Volume 2 The first chapter of the cold pond
Although it was a warm winter, it made people feel cold for no reason. Occasionally, a breeze blew, and the cold moon in the cold pond under the water pavilion was broken into pieces. The young man leaning against the window frowned slightly, his eyes were like the wind and snow in Liaodong, a little lonely and sad, and he just looked outside silently.
Although he rushed back to his long-lost hometown after several days of traveling, the house was already deserted. It was the first snowing day that day. He saw that the yard and the house had been swept clean, and the traces of the broom on the ground were clearly visible, just like Wang Po was still alive. There seemed to be a voice in his ears that was slightly angry but full of love. Looking back, it was like a dream for several years. Although he was nostalgic, it could no longer be retrieved.
He didn't want to go back to Hangzhou, but his relatives all left one by one inexplicably, and the only place he could go was Jiangnan where he was forced to come. So he packed up his belongings at home, locked the door carefully, and then set off again in the snow with a car full of books. Before leaving, he looked at the courtyard for a long time, recalling the day when the pear blossoms bloomed like snow, but he didn't know when he would be able to return.
Behind Lin Jianlan stood a middle-aged man with a thin face. He looked at the young man with a bit of admiration and care. After a while, Lin Jianlan sighed softly and said, "It turns out that Uncle Qing also has so many troubles here."
The middle-aged man smiled bitterly and said, "I know you have a kind heart, but even if you don't excuse Wan Jianhong and his wife, given the current situation of the gang, you can't go there in person to question them."
This person was none other than Lin Longqing. After parting with Lin Jianlan at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, he had wanted to inquire about the whereabouts of the two hall masters in Dongdu and Chang'an, but he was unable to do so because of Doctor Cheng's matter. He traveled south for several days and crossed the Yellow River. Fearing that there might be changes in the gang, he hurried back to the headquarters in Hangzhou overnight. Fortunately, nothing had happened.
The young man lowered his head and said, "I didn't expect that Doctor Cheng has such an important position in the gang. When I first arrived here today, I felt that the atmosphere in the main hall was very strange. When the uncles and uncles saw Uncle Qing, they didn't treat him like brothers as usual. Instead, they showed some fear."
Lin Longqing sighed, "It's this point that I still can't understand. When Doctor Cheng was leaving, he seemed to have no intention of defecting. He arranged everything very well. A few days after he left, Master Fang sent several masters from the gang to work with the brothers of the Beggar Gang in Hangzhou to intercept the imperial court's grain and grass according to the original plan. Doctor Cheng arranged where to start and how to transfer them. At that time, I had just returned from Sanyuan, and they were celebrating. When they saw that Doctor Cheng had not returned with them, they asked questions one after another, saying that Doctor Cheng should have made the greatest contribution this time."
Lin Jianlan said: "Although Uncle Qing told the story of Baiyun Temple, the uncles and aunts did not say anything more, but they may not believe it in their hearts."
Lin Longqing nodded and said, "That's right. I originally thought that only Cao Shujian in the gang was secretly buying people's hearts and currying favor with the court, but I didn't expect that Doctor Cheng also had other plans. But it doesn't look like his plan is for the court. During the time we were away from the gang, he didn't do anything to endanger the interests of the gang. Instead, he worked hard to unite with all the heroes in the world and continuously support the Taihu Volunteer Army. I don't know who is behind him and what his purpose is."
Lin Jianlan said, "Empress Wu's government is in chaos, and the whole world is in fear. It is inevitable that someone in the imperial court has some ulterior motives. Although the martial artists do not interact with the imperial court, if they can control it, it will be a force that cannot be underestimated. I am afraid that Doctor Cheng's purpose is this."
Facing the night sky , Lin Longqing sighed and said, "A thousand-mile embankment is destroyed by an ant hole. These hidden thorns were planted long ago, and my father and I were unaware of it. If it is as you said, I wonder how many such hidden thorns there are in the gangs. They are not felt on weekdays, but when the pain is unbearable, they have already penetrated deep into the lungs. Now the Kuangyi Gang is only magnificent on the surface, but I am afraid that the inside is already full of holes and is crumbling."
Seeing that his tone was very depressed, Lin Jianlan was about to say something to comfort him, but he saw the guard on the other side of the bridge hurried in. He looked around and saw that the lights were still on at the waterside pavilion on Lin Longqing's side. He hurried over and did not knock on the door when he arrived. He just said in a low voice: "Boss, the Chang'an Beggar Gang has sent someone."
Lin Longqing was startled and said, "If it's nothing urgent, there's no need for the old man to send anyone here. Just pass the news to the Beggar Gang's branch here. Could it be..." He hurriedly said in a deep voice, "Quickly bring the people you sent here!"
The man responded and went out of the main hall again. Lin Longqing paced back and forth in the waterside pavilion. When he heard the knock on the door, he hurriedly took a few steps to open the door and invited the man in. He said to the guard in a deep voice, "You go down first. Don't alarm he closed the door and looked back. He saw that the man had dark skin, tattered clothes, and was holding a bamboo stick in his hand.
After several turbulent times, the Beggars' Gang had already taken shape in the Tang Dynasty, but they did not just make a living by begging on the streets. Many of them held flower sticks and bamboo branches, stood in front of each house, dancing and singing for people to watch and have fun, begging for food or money. The number of bells on the ends of the bamboo sticks was used to identify the status of the disciples. At the same time, if they fought with the enemy, the bells would sound in advance to warn them, showing that although the Beggars' Gang were poor and shabby, they were upright and would not be attacked secretly.
Those who hang nine bells in the gang are elders, and the elders have different responsibilities. Those who hang eight bells are protectors, who are often responsible for matters such as punishment in the gang. Both of them have extremely high status in the Beggars' Gang. The highest position can be ten bells, which means the leader of the gang. In the Tang Dynasty, the region was divided into ten regions, and hanging ten bells meant taking control of all ten regions.
The man's bamboo stick had three bells tied at each end. Lin Longqing had seen this man before. His surname was Lei and his given name was Kan. He did not hold a high position in the Beggars' Sect. He was just a disciple holding six bells. However, he was loyal and capable. He was a very close friend of Nian Yongshou. Other people in the Beggars' Sect, even the protectors and elders, trusted him very much.
When Lei Kan saw Lin Longqing, he hurriedly bowed, but Lin Longqing held him back and said, "No need to be polite. Gang Leader Nian sent you here from a thousand miles away. But have you found out what I asked Gang Leader Nian to find out?"
Lei Kan was stunned, then looked at Lin Jianlan beside him, but did not speak. Lin Longqing said, "This is my adopted son, but you can talk about it."
Lei Kanfang said solemnly, "I don't know what Gang Leader Lin asked our Gang Leader Nian to find out. I came here this time because Gang Leader Nian asked me to tell him that he accidentally learned a shocking secret about the Kuangyi Gang a few years ago. It is inconvenient to spread this matter, fearing that it will be detrimental to your gang. I should have come to tell him in person, but the gang's affairs are complicated and I can't get away. Please ask Gang Leader Lin to come to Chang'an as soon as possible."
Lin Longqing was surprised, but he didn't know what important matter Nian Yongshou had found out, but he wanted him to go to Chang'an. He had just returned to the headquarters not long ago, and people were in a state of unrest, so it was inconvenient for him to go forward, so he looked hesitant.
Lei Kan saw this and said, "Boss Nian expected that Boss Lin would be too busy with work to go, so I gave him many instructions before I left. I must persuade Boss Lin to move to Chang'an, otherwise the incident a few years ago may become an unsolved mystery."
Lin Jianlan saw Nian Yongshou mention the big change of Kuangyi Gang a few years ago twice in his message, and was afraid that there was a clue that was fleeting. Seeing that Lin Longqing looked very anxious, he interrupted and said, "Since the matter is so urgent, Uncle Qing, why don't you write a letter to Gang Leader Nian and ask me to go to meet Brother Lei on your behalf?"
Lin Longqing thought for a moment and said to Lei Kan, "Please go to the guest room and rest first. I will discuss it overnight. No matter what, someone will definitely accompany you tomorrow!"
Lei Kan nodded and said, "That's great. As this matter is of great importance, the leader has already set a meeting place. If you don't want to go in person, you must entrust someone who is extremely trustworthy. I will personally lead people there at that time." After saying that, he went out.
Lin Jianlan said, "Uncle Qing, I now have a general understanding of what happened a few years ago. You absolutely cannot leave the headquarters at this moment, so why don't I go there for you? The old gang leader has seen me before, so he should recognize me."
Lin Longqing said in a deep voice: "I don't know if the trip to Chang'an is dangerous. How good is your Dongliuyunbu skill?"
Lin Jianlan grinned and said, "Uncle Qing, do you want to test me?"
Seeing that he did not take the unknown dangers ahead seriously and was quite courageous, Lin Longqing smiled and said, "Then come with me." After that, he rushed out of the house. Lin Jianlan hurriedly caught up with him, but he ran quickly towards where Fang Zheng lived. Seeing that the lights in the house were still on, Lin Longqing stopped immediately and made a gesture towards the door. Lin Jianlan understood and smiled in his heart, "I wondered how you were testing me. It turns out you want me to eavesdrop." But he did not dare to relax, because Fang Zheng's skills were also very good. If he was caught by mistake, it would be very embarrassing.
Seeing that his steps were slightly wrong, and his steps were slightly different from what he taught, but he just avoided the dead branches and withered grass, and was outside the door in an instant, he couldn't help but smile, and followed him with a light step. But he heard someone inside say, "Zhang Hufa, what do you think of Doctor Cheng's matter?" It was Fang Zheng's accent.
The two of them stood outside the door and heard Zhang Liantao sigh, "Ah, to be honest, I just can't believe that Doctor Cheng would do something to the gang leader. He has worked for the Kuangyi Gang all his life, and he watched the gang leader and Madam Cao grow up. Even before he left this time, he still... Alas!"
Fang Zheng said: "I believe that Doctor Cheng is not from the imperial court. Otherwise, why would he contact various sects in the martial arts world to oppose the Yukou Division?"
Then a rough accent was heard saying, "Don't you mean to say that the gang leader is lying?" It was Qin Tianxiong's accent.
Lin Jianlan didn't expect that Yin Ye and the other two were discussing Uncle Qing in secret. He turned around and looked at Lin Longqing, and sighed in his heart: "It's no wonder. When Doctor Cheng revealed his true colors, only Taoist Duanmu, Uncle Qing and I knew about it. And we can't invite Taoist Duanmu here. It's really difficult. Even if I repeat it, the uncles may not believe it." Then he thought again: "These three people who have a very good relationship with Uncle Qing are suspicious, let alone other people in the gang?"
Fang Zheng inside said, "The gang has been really restless in the past few years. First, Manager Cao passed away, and the gang leader stayed away for three years. We finally got some clues, and then the gang leader said that Doctor Cheng was a spy who had been lurking in the gang for many years. At this point, it is really difficult for us to distinguish."
Zhang Hufa continued, "The leader is extremely perceptive. How could he not know the doubts in our hearts? The difficulty is how we can get along with him in the future."
Qin Tianxiong said angrily, "I understand what you mean. The gang leader first got rid of Cao, the chief steward, and then used an excuse to get rid of Cheng Dafu. Anyone who has more prestige and popularity in the gang than him, or who has made great contributions, is gone now. You are afraid that the gang leader will also dislike you, right?"
Zhang Hufa said: "Brother Qin, aren't you afraid? What if that day really comes?"
Lin Longqing couldn't help but sigh outside the door: "Although Qin Tianxiong has a rough mind, what he said is very sharp. In their eyes, I am afraid that I have become eccentric, and my mood is unpredictable." Thinking of this, he gently tapped Lin Jianlan's shoulder, and the two of them turned around and flew several feet away, then walked closer again, but they raised their feet high and dropped them heavily, and walked over step by step.
As they approached the door, there was indeed no more chatter inside. Lin Longqing chuckled and knocked on the door before entering. Seeing the three people sitting leisurely, none of them showed any signs of excitement. Fang Zheng stood up and said, "Boss and Young Master, you are just in time. I just made a pot of good tea and you are here!"
Lin Longqing said with a smile: "Since it is tea, I will not blame Brother Fang. If it is a pot of aged fine wine, and you three dared to drink it secretly without inviting me to taste it, I would punish you severely!"
Among these people, Lin Jianlan and Qin Tianxiong were the most familiar with each other. They had just arrived here today and had not yet paid a visit. After bowing in a circle, they ran to Qin Tianxiong. The three of them knew that Lin Jianlan's meridians had been unblocked, so they exchanged greetings for a while, which was quite lively.
Lin Longqing said seriously, "I didn't come here tonight to drink tea. Lan'er, please tell me about the Jinzhou branch." Lin Jianlan then roughly told the story of being drugged and confined by Wan Jianhong and his wife. After listening to it, the three of them all looked solemn. After a while, Fang Zheng asked, "I wonder how the leader will deal with the Jinzhou branch?"
Lin Longqing said, "It was a coincidence that Lan'er met the girl from the Nanhai Sect. We are all close friends with Master Wan and his wife. They are also eager to cure Ah Xiu. If they had obtained the golden crown clam, their lives would not have been harmed. But the mysterious person mentioned in Lan'er's letter asked Master Wan and his wife to imprison him, which is very strange. I don't know what his purpose is."
Qin Tianxiong said: "From the tone of the gang leader, it seems that he doesn't blame Lao Wan and the others too much?"
Lin Longqing nodded and said, "When brother Wan had Ah Xiu, I went to attend the full moon banquet." After saying that, he sighed and looked at Lin Jianlan beside him. His mind went back to the day of Ah Xiu's full moon. All the brothers drank happily and all the heroes in the world gathered together. When he was drunk, he asked the two men if they would be willing to marry Ah Xiu to the Lin family if they had a son. At that time, he was extremely happy.
At this time, a cold wind blew, and Lin Longqing came back to his senses and said, "The matter of Doctor Cheng has already broken the arm of my Kuangyi Gang, and the leader Wan Tang was helpless. How can I destroy the brotherhood again? Since Lan'er is fine, it is better than anything else. If I meet Brother Wan in the future, I will ask him in person. If I send someone to go now, it will be considered as an attempt to investigate and blame. I am afraid that it will be difficult to save the relationship after the relationship is torn apart."
