Records of the Lost Cases of Helaitang in the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 18 Seven Star Lamp

There were eight young men of the Zhuge clan on the boat. They were not weak at first, but they were unprepared and were beaten by this group of peasants to control the situation.

"Tie their hands behind their backs and tie them up with hemp ropes." An old voice shouted in the commotion.

While Zhuge Xian was struggling, he recognized the voice and shouted: "Fourth brother, what are you doing?"

The thin old man who had impersonated Zhuge Bojun earlier said angrily: "Sixth brother, you let the crazy man who broke into the village secretly and I haven't settled the account with you yet. You broke the ancestral rules and led outsiders in and out of the clan's forbidden areas. Third brother wants to invite you." Use the Seven-Star Sword to kill this evil obstacle like you."

Zhuge Xian was not frightened. He immediately retorted and said loudly: "Fourth brother, how dare you do the following."

The four members outside said to the entourage behind him: "Recite the Great Lion's legacy to Lao Liu."

The follower looked arrogant and said in a deep voice: "The structure of the houses in the village, not a single plant, tree or stone can be changed. Anyone who is not the Zhuge family and has unauthorized access to the underground river will be attacked by the whole clan..."

"Fushan, were you the one who told the secret?" Zhuge Xian looked in disbelief.

Fushan was the lantern man who met outside the Bibo Fang Tunnel the night before. He must be someone Zhuge Xian trusted very much.

The four members angrily ordered their subordinates, Zhuang Ding, to stop Zhuge Xian's mouth. Seeing that no one dared to do anything, they had to use a towel to block Zhuge Xian's mouth so that he could not speak, and then sent people to drag Zhuge Xian onto the bullock cart.

Mr. Wei's hands were tied up and he tried to calm down, telling Wang Heng and Wang Cai not to resist in vain to avoid getting hurt. He thought that although Zhuge Xian was young, he seemed to be an upright son, and his status in the clan should be among the three. Above the officials, Zhuge Bo did not appear at this time, so there may not be a turning point.

Seeing that the remaining ones were quite honest, they escorted Mr. Wei and the three of them into another oxcart. In the panic, no one asked about the person who had been rescued from the cave on the door panel, so the farmers put him behind. On an oxcart.

Because the wounded man was covered with Zhuge Xian's cloak, the peasants could probably see it, but no one dared to fish in troubled waters and steal it.

There was a shed on the roof of the bullock cart, and Mr. Wei had just half-heartedly relaxed. At this time, the autumn air was coming, and the night was very cold. He was most afraid that the wounded would worsen after catching a cold.

After a bumpy ride, about half an hour later, the oxcart came to a screeching halt.

The man who drove the cart tied the cart to a big tree on the roadside and drove Wang Heng and the others out of the car. The wounded man lay in the cart without anyone paying attention to him. They made eye contact and felt that it was safer this way.

Ahead is a dark mountain. At this moment, the stone path along the mountain path is covered with torches and candles are brightly lit.

"Bagua Station." Wang Cai whispered.

Just now, the four members made wild claims, saying that they would invite the Seven Star Sword to kill Zhuge Xian. It seemed that they were going to do it on the Bagua stage.

Mr. Wei softly "shushed" and used his eyes to tell the two of them not to speak, trying to reduce their presence as much as possible.

They saw Zhuge Xian in front of them, staggering up the mountain because his hands were tied behind his back.When traveling at night, you need to be even more careful. Everyone is holding their breath for fear of being plotted against.

After a while, we reached the top of the peak. Under the hemp stone of Bagua Terrace, small groups of peasants holding torches or lanterns appeared.

In front of the four members, Zhuge Xian was pushed and shoved by the peasants and escorted to the Bagua stage. Wang Heng and three others were immediately taken up and detained beside Zhuge Xian.It's nearly three o'clock at night, the stars are shining in the sky, the jade dew is clear, and the dew on the tips of the leaves exudes the fragrance of the clearer sky.

On such a beautiful night, not to mention the bright moon in the mountains and the cool breeze on the river, there are people who are disturbing the scenery, shouting and killing.

There are seven big lanterns in the middle of the Bagua platform, which illuminate as brightly as day. Each of the star lanterns has a flag flag facing outward, and is guarded by Zhuang Ding, which is majestic.

In front of the lamp, an old man with a white beard and white eyebrows in Taoist robes, with loose hair, a sword, and seven stars on his feet, is setting up an altar to perform rituals. Judging from his facial features, he is somewhat similar to the four members.

The four men stepped forward and saluted: "Tell Third Brother, Sixth Brother and a group of outsiders will be brought here."

The old man in Taoist robes nodded slightly, as if he had no time to talk. He swung his sword and stepped on the sword to fight, and he moved like a fairy.

The Bagua stage was originally bustling with people, but suddenly there was a sound of shouting, and then it suddenly became silent again.

I heard someone slowly walking onto the stage and saying in a manly voice: "The uncles of the three clans are getting stronger and stronger, and their magic power is still as strong as before. It is gratifying and congratulatory."

Everyone recognized this voice, it was Zhuge Bojun, the patriarch of the clan.

The old man in Taoist robes suddenly stopped and sneered: "Zong head, you got here quickly."

Zhuge Bojun was wearing a crane cloak, folded his fur coat with his hands, and said with a smile: "I see you making trouble, how could I not come to the show earlier?" His tone was intimate, without any hint of anger.

The old man in Taoist robes seemed to have something in mind and said: "That's fine, it saves me the trouble of dragging you out."

The words were clearly spoken through gritted teeth, but the tone of both parties was light. There seemed to be some kind of sound transmission device on the Bagua stage, and the voices sounded very clear.Countless people on and off the Bagua stage raised their ears to listen. Suddenly, there was silence, and you could hear a pin drop.

Zhuge Bojun said calmly: "Uncle Sanzu, your seven-star array is not set up very well."

"The shape of a blue dragon, the power of Xuanwu, the power of a white tiger, the shape of a red bird, ah!" He walked slowly, pointing at the seven-star lantern and shaking his head: "The main lantern is weakened by these, it's not good, it's not good, it may kill someone. disaster."

This was said very wisely. Zhuge Bojun was the head of the Zhuge family. He was born in a direct sect and was naturally very proficient in formations. Many people in the audience were convinced by his views on formations.

The three members were trembling with anger and had no intention of maintaining their demeanor. They said straight to the point: "Lao Liu violated the clan rules and let an outsider who broke into the village without permission, and then led the outsider into the underground river. How should we deal with it according to the clan rules?"

Zhuge Bojun did not answer his words and said loudly: "One of the distinguished guests visiting our village this time is a scholar with a reputation as a civil servant, and the other two are children of officials from the county. They are not spying on the secrets of the village, but helping the county government." We are here to investigate the case. Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. Could it be that the tens of thousands of descendants of Zhuge Wuhou in our village have been hiding in the world for more than two hundred years and have lost the ambition of the country? Just because others have seen our village clearly. The terrain is so dangerous that we are going to harm others. Are we the heroes who occupy the mountains and become kings?"

"Wise words." The third member said sternly: "Lao Liu is only a child, and he is still very ignorant. You must have instigated him. Do you, the clan leader, still have the dignity to do it? According to the instructions of the Great Lion, please resign from the ancestral hall and kneel in prayer. , I might be able to save you and Lao Liu’s life.”

Zhuge Bojun's eyes were magnanimous and he said: "In the past, when Marquis Wu was dying, the emperor asked: Who should be the prime minister after the prime minister? Wuhou replied Jiang Wan, who is after Jiang Wan, Wuhou replied Fei Yi, who is after Fei Yi, Wuhou replied Dong Yun, after Dong Yun, Marquis Wu remained silent because the situation was changing and it was impossible to judge. If something happens to our village today, how can we use the clan rules from 200 years ago to deal with it."

(End of this chapter)