"What... happened?"
Chen Tao stood at the entrance of Uncle Long's shop. Even if it was the off-season, Uncle Long would not close the door of the shop in normal times.
Now the entire store's partitions are standing on it, and it's tightly blocked. Something must have happened inside.
It is not a strange thing that the shops are not open. There are so many shops on the old street that people passing by will not care at all.
Chen Tao looked around, walked to the front of the store, raised his hand and knocked twice on the third partition, and then twice on the ninth partition. He paused for a moment, knocked four times on the third fast board, and then ran to the tenth partition and knocked twice.
Every line has its own way of doing things, and similarly, every family has its own rules. Those who engage in antique goods business will inevitably have some shady aspects.
Although the Chen family has long been cleansed and has its own public business, it still has its own underground market.
To this end, the Chen family created a set of communication code words unique to the family to convey information to their own people through sounds.
The reason why I chose sound is because in the underground tombs, in different locations, apart from signs, sound is the best medium for transmitting information.
This system of code words is extremely complex. The sentences used are different in different situations, above and below ground. Unless the Chen family explains it to you word for word, outsiders will never understand.
These things were taught by his grandfather step by step when he was a child. In addition, he also taught him a lot of boxing and kicking skills. However, he was busy with his studies later. Although he occasionally exercised, he still fell behind a lot.
Careful people will be able to find that all the Chen family's shops have ten outer partitions, the same wood, the same size, the same color, and the same sound.
What Chen Tao just expressed was: "Open the door, I am Chen Tao."
After a while, there was a soft sound behind the first partition, and the person inside opened the door. Chen Tao looked around, then got in sideways.
"Little boss, why are you here?"
As soon as he entered the door, Chen Tao was almost vomited by the smell of cigarette smoke. At this time, it was dark behind the door, and there were about ten people standing there.
The person who spoke was known to Chen Tao, but he didn't know his name. They only knew that everyone called him Scar Wu, and he was a pillar of Pankou under Uncle Long.
It is said that this man followed Uncle Long into the cave and blocked the claws of Xianyu for Uncle Long. He survived the disaster, but left five long scars on the side of his face.
Scar Wu was flexible and could not find any faults in his work. Uncle Long admired him very much and allowed him to reach his current status from a small minion in Pankou.
Uncle Long established his own business in Jiangsu, with five dealers scattered throughout Jiangsu. Each handicap is guarded by a pillar, and Suzhou, the largest handicap, is directly under the jurisdiction of Uncle Long and is his base camp.
(Kaishanlicai, also known as Anjiao, in slang means to establish one's own power in a certain place. In the jargon, "there are drawers in the cabinet, and the cellar also needs pillars." This drawer and cellar refer to the territory. , and the pillar refers to the person in charge of each market.)
"Uncle Scar, I have something to do with Uncle Long. What happened? Why are there so many people here today?"
Scar Wu pulled Chen Tao aside and whispered: "Master Long won't let us publicize this matter because it was you and me who said it."
"A few days ago, the brothers sent by Mr. Long to step on the plate in Shanxi disappeared!"
(Stepping on the plate is also called touching the plate. In slang, it means to step on a certain place. The difference is that touching the plate is just for reconnaissance, asking around to collect information. In addition to the above actions, stepping on the plate means that if something is discovered, it is too late to report it. , you can act according to the situation, even if you go directly into the hole, it doesn’t matter.)
"What?" Chen Tao was a little surprised, thinking to himself that this old boy, Uncle Long, was indeed not idle. He had secretly sent someone back to Shanxi after disappearing for so long!
"Then...what's the situation now?"
"Master Long came back today with a very ugly look on his face. He summoned several of us Zhuzhu here. I'm afraid something big is going to happen..." Scar Wu whispered.
"What about others?"
Scar Wu raised his head and glanced at the inner hall behind the shop, "I'm in there with Shangui and the others. I don't know what they are discussing."
Shan Gui is Uncle Long's confidant and his most capable right-hand man. When Uncle Long is away, Shan Gui takes care of all the complicated matters in Dapankou.
Chen Tao frowned and was hesitating whether to go in and take a look when he heard a door knock from inside. Uncle Long led Shangui and several other pillars out.
"Why are you here?" As soon as Uncle Long went out, he saw Chen Tao behind the crowd and couldn't help but frown and asked.
"Um...uncle...I have something I want to tell you."
Looking at Uncle Long who was acting uncharacteristically, Chen Tao was a little nervous. He naturally understands the current situation. In front of so many Zhuzi's subordinates, Uncle Long, as their boss, cannot lose his identity.
"Now is not the time. You go home first. If you have anything to do, we'll talk about it tonight."
"okay……"
Coming out of the back door of the shop and smelling the fresh air outside, Chen Tao slowly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been too depressed just now.
Even though Uncle Long usually acted like a rude person in front of him, in front of his subordinates, he looked like a different person, with such a strong aura that everyone present could not breathe. Angry.
It was getting late, and he didn't dare to go back to his shop. He bundled up his clothes and walked straight towards Uncle Long's house. He has been living in Uncle Long's house for more than half a year since he came to Suzhou.
In the end what happened?
Lying on the sofa, thinking about everything he experienced today, Chen Tao felt that his brain was not enough.
First he was being followed, and now several of the guys sent by Uncle Long have also disappeared. What is going on behind all this?
Could it be...
Chen Tao was suddenly startled and sat up suddenly. A thought flashed through his mind:
"Is it the bronze man?"
Thinking of everything that had happened since he took over the bronze man, Chen Tao felt vaguely that this matter might not be that simple.
If his guess is correct, Uncle Long will send people back to Shanxi to step on the plates, and there is a high probability that they will find something from the bronze man.
"Damn, no wonder he kept silent and said nothing when asked!"
Chen Tao is a little depressed. The bronze man is now in Uncle Long's hands. Even if he wants to find clues, he can't do anything.
It’s not a day or two since he came into contact with Uncle Long’s underground business. Although Uncle Long never let him interfere, he was not a fool. The guys who were sent out said they were missing and most likely fell into a cave. That's a lot of lives!
During dinner, Uncle Long came back with two bags of vegetables. His face was calm, and the gloomy, serious and suffocating aura he had in the shop before was completely gone.
"Uncle, you are back. What happened?"
As soon as Uncle Long entered the door, Chen Tao couldn't wait to pester him. After holding it in all afternoon, he now urgently needs an answer.
Uncle Long glanced at Chen Tao indifferently, lifted the plastic packaging box on his hand and said:
"We'll talk about it later, let's eat first."
There was something on his mind, so Chen Tao couldn't eat anything. The food felt like chewing wax in his mouth. Looking at Uncle Long's normal expression, if you think this matter has passed, you are totally wrong!
Uncle Long went from having nothing to what he is today, relying entirely on himself. Although there is nothing wrong with him, Chen Tao has grown up with Uncle Long since he was a child. Others don't know, so doesn't he still know? The calmer Uncle Long's face became, the more serious the matter became, and it even reached an uncontrollable situation.
After chewing a few dry mouthfuls of rice, Chen Tao finally couldn't bear it anymore.
"Oh, Uncle Long, you should tell me, what happened?"
Uncle Long took a bite of the food calmly and said calmly:
"What did you do in my shop today?"
When Uncle Long mentioned it, Chen Tao came back to his senses. How could he have forgotten that matter? He immediately put down the bowl and chopsticks and said.
"I was followed today."
"What?" Uncle Long's hand shaking the food shook and he frowned at Chen Tao.
"What's going on? Tell me clearly."
Seeing Uncle Long's sudden change of expression, Chen Tao also knew the seriousness of the matter. He immediately told the story of being followed and chased by those people in the morning.
Of course, Chen Tao selectively avoided a certain disgusting chicken coop and his extremely obscene and shameful behavior towards himself.
"These bastards are getting more and more courageous!"
Uncle Long put down the bowl and chopsticks heavily, and after a while he said: "After dinner, you buy two tickets to the ancient city, pack them up tomorrow, and come with me."
"Ah...ah? Let's go? Where are we going?" Chen Tao didn't react.
"go home!"
Uncle Long stopped talking, picked up his chopsticks and took two bites of rice.
When Uncle Long talks about going home, he means going back to his hometown in Shanxi, which is the main store of the Chen family. Since the matter happened in Shanxi, the answer must be there.
After dinner, Chen Tao sent a text message to Ajun, asking him to buy some Suzhou pastry specialties tomorrow morning and bring them over, and buy two tickets back to the ancient city. The next day, Chen Tao and Uncle Long got on the train to Shanxi. They were silent all the way. By the time they arrived at their hometown, the ancient city, it was already the afternoon of the third day.
The person who came to pick them up was Fa Xiao Li Hao. Although the two were no longer able to go to school together, their contact remained.
"Haozi, I haven't seen you for more than a year, and you're black again!" Chen Tao greeted Li Hao with a smile.
"Fuck you, what's wrong with you? How can you be a college student? You sit in an office every day, out of the wind and rain." Li Hao rolled his eyes at Chen Tao, smiled and punched Chen Tao's shoulder, and then looked at Uncle Long .
"Hello, Uncle Long."
Haozi's attitude was very respectful. Chen Tao looked a little confused and thought to himself, when did this kid respect Uncle Long so much?
Uncle Long nodded, and Haozi quickly took the luggage from Uncle Long's hand.
"Let's go. The car is in front. The meal has been prepared at home. My grandpa has been urging me for a long time."
"How are you, Mr. Li?"
Uncle Long lit a cigarette and took out another and threw it to Haozi. Chen Tao didn't know how to smoke, so Uncle Long ignored him.
"Yeah, I'm in good spirits! I always talk about you when I have nothing to do. Today I heard that you are coming back and you are bringing out all the old wine!"
"Are you talking about that wine?" Uncle Long's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Uncle Long! Those jars that Grandpa Chen used to brew! Normally, my grandpa is so precious that he won't let me touch them!"
"Let's go home and eat!"
The car drove all the way into the ancient city and drove to the backyard of Li Lao's woodware shop. When I got off the car, I realized that many people had come today. In addition to Chen Tao's aunt, other uncles, including Chen Tao's father, were waiting for them early.
The Chen and Li families are more family friends than family friends, and they are almost like a family. Mr. Li has no children and only has one grandson, Haozi. Before Grandpa Chen Tao passed away, he left his last words to take good care of Mr. Li.
Chen Tao and the others have not been back for half a year. The gathering of relatives and friends is naturally very lively, with people drinking and drinking happily.
At night, Chen Tao lay alone in his room, his brows twisted into knots.
"Heizigou...where have you seen this place before?"
I thought that Uncle Long would do something big immediately after he came back, but he did nothing except eat and drink.
Looking at the drunk Uncle Long, Chen Tao felt really uncomfortable.
"It seems I can only rely on myself... huh?" A thought flashed through his mind, and he almost fell off the bed in shock.
"Nah... isn't it?" Chen Tao sat up from the bed like crazy, grabbed a coat and rushed out of the room.
The bright moon hangs high, and although it's still summer, it doesn't have the sweltering heat of the south. A gust of wind blew close to his neck, and Chen Tao shivered all over. Looking at the locked door in front of me, my heart was pounding.
"Well...Grandpa, I'm going to come in and take a look. Your grandson is timid, so don't scare me..."
The small courtyard in front of me was the residence of Grandpa Chen Tao during his lifetime. After grandpa passed away, no one came to this small courtyard again. After swallowing hard, Chen Tao gritted his teeth and opened the iron lock.
The key was secretly given to him by his grandfather before he died, and he never told anyone about it.
Squeak...
The iron door shook a few times, making a sharp friction sound, and the buzzing of insects all around stopped instantly.
Chen Tao bravely walked in. There were already a lot of weeds growing in the yard. When the flashlight shines over it, you can still see a few flying insects jumping around.
"It's a bit scary to come to a place like this in the middle of the night..."
Turning around and locking the door, Chen Tao walked toward the back room on grass leaves.
The house still maintained its original appearance. Looking at the familiar furnishings around him, Chen Tao couldn't help but miss the time when he was a child, hiding in his grandfather's arms and listening to him tell ghost stories.
It had been unoccupied for a long time and the furniture was covered with dust. Chen Tao walked to an old-fashioned large wooden cabinet, opened the door, and pulled out a palm-sized metal box from a hidden compartment.
This is a relic left to him by his grandfather.
The box is in the shape of a lying beast, with strange lines engraved all over the body. Although it is not exquisite, it is old enough that it is not vulgar at first glance.
One end of the box is engraved with an animal head, with pointed ears, long cheeks, and outward-turned fangs. It is very abstract. Under the animal head are two forelimbs, connected as one.
The other end of the box is the hind limbs and tail, which are also close to the wall of the box, and the part beyond the end is tooth-shaped.
The back of the beast box is movable and can be pushed open, and things can be stored inside.
The night my grandfather passed away, in addition to the key to the yard, he also told Chen Tao the secret. However, he was still young at the time and did not understand what the thing in the box was. Now...
Thinking of this, Chen Tao couldn't help but feel a little chilly and had goosebumps all over his body.
Opening the lid of the beast box, there was a strange map inside, and I couldn't tell where it was. In addition, there was a letter. The writer did not sign it, but only said that it was personally addressed by Chen Tao.
Looking at those words, although the seal had turned yellow, he could still recognize that it was his own handwriting.
"It's been eight years. Unexpectedly, I actually wrote exactly the same handwriting as the letter..."
He opened the envelope tremblingly and pulled out the blood-stained letter:
Hello Chen Tao, it is October 28, 1994. I am in an ancient ruins and all our people are dead.
Half a year ago, I made a mistake, and because of this mistake, everyone paid a heavy price, including myself.
Originally there was still a chance to save everything, but now I have no way to stop them. The only thing I can do now is to ask for help.
You may think I am crazy about what I am going to talk about next, but soon, you will be involved in this matter, and your world will be overturned!
I can't tell you everything, everything depends on you! If you don’t want the Chen family to be destroyed, you must follow Uncle Long! Follow him to Heizigou and that tomb!
No matter what the cost, you must find it, it is our only hope.
As for what it is, you will know.
In ten minutes, you will be born. It's a pity that I can't witness this miraculous moment with my own eyes. They are already here!
Oh, who am I?
When that day comes, you will know.
I am waiting for you!
