Lu Ke's account II.

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May 25.

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We ate in the fields not far from the mountain plum forest.

All around us is a beautiful landscape of blooming flowers. The green hills stretch endlessly.

At the end with our backs to us, there is also a small stream. The golden light shines brightly, and it is very congruent.

The song of the lark came from all directions.

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Lei Sheng and his subordinate Guzi quickly took out the bowls and food for rice from their baggage and set them aside.

We also helped to spread a white cloth on the floor as a "dinner table" and set up the dishes.

Mo Si and Ma San couldn't wait to taste the water and wine they brought.

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During the meal, everyone talked about the general trend of the world.

The topics of Mrs. Housekeeper and Mrs. Tong Li revolved around jewelry and clothes.

Although the housekeeper's wife was dressed luxuriously, she only made light makeup and did not have any lipstick.

However, Mrs. Tong Li is always wearing powder.

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Mrs. Tong Li took out the makeup from her arms and proudly introduced the effect of makeup to the housekeeper's wife.

"Madame butler, would you like to try this new box of lipstick? The bright red color is eye-catching, if you stay in the deep mountains and old forests all the time, you will become a barbarian. ”

"Mrs. Tong Li, I'm the same as Lei Lai, my skin is not very good. It should be said that the child has my constitution, so I can't wear too much makeup. ”

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The two reached out and put their hands in front of their foreheads to block the light.

Mrs. Tong Li's nails were long.

And the butler's wife had her nails trimmed very short.

The two people sitting in the flowers and plants looked more and more young as they looked like the housekeeper's wife.

In the light of Heran, in the idyllic scenery, tasting freshly grilled meat and water and wine, it is really a great forgetfulness of life.

I had completely forgotten to find out what was going on in the human world.

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After a leisurely meal, we set off for our next destination.

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Not long after the group left the orchard, the flowers bloomed all over the mountainside in front of them.

Then an ancient well appeared.

Around the ancient well, countless vine trellises are lined up, and sturdy, leafy grapes climb on it.

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We approached, the breeze on our cheeks.

The wooden plaque made from the bottom of the barrel has the words "Furuougami" written in black ink, and the handwriting looks very new, probably less than a month ago.

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"It's a laid-back atmosphere." Mrs. Tong Li approached the wild rose blooming in the corner, turned back to Lai Mo and said, "The flowers are very fragrant!" Come to Mo. ”

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"Everyone, it's beautiful here!!" Lei looked around proudly, "This land is really good, there are many scenery that have not been disturbed by man, and the ancient wells and vineyards are also integrated with the surroundings. The big butler loved it too."

"As you all know, in order to make a good Gujing sake, in addition to the quality of the grain, the quality of the water and soil is also very important, and here, it can be said that all the conditions are met."

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At this time, Uncle Wang opened his mouth.

"Lei Sheng, where is the thatched house?"

"I'm sorry. I'm just too careless. Everyone, please come with me to the brewery! Let's go inside for a cup of tea. ”

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Lei Sheng was the first to walk to the old house deep in the row of vineyards.

The house looks very calm, with a black slab roof that extends outwards at a very sloping angle.

We carried our carry-on luggage and followed him.

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If you look closely, you can see that the exterior walls of the house show obvious signs of repair. But the traces are old.

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"Leisheng, what kind of grape is here? Is it Cabernet Sauvignon? Ma San asked in front of the vineyard.

"Yes, we have one, but the main variety is Cabernet Sauvignon."

"That's right." Mo Si said.

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Lei Sheng knocked on the courtyard door, and a large man and a thin woman ran out of the room. Both were nearly sixty years old, presumably a peasant couple, and they seemed surprised and looked panicked.

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"Madam Butler, we've been waiting for a long time, welcome to you." The two stopped in front of us, and the thin woman showed to the housekeeper first. She speaks with a strong accent.

"No, I'm sorry. There is a long way to go. The man's skin was tanned, and his chin was bearded. He wiped his sweat with a towel across his neck and squinted at us.

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"Long time no see. Both of you look good. I've brought an important guest with me today, and I'll be in trouble with you. The housekeeper's wife smiled and spoke.

"This is the Beiku couple." Lei Sheng introduced us, "Bei Ku is the person who helps us take care of this winery. ”

"Yes, I'm the caretaker here, and the inner man Beiku is the cook here."

"Beiku, what were you doing just now?" Lei Sheng asked personally.

"Of course I'm preparing for dinner tonight. In order to receive your guests, I not only slaughtered a sheep, but also prepared several geese, which I have just been dealing with. ”

The gray-haired old woman replied.

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"Is there anyone else in this brewery?" Ma San asked casually.

"Yes!! There is also a young man. The ancient inoue wine in the back warehouse was handed over to him to take care of. Beiku said loudly.

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"There weren't enough people for the harvest, so let's go to the neighboring villages and find someone to help. For your carry-on luggage, Guzi will move to the bedroom for you. Lei Sheng said with a sloppy face.

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Led by the Beiku, we entered the light-filled room on the left.

Inside, there was a large round table covered with a tablecloth, with a small amount of light obscured by gray patterned window paper, and the window was ajar.

From there, a cool breeze blew from the field into the house.

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After we sat down at the table and rested, Mr. and Mrs. Beiku brought some pastries. Osmanthus cake and peach cake are all very delicious, and almost everyone has another plate.

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The housekeeper's wife also gave Beiku and his wife a lot of things. They accepted it with pleasure and respect.

It's probably a rare fabric.

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At the beginning of the Shen period, we finished our tea.

Mrs. Housekeeper and Lei Sheng also said that they would go back to the Wolf King Fang first.

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"Next, it's up to the Beiku couple and Guzi. Please rest here until you finish eating. Let's take our leave. After speaking, Lei Sheng and Mrs. Butler went back to the Wolf King Fang first.

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"They're really busy. The host is more important than the guest, right? We've been left aside, Tong Li. After they left, Lai Mo complained again.

"You can't say that, Laimo. In such a remote place, their hospitality is already very considerate. Mrs. Tong Li said.

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After sending their employer away, Mr. and Mrs. Beiku returned to us.

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"Ladies and gentlemen, I will take you to visit the cellar and the wine stove now, please come with me. It takes about an hour to go around the whole circle!! Beikuchu said.

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Beiku walked from the door of the house to the outside.

While Bei Ku walked forward, he also turned back to Lai Mo with a puzzled look.

"By the way, this brother, have we seen it somewhere?"

"What? Me with you? Lai Mo was surprised and said, "No!" It's my first time in this neighborhood, and I don't remember you at all. ”

"Yes......... "Bei Ku tilted his head, touched his beard and muttered, "......... I probably saw it a long time ago! If it had been recent, I would have remembered it immediately, maybe it was ten or twenty years ago, or maybe it was when I went to work at a foreign customs. ”

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"Exotic customs?" Lai Mo snorted obviously, "That's even more impossible." I've been on the road a lot because of my business, and I've never been to a foreign customs. ”

"That's right......... That's probably like you said, I misunderstood!! Bei Ku took out a bunch of keys from his bosom and opened the door to the first bedroom on the left-hand side.

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"Beiku, when did you get to the foreign customs?" While waiting for the door to open, Ma San asked questions.

"A year ago, of course!! Who dares to go now? As soon as the ship came ashore, I ran into foreign pirates, and I escaped too slowly and was captured by the pirates. It was a miserable time! Not only did I lose hearing in my ears, but I also hurt all over my body. ”

"It's really pitiful........." Ma San said without hesitation.

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That's when we understood.

It turns out that when Beiku talks to people, he always turns slightly sideways for this reason. He had to have the ear that could hear the sound to the person.

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The structure of the bedroom is very simple. Ten rooms of the same size are neatly arranged.

Maybe it's because there is no one and it's very quiet, it looks like an old prison cell, giving people a solemn impression.

In addition, a brand new porcelain washbasin is placed in each room.

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In front of the door of the wine cellar, there is a heavy wooden door that is tightly closed. Probably because there were no windows, it was very dark inside, and there was a musty smell in the quiet, cold air.

Each of us took an oil lamp and walked in under the leadership of Beiku.

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On the left and right sides of the walkway are several old well wine storage rooms, the walls, roof panels, and floors are a bit dirty and full of old marks.

On the gray wall, there is also black dirt outlining the simple intention of writing.

As she walked, Mrs. Tong Li worried about whether her clothes were soiled.

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When it comes to Gujingsue, Beiku's become very eloquent.

"The quality of the Gujing wine placed here is actually not very good. The top ancient wells in the mouth of Regor Steward are all kept in the cellar. ”

“……… The wine placed in the jar is well sealed and does not run out of water, so it is convenient to store cheap wine. But Guinoue sake is alive after all, and wooden barrels are the best choice. ”

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Hearing him say this, I realized that although each room had shelves for jars of ancient wine, there were almost no wooden barrels.

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"Can we try the old Inoue sake?" Ma San asked unceremoniously.

"Absolutely. Master Rego has long told me that he will treat you well. These are all newly brewed not long ago. ”

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At the end of the walkway on the left, there are wooden barrels stacked in the shape of a pagoda.

To the left of the barrel is a steep staircase leading to the cellar, which is wide enough to accommodate the entry and exit of large barrels.

Underneath the staircase is a heavy, open-opening wooden door.

We followed Beiku down the stairs.

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"This door doesn't open easily in normal times." Beiku took out a keychain, which also looked very old, and opened the door lock. With the sound of hinges, the door opened.

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We followed the oil lamp and went into the cellar one by one.

The air here was colder than before, and there was a dark atmosphere.

The cellar was much larger than expected, with shelves fixed to the walls on all sides, each filled with ancient well wine, and rows of large wooden barrels on the ground.

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"It's breathtaking!!" Mo Si said after looking around.

I saw another door in the corner of the cellar.

"Indeed!!" Ma San picked up a jar of wine from the shelf, "It's really heavy." ”

"Yes, it's the same good wine, and there's so much in it." Beiku said proudly.

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"The jar in the cellar is filled with ancient wells, you can take whatever you want. Master Rego told me to inform you, please choose the one you like to take away. Beiku said, holding the oil lamp to his head.

"Oh, what a pie! Isn't it, Ma San? Mo Si said loudly excitedly.

"Then please pick it with Ma San!!" Lai Mo held his chin with his left hand, "Honestly, I don't want to stay in this dark place anymore. If I could, I would like to get some fresh air outside. ”

"Me too." Mrs. Tong Li pursed her lips, "There seem to be a lot of beautiful places next to the winery, I want to go for a walk." ”

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"Then, let's have dinner in an hour, and please return to the main house before the hour." Beiku nodded, and told everyone in person where to go, "There is a stream on the other side of the forest, you can go there." ”

Mrs. Tong Li and Lai Mo decided to go for a walk outside.

Uncle Wang and I are going to the main house for tea and rest.

Mo Si and Ma San happily asked Bei Ku about the origin of Gujing's wine.

So, we left the three of them in the cellar and left.

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On the walkway leading to the main house, Mrs. Tong Li and the others walked towards the courtyard.

I went straight ahead, intending to go straight back to the main house. However, at this very moment.

Uncle Wang grabbed my arm and grabbed me.

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"Lu Ke, you just secretly follow Laimo! I went back to the cellar to observe them. Uncle Wang said in a low voice.

"I see." A cold nervousness swept across my spine.

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"When we got back, we met in the first room on the left hand side of the cellar. I'll be waiting for you there. ”

"Yes."

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I followed his instructions and tiptoed after Mrs. Tong Li.

I hid behind the house, under a tree or in the grass along the road, watching their every move.

There was a broken sedan chair on the path, and they looked inside leisurely, and then continued on their way.

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The creek is just behind a wheat field. Bees staggered in the middle of a whole field of lily of the valley.

By the side of the stream, which can be crossed by one foot, yellow briars bloom.

Although the sun is almost setting, the weather is still very hot. They walked for about half an hour.

There were no strange circumstances or actions during this period.

Could it really be as Uncle Wang speculated, it was Ma San who was afraid of increasing resentment and intending to harm others?

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I watched as the two of them entered the door of the main house and walked towards the cellar with trepidation.

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When you enter the cellar, you can't hear anything other than the chirping of birds.

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I gently pushed open the closed door, and it was eerily quiet.

I walked to the room designated by Uncle Wang, but I didn't see him.

What happened?

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Maybe Uncle Wang found something suspicious, so he stayed somewhere else?

I decided to check it out.

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I pushed the rooms in the hallway one by one to make sure, and finally came to the staircase at the end.

Look down the stairs.

I noticed a faint light shining from the room at the end, reflecting on the dirt floor.

I held my breath and leaned against the wall and went downstairs.

I hid behind the door and peeked into the locker.

Although only half of the storage room could be seen, there was no sound inside, and no human breath could be felt.

Isn't there anybody.........

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The oil lamp is placed on the barrels in the second row counted from the right. Orange flames flickered in the dim space.

As my eyes became accustomed to the darkness, I saw a needle-like light sneaking into my eyes from time to time.

I hesitated, not knowing whether to walk into the room or not.

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Don't care about Uncle Wang for now.

What happened to Ma San and Beiku?

Got outside?

Or is it still in this room?

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The silence was unpleasant, and the ever-spreading silence was almost piercing.

I walked slowly along the barrels.

Walked to the place where the oil lamp was placed. It's the oil lamp that Beikuna just had.

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"Is anyone there?" I asked.

There was no response.

I looked into the room, but there was no one inside.

I hesitated, picked up the oil lamp and walked back to the door, and I always felt as if someone was behind me.

I turned my head as I walked to the dirt floor.

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At this moment, I suddenly felt a terrible aura.

I looked quickly up the stairs.

At that moment, the fear in my heart swelled rapidly.

A dark shadow blocked the staircase to the top, and then began to move, growing larger and larger, closing in on me.

The dark shadow filled my eyes in an instant.

As the intermittent loud noise approached me from the stairs, I felt a shock.

I was knocked back by the huge object, and the back of my head hit the rocks on the ground.

The last voice I heard in my ears.

It was the sound of the oil lamp in his hand falling to the ground.

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