The Founding of the Red Chamber

Peng Li has a saying, "Even the gods and Buddhas of the heavens cannot control the trajectory of fate."

Later, Lin Jing made an apt comment on this remark, "Sure enough, pretending to be X."

Peng Li didn't expect that Situ San could really persuade Zhang Biao. Even though Zhang Biao's thoughts were persuaded, Situ San didn't have any joy on his face, but there was a trace of sadness on his face, "A Li, you are a person who has studied. .Both you are knowledgeable, and you are close relatives of elder brother. Elder brother will definitely listen to your words. This time, I will count on you. If we brothers can survive this calamity safely, we will repay you with our lives."

Peng Li lamented that Situ San was a man of loyalty, and couldn't help saying, "Speaking of which, my surname is also Peng. Situ doesn't believe my father, but he believes in me."

"I also have an older sister. My family was in a difficult situation that year. My mother was seriously ill. She pawned and sold everything she could in the family, but she couldn't cure my mother's illness. As a last resort, my sister sold herself." Situ Sighed three times and looked at Peng Li, "I haven't studied, and I don't speak very well. If I say I believe you out of thin air, I'm fooling you. You and sister-in-law are siblings. Every time I see you and sister-in-law When I talk, I think of my sister. Comparing your heart, you will not harm us. "

Peng Li felt that Situ San was wise and courageous at such a young age, and he was a man of loyalty. He was a good friend, and said with a smile, "If I have another younger sister, I will marry Situ."

Situ San knew that Mr. Peng had many children, Peng Li didn't have any siblings, but there were always half-sisters.Peng Li's words clearly did not regard those half-brothers and sisters as relatives.Situ San and Situ Si are half-brothers, and their relationship is no different from that of their brothers. Therefore, Situ San can't understand Peng Li's feelings for his more than twenty half-brothers and sisters.However, when Situ Sanyi thought of Situ Da and Situ Er, he understood slightly.Probably the relationship between the big family is complicated, even if there is half of the blood relationship, it is the same as not having one.

Zhang Biao himself has all kinds of means in the city government, Situ San persuaded him first, Peng Li is his brother-in-law, and Peng Li went to Zhang Biao to clarify his relationship.Anyway, the central idea is: you must believe in Mr. Peng, and you must not believe it all.

In fact, Situ San also meant the same thing when he persuaded Zhang Biao, but when the words came out of Situ San's mouth, Zhang Biao always had to think about it.The words that came out of Peng Li's mouth really entered Zhang Biao's heart.

Master Peng is Peng Li's father, and even his own son said that his father is not authentic, so Zhang Biao had to think hard about this matter.

Zhang Biao was puzzled again, "The Cao Gang's family has a big business. If they want the territory of Jinling City, if the Cao Gang says a word, who would dare not to follow the lead of the Cao Gang? Why bother..." To use such low-level and oblique methods.Zhang Biao asked himself that these family properties are just a drop in the bucket compared to the Cao Gang.

Peng Lidao, "Brother-in-law has been here in Jinling City for several years. You should know that Jinling City was still the territory of the Cao Gang seven or eight years ago. It was only suddenly that the Cao Gang withdrew from Jinling City, and this is how Zhao Heipi looks like a human in Jinling." The city is showing off its might."

When Peng Li mentioned this matter, not only Zhang Biao wanted to know, but no one on the ground in Jinling City wanted to know.In this world, where there is white, there is black, and where there is light, there is shadow.The Cao Gang has always been powerful, and Jinling City was the territory of the Cao Gang a long time ago. The Cao Gang was the first to do these underground businesses, and then they leaked some soup and water to the small gangs.

It has always been like this.

Even when Zhang Biao was only the first county in Fengrao County, he was very familiar with the name of the Cao Gang.

However, when he fled to Jinling City with Situ San and his brothers, to Zhang Biao's surprise, the biggest leader in Jinling City was Zhao Heipi. All the territory under his command is only one-third of Jinling City.

The Cao Gang is only a giant of the dark forces, collecting some protection fees from the big and small gangs in Jinling City, and does not directly manage Jinling City.Zhang Biao, who knew the situation at the time, was very surprised by this, but he soon had his own explanation, maybe the Cao Gang looked down on Jinling City.This kind of explanation is untenable when you think about it carefully. This is Jinling City, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, a land of gold powder, and it is self-evident how prosperous it is.

There is no reason for the Cao Gang to look down on such a piece of fat.

Now, when Peng Li mentioned it again, Zhang Biao opened his eyes wide and said, "Brother, is there something going on here?"

Since Peng Li mentioned half a sentence, he didn't mean to whet Zhang Biao's appetite. He said softly, "Because my father offended a person more than ten years ago. That person was originally only a scholar. Later, this person was in Jinbang High School. He is an important minister of His Majesty today. With a word from that person, the Cao Gang has no choice but to compress the power industry and give up their great territory."

"Then why now..."

"After all, I am not an official, and my father doesn't like me in the family, so I don't quite understand the whole story. In fact, when I think about it, there are two reasons: one is that the man has lost power in the court; the other is that my father has been able to Turned against that person."

Zhang Biao didn't know much about politics. Peng Li's words were simple and straightforward, but he still understood a little bit, but he was puzzled, and asked, "Didn't my brother say that the person is high and powerful? If it wasn't for the person's loss of power, would my father-in-law really dare to fight with me?" Senior officials turned their faces."

Peng Li smiled, a little indifferently, "After all, the Cao Gang is just a Jianghu gang. Even if my father donates a fifth-rank official hat, he is just a famous leader. Father's backer is the King of Jinling. When the Cao Gang shrank, even Jinling The city can't be kept, it's not that the Cao Gang is afraid of that person, it's just that the King of Jinling doesn't want to be an enemy of that person. Now that the Cao Gang wants to regain Jinling City, they must first get the approval of the King of Jinling."

Zhang Biao's heart felt cold, and he frowned, "If the king of Jinling agrees, no matter how much we fight, can we still beat the prince?"

Peng Li was not as worried as Zhang Biao. He said lightly, "There are robbers as well. The Cao Gang does this business, and the reputation in the world is still important. As long as the Cao Gang is not given a chance, after all, father and brother-in-law have a son-in-law. What's more, next year's autumn and next year's spring, my brother-in-law has survived these two years, and my father will give me this face when I get named on the gold list. I will not let my sister become a widow right after she gets married."

Although what Peng Li said was not pleasant, it was the truth.For the first time in Zhang Biao's life, he felt the huge benefits of marrying the Peng family. Zhang Biao didn't mind what Peng Li said so bluntly. With all sincerity, what else can I say? My brother-in-law is a rough man, no more meticulous than you scholars. Now that life and death are at stake, what brother says and what I do, I will listen to brother's instructions!"

Peng Li's suggestion to Zhang Biao was to reconcile with Zhao Heipi immediately, just for the incident of being attacked, just make a name for him and let it go.

At this time, Zhang Biao had no ambition to fight Zhao Heipi to the death to dominate Jinling City. Peng Li said so, and he agreed, and then asked Situ San to discuss how to maintain a relatively peaceful relationship with Zhao Heipi.

The three of them were discussing, when they heard the boy in the study report outside the door, "Master, Madam sent someone to pass the word, saying that Elder Chen is here to discuss something important with the master."

This Elder Chen is only in his fifties, and his family has worked in the Cao Gang for generations. The old man of the Cao Gang and Lord Peng's confidant, it was Elder Chen who first came forward to introduce Zhang Biao to visit Fu Tongzhi.

When they heard that Elder Chen had arrived, all three of them were a little worried, but fortunately, all three of them were people with a strong heart, so they were still calm and composed.Zhang Biao exchanged glances with Situ San and Peng Li, and said with a bit of warmth in his voice, "Hurry up and invite Elder Chen in, don't wait outside the yard, you've neglected the elder."

Zhang Biao was very disciplined, he always asked the servants to guard the door of the hospital whenever he was involved in confidential matters, so that no one was left in the hospital.At this moment, the servant stepped forward and reported that without Zhang Biao's permission, even Elder Chen would not be able to enter near Zhang Biao's study.

As the elder of the Cao Gang, Elder Chen actually looks down on reckless people like Zhang Biao, even though the Cao Gang is just a Jianghu gang.

However, the Cao Gang is one of the largest gangs in the Jianghu after all, so even though Elder Chen and Zhang Biao are fellows, he still has some faint contempt for Zhang Biao deep in his heart.

Elder Chen is old enough to hide his contempt very well.Seeing Zhang Biao open the door of the study room to greet him, Elder Chen smiled and said, "A Biao, you have become more disciplined." Zhang Biao was always at home when he came before, and it was Zhang Biao who greeted him personally and sent him away. Welcome to the study.When I came back today, it was the first time I was blocked outside Zhang Biao's study.

Zhang Biao pretended that he couldn't hear what Elder Chen said, and he laughed, "Elder, don't make fun of us. We heard that those officials and gentlemen are all so ostentatious. This is not because of the elder's blessing to see Fu Tongzhi's golden face a few days ago. Sigh, this meeting is great, let's also think about the fragrance of the book." After joking with Elder Chen, Zhang Biaofang looked at the middle-aged man next to Elder Chen. He has a short beard, a tall stature, and a dignified aura.Zhang Biao has lived for decades, and he has some knowledge. He knew immediately that this person was not Elder Chen's follower.Zhang Biao led Elder Chen and the man into the study room, and asked with a smile, "This brother is unfamiliar, and he is so heroic. I don't know Gao's name?"

With just one sentence, Mu Qiuting knew that Zhang Biao, the leader of the gang, was not a fake.

Mu Qiuting arched his hands, "I'm next to Mu Qiuting, I met Brother Zhang."

Mu Qiuting's answer is also very interesting. He called Zhang Biao Brother Zhang, not Boss Zhang or Big Brother Zhang. This shows that Mu Qiuting put himself and Zhang Biao in the same position.

When we met for the first time, he introduced himself with such confidence, which shows that Mu Qiuting's status is at least no lower than that of Zhang Biao.

Listening to the words, Zhang Biao hurriedly asked Elder Chen and Mu Qiuting to sit down. Elder Chen bowed slightly and asked Mu Qiuting to sit on top of him.As a result, Zhang Biao was even more puzzled, but he didn't ask any more questions, instead he introduced Situ San and Peng Li to Mu Qiuting.

Peng Li obviously recognized Mu Qiuting, and said to Zhang Biao, "In the past, all the heroes in Shandong were besieged by the imperial court, and my brother-in-law died for the death of Chief Mu for a few days. Mr. Mu is the younger brother of Chief Mu."

Zhang Biao was startled when he heard this, he got up quickly, clasped his fists together and saluted again, "It turned out to be the second brother Mu, my younger brother has eyes that don't know Mount Tai, and I have seen the second brother Mu."

Mu Qiuting hurriedly helped Zhang Biao up, and said in a gentle voice, "It's just that the world is not well-known, so Brother Zhang also knows my eldest brother." Biao couldn't help but feel good about him.

Zhang Biao sighed, "No one knows the reputation of Chief Mu in Shandong. I live in Jinling City. Although I have never paid a visit to Chief Mu, I have always admired him in his heart to eliminate corrupt officials and help the people. He is a good man! Who? Knowing that this dog court that kills thousands of knives actually killed Chief Mu!" As he said, Zhang Biao's eyes were full of tears, it really seemed like that.

Zhang Biao's behavior was probably just pretending, but Mu Qiuting looked sad, obviously grieving over his brother's death.

For a while, the room fell into mournful silence, and no one made a sound.

It was Elder Chen who sighed, broke the silence, and said, "Boss Mu died in vain, and no one in the world will regret it. Fortunately, Brother Mu is lucky and fateful. With Brother Mu, he will make a comeback in the future to avenge the blood of Chief Mu that is!"

Mu Qiuting, a dignified man, put away his sadness, stopped acting like a child, and said, "I'm living in Jinling, thanks to Lord Peng for taking me in, otherwise I'm afraid I would have lost my life."

Elder Chen laughed, "Brother Mu is blessed and fateful, and God's will told Brother Mu to keep Qingshan here."

Everyone talked about the execution of Chief Mu. Elder Chen talked about the business and said to Zhang Biao, "A Biao, last time you were attacked, Mr. Peng was very worried. He originally wanted to give you some capable people. It’s not good to give it carelessly, lest people gossip. It happened that Brother Mu heard about this and took the initiative to protect you. Especially during this time, I heard that Zhao Heipi’s movements were unknown, and he spent a lot of money to hire a killer on the road. I'm afraid it will be bad for you. Brother Mu is very skilled in martial arts, so you can rest easy with Brother Mu by your side when you go out."

Zhang Biao never thought that Elder Chen had invited Mu Qiuting to be his bodyguard this time. Zhang Biao hurriedly said, "Why bother Brother Mu? Second Brother Mu, with his status, isn't he trying to kill me?" Is it? Elder, I absolutely cannot answer."

Elder Chen sighed, "Did you know that Zhao Heipi invited the famous god of killing—Pang Mo. Alas, this Pang Mo was originally a disciple of Shaolin Temple. No one knows what his real name is. Because he has done The monk named himself Pang Mo, originally meaning Bodhidharma. This man kills gods when he meets gods, and kills Buddhas when he meets Buddhas. No matter if he is an official, a citizen, a thief or a bandit, as long as he gives enough money, he will not dare Killed him. The governor of Shandong made it for him on the bed of his concubine the year before last. Hey, the imperial court rewarded him with ten thousand taels of silver. A Biao, don’t you listen to the old man’s words? Can we talk about it with the governor of another place?"

"Because of this, your father-in-law is worried in every possible way, and asked Brother Mu to protect you." Elder Chen said earnestly, "You are not single now. You don't have to think about your wife and children at home. You have to take care of your wife and children." Think about it. If something happens to you, how will you make them orphans and widows live?"

Mu Qiuting also said, "Since I'm my brother, brother Zhang shouldn't be polite to me, this is a natural division."

At this point, Zhang Biao had no choice but to say, "Then please trouble Brother Mu."