Shu Zhengqi said: "Brother Yang, do you still remember, the night you first came, Lord Zheng said, what errand did I do before?" ”

"I remember, Brother Shu worked as an errand in the Yamen of his hometown county." Yang Chuncheng said.

"Brother Yang has a good memory! I've worked in the county yamen torture room for five years, and I know a little bit about it. Shu Zhengqi mentioned the red cloth jumpsuit, "What do you think this is for?" ”

"This is the prisoner's prison uniform worn by the exile, what's wrong?"

Before Shu Zhengqi could speak, Wen Moshi was surprised: "Brother Yang, is this a prison clothes?" How do you have clothes and pants together, or are they made of red cloth?"

Yang Chuncheng said: "Mr. Wen has always been immersed in his studies, and he doesn't know that this is because the government is wary of criminals escaping on the road, and uses red cloth to make jumpsuits, which are easy to identify, and secondly, the prisoners can't take off for a while, which is convenient for officers and soldiers to arrest." ”

"I see." Wen Moshi only felt very novel.

Xia Dingchuan said: "By the way, under this big bell are prison clothes, official documents, flails, and shackles, could it be left by a fleeing exile?" ”

Shu Zhengqi said: "Brother Dingchuan is right. ”

Wen Moshi was surprised: "So, isn't this person's kung fu higher than that of Brother Yang?" ”

Xia Dingshan glanced at Yang Chuncheng and said, "Mr. Wen, what do you mean by this?" ”

"Do you think, how can this man hide these things under the bell and not lift it up?" Wen Mo said, "But, with Brother Yang's kung fu-"

Xia Dingshan said: "What if he puts things away first, and then puts the clock down?" ”

"yes, why didn't I think of that?" Wen Moshi was stunned.

Xia Dingchuan interjected: "This guy killed four people and hid under the big bell, maybe he is really a big thief." ”

"What, Jiangyang thief?" Wen Moshi was surprised, "Zhengqi, there is this person's name on the official document, what is his name?" ”

Shu Zhengqi took out the official document from the cloth bag and read it under the lantern: "Sun Chengzong, born in the twelfth year of Tongzhi, a native of Fengtian County, Fengtian Prefecture, Liaoning Province, was angry in September of the seventeenth year of Guangxu, fought and killed people, and was exiled to Hami, Xinjiang. By the way, it also said that this person has a red mole on the center of his eyebrows. ”

Xia Dingchuan said: "Sun Chengzong? I haven't heard of it, I've only heard of Fengtianfu, and I haven't been there. ”

Xia Dingshan said: "Mr. Wen, what does it mean when the official document says '狎伶生濿'?" ”

"You don't understand this, it's just that everyone likes a play, go to her scene, fight for her, fight and fight." Wen Mo said, "But this is the work of a rich kid, not like what Jiang Yang thieves do!" ”

Yang Chuncheng saw that they kept talking, and said, "Okay, brothers, let's not interrupt, let's listen to Brother Shu finish talking first." ”

The three of them didn't speak, and looked at Shu Zhengqi together.

Shu Zhengqi groaned slightly, and said, "Brother Yang, I thought, maybe we can send you out of the city and use these things!" He pointed to the pile of torture instruments on the ground.

The Xia family brothers and Wen Moshi were surprised and delighted, and said, "How to send Brother Yang out of the city, you can say it quickly!" ”

"Okay, I'll say it, everyone will add it up!"

Everyone immediately fell silent.

"As soon as the sky dawned, the officers and soldiers came to search the tunnels, and everyone was more than lucky." Shu Zhengqi said, "Instead of sitting and waiting for death, let's give it a go, as long as we send Brother Yang out of the city, it's easy to talk!" ”

"How to get out of town, you say!" Yang Chuncheng said.

"Brother Yang killed a few servants, got these sets of errand clothes, and just now by mistake, he found these prison clothes, official documents, wooden shackles, and even whistle sticks from under the big bell." Shu Zhengqi said, "I have an idea, early tomorrow morning, just ask Brother Yang to put on prison clothes, put on wooden flails and leg shackles, and the four of us will pretend to be tolerances and go to the county yamen to exchange for Guan Wen and send you out of the city!" ”

When Yang Chuncheng heard this, he couldn't help frowning and muttering.

Wen Moshi and the Xia family brothers were surprised: "What are you talking about, pretending to be a tolerance and going to the county government to exchange documents?" Zhengqi, you are too bold, you can't get it right, this is going to lose your head! ”

"Of course I know, but when the officers and soldiers discover the tunnel, we will all be dead!" Shu Zhengqi said, "Okay, let's discuss it!" ”

The three of them looked at each other and said nothing.

Yang Chuncheng thought that although this move was too risky, it was a way to escape, if it was a fluke, Shu Zhengqi and Zheng Yixia would not be implicated, so he took the official document and looked at it.

Wen Moshi thought for a moment, and felt that there was no way back, and said uneasily: "Zhengqi, what do you mean, if you don't enter the tiger's den, you can get the tiger?" ”

"Yes, that's what it means!" Shu Zhengqi said, "So far, we have to try, it's better than waiting for death!" ”

Xia Dingchuan was worried: "Brother Shu, go to the county government to exchange documents, why are there four people?" Isn't it usually two to escort prisoners? ”

"The tolerance for the release of exiles is indeed two, and they are assigned by the state and county yamen that distribute exiles to escort exiles to the places of exile, but that is a 'long release'."

"So, there's a 'short solution'?"

"Yes. Exile is a heavy punishment of the second degree, and once the prisoner is on the road, he will be thousands of miles away from home, and he will die for nine lives, often killing people and escaping in the middle of the journey. Shu Zhengqi said, "Therefore, the imperial court has clearly ordered that all the prefectures and counties where the exiles pass through must be sent to assist in escorting them to the next prefecture and county, so as to prevent the prisoners from escaping halfway." These tolerances range from two to four, and they are called 'short solutions'. ”

Xia Dingchuan and Wen Moshi glanced at each other and were speechless.

Yang Chuncheng read the official document and said: "Brother Shu, this Sun Chengzong is a criminal two years ago, we have to use the official document and the customs defense, the time is not right!" ”

"Brother Yang is right, it's up to Mr. Wen." Shu Zhengqi took the official document and handed it to Wen Moshi, "Mr. Wen, you are the best at framing calligraphy and paintings, hurry up and see if you can change the name of the prisoner and the date of the detention in each state and county." ”

Wen Moshi hurriedly took the official document, looked at it under the lamp for a long time, and said: "There are only two or three names of prisoners, and it is not difficult to change, but the time of detention in each state and county is different, and it must be dug up by uncovering and framing." ”

"We don't understand this, you're an expert, please try it quickly, but you can't leave a little clue!"

Wen Moshi was in a dilemma and said, "It's not difficult to uncover, but the time is too tight." Usually unveil the framed calligraphy and paintings, to say that it takes a few days to dry, but now it is too late to get it at dawn! ”

When Shu Zhengqi heard this, he couldn't help frowning and didn't say a word.

Xia Dingshan said: "Mr. Wen, hurry up and think of ideas!" Since we only have this one way out, don't be afraid of wolves and tigers! ”

"But the time is too fast, what can I do!"

"This is a Guan Fang official document, not a treasure calligraphy and painting, I will throw it away after using it tomorrow, don't die of it!" Xia Dingshan said, "Besides, this matter has a lot to do with Brother Yang and us, hurry up and think of a way!" ”

"Okay, I'll think again!" Wen Moshi had no choice but to agree.

Yang Chuncheng couldn't help but have a glimmer of hope when he saw that they were eager to help.

When he was a garrison officer in Hangzhou, his duties were related, and he often dealt with the state and county yamen, and he was clear about the distribution of exiles.

After the exiles were released and put on the road, the yamen of the prefectures and counties passing through had to be carefully inspected to verify that the identity of the exiles was correct and that the shackles and shackles had not been opened, and only then should the word "complete" be marked on the official documents, the date of inspection should be written, and the official seal letter should be affixed and forwarded to the next prefecture and county.

He thought, Shu Zhengqi is a shrewd and capable person, and he has worked in the yamen torture room for a few years, and he knows the joints well, so he doesn't have to worry, but there are still a few questions, and he needs to inquire clearly, and said: "Brother Shu, when you go to the county government to exchange documents, the exiles also have to go to court, do you know?" ”

When Wen Moshi and the Xia family brothers heard this, they were surprised and said, "What, Brother Yang is also going to the court, so after talking for a long time, isn't it all nonsense?" ”

"Brother Yang, it's because of this that I'm making trouble." Shu Zhengqi looked hesitant, "When I go to the lobby, if they don't recognize it, there is only one way, but it is not a last resort-" He wanted to stop talking.

"Brother Shu, you mean thorny noodles?" Yang Chuncheng said.

"Not bad!" Shu Zhengqi said, "It's just that after piercing the face, the ink will not fade, and even if it is cleaned with potion in the future, there will be scars on the face, which is no different from disfigurement." ”

Xia Dingchuan disagreed, and said, "Brother Shu, why are you like Mr. Wen, and you are also dead-eyed?" Since we are pretending, let's write a few words on Brother Yang's face and deceive the dog official, right? ”

"Brother Dingchuan, you are too underestimated by the government, can writing and tattooing be the same?" Shu Zhengqi said, "After going to the court, the Torture Room Clerk's Office personally inspected it, and it was obvious at a glance!" ”

"What, the dog officer still wants to check?" Xia Dingchuan was taken aback, and said again: "By the way, let Brother Yang pretend to be a tolerance tomorrow, and any of the four of us will pretend to be a criminal, won't it?" ”

"I've thought about it too, no! Think about it, when the children look at the portrait, they can recognize Brother Yang, the government is dedicated to eating this bowl of rice, and Brother Yang is standing in front of him, will he not recognize it? Shu Zhengqi said, "Besides, now that the whole city is under martial law, Brother Yang is being arrested, and the investigation will only be stricter than usual, if you let Brother Yang wear a bad suit and go out, not only will it hurt him, but we will also become a meat bun for beating dogs, and there will be no return!" ”

Xia Dingchuan was speechless.

Yang Chuncheng comforted: "Brother Shu, Brother Xia, don't worry! As long as you can get out of the city and don't affect everyone and Lord Zheng, you will be stabbed with a thorny face, and it doesn't matter! ”

When they heard this, they sighed and were silent.

Yang Chuncheng said again: "Brother Shu, as far as I know, although the thorn is a trivial matter, there are also joints in it, do you know?" ”

"Brother Yang, don't worry, of course I know, otherwise, wouldn't I mean to harm you?" Shu Zhengqi said.

"Okay, you can hear about it."

"There are three main rules for piercing noodles." Shu Zhengqi said, "First, the crime is tattooed on the left cheek, and the exile name is tattooed on the right cheek. Second, the word is one inch and five minutes large, and the pen is one and a half centimeters wide. Thirdly, the word is tattooed on the cheeks and under the sideburns. ”

Yang Chuncheng nodded and said, "But I have seen many outcasts, even if they are stabbed, they are only a few words, and their appearance has not changed much." ”

"Brother Yang is right, if the government can't recognize it, there are two ways."

"What's the method?"

"One is to be charged with multiple thorns, and the other is to tattoo the charges and place names in Manchu and Chinese, so that the face will be tattooed and swollen and difficult to read." Shu Zhengqi said, "Sometimes the government deliberately humiliates the prisoner and tattoos his entire face, making it difficult for him to be a man for the rest of his life. ”

Wen Moshi was surprised: "Zhengqi, are you a Manchurian, how can you still understand Manchu?" ”

"Mr. Wen misunderstood, I am Han, and Manchu is just a rough knowledge. In those years, there were many stabbing of prisoners, and I can roughly remember the names of the crimes and places of exile. ”

Yang Chuncheng said, "Brother Shu, I still have something to ask." If the color is about to light up today, let's go to the county office after the tattoo, what should we do with the bruises on our faces? ”

"It's not difficult, as long as you chew the soybeans and put them on your face, in less than half an hour, the blood will be corrupted, and the swelling will not subside much."

Yang Chuncheng saw that he was confident, and he was indeed a middle and old player, so he finally put his mind at ease and said, "Okay, since that's the case, don't delay, hurry up!" If you don't have too few words, it's okay to prick a few more. ”

Shu Zhengqi hesitated and said, "Brother Yang, although there is no other way at the moment, but tattooing is a lifelong thing, you have to think clearly!" ”

Wen Moshi and the Xia family brothers also said: "Yes, think about it again, if it doesn't work, let's think of another way!" ”

"It's not enough to kill people, how can you think so much!" Yang Chuncheng waved his hand, "It's not too early, let's do it!" ”

Shu Zhengqi saw that he had made up his mind, and said, "Mr. Wen, how are you doing over there, have you thought of a way?" ”

"I want to think about it, but I can only bake it over charcoal." Wen Mo said, "But I have to settle on three things before I can do it." ”

"What's the matter, you say!"

"The first thing, the name on the official document, Brother Yang take a look, what is the best name to use?"

Yang Chuncheng thought for a while and said, "The night I came, Lord Zheng said that my name was 'Li Zaojiu', so use it!" ”

"The second is a crime." Wen Mo Shidao, "Just now Zhengqi said that there are a few more crimes to be stabbed, but which crimes to be stabbed must be clearly stated first, otherwise the official document and the stabbing words do not match, and there will be a mistake." ”

Shu Zhengqi said: "Okay, I want to tell you later." What is the third piece? ”

"Okay, you think about it quickly and call me back." Wen Mo Shidao, "The third thing is, how to change the inspection time of each state and county? ”

Yang Chuncheng saw that Shu Zhengqi was silent, and said: "Mr. Wen, this is not difficult, just take today's day as the limit, according to the time of the inspection of the yamen of each state and county, and push back the number of days." ”

Wen Moshi agreed, and looked at Shu Zhengqi again.

Shu Zhengqi thought for a moment and said, "Brother Yang, what do you think of the three crimes of 'desertion', 'robbery', and 'theft'?" ”

"Robbery and theft, the crime can be light or serious, but it's nothing." Yang Chuncheng said, "How did you think of using 'deserter'?" ”

"The official document said that Sun Chengzong is from Fengtianfu, Liaoning, and he will go to the lobby tomorrow, if the government hears that Brother Yang's accent is wrong, he is afraid that he will cause trouble." Shu Zhengqi said, "When the time comes, you will say that you are deserting from your hometown in Jiangxi to Mukden and plugging this loophole." ”

"Brother Shu is so careful, I really didn't expect this layer!"

"Brother Yang has been in the public for many years, and there are few cases of carelessness and fabrication, we have to guard against it." Shu Zhengqi said, "Besides, I don't remember much Manchu text, if I think of some new tricks, then the Manchu and Chinese characters will not be correct, and it will be a bad thing." ”

Yang Chuncheng said: "Okay, Mr. Wen, just listen to Brother Shu!" ”

Wen Moshi agreed, lit an oil lamp, opened the bookcase, turned out paper, pen inkstone, knife, ruler, brush, paste, and spread it on the bookcase.

Shu Zhengqi said while preparing the ink: "Brother Yang, the crime has been decided, you have to quickly think about the ins and outs of the crime, your life experience and place of origin must be tightly matched, and you can't make any mistakes." ”

"Okay, I'll think about it right away." Yang Chuncheng said, "It's just that this Sun Chengzong was born in the twelfth year of Tongzhi, twelve years younger than me, and his age will have to be changed." ”

Wen Moshi turned around and said, "What year did you change?" ”

Yang Chuncheng said: "Since there is the crime of 'desertion', the age should not be too old, so let's change it to a person born in the first year of Guangxu." ”

"Good!" Wen Moshi lowered his head and was busy again.

After listening to them, Xia Dingshan said worriedly: "Zhengqi, let's leave at dawn, what should we do with two women and a few children?" ”

"Brother Joyama is right, since the officers and soldiers are coming to search the tunnels, they can't stay here anymore." Shu Zhengqi frowned, "After we left, we had to bother the two younger siblings with a few children, dress in tatters, pretend to be hungry, and go out of the city." When the officers and soldiers saw that they were women and children, they would not be embarrassed. ”

"Okay, where will we meet after we leave the city?"

"Since we are going to Hami, if we can get out of the city tomorrow, we will go to the north gate." Shu Zhengqi groaned, "It's just that the Fuzhou County Yahui sent a short solution to follow, and it is a little troublesome to get rid of them." ”

Xia Dingshan said worriedly: "Yes, what should I do about this?" ”

Shu Zhengqi thought for a while and said, "I read the official document just now, the exile is from Hengyi, and tomorrow morning, you two brothers will pretend to be the short-term public servants of Hengyi County." When we come out of the county office, you will pretend to go back to Hengyi, go out of the city through the east gate, and find the two younger siblings and children to rendezvous! ”

Xia Dingchuan hurriedly said, "Okay, where will we meet?" ”

"Shi Shi and I passed by Hengyi last year, and I remember that there was a Piyang town on the way, and there was an ancient temple in the town, called Falin Temple." Shu Zhengqi said, "Tomorrow morning, please ask the two younger siblings to rush to Falin Temple with their children to wait for you." When you find them, don't go anywhere, just wait there. Brother Yang and Mr. Wen and I will find a way to shake off our tails and rush to you immediately! ”

When everyone heard this, they all felt that this method was appropriate and breathed a sigh of relief, but Wen Moshi was a little uneasy when he heard that he was going to the lobby tomorrow.

Shu Zhengqi saw his thoughts, and told him and the Xia family brothers to go to court tomorrow, don't panic, just listen to him and Brother Yang.

Although Wen Moshi and Xia Dingchuan agreed, they were inevitably secretly panicked, and only Xia Dingshan was silent.

Shu Zhengqi said again: "Mr. Wen, you can also make a copy of the customs document you found under the big bell just now, so that it is convenient for Dingshan and Dingchuan brothers to go out of the city tomorrow." ”

Wen Moshi nodded in agreement.

Shu Zhengqi prepared the ink, found an iron needle, instructed Xia Dingshan to hold the lamp next to him, pulled over a quilt, told Yang Chuncheng to lie down sideways, and then put two fingers together, measured the size on Yang Chuncheng's cheek, and began to tattoo.

Yang Chuncheng closed his eyes slightly, only to feel the pain of the needle tip, like a bee sting mosquito bite, and after a while, the skin and flesh gradually numb, and he no longer felt much pain.

Xia Dingchuan picked up charcoal to add fuel to the fire, and said idlely, "Brother Yang, your kung fu of lifting the bell just now is really amazing, when will you teach us." ”

Yang Chuncheng said: "As long as you can get out of the city alive tomorrow, I will teach you a few useful kung fu." ”

"Okay, let's make a decision!" Xia Dingchuan said, "Brother Yang, don't worry, you have your own heavenly appearance, and everyone will be able to get out of the city safely tomorrow!" ”

"I hope so!"

"Brother Yang, how long have you been practicing?"

"I have been learning martial arts from my father since I was a child, and it has been twenty-eight years in a blink of an eye."

"Is there a better master than you?"

"What is my little Taoism, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, and there are many masters!" Yang Chuncheng said, "When I entered Beijing that year, I saw a master of iron sand palms, who killed seven imperial guards with only a pair of meat palms. ”

"What is this person doing, daring to kill the imperial guards?" Xia Dingchuan was surprised.

"His name is Wang Lingshen, he is the fourth rank of the imperial guard with a knife, he is very favored by Cixi, he was the one who brought people to Hangzhou to arrest me last year, fortunately, Lord Zheng sent me a letter earlier, otherwise it would have been planted in his hands." Yang Chuncheng said, "By the way, he is now implicated in my case and demoted to Hengyi as the county magistrate, and he is the 'top boss' of your brothers." ”

Xia Dingshan sat on the side and held the lamp, puzzled: "Brother Yang, why is he our top boss?" ”

"Isn't your brother going to pretend to be the short-term public servant of Hengyi County tomorrow, isn't he your top boss?"

When everyone saw that he still had the heart to laugh, they all laughed.

Yang Chuncheng said Zheng Yixia's words that night, saying that Wang Ling was planted on his heels, he was angry, and he had a big bag on his forehead, and everyone in the yamen called him "Shou Xinggong", and everyone laughed again.

Jin Zhengqi smiled: "Brother Yang, don't speak, otherwise I won't be able to do it." ”

Yang Chuncheng had no choice but to be silent, everyone stopped talking, Wen Moshi was digging and changing the official document on the bookcase, Shu Zhengqi meticulously stabbed the words, Xia Dingshan lit it with an oil lamp, Xia Dingchuan sat in a daze, adding a few pieces of charcoal to the firewood from time to time, and the tunnel was quiet.

The two women turned over a few times and woke up a long time ago, but it was not good to come and talk, and the seven children were still asleep.

Yang Chuncheng didn't sleep all night, lay on the quilt for a while, and drowsiness hit him in bursts, yawned a few times, held on for a while, and finally fell asleep.

I don't know how long it took, he was asleep, only to feel a cold on his face, as if something had been wiped, and he woke up immediately, when he opened his eyes, he saw Xia Dingshan holding an oil lamp, Shu Zhengqi holding a wet cloth in his right hand, wiping his face, and there were many yellow slags on his left palm.

Seven children had risen and huddled around to look at him, their faces full of sympathy and surprise.

Yang Chuncheng sat up and said, "Brother Shu, is the stab done?" ”

"The stab is good, Brother Yang, take a look!" Shu Zhengqi threw the debris in his hand on the ground, it turned out to be chewing the soybean crumbs with sepcish blood, then took a kitchen knife from the side, held the handle of the knife, put the bright knife in front of him, and took the oil lamp from Xia Dingshan's hand to shine it.

Yang Chuncheng looked at it, only to see a strange person on the bright kitchen knife, with a tattooed face and swollen skin, as if crawling with centipedes, snakes and insects, extremely ugly, he couldn't help but be startled, and hurriedly reached out to touch his face, and saw that the strange man also reached out to touch his face, only to know that it was himself.

He stared at the ugly shadow in a daze, his heart was mixed, and he was silent for a long time, when suddenly sadness came from it, and he looked up to the sky and laughed, and the laughter was mixed with indescribable hatred, anger, sorrow, sadness, helplessness, and desolation, which was more than a hundred times worse than crying.