Midsummer is shining, the door of the Liufang Pavilion painted with tung oil is shining, there are oleanders poking out flower branches from the courtyard wall, at first Xiao Wu went to knock on the door, no one answered, replaced with a column, "bang bang" smashed the door, then someone asked in the door: "Who is it?" ”

Neng Zhu said: "I, Neng Zhu, the three young masters are here." ”

Nengzhu was headless and brainless when he spoke, Zhang Cao gently pushed the tall and big Nengzhu to the side, stepped forward and said: "Xiaosheng Shanyin Zhang Cao, Muhou Huiqing sings, I am here to meet." When he said this, he squeezed his eyebrows at Zhang Dai and Zhang Yuan, but his tone was serious, and he shook the folding fan in his hand, which was very self-appreciative.

The maid in the door said: "Zhang Xianggong, forgive me, my girl is unwell, and I haven't seen any guests these days." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Miss Hou is not in good health, it doesn't hurt if you don't see guests, I'll wait for today to recognize the way, drink a cup of tea, reward you with a few dollars, next time you come again, you will be familiar with the road, open the door." ”

The maid in the door hesitated - Zhang Cao said: "Is there a reason to let the guests be exposed to the sun outside the door, this is very poisonous, open the door quickly." ”

The door opened, Zhang Cao entered, and the girl saw a group of people hugging in, and shouted: "Mother-in-law, mother-in-law-"

Then a bustard mother in her forties walked out, dressed in bright makeup and dress, extremely bright, her eyes turned on Zhang Cao and others, her face was full of smiles, and she asked where the guests came from?

Zhang Cao is trying his best to swagger, he is not acting, but his true colors, this bustard mother sent to usher, read a lot of people, and is very familiar with this kind of rich family, this is the master of the money, how can he be lazy, welcome into the hall and sit, a table of eight immortals, with eight plates of fresh fruits, ask the guests have not yet eaten, then ordered Yahuan to take out the three white wines in Suzhou, and the rest of the crab shell yellow, drag oven cake, mille-feuille cake and other Suzhou snacks are served up, and a table is full - Zhang Cao immediately ordered Fu'er to take five taels of silver as a reward, and the bustard's mother was overjoyed, and she tried her best to flatter, Zhang Cao said: "Xiaosheng Muhou Huiqing is both beautiful and artistic, I came to see it, if it really lives up to its reputation, Xiaosheng is willing to pay a lot of money to redeem her." ”

When the bustard mother heard this, she said in her heart: "Hui Niang Hongluan Xing moves, seven days ago, Feng Xianggong gave eight hundred taels of silver, and four days ago, Zhu Dynasty offered 1,600 taels, and now there is this Shaoxing show to redeem Hui Niang, but-" Laughing and said: "The three Xianggong, the little girl Hui Niang is a little sick in these two days, and it is inconvenient to meet guests, I am really sorry." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Don't hide it from me, when I came here, I heard that there was a Hui merchant who wanted to redeem Hou Huiqing, didn't he?" ”

When the bustard's mother heard it, she was a little embarrassed, she couldn't hide it, if she came again after two days, she couldn't keep it hidden, and said: "Don't hide it from Zhang Xianggong, this matter is not fake, then Zhu Chaofeng has made a wedding money, because Zhu Chaofeng has something to do, so he didn't marry, Hui Niang is temporarily sent here, it's really not good to let her see guests again." ”

Zhang Yuan asked: "Did you write a marriage letter?" "The so-called marriage certificate is a certificate of transfer of the deed of sale.

The bustard's mother said: "I have written the marriage book, and I will say that I will bring the marriage book to Zhu Chaofeng after collecting enough money." ”

Zhang Yuanxin said: "Fortunately, there is still room for redemption before the marriage certificate is handed over to the Hui businessman." said: "I only want to see Hou Huiqing once, and other matters will be discussed with Na Zhu Chaofeng." ”

The bustard's mother was still hesitating, and Zhang Cao said: "Don't prevaricate, just meet once, it won't cost you anything, although we are scholars, our anger is not small." ”

The bustard's mother had to tell Yahuan to invite Hui Niang to come out, Yahuan went in for a while, came out and replied that Hui Niang refused to see guests, Bustard's mother went to invite, for a long time, only to support a little girl with Yahuan left and right, Zhang Yuan raised his eyes to look, and saw a girl about ten years old, with dark clouds on her sideburns, crescent moon on her eyebrows, pointed jade shoots in her sleeves, narrow golden lotus under her skirt, melon seed face, pointed chin, and her complexion is only considered to be middle and upper, and the fat powder is not applied, her face is sad, and it looks inconspicuous. Feng Menglong is infatuated with this Hou Huiqing - Hou Huiqing blessed Zhang Yuan and the three of them, turned around and was about to go in, Zhang Yuan said: "Miss Hou, please wait a moment, I have something to say next." ”

That Hou Huiqing didn't sit down, just stood slightly sideways by the door, looking pitiful.

Zhang Yuan said: "I heard that there is a Feng Shengren and Miss Hou who are in love with each other, and intend to redeem themselves for the girl, why did the girl give up Feng Shengren and marry a Hui businessman, is it because Feng Shengren is poor and Mu Hui businessman is rich?" ”

As soon as Hou Huiqing heard this, she immediately burst into tears and choked - the bustard's mother glared and said, "You are here for Feng Xiucai?" ”

Zhang Cao said: "I'm not used to seeing how much Shang Jia spoils people with money, you old bustard only wants money, this daughter is not your own, right?" ”

The bustard's mother blushed and said angrily: "The three Xiucai don't know anything, it's like a thing, can it be that the high bidder is not sold, but should be sold to the one who offers a low price?" ”

Zhang Yuan shouted: "Nonsense, this Hou girl is a living person, not an artifact." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Jiezi, don't talk to her about that, Bustard only recognizes money, and if she recognizes money, then I will talk to you about money, you call the Hui merchant, and we will talk to him face to face, haha, if you talk about the romantic and suave, I dare to say that the Hui merchant is not as good as me - how old is the Hui merchant surnamed Zhu?" ”

The bustard mother did not answer with a cold face, and the maids did not dare to answer.

Zhang Cao asked Hou Huiqing, and Hou Huiqing cried: "I don't know the concubine's body, but my hair is gray." ”

The bustard's mother ordered Yahuan to help Huiniang in, and Zhang Cao said: "Slow." He said to the bustard's mother: "How much redemption money did the Hui merchant make, I also showed it, and I will make up for this Hou Huiqing." ”

The bustard's mother said: "How can you go back on your word." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Don't tell me this, hurry up and find that Hui merchant, otherwise I will take Hou Huiniang away now, even if I invite her to Panhuan in Shanyin for a few months, what can you do to me?" ”

The bustard's mother hurriedly said: "Did you Shanyin Xiucai bully me from Suzhou!" ”

Zhang Cao said: "You can go outside the door and shout like this, and you can also report to the official." ”

The bustard's mother couldn't do it, so she had to send someone to the Taohuawu outside the gate to find Na Zhu Chaofeng, Mu Zhenzhen quietly said a few words to Hou Huiqing according to Zhang Yuan's order, and Hou Huiqing's eyes suddenly lit up, bit her lip, blessed Zhang Yuan and a few people, and went in reflexively.

Zhang Yuan and a few people drank slowly, waited for about an hour, heard the sound of footsteps outside the door, and rushed in seven or eight ruthless servants, standing under the corridor, staring at Zhang Yuan, and then a rattan sedan chair was carried in, and a rich man with gray hair and a slightly fat body got off the sedan chair and shouted: "Wang Liuma——"

The bustard's mother greeted her, muttered for a while, this rich man is Zhu Chaofeng, looked at Zhang Yuan and the others, sneered, and said: "Zhu Mou is going to visit Chen Fuzun in the evening, I don't have time to talk here, so take Huiniang away now." The seven or eight ruthless servants agreed in unison, looking domineering.

Zhang Cao was furious, stood up and said, "Why did you take Hou Huiqing and bring the contract to me to see." ”

Zhang Dai sneered: "It's Chen Fuzun who opens his mouth, it's so scary." ”

Zhu Chaofeng said: "I have paid four hundred taels of silver-" With a wave of his hand, a servant moved a small silver box over, opened the silver box, and inside was a box full of twenty-two and one ingots of silver--Zhu Chaofeng said: "Wang Liuma, here is one thousand two hundred taels of silver, together with the deposit of four hundred taels mentioned earlier, the ransom silver has been paid, you postpone the wedding calligraphy and painting to me." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Wang Liuma, I also made a fixed amount of silver, since this businessman surnamed Zhu gave Hui Niang 1,600 taels of silver for redemption, then I will pay 1,800 taels." ”

Zhu Chaofeng looked at the bustard's mother and asked, "Wang Liuma, what do you mean by this, does a daughter marry Erlang?" ”

Without waiting for the bustard's mother to answer, Zhang Cao said: "Wang Liuma, don't care about my affairs with this Hui merchant first, it's good for you to redeem your body and silver, why not?" He said to Zhu Chaofeng: "Put away your silver and leave, don't use Chen Fuzun to scare people, I can go to see Sun Fuzun with you now, and negotiate to buy a concubine in court." ”

Zhu Chaofeng was very annoyed and said, "Okay, I'll give you two thousand taels of silver." ”

Zhang Cao didn't blink his eyelids and said, "I'll give two thousand five hundred taels." ”

Zhu Chaofeng glared at Zhang Cao and said, "I'll give three thousand taels." ”

Zhang Cao said: "Three thousand five hundred taels." ”

Zhu Chaofeng looked at Zhang Cao and the others again, and sneered: "Is the silver out of your mouth, if you want to pay three thousand five hundred taels, you will put the silver out and take a look." ”

Zhang Cao said: "It is a matter between me and you to let you retreat in the face of difficulties, and it is a matter between me and Wang Liuma, you hurry up to see your Chen Fuzun, and after you leave, I will let people go back to the boat to get the silver, and then take Huiniang on the road." ”

Zhu Chaofeng sneered: "I'll give four thousand taels, the silver is here, if you have the ability, you will add it again, I won't leave today, just see your bright silver." ”

Zhang Cao laughed and asked, "Do you really give four thousand taels of silver to redeem Huiniang?" ”

Zhu Chaofeng faintly felt deceived, and at this time he only had to hold on, and said: "What is four thousand taels of silver, why, don't you add it?" ”

Zhang Cao asked: "Why don't you give Hou Huiniang to me at three thousand five hundred taels to see if I can get so much silver?" ”

Zhu Chaofeng was stunned.

Zhang Cao laughed and said to the bustard's mother: "Wang Liuma, you got an extra 2,400 taels of silver out of thin air, how can you thank me?" ”

Zhu Chaofeng was furious and shouted: "Wang Liuma, you found two scoundrels to play tricks on me, this is blackmail and deception, I want to sue the official." "Hui Shang is very litigious, begging for concubines and lawsuits is not afraid of spending money, so he has to fight for a win, but Hui Shang is extremely shrewd, this is obviously raising the price to blackmail him, how can he be the wrongdoer, of course he refuses to pay the four thousand taels - Zhang Yuan said quietly: "What does it matter if you see the official, this is Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, one is willing to fight and one is willing to suffer, how can it be said that it is a deception, you Zhu Chaofeng is unwilling to give four thousand taels, go out to the left, and leave, can I still force you to pay four thousand taels." ”

Zhu Chaofeng said angrily: "Then I won't give out the four thousand taels, let it be given to you, and you will take three thousand five hundred taels out." ”

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Why are you a businessman so confused, don't you know that only competition will raise the price, since you have withdrawn, I naturally don't have to pay three thousand five hundred taels, and this is your reversal first, if you want to redeem Hou Huiniang, you will get four thousand taels, and it is useless for you to sue the government." As he spoke, he waved the folding fan in his hand: "This fan is made by Shen Shaolou, a famous fan maker in Suzhou, and it is worth three taels of silver, and now I will sell it to you, asking for three hundred taels of silver, do you want it, you don't want it, do you want to sue me?" ”

Zhang Dai and Zhang Cao laughed.

Zhu Chaofeng felt that he was unclear, and it didn't hurt to argue that he couldn't show his talents, he only looked for this old bustard's theory, pointed to the bustard's mother and said: "Wang Liuma, I agreed with you before, and now 1,600 taels of silver is here, I just want someone, if you don't hand someone out today, I will smash your house, do you believe it or not?" ”

This bustard mother saw the two sides increase the price of each other before, and her heart was overjoyed, a Hui Niang was sold as three, so she was silent on the side, but then she felt that something was wrong, these three Xiucai seemed to want to drive Zhu Chaofeng away, Zhu Chaofeng left, the three Xiucai had no evidence, how could they be willing to give so much silver, so at this time, she saw Zhu Chaofeng ask her, and said busily: "Of course Hui Niang is still Zhu Chaofeng-" greedy for money, not giving up, and said again: "But is 1,600 taels of silver a little less, I don't want to worship 4,000 taels, how about 3,000 taels?" ”

At this time, I suddenly heard a woman screaming: "Oh no, Hui Niang is looking for a short time, Hui Niang hanged herself-"

The bustard mother was so frightened that she stumbled inside.

Zhang Yuan was shocked: "Why is Hui Niang looking for a short time! ”

After Wuling ventilated the news, Feng Menglong and Chen Shengren arrived in time, and suddenly heard that Hou Huiqing was looking for a short view, Feng Menglong believed it was true, his heart was broken, and he screamed sadly: "Hui Niang-" pulled his feet and ran inside, then Chen Shengren was also panicked, Zhang Yuan did not talk to them about this before, and his performance at this time was naturally true.

Zhang Cao grabbed a girl ring who poured wine and asked, "Why did Hui Niang look for a short time?" ”

Yahuan was also frightened and stupid, and stammered: "Hui Niang wants to marry Feng Xiucai, and she doesn't want to marry this Zhu Chaofeng, Zhu Chaofeng has a lot of silver, and the sixth mother will force Hui Niang, Hui Niang will cry——"

Zhang Cao asked, "Which one is Feng Xiucai?" ”

Yahuan said: "It's the one who ran in just now—"

Zhang Cao walked over and kicked over the box of silver, pointed at Zhu Chaofeng and scolded: "You old disgusting thing, relying on a few stinky money, you forcibly broke up people's lovers, and now you have a life, don't go, go to see the official, don't you want to see Governor Chen, go now." "While letting the little girl ring in, did you save Hou Huiniang?

When Zhu Chaofeng discussed with Wang Liuma to redeem Hou Huiqing, he knew that there was a Xiucai surnamed Feng who wanted to redeem Hou Huiqing, Feng Xiucai paid eight hundred taels of silver, and Zhu Chaofeng was determined to win, and immediately doubled it to 1,600 taels, and the bustard's mother loved money, so of course she forced Hou Huiqing to marry Zhu Chaofeng - Zhu Chaofeng just sneered, he was not so easy to scare, I thought that this was Wang Liuma's conspiration with these Xiucai to blackmail his money, how could there be someone who would kill himself sooner or later, and said: "Then see the official and make it clear, I am afraid of who will come." ”

Chen Shengyuan said angrily: "You annihilator, you dare to be so arrogant when you force people to die in my Suzhou Mansion, I will call someone." "Turn around and go out.

The little girl ran out to reply, bluffed her face, and said, "Hui Niang is out of breath, lying there motionless-"

Seeing that this little girl didn't seem to pretend, Zhu Chaofeng also panicked at this moment, and said: "What does this matter to me, go to the official now to explain it clearly." While saying this, he sat on the rattan sedan chair - Zhang Cao shouted: "Don't let this murderer escape!" ”

Nengzhu and Feng Hu were not afraid of the other party's many people, so they fought with the eight ruthless servants brought by Zhu Chaofeng, Zhu Chaofeng sat on the rattan sedan chair, and rushed to the direction of the gate under the protection of the eight ruthless servants, and a ruthless servant picked up the half box of silver on the ground and ran, Nengzhu caught up in front of the door, kicked down, and the ruthless servant got up and picked up two ingots of silver and fled quickly—————————————————— and will go to Jinling tomorrow to start a new situation.

(To be continued)