When the two arrived at Xiuyifang, they saw a butcher shop crowded with spectators. There were many people eating melons, and the skins of melon seeds were smashed all over the floor. They were pointing, laughing and cursing. It was absolutely exciting to watch the excitement. Don't be afraid of big things.
The crowd was packed, and there were shouts and shouts of fighting inside.
"Your Highness, would you like to go over and take a look?"
Li Tang asked softly. The crowd that gathered in front of me seemed to be blocking the way.
Zhao Hong looked at the crowd, turned his eyes to the butcher shop aside, and frowned.
"Go in and take a look!"
This street market, full of the smell of fireworks, made him feel friendly. As long as you cook hot pot and play a few rounds of mahjong, the true meaning of life is nothing more than this.
"Give up! Give up!"
After shouting several times, but no one paid attention, Li Tang spread his arms, pulled and pushed, pushing the melon-eaters aside, and forced his way out.
The audience was indignant, but looking at Zhao Hong's luxurious clothes and unusual wardrobe, and the knife hanging from Li Tang's waist, they dared not speak out.
The two entered the crowd and saw a group of aggressive thugs beating one person. The beaten man lay on the ground, curled up, covering his head, face and lower abdomen with his arms, allowing the other party to punch and kick him.
"Call you boy Heng!"
"Go to hell! You son of a bitch!"
The thugs were kicking and beating the man on the ground while cursing.
Zhao Hong looked carefully and couldn't help but smile.
The gangsters seemed to be fighting lively, but in fact they were all very measured, and they did not kill or hurt their bones.
These gangsters understand the essence of Lin'an City's street philosophy.
"Old man, what happened?"
Li Tang saw that the thugs were ruthless and asked the old man watching on the side.
Isn't it illegal to beat others in broad daylight?
"This Dalang Tian offended Ma San, a gangster on the street, and now he is being retaliated by the other party."
Seeing that Li Tang was acting unusually, the old man whispered.
"My father-in-law, is that Dalang Tian? What's your name?"
Li Tang's heart moved and he asked immediately.
Couldn't this be Tian Dalang?
"The son of Liuhe Gun Tian Liuhe, Tian Yi, the eldest son of the Tian family, that "Tian Family Butcher Shop" belongs to them. Just getting beaten without fighting back is a waste of good skills!"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, Zhao Hong couldn't wait and entered the crowd, kicking over a rogue.
Zhao Hong took action himself. Li Tang was shocked and immediately followed him. His fists and kicks were like the wind, knocking one person over and repelling two others. The other gangsters saw the ferocity of Li Tang's approach and got out of the way.
Zhao Hong pulled Tian Yi up after being beaten, and at the same time did not forget to give Li Tang a thumbs up.
"Li Tang, your skills are as good as a golden spear. Amazing!"
These few punches and kicks were so clean and powerful that Zhao Hong felt the power in them.
Li Tang didn't have time to react to Zhao Hong, so he stood up in front of Zhao Hong.
"Your Highness, why are you here?"
The young man who was beaten was of medium build, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He wore a coarse short coat and had several bruises on his face, but he was full of energy.
He has a straight waist and bright eyes. The characteristics of a practicing master are vividly reflected in him.
Tian Yi looked at Zhao Hong, his face full of surprise, obviously from his heart.
"Tian Dalang, don't call me Your Highness, just call me Zhao Hong!"
Zhao Hong laughed and said without any airs, as he dusted the young man off.
No need to ask, this is Tian Yi, his "sworn brother" when he was a boy.
Eyes are windows. This Tian Yi's eyes are clear, revealing an unconcealable truth, kindness and beauty, which makes Zhao Hong feel ashamed.
My heart has been dirty since it rolled in the quagmire.
A tall and broad-shouldered rogue came out, wearing a black mandarin duck, black satin boots, a black cotton coat, a Chinese character face, and a beard. He was carrying an exquisite small red bamboo cage with several colorful birds in it.
As long as you put on a black suit and black leather shoes, it will be even cooler.
"Who are you, who dare to interfere with my Zhang San's affairs?"
The rogue is a little over 180 meters tall, with a black beard, Chinese character face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and sharp eyes. He looks like a majestic and macho man.
"Who are you and why do you beat others?"
Li Tang didn't know when he pulled out the knife and pointed it at the rogue who was holding the birdcage.
The other party has a large number of people, but they must not let anything happen to Zhao Hong.
"The meat Tian Dalang sells smells bad, and my family members are all sick from eating it. I'm here to settle the score with him, isn't that okay?"
Zhang San saw that Li Tang was well-dressed and not just waiting for others, but he was facing the tip of the knife without fear.
There are as many officials as dogs in Lin'an City, and there are princes and ministers everywhere. He can't afford to offend even a little rogue.
At this moment, the brothers were all watching and could only hold on.
"Third brother, knock him down and let him know how powerful we are!"
"Third brother, give him some color and see!"
The rogues started shouting.
It seems that they are very confident about the strength of their "third brother".
"What are you arguing about? Get out of here! This is His Royal Highness Duke Ji, the prince of the Song Dynasty. Don't be presumptuous!"
Li Tang waved his hand impatiently.
"You're a decent guy, well-dressed, and your mouth should be cleaner to avoid soiling yourself."
Li Tang's arrogance was exchanged for Zhang San's cold words. It seems that he is not afraid of the other party at all.
Zhao Hong was slightly happy. This Zhang San has character and he likes it.
"Get out of the way! What are you doing here? Please behave yourself!"
Several civil servants wearing official uniforms and carrying sharp knives came in, shouting loudly and aggressively. He is not polite at all to ordinary people.
Seeing the subordinates approaching, Li Tang sheathed his sword and stepped aside.
"Brother Chao, it's nothing. Brothers are just having fun. It's really nothing!"
The two scoundrels stepped forward, smiling playfully, nodding and bowing, not daring to make any more noise.
"Wang Gui, you are a scumbag again. Do you have the right to speak? We are fighting in the street. Let's go back with me!"
A round-faced official strode forward, pressed the neck of the scoundrel named Wang Gui, and put the chain directly on Wang Gui's neck.
Poor Wang Gui, who was tall and mighty, was pressed by the neck by the round-faced official, bowing his head, like a child who had made a mistake, and did not dare to move at all.
"Wait!"
Zhang San came over, clasped his fists in salute, and forced out a smile.
"Brother Cha, we brothers are just joking. Please be kind and let him go."
Seeing the apologetic smile on his face and his servile look, it was extremely unnatural and unwilling.
"Zhang San, who do you think you are? Stop talking nonsense and come with me to the Yamen!"
The round-faced man stretched out his hand to tug Zhang San's sleeve, showing his domineering attitude.
It can be seen that Zhang San and his rogue brothers are habitual criminals and often deal with the government, so they all know each other.
"Brother Chai, I can go with you, but please let my brother go. I will be very grateful."
Zhang Sanchu remained calm and did not dodge, allowing the official to grab his breast.
"Zhang San, you are not qualified to bargain with me! Take everyone back, and you, Mr. Tian Family, follow me!"
Zao officials are upright and do not give face to anyone.
"Brother Chai, Brother Zhang San and I are just joking around. Please be kind enough to brother Chai and let us go."
Tian Yi cupped his hands and smiled, with a respectful attitude.
If the people do not fight with the officials, it is natural for the common people to fear the officials.
Zhao Hong nodded secretly. This Tian Yi does not add insult to injury, but is open-minded and a loyal man.
If he was bullied and beaten, he didn't think he would be as open-minded as Tian Yi.
"Tian Dalang, you are a pig butcher, why do you think you are so big? There is meat on the ground, your nose is bruised and your face is swollen. Is this a joke? Stop talking nonsense and follow me quickly!"
The soap official spoke and waved his hand. Another soap official came up, put an iron chain around Zhang San's neck, and yanked hard.
"Zhang San, come with me! If you don't change your ways despite repeated admonitions, let's see how I deal with you when I get back!"
"Brother Chao, I am responsible for this matter alone. Please let my brother go!"
Zhang San's face was red and his ears were red, his neck was stiff and he was still making his last effort and stubbornness.
The official's eyes widened. He pulled the chain with one hand and drew the sword from his waist with the other hand.
"Zhang San, don't be so shameless! If you pissed me off, don't blame me for being merciless!"
Zhang San's face turned red and he didn't dare to say anything anymore. He was dragged by the officer's iron chain and walked forward with his tall body bent.
"Tian Dalang, you follow too!"
The official suppressed Zhang San and his group and waved his hand to Tian Yi impatiently.
Tian Yi looked at Zhao Hong helplessly and smiled apologetically.
"Your Highness, I'll go to the Yamen first. You go back first, and we'll sit down later."
"Everyone stop! No one is allowed to leave!"
Tian Yi was about to leave, and Zhao Hong finally spoke and said it loudly.
"You've come here, how can you come here in vain?"
The reason why he kept silent was because he wanted to see how these officials would handle the matter and how the officialdom was in this era.
Sure enough, it has been the case since ancient times that the fox pretends to be the tiger's power and the official is illustrious, arrogant and domineering in front of the common people, and servile and servile in front of the superior officials.
"Who are you? What does it have to do with you?"
The officials stopped and looked at Zhao Hong in surprise.
The reason why they did not take away the "suspected" master and servant Zhao Hong was because they felt that these two people were well-dressed and unusual.
They mix and match on the street all the year round, and these subordinate officials have unusually vicious eyes. When they see people serving food, they are polite in their words and don't dare to be dirty.
"Your Highness, it's okay. I'll be right back!"
Tian Yi turned around and said, fearing that Zhao Hong would lose his temper and not wanting Zhao Hong to be involved.
"Bold! This is the current prince, His Highness Duke Ji Guo. Why don't you hurry up and pay your respects?"
Li Tang took a few steps forward, with a dark face, and showed his ID card of Duke Ji's Palace.
"Prince? His Highness Duke Ji Guo?"
The officials were all shocked. They looked at Zhao Hong together, dubious.
How could the majestic Duke Ji Guo, the prince of the Song Dynasty, appear in such a mixed place?
"Brothers, do you want me to ask Mr. Wu of Lin'an Prefecture to come over and let him handle this matter personally?"
Zhao Hong smiled broadly and looked like a powerful man.
"Don't you dare! I've seen His Highness Lord Ji Guo!"
Zhao Hong was dressed in rich brocade clothes and had an extraordinary demeanor. Although the officials were suspicious, they still saluted Zhao Hong one after another.
"Brothers, thank you for your hard work."
The governor of Lin'an was brought out. Although the officials were polite, they didn't seem to have any intention of releasing him.
The king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with. Although Wu Jing is the governor of Lin'an Prefecture, the subordinate officials below him have their own way of doing things.
"Your Highness, what I am waiting for is official business and my responsibilities. Is there anything wrong, Your Highness?"
Sure enough, the subordinate official who took the lead looked calm and asked directly.
Looking at the melon-eating crowd around us, they were still eating melon seeds as usual, and the sellers did not delay, and there was no such thing as being respectful or kneeling down to worship.
The royal family of the Song Dynasty was close to the people and no longer aloof, but it could also be seen that the imperial power was declining.
