the money and money he had on him, as well as a Their valuable belongings were also confiscated, and the Yancang Ambassador Jia Xin even dropped harsh words and asked Li Hongji's servant to go home and get 1000 taels of silver to redeem him, otherwise the Li Hongji brothers would be imprisoned until death.

Li Hongji finally paid a heavy price for his impulsiveness, but there is no regret medicine in this world. Now if he wants to get out of the Yunsi Yamen cell safely, he can only offer 1000 taels of silver.

But where can I find 1000 taels of silver?
Although Li Hongji's father, Li Shouzhong, was a small landowner, most of his family's money was spent on growing grain in exchange for salt. However, the salt, which had a market value of 500 taels, was taken away by Jia Lian. As a result, the Li family was almost in trouble. They were almost bankrupt. Even if the Li family was not bankrupt, they could still get 1000 taels of silver. However, Mizhi County, Shaanxi Province is thousands of miles away from Yangzhou. During this time, the Li Hongji brothers would have starved to death in prison. .

Li Hongji had no relatives or friends in Yangzhou, and he was not familiar with the place. After much deliberation, he only had a casual acquaintance named Lu Xiangsheng, so he could only seek medical treatment in a hurry and asked his servants to seek help from Lu Xiangsheng. However, he did not expect that Lu Xiangsheng was a warm-hearted person. Even though I didn’t have a close relationship with Li Hongji, I actually came here.

Therefore, at this moment, Li Hongji was so moved that his eyes filled with tears, he sighed and said, "Brother Lu, it's hard to explain in words. It's all the dog officials and powerful playboys who harmed me. By the way, Brother Lu, can you lend me 1000 taels of silver first? When I get out, I will definitely pay you back twice as much."

Lu Xiangsheng was shocked when he heard this. Where did he have 1000 taels of silver? Even his father couldn't come up with 1000 taels unless he sold his family's dyeing shop. But after selling the dyeing shop, the whole family would have to suffer from the northwest wind. He Although he is warm-hearted and willing to help others, he is not a fool who pretends to be fat, not to mention that his friendship with Li Hongji is not worthy of his efforts to help.

Li Hongji saw the troubled look on Lu Xiangsheng's face, and couldn't help feeling bitter in his heart. He said in a deep voice: "Brother Lu, if there is any difficulty, that's all. I'll find another way."

Li Hongji was a brave knight, liked to fight against injustices, and was forthright. However, he had a problem that he was petty-minded and easily held grudges against others. Seeing that Lu Xiangsheng was "unwilling" to help him, he felt a trace of resentment in his heart.

Lu Xiangsheng didn't know that he had come all the way from Yangzhou City to arouse the resentment of the other party without even saying a word. He was really even more unjust than Dou E. This may be the so-called enmity against rice, pitiful There must be something hateful about that person.

Although Lu Xiangsheng heard a hint of displeasure in Li Hongji's tone, he still explained patiently with the intention of saving people to the end: "1000 taels of silver is not a small amount, and I really can't get it out at the next time."

Cousin Li Hongyi said with a bitter face: "What should I do? That dog official has to pay 1000 taels of silver before he is willing to let me go. Brother, I'm starving to death!"

Li Hongji's face was ashen, and he clenched his fists and remained silent.

Lu Xiangsheng asked: "Who did Brother Li offend?"

Li Hongyi glanced at Li Hongji and said hesitantly: "It's Jia Xin, the ambassador of the salt warehouse. This man's nickname is Sanliang Jin. He is greedy. My eldest brother and I came to carry salt, but this man made things difficult for us. He said that there was no salt in the warehouse. As a result, the powerful As soon as he arrived, he could bring up the salt immediately. The elder brother couldn't get angry, so he punched him. His nose was broken and two front teeth were lost. It was quite a relief, but it also offended the guy to death. "

Lu Xiangsheng's heart moved and he said with a smile: "If you just offended Ambassador Yancang, it shouldn't be difficult to deal with it. Just wait a moment. I'll go get some food to fill your stomachs first."

Li Hongyi was overjoyed when he heard this, and Li Hongji was also overjoyed and asked quickly: "Brother Lu, are you serious about what you said?"

Lu Xiangsheng smiled and said: "I just met an acquaintance on the road. If this person is willing to help, it shouldn't be difficult." After that, he turned and left the cell.

Li Hongyi smiled brightly and said: "Brother, I really want this friend of yours. I am really helpful when I need it. It is worth making friends with."

Li Hongji also secretly felt lucky that he had the ability to recognize people.

About half an hour later, Lu Xiangsheng came back after buying wine and meat, steamed buns and noodles. The Li brothers had been hungry for a few days and immediately started eating until they were full. Only then did Li Hongji wake up and ask: "Yes." Okay, who is that acquaintance that Brother Lu met? Could it be that even Ambassador Yancang had to sell his face?"

Lu Xiangsheng smiled and said: "Not only Ambassador Yancang, I'm afraid even the county magistrate here will have to sell his face."

Li Hongyi opened his eyes and said happily: "So powerful, who is this person?"

Lu Xiangsheng smiled and said, "Brother Li has seen this person before."

Li Hongji asked in astonishment: "I've seen it too? Who is it?" "It's the leader of the Jia Huanjia case that he met in Yangzhou City before. This person was born in Rongguo Mansion. Although he was a concubine, he was from the Jia family after all, and his uncle He happened to be the Yangzhou Salt Patrol Censor. Even the Yangzhou prefect had to pay three respects in front of the Salt Patrol Censor. How dare a small salt warehouse ambassador not show respect?
Coincidentally, I met Mr. Jia near the dock not long ago, and there were two officials in scarlet robes beside him. One of them must be Lin Ruhai, the Yangzhou Salt Patrol Censor, who was probably here to inspect the salt field.

Mr. Lin also brought Mr. Jia with him when he went on patrol. This shows that Mr. Lin highly valued Mr. Jia. As long as Mr. Jia came forward and said a few nice words, wouldn't Brother Li be able to get away easily? "

Li Hongji's face was still full of hope, but now his face turned gloomy, and Li Hongyi couldn't laugh anymore.

When Lu Xiangsheng saw this, he asked curiously: "Brother Li, what is this?"

Li Hongji gritted his teeth and said: "Even if I, Li Hongji, die here, I don't need this son's help."

"Why?" Lu Xiangsheng asked in shock.

Li Hongyi said with a stern expression: "Brother Lu, I don't know anything. The cause of this matter is actually related to the Jia family of Rongguo Mansion. The dignitary who came to get salt is a descendant of Rongguo Mansion, named Jia Lian. They all call him Lian Er." Ye, he must be Jia Huan's brother.

At that time, the eldest brother was impulsive and beat up the Yancang Ambassador and Mr. Na Lian. The other party took advantage of the large number of people and knocked down the eldest brother. He even ordered a servant to... peed all over his head and face, and finally took away our three hundred dollars. Also snatched away. "

Speaking of this humiliation, Li Hongji's eyes couldn't help but burst into tears. He punched the wall with hatred and cursed sternly: "I, Li Hongji, will never be a human being unless I take revenge for this." Living a life of fine clothes and fine food, while being domineering and domineering, bullying men and women, and exploiting the common people, no one is a good person, including Jia Huan, I don't want his help. One day, I will turn this world upside down!"

Lu Xiangsheng's expression changed slightly. Li Hongji was very angry. This state was extremely dangerous. However, Jia Lian really went too far. He subdued and beat the person, but he still wanted to humiliate him and even take away the salt. , Li Hongji and his family spent all their efforts to exchange for [-] yuan of salt. Now that it was taken away, they are afraid that they will become paupers from now on.

"Brother Li, don't be impulsive, and there is no need to overturn a whole boat of people with one pole. The Jia family in Rongguo Prefecture is big, and it is normal to have a few black sheep. Judging from my interactions with Jia Huan, he is easy-going, gentle, courteous, and thrifty. He is not Dandy and his ilk..."

Before Lu Xiangsheng finished speaking, Li Hongji sneered: "How can we pick out good shit from the pit? You don't need to say it anymore. Even if I die, I will not accept help from the Jia family. Haha, you are easy-going? Gentle, courteous and thrifty? I didn't expect you." Lu Jiandou (pseudonym) is also a person who likes to be popular and follow the crowd. In this case, why don’t you hurry up and join the powerful? Why are you pretending here!"

Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but be stunned with anger. He never expected that Li Hongji could be so extreme and regard his good intentions as a donkey's liver and lungs!
Li Hongyi is actually a better person than his cousin. He said quickly: "Brother is just angry and talks without hesitation. Brother Lu, don't take it to heart. It would be best if Jia Huan is willing to help. If he is not willing to help, then..."

"Shut up!" Li Hongji was so angry that he kicked Li Hongyi so hard that he hit the wall. He also hit a big bump on his forehead and even blood seeped out.

Li Hongyi covered his forehead and endured the pain and cried: "Brother, a man can bend and stretch, and obey his authority in emergencies. Now that we don't have 1000 taels of silver, are we going to die here without taking care of our parents, wives, and children at home?"

Li Hongji's face was livid, and he raised his hand to hit him again. Lu Xiangsheng quickly stopped and said: "Stop, he is doing it for your own good, why beat him again?"

Li Hongji sneered: "This is my family matter and has nothing to do with you, Lu Xiangsheng."

No matter how good-tempered Lu Xiangsheng was, he couldn't stand it anymore at this moment, and said in a deep voice: "Yes, this is your family matter, I can't control it, but if you beat me after I leave, it's none of my business if you beat me to death. Li Hongji, I I misjudged you, I thought you were a chivalrous person, worthy of friendship, but I didn’t expect you are just a narrow-minded, self-righteous and reckless man. I, Lu Xiangsheng, am ashamed to associate with people like you."

After Lu Xiangsheng finished speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left the prison angrily.

Li Hongji was stunned for a moment, then his face turned red, his eyes seemed to have two balls of flame about to burst out, and he shouted loudly: "Lu Xiangsheng, who are you? I, Li Hongji, don't care about being with you. Let's see, I will Li Hongji will one day make you unable to reach your heights, ah ah ah!”

Li Hongji roared like a wild beast, and Li Hongyi cowered in the corner in fear and did not dare to say a word.

"What the hell are you calling your mother!" A jailer ran over and stabbed Li Hongji in the abdomen with a stick of water and fire through the wooden fence. As a result, the latter reached out and snatched it away, and stabbed the jailer with his backhand.

The jailer screamed in pain, and soon a large group of jailers with swords rushed in and opened the cell door fiercely.Li Hongji was immediately frightened, threw away the water and fire stick and squatted down with his head in his hands.

The jailers beat Li Hongji severely until he lay down and could not move, then closed the cell door and left cursingly.

(End of this chapter)