Besides, the Beijiang River in Qiu County flows through the entrance of Houliang and other places. The water here is very wide and can be used for boating. Some deep bays are more than 60 meters deep, and the rivers are fast and turbulent.
A few days ago, "water monsters" often appeared in the Houliang River, and "water monsters" sometimes ate people. Therefore, people near the Houliang River change their minds when talking about "weirdness".
One day, the daughter-in-law of a family in Lianghe Village dug a load of radishes in the field and took them to the river to wash. The "water monster" that sank at the bottom of the river knew that there was an animal swaying on the water through the transmission of the water, so it floated up from the bottom of the water. Seeing that it was a delicious creature, it pounced into the river with force, dragging the wife into the water, and then she Eat.
At that time, it was almost evening, and there were many people passing by. Many people saw it and immediately exclaimed: "The water monster is dragging people, the water monster is dragging people!"
At this time, a few bold young people took knives, guns, fish hairpins, etc. and dived into the water to save people.
However, the "water monster" and the people who were dragged down were nowhere to be found.
News of the "water monster" eating people quickly spread in Houliang Village.
The local people were determined to eliminate the harm and reported the matter to the county government.
Zhang Zhongchang, the newly appointed county magistrate who had just taken office, received the report and was shocked to learn about the incident.
At the same time, in order to show that they would do something good for the people of Li, the next day, posters were posted at piers, village entrances, intersections, etc., recruiting warriors to get rid of "weirdos".
The main idea of the announcement is: Recently, there have been evil "water monsters" eating people in the Houliang River section of the Xijiang River. For the sake of the people's livelihood, whoever can eliminate the monster will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver. Those who have committed a crime can also perform meritorious service. If the "water monster" is removed, the sentence will be reduced or pardoned based on merit. Applicants can contact Huilonghe Dusi.
It has been more than half a month since the list was posted. But seeing many onlookers, no one dared to reveal the list.
This morning, Zhang Shaofei made a special trip to Houliang Village to see the list.
Zhang Shaofei had just entered the village entrance when he saw a huge crowd in front of the store at the entrance. A large group of people gathered around the store, pointing and talking loudly, and then walked over quickly.
Zhang Shaofei was outside the human wall and heard someone gesticulating and talking loudly.
Zhang Shaofei came closer and saw a tall man. He said loudly to the man of medium build and mustache next to him: "Brother Cheng, we two brothers grew up playing 'shabao' , we feel like brothers, let's go up and reveal the list, and work together to get rid of the 'water monster'! On the one hand, we do a good thing for the people, and on the other hand, we can also receive a generous silver reward, why not do it?"
The man named Brother Cheng, whose surname is Wang and given name is Cheng, heard what his brother said and raised his hands in agreement!
"Brother Shui Shi, what you said is exactly what I want. Money has been tight recently and I am short of money." After saying this, he divided the crowd and went up to reveal the list.
"Brother Cheng, wait a minute. Please listen to me. It's not too late to expose it!" Wang Cheng heard someone calling him from behind, and couldn't help but stop. When he looked back, it turned out to be his best friend Wu Daoyi, who was quite strategic. But he is cautious and cautious, so he is nicknamed the Dog-Headed Military Advisor.
Wu Daoyi came to Wang Cheng's house this afternoon for business. His mother said to him, "Shui Shi came to see Ah Cheng just now."
When Wu Dao saw that Wang Cheng and Shui Shi were not there, he asked, "Auntie, does Shui Shi have anything to do with Brother Cheng?"
"Well, Shui Shi seems to have said that there is a red notice posted at the small shop at the village intersection, recruiting some 'weird' warriors. The two of them muttered outside the house and then walked in the direction of the village intersection." Wang Cheng's Mother recalled saying.
When Wu Dao heard this, he jumped with anxiety, "No, something is going to happen!"
Wu Daoyi said goodbye to Wang Cheng's mother and hurried to the small shop at the intersection at the foot of the mountain. He saw Wang Cheng and Shui Shi forcefully separate the crowd and go up to reveal the list.
After Wang Cheng and Shui Shi were stopped by Wu Daoyi, they lost their fun and looked at him with a gloomy face.
Wu Daoyi couldn't care so much, and said seriously to his two best friends: "Have you ever thought about it? The water monster is very ferocious. It drags people into the river and eats them whole!"
Shui Shi retorted: "What are you afraid of? We grew up by the river and are familiar with the water. Brother Cheng will take action and I will ensure that the 'water monster' is captured! Haha! Military advisor, just wait for the silver reward."
"Split the reward? I'm afraid I won't even get the reward by then, and I'll lose my life!" After Wu Dao finished speaking, he revealed Shi Gandang, who was known as the "Baitiao in the Waves" who returned to Longhe three days ago. He caught a "water monster" in a river and was eaten alive by the "water monster" and told his best friend.
When Wang Cheng and Shui Shi heard that even Shi Gandang had been eaten alive by the "water monster", their faces suddenly changed with fright. They were secretly glad that the military advisor had arrived in time and prevented them from revealing the list, thus saving their lives.
"Why are you still standing there stupidly? Let's go!" Wu Dao said as he pulled his two brothers and left the crowded small shop.
After hearing what Wu Daoyi said, the people present also left the scene one after another, and suddenly the area around the small shop became deserted.
Zhang Shaofei took advantage of the lack of people, strode forward and tore off the list.
The official who was waiting next to the announcement immediately took Zhang Shaofei to see the Dongkou Dusi.
Seeing that he was a young man, Du Si asked some basic information as usual and immediately sent someone to the county office to report to the county magistrate.
The county magistrate, Zhang Zhongchang, heard the official report. The person who announced the announcement was a young man named Zhang Shaofei. He was from Taizhen Village in this county. He rushed to Dongkou Dusi at starry night to host a banquet in honor of Zhang Shaofei.
Zhang Shaofei had heard that Zhang Zhongchang was full of knowledge, talented, and capable of managing politics. He was his idol.
In front of Zhang Zhongchang, the county magistrate, Zhang Shaofei suddenly felt like he was standing on a mountain.
He thought that Zhang Zhongchang must be very arrogant, but he didn't know that this gentleman had no airs at all. In conversation, he is always so approachable and affable.
When they talked about the topic of "how to subdue the 'water monster'", Zhang Shaofei expressed his opinion: the "water monster" that can eat people must be a ferocious animal in the water with a big mouth. We can't fight it with force, we can only use our wits to fight it. Pick.
…
Zhang Zhongchang happily encouraged him and said: "You can stand up and eliminate evil for the people. I wish you success immediately. After you succeed, the county government will definitely reward you according to the regulations. Now I will pay you ten taels of silver in advance to eliminate the 'eccentrics'" Use it for the purpose. After the task is completed, I will give you the entire reward."
After Zhang Shaofei received the silver reward, he thanked him repeatedly.
Before Zhang Zhongchang returned to the county government, he repeatedly asked: "Zhang Shaofei, you must make serious preparations when you go back to get rid of the 'water monster' and do harm to the people."
Zhang Shaofei said: "Master Zhang, please rest assured, I have my own way to get rid of the 'water monster' and do harm to the people."
Early the next morning, Zhang Zhongchang personally went to the Dongkou River with Zhang Shaofei. After some observation, he immediately prepared to remove the "strange" materials.
According to Zhang Shaofei's plan, Zhang Zhongchang ordered the comrade to buy two large pumpkins and a large iron pot. He first put the pumpkins in the pot with water and boiled them until the meat sacs in the melons were boiling and thoroughly cooked. Fry it in raw oil to make the pumpkin become crispy and thick, which is fragrant and not easy to dissipate heat. Then go to the fish stall in Dongkouwei Market to buy a bucket of fish intestines, mix the fish scales and apply it on the surface of the pumpkin to make the pumpkin It emits a fishy and crispy smell to lure "water monsters" to eat melons.
With the enthusiastic help and full cooperation and support of the county magistrate Zhang Zhongchang, Zhang Shaofei's plan was carried out smoothly.
Everything is ready, choose to get rid of the "monster" in the evening the day after tomorrow.
The news that Zhang Shaofei removed the "water monster" from the list spread quickly in the back beam and around the entrance of the cave.
This morning, on the way to the private school, Lu Xueru heard the news that Zhang Shaofei had torn out the "water monster" by tearing up the list. He didn't care about going to the private school anymore. He turned around and hurried home and asked Lu Huilan: "Auntie, Ah Fei has torn out the "water monster" by tearing up the list. ', do you know?"
When Lu Huilan heard this, she was startled for a moment, looked at Lu Xueru, and said, "Dad, it was me who harmed Brother A Fei. I shouldn't have told him about the 'water ghost' eating people that day. Dad, now What should I do?"
Lu Xueru was also very anxious. He stamped his feet and said, "For a moment, Dad couldn't think of a way to save him!"
"Then let me go to Taizhen Village first and tell my aunt about this?" Lu Huilan said, looking at her father anxiously.
Lu Xueru stopped him and said, "Don't go. Now that the matter has come to this, don't tell Mother A Fei, lest she worry about the child."
"What should we do?" Lu Huilan was so anxious that she almost cried.
"The only solution now is to leave it to fate... Let's pray that A Fei will turn his misfortune into good luck and be safe and sound." Lu Xueru spread his hands and said helplessly.
…
That afternoon, people from the Houliang and Dongkou areas flocked to watch Zhang Shaofei catch the "weird".
Lu Xueru's family was also among the crowd.
"Let's go!" In the evening, Zhang Shaofei waved his hand and walked out of Dongkou Dusi, leading the way. The county magistrate Zhang Zhongchang was behind to cheer him on. Dongkou Dusi, Yachai and other people followed him and walked towards the Dongkou river section.
When Lu Huilan saw Zhang Shaofei, she opened her mouth and shouted loudly: "Brother A Fei, be careful!"
But the scene was filled with people and it was so dark that no matter how loud Lu Huilan screamed, Zhang Shaofei was so far away from her, how could he hear her.
As night fell, the group came to the river near the entrance of the cave.
Zhang Shaofei saw a crowd of people on the riverbank, so he gestured to the capital to send someone to maintain order.
At this time, the sounds of insects in the grass on both sides of the river sounded, densely packed, one after another, and fireflies were swimming on the river, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the river.
Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and the floating clouds in the sky were blown away by the wind. A bright moon hung high in the sky, and the bright moonlight shone on the mysterious river.
When everything was ready, Zhang Shaofei asked the yamen to carry the processed pumpkin onto the boat and push it to the center of the river section where the "water monster" often appeared.
Suddenly, there were waves of rolling sounds on the river.
The two officials were so frightened that their expressions changed. They turned the boat around and tried to escape to the shore, but Zhang Shaofei grabbed them.
Zhang Shaofei whispered: "Brother Chai, what are you afraid of?"
The voices of the two cadres trembled: "It seems like the 'water monster' is about to pounce!"
Although the two cadres were strong, they were both afraid of "water monsters", so when they heard the sound of churning in the water, they were so frightened that their legs became weak.
Zhang Shaofei emboldened them: "What are you afraid of? This ship is specially made with protective shields on all sides. I'm in front, so don't be afraid. Just follow me."
"Okay, we'll follow you." The two cadres patted their chests to calm down their frightened hearts, and cautiously followed Zhang Shaofei forward.
Arriving at the center of the river section where "water monsters" often appeared, Zhang Shaofei dropped a big duck and swam on the river.
The "water monster" who had been hungry all day, saw the turbulence in the water surface, and then jumped up to the surface with a "whoop" from the bottom of the water...
Seeing this, Lu Huilan felt her feet go weak and fell to the ground, fainting from fright...
Lu Xueru and Lu Huilan's mother hurriedly helped Lu Huilan up. Seeing that her daughter was so frightened that her face turned pale and she was unsteady, she hurriedly helped Lu Huilan to find the doctor.
Besides, when the "water monster" saw a big duck floating on the surface of the river, he rushed towards the big duck, opened his bloody mouth, and swallowed the big duck alive.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Shaofei immediately poured the two processed pumpkins into the water.
The "water monster" thought that another delicious meal was coming. When he saw it was food and smelled the fishy smell, he immediately swam towards the pumpkin, opened his big mouth, swallowed two pumpkins one by one, and then sank into the river. I went to rest.
After Zhang Shaofei saw the "water monster" swallowing the pumpkin and sinking, he immediately asked the Yamen to row the boat to the shore.
After Zhang Shaofei and two government officials came ashore, they stood quietly by the river and observed.
About ten minutes later, waves rolled up on the river. The "water monster" was scalded to death by the hot pumpkin. It jumped up from the bottom of the river to the surface of the water with a roar, bumping east and west, struggling desperately in the water.
In an instant, the water on the river was churning, and the onlookers were talking incessantly. It was very lively for a while.
Soon, this evil "water monster" was scalded to death and floated on the water.
At this time, people's cheers and applause resounded throughout the wilderness and lasted for a long time.
Zhang Zhongchang directed the officials to fish out the "water monster". It turned out to be a large "water monster" weighing hundreds of kilograms.
