avalanche

The uncles were not idle either, and arranged for a few male slaves to come to the sinner's courtyard to repair the house first.

The convict could not weave in the house, so he had to sit on a bench in the yard. The uncles left two conductors behind, and the rest sat outside the yard drinking tea in their own identities.

Among the male slaves were carpenters and masons, and they also repaired the crooked woodshed.

After changing a few female slaves, they came in to sweep and sprinkle, and brought red cloths and lanterns to decorate. Passing by, some clansmen who watched the excitement looked at it curiously. Is this a happy event?

The criminal didn't know what to do. He was guessing that maybe this yard would be vacated for a new couple to live in, and it was estimated that he would be driven to another house after the repairs were completed.

The rest and cleaning work went on in the evening, and the uncles called the sinners, and they entered the renovated house together.

The uncles always treated the criminals with courtesy, and had no intention of pointing fingers.

The sinner knew that these uncles were the most powerful people in Yangcun except for the patriarch. Although these uncles were not more authoritative than the patriarch, they still held a lot of weight.

Several people summoned the sinner and sat down at the table to discuss in detail.

Yang Ding opened an account and said to the criminal: "Originally we should change our name to you, Xuefu, but we also know the bones of the slave donkey in Gou Village, so we should call you the criminal."

The sinner knew this was the beginning of a conversation with him, and he complied.

Yang Ding said again: "Nephew Da Chunxian has passed your ownership to some of us old fellows. We also went to Shiliu's place to say hello yesterday. From now on, Shiliu's people should not come again at night. Bothering you."

The criminal nodded lightly. Indeed, last night the sixteen people did not come, so he had a quiet night.

Yang Ding pointed to the first page of the account book and showed him: "Sinner, please look, this is all the expenses since you arrived in Yangcun. You used to work in the fields for Da Chun, and you were paid for it, including your hunting. I'll keep a record of the meat that I share with everyone when I come back."

The account book is indeed very detailed, starting from the first payment of [-] gold to Mrs. Yang as the overnight salary, and every time he went to work in the fields, the wages were counted. After that, the criminal was discovered by the tribe and was placed under house arrest during the curfew. , The daily workload of weaving is also recorded in detail, how much cloth is woven every day, and how much wages are exchanged are also registered in the register.

Yang Ding said: "May I ask if there is any discrepancy with these accounts, if there is any discrepancy, you can bring it up. Today we are here to reconcile the accounts with you."

An uncle said: "Criminals are also hardworking people. They didn't come to our village for free. Not only that, but they also created a lot of income. From the account, it is much better than those strong men in my village."

The criminal looked at the accounts and was amazed at the shrewdness of his uncles. He also lamented that his every move was monitored by the villagers, but also by his uncles, because even if he was so small that he used a wash cloth, There are records in the ledger.

Yang Ding said again: "There is also a reason why we came to settle accounts for you. You have sneaked away several times, and we all know that you have made up your mind to go. We also know how that kid on Sixteen bullied you. But we It's not the patriarch, and it's not easy to show up to stop it. I came today to settle the account with you before letting you leave."

A gleam of joy flashed undetectably in the criminal's eyes.

Another uncle took out a handwritten official document.

Pointing to the official document on the table, Yang Ding said: "This is the arrest warrant issued by the government, and Dachun must have shown it to you. You can see that it says that if you report, you will receive fifty rewards. If you lead the way, you will receive one reward." [-], assisting in the capture, the reward is [-]. If my Yangcun wants to hand you over to the government, this bounty will definitely be available, but we don’t. My Xiahou Yang clan is very righteous. But you can’t just because of us If you help us out of righteousness, we will suffer. Therefore, this bounty can only be temporarily recorded in your account."

Sinner: "..."

Yang Ding turned to the last page of the ledger: "Look, originally we could get 350 gold, but we didn't go to the government to get the money, because we didn't hand you over to the government. Now that we want to let you go, we must The money was compensated to us, do you accept the debt?"

The criminal said silently: "Thank you for taking me in, but I don't have so much money now, please allow me some time to collect money?"

Yang Ding said: "We also know that you don't have so much money, so the few of us thought of a compromise. If you weave according to the amount of cloth you are currently weaving, it will take another 200 years to repay the 350 gold. If you pay off the debt earlier, we will allow you to start a business in Yangcun. My Yang family moved here for more than 80 years after the summer. So far, there are no prostitution halls and men’s halls. So we discussed that you don’t need to weave any more. Yes, you are allowed to pick up the guests."

The criminal raised his eyebrows, a little puzzled: "Pick up!? What guest?"

Yang Ding said: "You have also seen it. We have sent people to clean up your house, hung up red lanterns, and are going to hang a signboard on your eaves. We will call it Deer House. After sixteen Those people will definitely not be able to play for nothing anymore."

The criminal was overly frightened, and said in a pecking voice, "This...but...you uncles' idea?"

Yang Ding and all the uncles took a look and said with a smile: "Of course it was our idea. Nephew Dachun Xian has already handed you over to us. We have also informed Dachun of this, and Dachun also approves. As for How about the price of your business opening, this Deer Pavilion can only be a secret one, the price can’t be too high, the market price is up to you to decide. The money you earn will cover your debts, if there is a reward, you can figure it out , you can keep your own expenses or pay off the debt. Don’t be afraid of Shiliu, they have to pay with us.”

The sinner's eyes were dark, he was silent for a long time, and asked: "Why? I want to know the reason? Why do you want me?"

Yang Ding said: "The reason is very simple. First, you want to leave, but Dachun is tired of you and wants to let you go. Second, Shiliu brings people to prostitution. Liu's prestige must be suppressed. Third, you do owe my village a large sum of money. If you don't pay the money back for a day, this debt will not be settled. We old people have been standing outside the situation from beginning to end. It's very clear. If you list to pick up customers, the sixteen people will naturally no longer be united, and you can pay back the money, and the bad trend of prostitution can also be reversed. After you earn enough money, you can leave , this is a contract, if you agree, please sign and pledge."

The criminal looked at the written deed of prostitution on the table and wanted to cry. He never imagined that one day he would end up in a life of skin and meat rolling in the world of mortals. When he looked up again, he saw the benevolent eyebrows of all the uncles and elders. Eyes, what kind of heart is behind these amiable faces?

He really thought this matter was ridiculous, and he thought he would really let him go.

It's like a conversation between a butcher and a pig.

The butcher asked the pig kindly, do you want to make braised pork?Or stew?

The pig replied hesitantly, can I choose not to die?

The butcher looked good-tempered, and said while sharpening his knife, look at you, you digress!Give you another chance, you can also choose steamed.

Can he say no?If he refuses, there will be even bigger pits waiting for him.

Before dark, the convict imprinted his fingerprints on the deed of sale.

The uncles took the contract and came out slowly. Before leaving, they ordered a slave to stay in the courtyard as a turtle slave, saying that the business would open immediately on auspicious days, and they should have a good rest tonight.

Since it is a secret hall, it has never been declared to the government, and there is no need to pay taxes, and there is no need to register the names of practitioners.

Ever since the sinner and Yang Ding signed the contract of sale, Yang Ding ordered someone to untie the iron chains on his feet. Yang Ding was not afraid that he would run away, and the sinner also knew that he could not escape. Yang Ding also knew that the sinner knew that he could not escape. fell, so the scapegoat unchained his feet.

The criminal looked at the dark mark on the ankle, which was the rust mark caused by the long-term friction between the skin and the pig iron, and remained silent for a long time.

……

The opening of the deer hall caused a lot of noise in Yangcun, and of course it was all rumors that were passed down quietly through word of mouth.

When Shiliu heard the news, he was shocked: "What, uncles let the criminals open the door to pick up the guests? What is this for?"

Xiao Nu couldn’t explain it clearly either. I only knew that this was the news that had spread throughout the village. Everyone was curious. This was the first men’s gym in the past 80 years since the establishment of the village. Some people commented that it might not be long before it opened. The first prostitute shop.

Shiliu rolled on the bed, he didn't understand why the uncles did this?Is it just because of lack of money?If you are short of money, you can ask him sixteen things. Is it worthwhile to let the criminal husband pick up the guests and make money?He felt that his uncles were really poor and crazy, and it shouldn't have happened. His father had so much savings, so it's impossible for his uncles to be this poor?

A few days later, Shiliu wanted to call his people for a meeting, but some people said they were sick, or some said they were too busy, so they didn't come.

What's happening here?

The idle man who made friends with Shiliu said: "In the past, those little bastards had to please you in order to play with the deer herder, but now they don't have to please you, they can go to the deer herder with money. It's the backbone. I used to worry about being settled by the patriarch Qiu Hou, but there is nothing to worry about, because the patriarch has allowed Lu Guan to pick up the guests, and the previous incidents should not happen again."

Shiliu suddenly realized that the tricks of his uncles were really clever, and it was too fierce. He Shiliu established a network of relationships, and it collapsed just like that.

Dachun's grain collection work suddenly opened up, and every household signed a signature, waiting for the grain to be delivered.

Delivering food is not an easy and labor-saving job. Every bag of food in Dachun has to be checked, and every bag of food has to be opened for inspection. I am worried that someone will mix gravel into it. After all, someone has mixed gravel into it, which has harmed many people.

Dachun went to the government to hand over the quantity, and the public officials set up a grain delivery station at the temple at the intersection of the three villages. The daily work of each village was to transport grain one trip at a time. People have paid food.

On the way to hand over the grain, no one had a smile on their faces. Most of the grain that they planted with their own blood and sweat was forcibly taken away.

The only task of the township leaders during these days is to confirm that the grain delivery is going well, and to appease the villagers. Someone once made a fuss about jumping into the river on the grain delivery road.

After working for half a month, I finally completed the major events of the year. From sowing, to harvesting, to paying grain, after a year of work, it was finally late autumn.

Dachun looked at the cold sky, and wondered if the snow this year was heavier than last year. He still remembered that Xuedi entered the village last winter.

Dachun walked along the mountain road to check the fruit trees in the back mountain. The avalanche last year damaged a lot of the fruit trees. As a result, the fruit production is low this year. I don’t know if there will be heavy snow this year.

The divine bird lady was originally a dumb bird, and she never had any sense of existence in Dachun's eyes. Only in winter, Dachun could remember that there was a divine bird lady in his previous room.

Dachun brought the lady's cage to the patriarch's room, and when he was free occasionally, he asked: "My lady, will there be an avalanche this year?" The response to him was always silence.

In fact, Dachun didn't expect Lady Godbird to give her a letter. He was still a little skeptical about the mourning, but he was born with a heart of reverence for ghosts and gods, so he still respected Lady Godbird.

It's just that the god bird usually relies on the villagers' offerings, and there is no shortage of food. There are house slaves who feed water and shovel excrement every day.

Dachun was relatively free that day. In order to exercise his body, he went to the woodshed to chop firewood. After his whole body was warm, he sat down in the woodshed to rest.

After a while, I heard a noise, the leader of the slaves chatted happily with others, and Da Chun didn't want to disturb, so he closed his eyes and rested for a while.

Xiaonu said: "The biggest advantage of Luguan is experience! As soon as you slap your butt, you know the next move. When you lie down, he knows how to sit up. When you stand up, he knows how to kneel. When you kneel down, he knows how to move." Know how to stick it up. It has both skills and elasticity, more elegant style, and can withstand your storm..."

All the slaves laughed.

Someone said again: "Little slave, you are the most comfortable. Why are we all slaves? You have so much money. I know you have been there several times."

Xiao Nu rolled her eyes with tears: "That's right, I worked hard, and the master rewarded me a lot."

Everyone was talking and laughing, and then they left.

Dachun opened his eyes and thought for a while. This group of slaves actually gathered out of the village to find the young man. Is he too busy recently?To actually do this kind of thing under his nose, it seems that there is a need to rectify it.

The slaves were summoned by the patriarch and knelt down in a row on the ground.

Dachun asked Xiaonu to tell first, he was in the firewood room today, he heard what Xiaonu said, all the slaves came here from the truth, where did you find the little servant, how many times have you been there?

The little slave trembled and said: "Patriarch, I didn't go out to find the little man, but I went to play twice in the Deerman's House in Yangcun."

Da Chun: "..."

When I asked carefully, Dachun trembled in fright. The signboard of Deer House was hung in Xuedi's yard, and Xuedi, as the only young man in the hall, had opened for more than half a month.

Dachun hurried to find Uncle Ding and asked what was going on?

Yang Ding said: "Nephew Xian, you promised me that you will not hear or ask or say anything within a month. Why hasn't the time come yet?"

Da Chun said anxiously: "Then you didn't tell me that you want him to be a male. You also opened a secret restaurant in Yangcun."

Yang Ding smiled, took out the contract signed by Lu Guan, and handed it to Da Chun: "Look, this is a painting by Lu Guan himself, he is literate, and he has read the content on it, and only signed the contract after confirming it. Yes. We didn’t put any pressure on him, and he agreed, we repaired the house for him, hung up red lanterns, and the deer house opened for business.”

Dachun went to look through the account book again, and said, "This account can't be calculated in this way, right? Then we gave up the bounty from the government, so we can't put this money on his head, right?"

Yang Ding said: "If it doesn't count on him, who does it count on? The money originally belonged to us. We took a lot of risks to hide him in Yangcun, but we risked the lives of the whole family in the village." Keep it a secret for him. Do you think we should accept this money? I want this account to be published in the family law, and everyone will say that this account should be collected. But this account is a secret account, and it is not good to announce it to the tribe , after all, the money should belong to Grandpa.”

Da Chun: "..."

Yang Ding said again: "There are hundreds of people in my family, and everyone stares at him unrelentingly every day, and they don't ask him to collect money for these hard-working expenses. It’s not yet a year. Now that he volunteers to receive customers to earn money, we should respect his opinion. After all, Yangcun is very tolerant.”

Dachun's head hurts intermittently: "..."

"Nephew Xian, do you know why the food collection was successful? After the opening of the deer hall, the men of Shiliu and the gang can no longer use Shiliu's relationship to prostitute for free. Naturally, they are alienated from Shiliu. They are worried that they have bullied the deer before. Don't worry about being settled by you after the autumn, because you agree that the deer will accept the guests, so why should they worry about it?"

Dachun murmured: "I agree? I agree with him to pick up customers?"

Yang Ding said: "Nephew Xian, I know how you feel, and I can understand it, but there is nothing you can do about it. Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be a noble lady. If you want to be as good as a jade, there are very few who can withstand temptation. Once you become a red lady, It is irreversible. The deer couple has been together with Yang Bing since then, and it is no longer yours alone. Later, both you and Yang Bing were beheaded, Yangcun had no leader, sixteen had no restraint, and messed up with Lu Guanhu Come on, it has been irreversible to become an innocent person."

There was a humming sound in Dachun's head.

Yang Ding said again: "Fortunately, nephew Xian and Lu Guan drew a clear line early, and now they don't disturb each other, isn't it good?"

Dachun suffered from insomnia all night, thinking about what he heard in the chaifang: what is the greatest advantage of deer herder is experience!As soon as the butt is slapped, you know the next move.When you lie down, he knows how to sit up; when you stand up, he knows how to kneel down.When you kneel down, he knows how to pout.It has skills, elasticity, more style, and can withstand your storm...

He really wanted to talk to Brother Xue, why did he sign that page of the contract?If he insisted not to sign, Uncle Ding could not force Brother Xue to sign according to the agreement with him.But, thinking of this, his heart tightened, why did Brother Xue want to sign?

On the second day, Dachun had dark circles under his eyes, and he looked like he was not close to strangers. The slaves were afraid of him and avoided him.

Another night of cheating, Dachun felt that this had become a knot in his heart, he was going to meet Brother Xue, but what can he say when he saw him, could it be that he wished Brother Xue a prosperous business and a wealth of money?

Da Chun opened the books in his collection, starting from Mohism, Taoism, Confucianism, and school of thought. His eyes were blurred, and he didn't know what he read, as if the words were dancing in front of his eyes.

He also thought of asking Brother Xue that he took the lead in the uprising and begged for the reduction of food collection for the people. At that time, he hoped to be affirmed by Brother Xue, how much he hoped that Brother Xue would praise him, or that Brother Xue was restrained and would give him An encouraging look is also good.

As for the feat he risked his life for, Brother Xue only had a cold evaluation of "I'm bound in a cocoon, and I have to blame myself".

When he heard this at the beginning, he was indeed disheartened, and felt that his relationship with Brother Xue had reached the point where "it's tasteless to eat, and it's a pity to discard it".

But, hearing that Brother Xue officially went to sea to pick up the guests, why does he feel so distressed.

Missing is like a maggot attached to the bone, constantly gnawing on Dachun's heart, he clearly knows that he is very distressed, and the root of this distress is Brother Xue.

The bed turned left and right, and Dachun's head began to involuntarily have associations. How does Xuedi have experience?When you lie down, he knows how to sit up; when you stand up, he knows how to kneel down.When you kneel down, he knows how to pout.How many people have experienced this kind of experience before accumulating?

Dachun couldn't bear the urge to be disabled by the demon, so he simply got out of bed, walked through a small path behind the house in the dark, and stopped behind Brother Xue's house.

The lantern in the Deer Pavilion was still on, and a man inside could hear a comfortable moaning sound.

Dachun blushed for no reason and had a heartbeat, as if the man's groaning was his groaning. For no reason, Xuedi's face appeared in his mind. He seemed to see Xuedi kneeling in front of him, and he felt Incredibly comfortable.

The inner demon is very powerful, and Da Chun feels that he has been controlled by the inner demon.

Da Chun called Duo Nu and asked Duo Nu to go to work at the second sister-in-law's house during the day and stare at the small courtyard at night as before.

Duo Nu agreed, and he would report every day, who was there that night, and how long it took to leave. These news were all told by Gui Nu.

Da Chun felt that listening to Duo Nu's report was not enough, so he ran to the back of Brother Xue's house at night, which was also a spectacle. , until the Jingguan is wide open, let yourself go completely, wipe it off after you are done, and then go back quietly.

The weather is getting colder and colder, and after a few rains, light snow has started to fall.

Early winter is the most leisurely time. Every household in Dachun checked the firewood for the winter. Other than that, there was nothing to deal with.

After free time, the business of the Deer Hall exploded.

One night, he dreamed that Brother Xue was crying for help with blood all over his body, and suddenly woke up in fright. This nightmare was too terrifying. Dachun felt that there must be a reason for this dream, so he finally made up his mind to see Brother Xue.

At this moment, he felt that it would take a lot of courage to meet Brother Xue. Firstly, he had a different view from Brother Xue. Can the Legalists and the Confucians still have a harmonious relationship?Secondly, he was actually very scared, he was afraid of seeing Brother Xue's benefactors, just like when he was afraid of meeting Yang Bing with Brother Xue that day, he couldn't handle this kind of situation.

Many slaves come to report that every morning is the most leisure time when there is no business in the deer hall.

Dachun chose to go in the morning.

The door of the small courtyard was pushed open, Dachun stood outside this familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard, and saw Brother Xue was taking a shower naked by the well. In such a cold day, his brother Xue still kept this habit and still got up on time at this hour shower.

Lu Guan took a look at Da Chun, as if he didn't see it, squatted by the well, showered his hair with cold water, then combed and tied it, all this was still familiar to Da Chun.

Dachun saw that Brother Xue ignored him, so he followed behind and entered the house on his own initiative.

He hasn't been in this room for more than a month, everything has changed, the brocade quilt is gorgeous, the bed curtains are new, the chairs are covered with balls, and there is a burlap carpet on the floor.

The cabinet is also new, the table is also new, the cloth on the table is red, and the window is also hung with red curtains.

Dachun sat on the chair in a daze, the ball was very soft, he was thinking, how many people have sat on this chair, and is there anyone sitting on this chair for Brother Xue to serve him?

Lu Guan didn't hesitate to take off his wet pants and put on clean clothes in front of him. He remembered that Xuedi used to cover him to change wet pants after taking a shower.

When Brother Xue changed his pants, Dachun turned his face slightly, as if to be polite.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Lu Guan simply sat over and poured tea for Da Chun with a teacup.

Dachun still didn't speak, neither took the teacup nor drank.

"Why did you come to see me?" This was the first sentence I hadn't seen him ask for more than a month.

Da Chun began to feel hot all over again, and said sullenly: "It's nothing, just come and see how you are."

Lu Guan poured himself a cup of hot tea, drank it and said, "I!? I'm fine, look at my room, the high bed and warm quilt, I live very comfortably now."

Dachun was very surprised. He thought that when he came this time, brother Xue would definitely beg to leave as before.

Lu Guan said again: "Hey, I really didn't understand it before. Looking back at that time, you often told me that people had to bow their heads under the eaves, and that King Goujian of Yue lived on his salary for 20 years and was no different from me. In the emperor's family, one was born in a commoner's family. At that time, I couldn't get over my stubborn temper. Now I understand that life is short, and we should enjoy ourselves while we are."

Da Chun: "..."

Seeing that his mouth was wide open, Lu Guan laughed softly: "Hey, I said, don't you have such an expression, okay? Why, am I not right now? I think I am fine now, but I was not as good as before. The stinky and hard temper has caused me misery, but it is not too late to wake up now."

Da Chun: "..."

Lu Guan got up, went to the cabinet and found an exquisitely crafted jewelry box, opened it again, and inside was a beautiful jade.

"You see, this is given to me by Yang Shisi. Do you still remember Yang Shisi? That day I cut off his leg in the back mountain, and he testified against me when he opened the family law. I also said he was a What a heartless and unintentional person, who knows that he is so caring, this jade was given to me by him, you see, it is quite valuable, right?"

After speaking, he got up and went to the cabinet to find a fan: "Is this thing exquisite? It was bought when Yang Nianjiu went to Xianyang City to do goods. The goods embroidered and spun by this company are all for the use of the Qin Palace. I heard that King Qin's concubines also use this kind of fan, this is the most popular style this year, even though it's winter and I don't use it, but I like it after seeing it."

Da Chun numbly looked at his smiling face, and numbly watched him keep introducing the things sent by these benefactors. After being numb for a long time, he lost all consciousness.

The two talked again, but in fact Dachun didn't say anything, he was the one who kept introducing.

Until Gui Nu came over and said that a guest had come to the door.

Lu Guan laughed and said, "It's not even noon yet? How urgent can it be? Let him wait, if you don't want to die of anxiety, just say that I have guests now and ask him to wait in the back."

The turtle slave agreed.

Da Chun numbly got up and said goodbye.

Lu Guan smiled at him and said, "I will come here often in the future..."

Da Chun: "..."

Da Chun went back to the house and lay on the bed, his smile was clearly printed in his mind.

……

Early the next morning, Dachun returned to the small courtyard with a few books in his arms.

Seeing him coming in, Lu Guan went into the house after taking a shower, and poured a cup of fragrant tea for Da Chun

Dachun said: "Brother Xue, I often think of you when we first met. At that time, you stood in the snow waiting for me with a silly look. The snow covered your clothes and hat. I looked carefully. You have snow flakes on your eyelashes, too."

Lu Guan laughed and said, "That was a long time ago."

"No, brother Xue, to me, it seems like what happened yesterday. I still remember that we hit it off right away, eating and living together, going in and out together. In order for me to get married, my father also said that the goddess of the bird appeared, saying It's going to be an avalanche."

Lu Guan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly said: "Yes, Brother Chun, I forgot if I didn't tell you, Brother Chun also has a wife, but she is just a dumb bird."

The two of them couldn't stop talking about this topic.

Da Chun took out the book, opened it, and read it with him.

Lu Guan said: "This is good. If the Tao is based on government, if it is equal to punishment, the people will be exempted from shame. If the way is based on virtue, if it is equal to courtesy, it is shameful and proper."

Dachun looked at the person in front of him and murmured: "Brother Xue, don't you stick to Legalism and abandon Confucianism?"

Lu Guan laughed and said, "Who said that? My nature is pure and good, so I am close to Confucianism."

Dachun remained silent, drinking tea while thinking about what he said that day.

Could it be that what he said at that time was false?Probably not, compared to that time, Brother Xue's smile now is extremely unreal, and he can't tell what is unreal, in short, he feels that this smile is not from the heart.

Dachun asked again: "Brother Xue, I told you that night that I took the lead in the uprising and asked for the reduction of food collection for the people. Your evaluation of me made me very sad. I haven't visited you since then. Uncle Ding reminded me that I want you to contain Shiliu’s forces, I don’t know what Uncle Ding’s plan was, but after I found out that you signed the deed of sale, I was very sad and dared not come to you.”

Lu Guan's smile was printed against the warm pillows on the high bed in the room, for some reason, Da Chun felt that there was a chill under this smile.