Seeing the clouds

Chapter 9: There is injustice on all sides
Although the storyteller abandoned his profession and went to chat and drink tea with others, no one dared to disturb him. The teahouse that should have been quiet was still very lively, with a unique heroic spirit in the northwest.Zhang Chuchu and Wang Xuechang were chatting happily. Unknowingly, the Sichuan Qing in the cup had reached the bottom. Wang Xuechang asked the waiter to come up and make tea without showing any sign of boredom.

During the conversation between the two, Zhang Yue no longer concealed anything, and told Wang Xuechang everything he had experienced and known. Wang Xuechang saw the sincerity of Zhang Yue's words, so he also told Wang Xuechang what he had seen and heard without any concealment. Share what you have learned with Zhang Chuchu.Fortunately, Zhang Yue was not deeply involved in the world and had no idea about the Wucheng Wang family, so he seemed calm.

Although Zhang Yue is not very interested in the affairs of the world, his original intention of practicing martial arts is only for revenge, which is different from those people in the world who admire the masters and heroes in the world.But after all, I have made up my mind to practice martial arts, and it will do no harm to me to ask more about martial arts.

The two chatted about the people in the Yumen Pass, and Wang Xuechang talked about the two giants in Yumen Pass: Leader Lei Minglei and the butcher Zheng Biao.

Before the tea arrived, Wang Xuechang didn't know whether it was because of his storyteller nature or because he was so in love with Zhang Yue. He simply knew everything and said it all: "Lei Bantou is originally from Jingzhou. He was born in a martial arts family. He is less than [-] years old." At this young age, he has entered the second rank, and he can truly be called a genius."

You must know that a mere second-grade little grandmaster can establish a sect in a small county and become the founder.For example, Li An of the Shama Gang can be where he is today. In fact, he only really relies on Fan Li who is loyal to him.As for the first-level masters, apart from those from the three sects, those from the Jianghu community are really rare and elusive.Moreover, as a first-level master, he is the object of competition among all major forces and even the imperial court, and is worshiped as a Bodhisattva. However, most of these people live behind the scenes and are difficult for ordinary people to see.The world is so big, finding a first-class master is more than just looking for a needle in a haystack.

"Lei Bantou is an upright man. If he becomes an official, he will indeed be a blessing to the people. But there are so many intrigues and intrigues in the temple. At the beginning, Lei Bantou was young and strong-blooded. He didn't know much about the world, so he offended the local people. A gentleman. At that time, the gentleman fell in love with the daughter of a poor family, and he had the idea of ​​taking a concubine. Unexpectedly, the girl's family fell in love with a scholar who was about to go to Beijing to take the exam. Ping, this kind of messy shit is not uncommon, so there was a tragedy in which a family of four was wiped out, but the scholar was lucky not to be affected."

"This matter is so secret that it should have disappeared into the dust of history. Unexpectedly, one of the house slaves who committed the crime accidentally told the matter after he was drunk. It happened that Captain Lei was drinking next to him. After hearing this, he told the story After understanding the case, Captain Lei found the old man and wanted him to give an explanation. The old man had a background in Beijing, so he was not afraid. On the surface, he nodded and said he would give an explanation, but secretly compiled a book and sent it to him. The Xu family in the capital. The head of the Xu family is Xu Yuanfang, Taishi Xu. Who is Taishi Xu? He has scraped land, served as prime minister, and even scolded Chen Xiwen and Fan Changtian. He is one of the most powerful factions in the temple. When the country was founded, the Xu family was powerful and supported the country. There are countless grains, grass and coins, and he has done great favors to the country and the world. Although Lei Bantou was born in a martial arts family, the Lei family has no voice in the temple. After all, it is just a green forest family. How can it be defeated? Xu family? So squad leader Lei was transferred to this remote northwest to work as a small squad leader at Yanmen Pass."

After Zhang Chuchu heard this, he nodded to express his sympathy for Leader Lei.Then he thought about what happened to his family, and he felt indignant and clenched his fists slightly.

The waiter held the teapot and carefully filled the two young men in front of him with fragrant tea, then turned around and left.Wang Xuechang smiled and made a "please" gesture, indicating to Zhang Yue to drink tea.

Zhang Chuchu picked up the tea cup and took a sip and said: "It sounds like it's a pity for Lei Bantou. He should have been able to do something great, but in this northwest region, I'm afraid he will never have a way out."

Wang Xuechang shook his head and replied: "Yes, it's a pity." Wang Xuechang's words also revealed regret, and perhaps there was a hint of dissatisfaction deeper down.

This is not how the world should be for good people.

But in an instant, Wang Xuechang had a warm smile on his face, and he resumed his nature as a storyteller, and continued: "In addition to Lei Bantou, there is also Zheng Biao in Yanmen Pass who is nicknamed "Zhen Guanxi". This person is quite notorious. It is said that he was also a ranger when he was young. Later, something happened in the rivers and lakes and he was hunted down by the government. He somehow ended up living here and opened a bun shop, but the government did not care about it anymore. This is also a sign of his success. Something strange happened."

Zhang Chuchu rolled his eyes and recalled yesterday's scene, thinking that "Zhen Guanxi" should be the boss of yesterday's bun shop.So he asked: "Is the bun shop that Brother Wang mentioned at the corner of West Street?"

This time, it was Wang Xuechang who was surprised: "That's right, I don't know how Brother Li knew."

Zhang Chuchu explained: "I passed by the corner of West Street yesterday and saw a skinny little beggar looking at the bun shop. I thought that the little beggar might be hungry after not eating for a few days, so I went up to him. I bought two big meat buns and gave them to him, but they are not worth much anyway."

After hearing the reason, Wang Xue sang with a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "I didn't expect Brother Li to be a kind-hearted person, but fortunately you didn't eat the meat buns yesterday."

Zhang Chuchu asked curiously: "Why?"

Wang Xue sang: "Because...!"

Zhang Yue was startled: "What?"

Wang Xuechang then recounted all Zheng Biao's evil deeds. When he heard that Zheng Biao hunted and killed lone beggars, Zhang Yue's face turned pale.

After briefly alleviating his nausea, Zhang Yue suddenly thought: Zheng Biao made a career out of hunting beggars, so wouldn't the little beggar he met yesterday be... more dangerous?

Zhang Yue couldn't help but shudder at the thought of the poor little beggar being targeted by the cruel Zheng Biao and being tortured to death after eating the buns.

In troubled times, human life is not as good as that of a dog. Zhang Yue is a wanted person in the world. He should be alone and should not care about such things. But for some reason, he had an idea in his heart to save the little beggar.

At this moment, a group of scantily clad strong men walked into the restaurant and sat down at the table next to the two of them.After several people ordered a pot of tea, they started talking and laughing.

"Zheng Tuzi didn't open the bun shop today." A one-eyed man said.

"I'm afraid I'll go again." A strong man with a sharp mouth said sharply.

"I wonder how Lei Ming will react today..."

Several people were chatting, and the content was ordinary to them.Suddenly Zhang Yue stood up, turned to the big men and asked: "Hello, big brothers, I have something to ask for. I wonder where the Zheng Biao that the big brothers mentioned has gone?"

Zhang Yue's behavior made several big men stunned for a moment. The one-eyed man who took the lead was the first to react: "Zheng Biao? It seems that he went to the east of the city. I don't know whether my brother has a grudge against him or an old friend?"

Zhang Chuchu cupped his hands and said, "I have some private matters with him." After saying that, he picked up Yu Gong from the table and shouted: "The waiter pays the bill! In addition, the tea money of the other elder brothers at this table will be calculated as well!"

Hearing that this young man who had never met him wanted to help his brothers settle the bill and was short of tea money for no reason, the one-eyed man was very happy and said with concern: "If there is a grudge, little brother, please be careful, then Zheng Biao is not a good person."

Zhang Chuchu replied: "Thank you, brother, I will keep it in my heart." After saying that, he prepared to walk to the door of the tea house.

Suddenly a hand grabbed Zhang Yue suddenly. Zhang Yue looked back and saw that it was the Confucian scholar Wang Xuechang who seemed to be helpless.

Wang Xuechang looked at Zhang Yuechu and said, "Brother Li."

Zhang Chuchu didn't know how to explain: "Brother Wang..."

Wang Xuechang answered straight to the point: "Brother Li, since you are the hero, I will go with you."

Zhang Yue's mouth was a little bitter: "But Brother Wang, you..." Zhang Yue originally wanted to say that he wanted to save the poor little beggar in the past. Maybe he had to fight Zheng Biao with swords. Wang Xue sang like a Confucian scholar and went there together. It was really If you take action, you will inevitably be affected. If something happens, you will regret it for the rest of your life.But seeing Wang Xuechang's firm eyes, Zhang Chue couldn't speak anymore. "

"Well, thank you, Brother Wang."

Wang Xuechang did not delay, picked up the bookcase and walked outside: "Hurry up, the little beggar's life is at stake."

The two of them quickly walked out of the teahouse and rushed to the east of the city together.

In a deserted open space in the east of the city, a ragged little beggar sat on the loess in a daze.His surname was Zhao, and he was born into a wealthy family. He was actually quite pampered since he was a child, but due to an incident at home, he had to live in the world.Fortunately, he is kind and optimistic by nature, and has been well taught by his uncle since he was a child. Even if there is such a big gap in status, he will not give up on himself and fend for himself.Sometimes he even feels that he prefers the freedom of being at home all over the world than the strictness of his home.

It's a pity that I often have nothing to eat, which makes me hungry.

He thought of the little brother who gave him meat buns yesterday.He has experienced a lot of ups and downs since he left home, and has been used to the indifference of people and the harshness of the world along the way. Against this backdrop, the kindness of the little brother yesterday seemed even more valuable.Unknowingly, I thought of my uncle again, and thought that he was probably such a kind person.I remember when I was young, my uncle once said that if you receive a drop of kindness from someone, you will repay it with a spring of water.I don’t know if I will ever have the chance to repay that brother’s kindness in this life.

Alas, uncle, I don’t know if you have been doing well these past few years.

At this moment, he saw a figure approaching him in the distance. He took a closer look and found that it was the owner of the bun shop in the west of the city.He stood up suddenly, and an unknown intuition emerged in his heart.

The owner of the bun shop is naturally Zheng Biao, but unlike usual, he has a kind face this time and is not as sinister and bloodthirsty as the rumors say.Zheng Biao slowly approached the little beggar with a slightly wary look in his eyes. He smiled and said, "Son, are the buns made by grandpa delicious?"

The little beggar frowned, thinking that this man was so incompetent that he called himself grandpa, but the buns did taste pretty good.The little beggar has gone through so much and is no longer the simple child he was when he was young. He naturally knows how to respond, so on the surface he still smiled and answered Zheng Biao: "The uncle's buns are delicious, but it's a pity that the little beggar didn't eat them." enough."

Zheng Biao seemed to be very satisfied with the little beggar's answer and nodded: "Then do you still want to eat?"

The little beggar blinked and nodded sincerely.

Seeing the expression on the little beggar's face, Zheng Biao felt happy.Originally, for this kind of little beggar, even if Zheng Biao used force to kidnap him when no one was paying attention, it would not have done anything. The gap in strength between the two was so big that the little beggar did not dare to resist, and it was unlikely that he would resist. It's just that Lei Ming came over last time to warn him not to cause trouble in the city, which made him a little worried.

Originally, Zheng Biao's martial arts skills were not afraid of Lei Ming, who was only a second-grade person. However, the Jingzhou Lei family behind Lei Ming still had a certain status in the world. Zheng Biao was alone, and he still wanted to live a few more years. When the time comes, there is no point in fighting to the death.Moreover, although Lei Ming is upright but not pedantic, he is also easy to talk to. He is a new official who has been in charge for three years, so it is not a loss to give him some face.

It's just that in this desolate place in the northwest, it is difficult to make political achievements and return to the Central Plains. In Zheng Biao's heart, Lei Ming is probably just deceiving himself and others.

Zheng Biao smiled, and his face full of evil spirits was even a little distorted: "Grandpa has a steamed stuffed bun shop, as you know, kid, but grandpa is alone and is usually too busy to cook. So if you are willing to work under grandpa, grandpa will work every day." I’ll feed you some steamed buns. Bah, I’ll make you die!”

After listening to Zheng Biao's words, the little beggar was in trouble. Although the man in front of him spoke unsightly, what he said did not seem to be lying. Although the buns he made tasted average, if he could eat as much as he wanted every day, it would be What a great thing!But why did he want to find me, a little beggar?Wouldn't it be better to find a strong young man?For a moment he couldn't make up his mind.

Seeing the hesitant look on the little beggar, Zheng Biao suddenly became angry and shouted loudly: "Why are you so dumbfounded? Such a great good thing is placed in front of you. Why are you hesitating, little brat? Grandpa's No matter how terrible the buns are, they still taste better than those you drink from the northwest wind every day! Follow grandpa quickly." He said and grabbed the little beggar.

The little beggar was still hesitating at first, but when he saw Zheng Biao being so arrogant, he immediately thought something was wrong and hurriedly retreated behind him.Who is Zheng Biao?He was given the nickname "Zhen Guanxi" and a big hand grabbed him. How could he, a little beggar, escape?
When Zheng Biao's big hand held the left shoulder of the little beggar, the little beggar suddenly felt a sharp pain and his shoulder felt like it was falling apart.He is thin and has very little meat on his body. How can he withstand Zheng Biao's strength?He kept shouting words of pain in his mouth.

But Zheng Biao wouldn't pay attention to him. He already had the pigs, and it was none of Grandpa's business whether you were in pain or not.

"It hurts. You...you, please let go. I, I just go with you." The little beggar finally couldn't help it anymore.

"You know it hurts? Now you want to leave with grandpa, why did you go earlier?" Zheng Biao laughed.

"I...I know. If you let go, I will really, really follow you. If you don't let go, I will really die!" The little beggar used all his strength to endure the severe pain in his shoulder. Answered Zheng Biao.

Zheng Biao laughed and finally let go of the little beggar.The little beggar made a "pop" sound and knelt on the ground in pain. His right hand rubbed his left shoulder frantically. He lowered his head and exhaled loudly, as if he had walked away from the gate of hell.

Zheng Biao stood beside him and looked down at him, thinking that most people in the world are like this little beggar, with weak bones and a tough mouth, which is really disappointing.

A small figure was kneeling and a large figure was standing. The two stayed together like this for a short while.The little beggar stood up. It seemed that his body had recovered, but his right hand was still on his left shoulder, indicating that the injury to his left shoulder was serious.

He swallowed and asked tentatively: "Then can I, can I go back to my nest and get something?"

Zheng Biao seemed to have heard some joke and laughed out loud: "You are a little beggar who wears a pair of trousers with half of your butt exposed. Could it be that you have some treasures hidden?"

The little beggar was a little embarrassed and scratched his head: "It's something my mother left me. Although it's not a valuable thing, it is one of the few things I own."

This time, Zheng Biao was stunned. He was also an orphan back then. His parents died and he had to depend on his younger brother.But now his brother has gone, leaving him alone.In a sense, is he not a beggar?The little beggar in front of her still had the relics left by her mother, but what about herself?My parents, not even my closest brother, left nothing behind. How sad.

After thinking about it, for the first time, he actually had the idea of ​​letting this little beggar go.

After a long time, he sighed and said, "Then go and get it. I won't go with you. You know where my store is. Just come to the store and find me after you get it."

In his speech, he no longer even calls himself grandpa, and he no longer calls the little beggar kid.

The little beggar looked surprised and said quickly: "Thank you, uncle!"

After saying that, he turned around and headed further east.

Zheng Biao is not stupid. Further east here is the East City Gate. In all likelihood, this little beggar is also lying to him and will never come back.

"If this kid keeps his word and comes back to me, then I will accept him as my personal disciple, and my pitiful life will not be in vain; if he really leaves and never comes back, then forget it, just... pity myself. "

He thought silently in his heart.

At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts and the little beggar's pace.

"Hey, Zheng Biao!"

The two of them turned their heads at the same time, and at the same time there was another voice: "Little beggar, run!"

Zheng Biao turned his head, and what greeted him was a black shadow coming towards him from the air, and a blade that was about to cut the bridge of his nose.

(End of this chapter)