The old Taira store is quiet, without the noise of the past. But the front door was still clean, and the rice grains scattered deliberately caused the birds to land and peck at it.
The store door was ajar, so I strolled in and deliberately coughed, but there was no movement inside. I had a big doubt in my heart. In the past, when Shu'er heard my voice, she would definitely come out to greet her. Today, it's just that there are no guests. Why are there no people? Could it be that she went out? It doesn't look like it.
I coughed again and wanted to push the door open. At this time, a voice came from inside, "Who is it?" The voice was very stiff, not Brother Pingliu at all, and then there was a burst of chaotic footsteps. My heart tightened and I said casually. Said: "I am a passing guest and want to have a bowl of wine!"
With that said, I raised my legs and walked in. The man came out to greet me, but blocked my way and shouted: "I'm very sorry, our store is not open today, please come back another day!" As he said, He stretched out his hand and pushed me away. I was even more puzzled. Although the man was dressed as a clerk, he had an unkempt beard and looked unfavorable. He was about thirty years old and his eyes flickered. I pretended to smile and said: "I am a regular customer here. , why haven’t I seen you, where is Brother Zhuang? His men don’t take me seriously.”
The man didn't dare to look at me, but just evaded: "Brother Zhuang went to the countryside. I am a new guy. I just arrived yesterday. I was ordered to take care of this place. Please come back tomorrow!" He stretched out his hand and pushed me again. I followed the trend, He staggered and suddenly heard a few crackling sounds upstairs, which was the sound of broken jars. He knew something must have happened, so he went up the stairs.
Suddenly a cool breeze hit me behind my ears, and I lowered my head subconsciously. The man hit the table next to me with his stick, and the table broke immediately. Then he shouted: "Be careful, everyone, something is coming!" I didn't wait for him to raise it again. The stick flew up and kicked him in the chest. He took several steps back and fell to the ground. I pulled out my dagger and jumped upstairs.
Unexpectedly, I was walking on the stairs and just about to go upstairs when I heard a shout: "Brother Zhang, be careful!" It was Shu'er, but I also saw a cold light coming towards me. I dodged and missed, and the knife turned and slashed sideways, and the man downstairs also rushed up with a wooden stick. The stairs were so cramped that I couldn't dodge them, so I had to shrink my head and hide my head.
Suddenly, the knife passed over his head. Before he could turn around, I jumped up and stabbed the dagger along the back of his knife. The man was caught off guard, and I stabbed him in the right hand. With a scream, the steel knife fell away. , and the wind roared behind me again, I did not hesitate to sneak around behind the person in front, stretched out my hand, pulled, and pushed again. The man hit the man with a heavy stick on the top of his head, and he fell instantly. The man was shocked. I didn't wait for him to come to his senses. I jumped over with the sword in my hand, pressed the tip of the sword to his throat, and yelled: "Who are you?"
But the man refused to say anything. I was thinking of Shu'er, so I knocked the man unconscious with one palm. Shu'er said over there: "Brother Zhang, come and save me." I heard the voice and went out. Shu'er was tied to a pillar and sat on the ground. Holding the two men tied together, I hurried over and cut the rope with my sword. Shuer's face was pale and she looked at me with tears in her eyes, but she was very calm. I helped her sit down and untied the men's rope. Just then he asked: "What's going on? Where is Brother Pingliu?"
Shu Er said: "Father went to buy materials early in the morning, and I was packing in the store. These two people came in and tied us up indiscriminately. You just happened to come up. If you hadn't come, I don't know what would have happened?" As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.
I managed to say a few words of comfort, but the sound of rapid footsteps came from downstairs, and it was none other than Brother Pingliu. He ran upstairs sweating profusely, and when he saw us, he let out a long breath. Shu'er hurried over, nestled on Brother Pingliu's shoulder, and cried softly, and Brother Pingliu comforted her repeatedly.
I looked around again to make sure there was no one else. I returned to the two people and searched them, but there was nothing. Brother Pingliu kept watching, and when I stood up, he thanked me and said, "If adults hadn't come to rescue me, I don't know what would have happened to my little girl!" I replied, "Brother Liu, you're welcome. When this happens, I will naturally People move forward, let alone you and sister Shu'er!" One sentence made Shu'er blush and feel ashamed.
The guys started to clean up the house. The two people were tied to the pillars on the second floor and were still unconscious. I laughed and said, "They couldn't help but beat them. They're not awake yet!" Brother Pingliu asked, "What's wrong with these two people?" Dispose of them?" I said: "Brother Six, do you know them?" Brother Ping Liu shook his head, "I really don't know!" I said: "If they were ordinary robbers, they would have escaped long ago when they heard people coming. But they have the courage to stay. Come down, there must be something going on!"
Shu Er said at the side: "No, after we were kidnapped, there were indeed a few guests, but he pretended to be a clerk and sent them away!"
I nodded and said, "In that case, I'll take them back to Jinyiwei and interrogate them carefully!" I guessed that they must be here for Brother Ping Liu. Brother Pingliu hesitated for a moment, nodded, invited me to sit down in a quiet room, brought tea and cakes, and bowed deeply to me.
I thought he wanted to thank me again, so I smiled and said: "Brother Six, why are you so polite? We are not outsiders!" Brother Ping Liu said seriously: "It's not my daughter's business, but I have something serious to ask for!" I He was so surprised that he said: "Brother Six, if you have any questions, just ask, I will do whatever I can!"
Brother Pingliu said: "I beg you, sir, please let Mr. Yang Hongyang go!"
I stood up in a leap, almost unable to believe my ears, and stared at Brother Pingliu. Brother Pingliu continued: "Master Yang is an upright official, and he does not deserve to die. He has been an official for many years, and his family is extremely poor, but he is still alive." He was passionate and dedicated to serving the country. It's a pity that he suffered such a disaster. His mother was frightened and died. We couldn't bear it and invested money to restrain the old man. Now, his wife and children are in prison, and he heard that he was sentenced to severe punishment. If this continues , I'm just afraid that my life will be lost here. How can we let such a person die unjustly?!" He stared at me, his eyes full of anger.
I listened around, but there was no movement, and whispered: "Sixth brother, you misunderstood. Although I am responsible for the imprisonment, the order for the execution was not made by me, and I just learned about it. By the way, how do you know Mr. Yang?" ? That day, I saw you and Shu'er in the crowd." Brother Pingliu took a long breath and said, "I also believe that your Excellency will not issue an order to execute Master Yang. In the past, Master Yang was the magistrate of Shanyin County, and I When I was selling goods, the horse pulling the goods was frightened, which frightened an old man on the roadside. The old man was scared to death. The family refused to do it, saying that I had killed someone, and they sued the government. Mr. Yang was a promotion official at the time. I think As a foreigner who was not familiar with the place, he would definitely face a lawsuit. As a result, Mr. Yang questioned him carefully and took the widow to the house to inspect the body. He also checked it in person and asked the neighbors around, and learned that the old man had the original name. He was seriously ill and had already been terminally ill. There was a certain reason for Ma's fright, but it was by no means the main reason. Therefore, I was only asked to pay for the cost of the coffin. I was extremely moved and wanted to send him some belongings, but he refused."
"There is no official in the world who doesn't love money, but Lord Yang is so incorruptible. Later, Lord Yang was transferred to Beijing. I was very happy and thought I could repay him well. But I didn't want to, but Lord Yang still refused. I also understand his family's situation. Hi , it is really a blessing for the Ming Dynasty to have such good officials in the world!"
Of course I knew that Yang Hong was an upright official, but Liu Jin not only explicitly requested that Yang Hong be executed, but his family members were also disposed of. Listening to what Brother Ping Liu said, I sighed and said: "I am just a member of a thousand households, and I can't decide his life or death. And Brother Liu, you also know that he has already been punished. At the same time, I also know that the above means that he is a capital crime." , and his family members will be dealt with together!"
Brother Pingliu took a deep breath, with a rather ugly expression on his face. He nodded and said, "I know this. When I heard that Mr. Yang was arrested, Shu'er and I went to see him off. It turned out that he led a team here. I thought that Mr. Yang has always been here. I have a kind heart and must not treat Mr. Yang badly. I didn’t expect that he would still be punished. Where is the justice? However, if you can open your eyes, Mr. Yang can still be saved!"
I was stunned and asked: "How to save him? Do you want to rob the prisoner?"
Brother Ping Liu hurriedly shook his head and said: "How dare I commit such a serious crime of decapitation? I'm just asking for your help. I heard that you have contacts with the father-in-laws, and even the emperor can see you. When the time is right, I can say a few words to help Mr. Yang. Please give me a favor!”
I couldn't help but burst out laughing and said: "Sixth brother, you really think I'm a big shot! I'm just a small Qianhu in Beijing, and I can't stand on the stage at all. Of course, if I have the chance, I will definitely speak up. Brother Pingliu cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, sir! If you need money to clear it, I will definitely help. I have a 10,000 taels of silver note here. You can use it to make preparations!"
"Brother Six, aren't you saying this to me?" I felt hot all over my body, stood up, and said, "I am just a junior who came to the capital on an errand. I am fortunate to have met you, and I have always respected you as my elder. Although I haven't read for a few days, I still understand the righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period. I am an official, but I am not a greedy person. If you give me money today, will I come here again in the future? If you really think I am such a person, then fine, I will leave right away and will never disturb you in the future."
