Peach and plum spring breeze and a glass of wine

The loud and sad sound of firecrackers in front of Lao Liu's house could be heard far, far away under the quiet night sky...

The warm lights, like falling dominoes, spread from the vicinity of Lao Liu's house to the entire road pavilion as word of mouth spread.

The sleeping Luting woke up again, and countless original residents of the Luting spontaneously put on their clothes, lit torches and slowly rushed along the long street to Lao Liu's house...

As everyone knows, the original residents of Lutingde actually know that the world's second master Yang Erlang is the kind young shopkeeper of Yuelai Inn.

But before that, they had been cooperating with Yang Ge in a big show called "We all know who you are, but we all pretend not to know who you are", carefully guarding Yang Ge's place in Luting. Peaceful and peaceful.

For this reason, they not only selectively ignored all the peculiarities of Yuelai Inn, but also found various "very reasonable" reasons for those peculiarities, and deceived those rare and strange outsiders...

But now that this drama has been going on, it seems that it’s finally time to come to an end.

They can act in the affairs of living people.

Can we also act about dead people?

If the old shopkeeper of Yuelai Inn is allowed to leave in such a deserted manner, I'm afraid Luting will no longer be able to keep the second master...

In the streets and alleys, the original residents of Luting County gathered in a sea of ​​people. Those who lamented to each other about the old shopkeeper were lucky to have survived the Spring Festival.

Secretly, there were countless people pounding the table, throwing cups, and using the most arrogant and unsparing words, ordering their subordinates to deliver the news of the death of the old owner of Yuelai Inn to XXX within X days.

Almost everyone who has an in-depth understanding of Yang Erlang knows what the old shopkeeper means to Yang Erlang.

In a sense, Yang Erlang's protection of Luting County extends from the old shopkeeper...

Now that the old shopkeeper has passed away, the last scabbard that contained the edge of Leng Yue's sword...is gone!

the difference is……

Some people ordered their subordinates to send the news back as soon as possible, because they were worried that their boss would not be able to get to the road pavilion before the old shopkeeper went up the mountain, which would ruin the relationship with the second master.

Some people ordered their subordinates to send the news back as soon as possible, because they were worried that their masters would cause trouble at this time without knowing the true intentions, and they would run into Leng Yue's sword.

Some people ordered their subordinates to send the message back as soon as possible. They knew some of the backbone's layout and were desperately trying to remedy it...

There are even some people who have quietly packed up their bedrolls and run away overnight: they can’t be saved, they can’t be saved, they just have to wait to die!

Countless fast horses galloped out of the pavilion on a snowy night, from the heights of temples to the distances of rivers and lakes, all moving at the sound of the wind!

Even special groups such as bandits and horse bandits who live on the fringes of temples, rivers and lakes all chose to close their doors after receiving the news...

Yang Ge has not left Luting for a long time, and there have been no legends about him in the outside world for a long time. Many of his names reappeared on the desks of leaders of various forces in the world in this way, and they suddenly woke up...

That guy from Lu Ting is no longer number one in the world.

He is a mountain.

An insurmountable mountain!

Whether you have heard of him or not, whether you recognize him or not...

He's all there!

…

The next morning, it started to snow like fine salt.

The yard of Lao Liu's house was overcrowded.

The relatives, friends and neighbors of the old shopkeeper spontaneously came with their own tables, chairs, benches, pots and pans, set up an open-air stove in the yard, and set up running water mats on the street outside the yard.

It seems that everyone who walks into this street can find his or her own place in this funeral. Some people go to welcome guests, some to receive gifts, some to hold spoons, some to chop firewood, some to wash vegetables, and some to wash dishes. ...Liu Mang was ordered to run around all over the place by a group of Yin Yang gentlemen, and he had no time to grieve at all.

Yang Ge, who was kneeling alone in mourning clothes and burning paper in front of the old shopkeeper, couldn't find his place.

His mood at this moment is very strange...

To say sad, it doesn't seem that sad.

After the old man fell ill, he was the one who sought medical advice from various places to treat the old man. He was also the one who stayed by the bedside to serve the old man and nurse him back to health. No one knew the old man's condition better than him, so even though the old man left, he still walked on. It was a bit sudden, but he had already made enough mental preparations and he could accept it.

As for regrets, there seems to be no regrets.

The last month and a half that the old man spent in his hospital bed was hard work, but he didn't suffer any serious sins. In addition, he left with a smile in the company of all of them at the last moment, and even took a bite of his favorite hot waist. , this can be regarded as a joy or mourning, right?

He could figure it all out, but he just couldn't muster the energy to do anything. He didn't want to care about anything or do anything.

He couldn't tell whether it was depression or confusion. It was as if all the flesh and blood under his skin suddenly disappeared, and the wind from the outside world could blow into his body along his Tianling Cap, pulling at his three souls and seven souls. Swinging back and forth, swinging back and forth in his body...

At the right time, a guest walked into the mourning hall, wrapped in the cold wind, and bowed to the old shopkeeper.

Yang Ge threw the paper money in his hand into the brazier and mechanically kowtowed in return.

Someone supported him and persuaded him in a low voice: "Second Master, please forgive me and accept the change!"

"Yes, Second Master, people are old this day. I heard that the old shopkeeper left without a trace during the reunion. This is already a sad day..."

Yang Ge looked up blankly and realized that the four people standing in front of him were Xiao Baoqi, Gangster, Flea and Brother Shit.

He forced out a smile and made a "please" gesture towards the flowing mat outside: "I know, I'm fine, I'm here already, I'm just eating and walking, ah..."

The four brothers looked at Yang Ge's listless look and wanted to say something, but they didn't know what to say. They could only nod and said: "Please don't greet us brothers. We know how to sit, and it's okay. We brothers are just staying here to see if we can help the eldest brother of the Liu family. If you need anything, just say hello to us..."

Yang Geqiang smiled and cupped his hands: "Thank you very much."

The four brothers looked at each other, sighed silently, and turned around to go out.

Yang Ge watched the four of them go out and glanced at the white snow in front of the courtyard. Suddenly he thought of the day when he walked into Luting County wearing the rags of an old fisherman.

That day, it was also snowing lightly.

The old fisherman was a widower, childless, and made a living by fishing. The two acres of thin farmland at home were not enough to support him alone. If he had another mouth to talk to, it would mean that he had no way of living.

In order not to trouble the old fisherman, he pretended to go to the city to visit relatives and walked alone along the unfamiliar river embankment. He did not remember how he walked into Luting County, nor how long he walked in Luting County. , I don’t even remember what I was thinking at that time...

He only remembered that the old shopkeeper stood on the steps in front of the inn with a smile and waved to him, gave him a bowl of hot rice, and asked him where he was going.

From that day on, he no longer looked at the world as if he were looking at the vast ocean.

He is no longer Ye Bianzhou in the vast ocean.

Ah, time flies so fast.

In the blink of an eye, it has been seven years...

"Second brother."

Zhao Miao, who was wearing linen and mourning, knelt beside him and handed him a white-flour steamed bun: "Take a bite, you haven't eaten for almost a day and a night."

"Yeah, I'll eat."

Yang Ge came back to his senses, took the steamed bun with a forced smile, fed it to his mouth and gnawed it.

Zhao Miao looked at his dim eyes, feeling extremely distressed but not knowing what to say. She could only accompany him silently so that he would no longer be lonely.

At dawn the next day, Tang Xiong, dressed in a vermilion four-clawed python robe, led a group of embroidered guards with distinctive armor into the mourning hall: "The imperial edict has arrived!"

The guests who stayed in front of the mourning hall all night were either relatives and friends of the old Liu family or Yang Ge's relatives and friends. Most of them had already expected that the imperial edict would come during the funeral ceremony of the old shopkeeper, but they did not expect that the edict would come so quickly...

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

Tang Xiong: "The emperor who has been blessed by heaven has issued an edict: Lu Tinggong has been promoted to the first rank of Taishi Yang Erlang. He is loyal, filial, benevolent and righteous, wise and courageous. He has helped the country, protected the country and the people, and performed outstanding achievements. In order to show his loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness, he is specially awarded. My uncle, Liu Degui, was granted the title of second rank, the title of son, and hereditary succession. He was given a full funeral ceremony, three memorial altars, five thousand taels of funeral silver, and three families of tombkeepers... I admire this!"

Yang Ge stretched out a hand and responded calmly: "Caomin Yang Erlang thanks your majesty for your kindness, long live my emperor!"

The guests outside the mourning hall kowtowed in unison and echoed: "Long live my emperor, long live long live..."

Tang Xiong looked at Yang Ge's open palm, and then at the jade scroll edict embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon in his hand, and the corners of his eyes twitched.

Yang Ge stared at him expressionlessly.

Tang Xiong turned his head and handed the imperial decree into Yang Ge's hands with both hands.

Yang Ge took the imperial edict and stuffed it into Liu Mang's arms behind him without even looking at it: "Is your Royal Horse Supervisor still responsible for announcing the edict?"

Tang Xiong didn't say anything, thinking to himself: 'Do you think a man is willing to take this kind of job? ’

Who told him that not only was he quick on his feet, but he was also the best acquaintance with Yang Ge in the Royal Horse Prison?

With Yang Ge's current martial arts and strong record, the elders in the Royal Horse Prison trembled when they saw him, but they would never deal with him if they could avoid dealing with him.

Therefore, all the work of dealing with Yang Ge in the Royal Horse Prison was taken care of by Tang Xiong alone.

Tang Xiong remained silent, and Yang Ge also guessed that this old guy came here alone at night... The embroidered guards outside who maintained the angelic appearance were all people from the upper right office.

"Brother, go call the kitchen helpers and make a fire to cook and entertain the angels."

Liu Mang heard the sound and quickly clasped his hands with the imperial edict and said: "The wine is meager and the food is meager, and the hospitality is not good. I hope the angels don't dislike it..."

Tang Xiong clasped his hands and returned the greeting with a cheerful look: "Feng Dengzi, you don't have to be polite. Who can handle this kind of thing? Just go and greet the guests. A certain family and Lu Tinggong still have something to say."

"Yes, yes, angel, please do it yourself, you must not be polite."

Liu Mang clasped his hands, hugged the imperial edict tightly and walked out quickly.

Tang Xiong watched Liu Mang go out and teased with a "tsk": "Feng Dengzi knows etiquette better than you."

Yang Ge, who had knelt back in front of the mourning hall, raised his eyelids and glanced at him.

Although there was no pressure at all, Tang Xiong suddenly felt palpitations in his heart, and hurriedly whispered: "A certain family has a fast pace, and the officials and family are behind. I think they can get here before dark."

Yang Ge lowered his eyelids and said in a tired voice: "Tell him to go back and do what he should do. He is not needed here to lift him up."

Tang Xiong wanted to reply, but felt that Yang Ge was kneeling and it was inappropriate for him to stand. He quickly knelt down and persuaded in a low voice: "This is his filial piety as a disciple. Why do you refuse people thousands of miles away? You Don't worry about the capital, those people are not stupid. As soon as the news came to the capital yesterday, those people in the Ministry of Revenue 'discovered' 1.8 million shi of grain..."

Yang Ge impatiently raised his eyelids again, with a fierce light in his eyes: "Did I not speak human language, or do you not understand human language?"

Tang Xiong met his eyes and felt a chill in his vest. His throat kept surging, but he didn't dare to spit out another word...

In the past, the old guys in the Royal Horse Prison were afraid of Yang Erlang like a tiger, but he thought they were going too far. He felt that Yang Erlang was still very reasonable, easy to talk to, and respectful to the elderly...

It was only at this moment that he suddenly realized... Damn it, those old guys were right!

This bear thing, it’s right to be afraid, but it’s wrong not to be afraid!

Tang Xiong clasped his hands without saying a word, turned around and left, thinking in panic: "It's over, it's over, that little brat from the Shen family really got it right. The last iron chain binding the tiger is broken, and the tiger is going to eat it." People...'

But then he felt a little gloating about his misfortune... For all of them to be so virtuous, why should they punish those unworthy things to death?

…

In the evening, Zhike, who was greeting guests outside the door, suddenly shouted loudly: "We have a guest coming. Zhao Xiaohong, the head of the Yuelai Inn, is here with her relatives and friends!"

Kneeling in front of the mourning hall and leaning on Yang Ge for a nap, Zhao Miao rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked doubtfully: "Who is here? The boss?"

Yang Ge turned his head expressionlessly and looked outside the mourning hall. He saw Zhao Hong, who was dressed as a commoner in bloated Gebu clothes. Surrounded by Shen Fa and Nangong Feiying who were also dressed in disguise, he shrank. into the mourning hall.

Facing Yang Ge's cold gaze, Zhao Hong winced and sneered: "Shopkeeper, as a waiter, I should come here to offer incense and kowtow to the old shopkeeper, right?"

No one would believe him if he told him. He was really mentally prepared to be beaten before he entered the city.

Yang Ge stared at him expressionlessly, watching him holding his neck and dragging stiff steps towards the mourning hall step by step. Suddenly his eyes relaxed, he nodded slightly and said: "Yes, this shameless energy, like that It’s the same thing.”

Zhao Hong clasped his hands and said with a forced smile: "Hey, hey, I just thought you were complimenting me!"

He lowered his eyelids and watched without saying a word as the three people stepped forward to offer incense and kowtow.

Shen Fa was the last one to go forward and kowtow. Finally, he turned around and patted Yang Ge's shoulder gently, saying in a low voice: "The old man is in the spirit of heaven. I definitely don't want to see you like this..."

Yang Ge sneered: "You don't want to see me like this, right?"

Shen Fa nodded: "Yes, I don't want to either..."

Yang Ge remained silent and continued to put the paper money in his hand into the brazier one by one.

At the right time, Flea quickly walked into the mourning hall and looked surprised when he saw Zhao Hong, Shen Fa and Nangong Feiying in the mourning hall.

But the next second, he hugged his fists at the three of them as if nothing had happened, walked to Yang Ge in three steps and then whispered in his ear.

When Yang Ge heard his words, he was stunned for more than ten breaths. Then he pointed at the three people in front of him without raising his head and said: "Speak louder and tell them!"

Flea did not hesitate and said immediately: "The latest news is that Guizhou chieftain Yang Zaixian raised an army to rebel because he could not bear the oppression and humiliation of the government. Thirty-two chieftains from Southwest China jointly responded..."

There was silence for a moment in the mourning hall.

After a few breaths, Shen Fa suddenly lost his voice in shock and anger: "Southwest? Impossible! How could it be Southwest?"

Zhao Hong's expression suddenly became uncertain. He looked at the flea behind Yang Ge, then at Shen Fa and Nangong Feiying behind him, and said with an angry smile: "Yes, you are all very good. !”

Yang Ge mechanically put the paper money into the brazier and said three words lightly: "Get out!"