Han Zuo Gaomen

Chapter 273

Before dawn, Bian Zhang got up, and in the hazy night, he walked to the window of the inner room and listened for a while.

"Is it Shichiro? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

An old female voice came from the room, accompanied by a violent cough.Bian Zhang hurried into the room, and saw his mother half lying on the wooden couch wrapped in a thin quilt by the faint morning light. Her face was full of tiredness, and she must have been tortured by illness and stayed up all night.Seeing this scene, Bian Zhang's eye circles turned red: "My son is not filial, and he can't extend the medical treatment for his mother..."

"Silly boy, this is the root cause of an old disease. It was the same in the past when the family was good. No matter how many doctors you seek, it is difficult to cure it. It is just a waste of money."

Mother Bian squeezed out a smile on her haggard face, and immediately coughed again with her heart in her hands.Seeing this, Bian Zhang rushed to the table and poured out a bowl of clear soup from the gauze-covered earthen pot. After Bian’s mother drank it, her panting gradually calmed down. work here?"

Bian Zhang nodded, and then heard his mother say: "The most important thing in doing things in Zongzhong is to be quick-witted. My family is different from the past. Your father and brother are gone. You must remember to be respectful to your uncles. Qiuzhong Township Proposals are the best way to report."

"My son understands."

Bian Zhang caressed his mother's skinny back, seeing his mother gradually getting sleepy on the couch, he just walked out of the room.

At this time, the east was gradually revealing its light, and Bian Zhang picked up the wooden bucket and went out to fetch water.Originally, his family also had a well, but there was a new decree from the county government a few years ago, and it was difficult to check the hidden people of each family. Therefore, in addition to the regular tax, there were miscellaneous things, and those who had a well in their family had to pay an additional tax.Bian Zhang's family didn't have much surplus food, so they could only fill up the well with earth and stones and divert it to get water from Zhuangzhong's public well.

There are nearly a hundred families in this Zhuangzi, most of whom are Bian clan members.The Langya Bian family is also a common surname in the county, and nearly a thousand households came from the south, and they were scattered in several hometowns of overseas Chinese.They are all relatives of each other, but they also take care of each other.

Many people in the village got up early to fetch water. When they saw Bian Zhang on the way, they couldn't help being surprised: "Why are you Qilang fetching water again today? Where's your Shihu?"

"The farming work has been heavy recently, and Shihu was called by Zongzhong to work in Zongtian."

Bian Zhang replied with a smile that in addition to his mother and son, there was an old Jie slave in his family.It is not known why the old Jie slave was named, but everyone in the village called him Shihu, but the meaning was to refer to the Jiehu Shi family who caused disasters in their hometown, as a mockery.

Hearing this, the people of the clan frowned and said: "The elders of the clan are not fair! Qilang, you have no family members, no matter how you count, you can't smoke your family!"

Bian Zhang smiled bitterly after hearing the words, but didn't say much.In fact, he was over seventeen years old, and he hoped that the Zongzhong would establish him as a family member, so that he would have the opportunity to win the evaluation of the township council, and if he could enter the product, the whole family would have hope.However, it is a pity that Zongzhong Fangding wanted to get his family, but Xiangyi always left his family behind.

He took a trip to fetch water, and had just returned home to pour the water into a vat, when Bian Zhang heard some movement in the courtyard, turned around and went out, and saw a crooked old man standing under the fence, that was his old servant Shihu.It's just that the old servant's beard and hair are disheveled, there are still bruises in the corners of his eyes, and he walks with a limp.Seeing this, Bian Zhang's expression darkened and he said, "Shihu, are they here to humiliate you again?"

When the old servant Shi Hu heard this, he forced a smile on his face, but he took a breath because of the injury, and said with a dry smile: "It's just my bad luck, I was born as a Jie slave. Jie thief Corruption of the world and disasters in the country are not only hated by the gentlemen, but also resentment for being humble. It can make the gentlemen feel at ease, and the humble also feel comfortable..."

When Bian Zhang heard this, he was silent, pulled Lao Jie Nu to sit on the stone bench, and lifted his feet to rub his bruises.This old Jienu was a poor man rescued from Langya hometown when his grandfather was alive, and has stayed in his house ever since.Even though his father and brother were cut off from the clan when he went south, and even his cronies died, this old Jie slave never left.

When Bianzhang was less than ten years old when Nanlai established his family, the clan members were grateful and took care of him at first, but they became estranged over time.If it weren't for this old Jie slave to support the family business, he and his seriously ill mother would not have survived until now.Therefore, for this old Jie slave, Bian Zhang really has a family-like friendship in his heart.However, Jiehu disturbed the world in the north, and the clansmen held a grudge against Jiehu, and then blamed his old Jie slave, who often suffered insults and kicks.

"Qilang grows up, and his hands are getting stronger. In the future, he will be able to hold a large brush and wield a knife and bow, just like the old master and Goro, and become famous in the village! The old mistress sees that she will survive the hardships, and her blessings will come."

The old Jienu Shihu frowned in pain, and then smiled with relief.

"You, the old Jie slave, will be blessed!"

Bian Zhang scolded with a smile, then frowned and said, "You are willing to suffer when they beat and scold you? Don't you want to escape back home? Who dares to act recklessly inside my house, my iron sword is also very sharp!"

"Rough skin and tough flesh, why bring bad luck into the house."

The old Jienu smiled honestly, then took out a cane stalk nearly two feet long from his bosom, stuffed it into Bian Zhang's hand, waved his hand and said, "Squeeze it quickly, and give it to the old mistress."

When Bian Zhang saw this, his nose became sour. Drinking sugarcane juice regularly could relieve his old mother's illness.In the past, father and brother were at home, and the family business was prosperous, even in the north, they would not worry about taking it.Now in Jiangdong, the price of sugarcane has dropped, but his family can no longer afford to buy it.Presumably the old Jienu was willing to be beaten and scolded by those prodigal sons of the Zongli for the sake of asking for this half of the bitter cane.

"Sooner or later, you old Jie slave will die in your hands, let's see who will collect your body for you!"

Bian Zhang was angry and sentimental at the same time, but the old Jie Nu just chuckled and waved his hand to signal Bian Zhang to squeeze the juice.

Bian Zhang got up and went back to the room to find the stone mortar. When he entered the court, he saw the old Jie Nu limping out the door with a bucket in his hand.Seeing this scene, Bian Zhang's eyes were clouded with moisture, he gritted his teeth, peeled and chopped the bitter cane, threw it into a stone mortar, pounded it with a stone pestle, filtered it with gauze, and put it in a cool place and soaked it in well water.

"Qilang, stay at home, and you can finish the farming work in Zongli in the afternoon, and I will go home and go to the fields with you."

Lao Jienu went back and forth several times, filled the vat, stood in front of the court and yelled, then left with a limp.

Bian Zhang heard the movement, went back to his room, took the iron sword left by his father, wrapped it in linen, carried it in his hand, and went out.He would like to see which of the unambitious waste in the clan, the Jiehu murderers all over the mountains and plains in the north would not kill them, but would bully his old Jie slaves!
After leaving the house, the old Jie Nu shrunk his shoulders and bowed his head, not daring to look around, even if someone greeted him on the way, he just bowed his head and did not dare to raise his head.But even so, along the way, there are still many women and children in the village throwing soil and stones at him, and the old Jienu is used to it, and he doesn't stop.

Seeing this, Bian Zhang lifted the sackcloth to reveal the blade of the sword in his hand, held it in his hand and walked slowly, his face tensed and dignified.

Seeing this scene, the faces of the village people changed slightly, and they dared not do anything to the old Jie slave again.But the old Jienu just bowed his head and walked, not realizing that there was something different around him.

After walking out of the village, there is a large stretch of farmland, which is the property of the Bian family.After the south crossing, because everything had to be started from scratch, the Zongzhong allocated Dingkou from each family to cultivate the clan's property, and then distributed rations with Dingkou.As for the private fields of each family, they are not allowed to take care of them until Zongtian has finished his farming work.

Seeing the old Jie slave limping along, the manager of the village who was lying under the willow tree to enjoy the shade suddenly jumped up, waved the bamboo whip in his hand and whipped it down: "You cunning old Jie slave, where are you going to be lazy! If it wasn't for my family's benevolent shelter, you, an old Jie thief, would still be alive! You ungrateful thief, how dare you not work diligently!"

The old Jienu huddled into a ball, begging for mercy while avoiding the whip.The steward was not satisfied, and spat on the ground with a mouthful of thick phlegm: "Old Jie thief, are you convinced that I will beat you? If you are not convinced, let your little son Shi Shilong come and take revenge!"

Hearing this, both the stewards at the edge of the field and the farmers working in the field laughed loudly.

"stop!"

Bian Zhang turned over and crossed the ridge of the field, and came rushing forward with an iron sword in his hand, roaring angrily, "Who dares to bully my Shihu again!"

Hearing the roar, everyone turned their heads to look, and immediately changed their expressions.The steward who beat the old Jie slave hastily dropped the bamboo whip, took a few steps back, and said awkwardly: "Qilang misunderstood..."

"You evil slave treat me as blind!"

Bian Zhang rushed into the arena, helped up the old Jie Nu who had been beaten and rolled in the mud, seeing the new wound on the old face, he was even more angry.He held the sword upside down in his left hand, bent down to pick up the bamboo whip, pointed at the steward from a distance, and shouted angrily: "Kneel down!"

The steward's cheeks twitched, as if there was a trace of displeasure, but after seeing so many people around him, he didn't dare to disobey him, he knelt down in the dust with a plop, but clenched his fists tightly.

"What kind of thing are you? My family, when is it your turn to discipline!"

While yelling and cursing, Bian Zhang swung his bamboo whip and beat the steward severely.Seeing this, the faces of the people around all changed. Some of them wanted to dissuade them, but even after Bian Zhang glanced sharply at them, they knelt down in a panic.Although the situation of Bian Qilang's family is not as good as before, they are the master after all, so how can they allow their servants to be disobedient.If you really dare to commit the crime, you will die immediately and there is no reason to justify it.

Lao Jie Nu had no such scruples, and rushed forward to stop Bian Zhang.These stewards are all masters of the sect. Although they are respectful and dare not disobey on the surface, it is very easy to do some tricks behind the scenes.As long as the ditches are closed for a day or two with the help of his position, more than half of the seedlings in his private fields will die.

Despite the old Jie Nu's persuasion, Bian Zhang still whipped a dozen bamboo whips before giving up, pointing at the steward and sternly said: "Look up! Let me ask you, why do you want to flog my stone beard?"

The steward's face was already distorted in pain, he barely raised his head, and just about to speak, his eyes fell on the carriage coming on the road in the distance. Me! Shichiro went crazy and wanted to kill the humble..."

"Evil slave dare to frame me!"

Hearing this, Bian Zhang was even more annoyed. He strode forward and slashed down with his sword. The steward fell down with the sword, blood was gushing out from his ribs, and he let out a mournful roar: "Master, save me... "

The ox cart was driving in the middle of the road, and a middle-aged man jumped out of the cart. It was Bian Chan, the current head of the Bian family, pointing at Bian Zhang and shouting, "Qilang, what are you doing?"

Bian Zhang dropped the sword, knelt in the dust and said in a condensed voice: "The traitor insults me, the three fathers have learned!"

"You, you... I have a distinguished guest today, and I will question you later!"

Bian Chan said in a deep voice, and ordered people to pull down the steward who was in the pool of blood, and then took Bian Zhang into custody.

"Wait a minute, this gentleman is Bian Guerlin'er?"

Another person came on the bullock cart, but it was the order of Princess Danyang's mansion.

When Bian Chan heard this, he felt a little embarrassed, and smiled sarcastically, "It's my elder brother's son who neglected to discipline him, making Mr. Ren laugh at him."

As he spoke, he glanced across at Bian Zhang, and said in a low voice, "Hurry up and meet Mr. Ren Qiu Ren!"

Ren Qiu didn't mind. Instead, he admired Bian Zhang, patted him on the shoulder with a smile, and said, "The young man is brave and not inferior is the style of his father's martial arts! If you have time to come to the capital, Xiao Lang, you might as well come and see him." I."

As he spoke, Ren Qiu signaled his servants to hand over a name card to Bian Zhang.

Seeing this scene, Bian Chan had doubts in his heart, he didn't understand why his nephew could get the favor of the person Shen Lang served in front of him.But in any case, this is also an opportunity for my nephew, so I hurriedly asked Bian Zhang to thank Ren Qiu, and then I couldn't wait to ask Ren Qiu to get on the car. I want to lead my son to Ren Qiu for his praise, or he can also be appreciated .

(End of this chapter)