Ping'an City is in the east of Beijing, almost more than 200 miles away. This place is in the southwest of Zunhua, bordering Yutian and Jixian counties. Here in the north and south are the remnants of Yanshan, the east is Cuiping Lake, and in the middle is a large fertile plain, which is a relatively rich place in Zhili. As long as you pay your food on time, you can live a peaceful life. It's called Heian City, and it really lives up to its name.

At noon on this day, a rubber-wheeled carriage ran on the official road leading to Ping'an City, and the two horses pulled were swaggering and full of spirit, and eight hooves were staggered and knocked on the loess road, walking like flying. Along the official road, there are houses, temples and canals built in the former Qing Dynasty, which were not affected by the war, which is unique.

On the outer seats on both sides of the carriage, on the left is Huang Kewu, and on the right is Fu Gui. Huang Kewu was dressed as a dart master, dressed in a black shirt, but his expression was a little cramped and nervous. Fu Gui's eyes were always staring at the sides of the carriage, as if a few killers would jump out of any bush of weeds. He had more than one gun bulging around his waist on both sides.

In the carriage, Xu Yicheng was leaning back on the seat and closing his eyes. He took off his suit, changed into a silk riding coat, and put a pair of small round sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. On his two index fingers, he wears a crystal clear jade wrench on the left and right, and a pair of large purple walnuts in his hand, living the image of an antique nouveau riche.

These outfits, including the carriage, were all sponsored by the Qing clan, and it was essential to dress Xu Yicheng as a merchant who went to the countryside to collect antiques. But in exchange, Xu Yicheng had to agree to let Hai Lanzhu come with him.

Hai Lanzhu was sitting next to Xu Yicheng at this time, dressed in a pure white dress, and also wearing an oversized cosmos hood, the lace brim blocked most of her face, only revealing a cherry mouth, full of foreign style. She propped her slender gloved arms against the window, rested her chin gracefully, and looked out, occasionally letting out small exclamations.

Xu Yicheng knew that the Qing Sect would definitely send someone to accompany him to take a surveillance. But I never expected it to be Hai Lanzhu. The Ping'an City he is going to is not a peaceful place, Wang Shaoyi is cruel and cunning, if something really happens, Hai Lanzhu is a delicate girl, but I don't know what will happen. However, Yu Fang repeatedly assured that Hai Lanzhu would take care of herself, and Xu Yicheng reluctantly agreed.

Looking at Hai Lanzhu, who was dressed like an outing, Xu Yicheng was suddenly a little curious about this girl. What is she capable of making the clan so reassured? But instead of declaring his curiosity, he looked away and closed his eyes. He must now focus all his energy on dealing with Wang Shaoyi, and nothing else can be taken care of.

Hai Lanzhu noticed this subtle change in him, changed to a more elegant sitting position, and yawned slightly. The atmosphere in the carriage was quiet and awkward.

Xu Yicheng went to Ping'an City this time, and in addition to Hai Lanzhu, he selected a total of three people: Fu Gui, Huang Kewu, and Liu Yiming. But the accident of the shooting incident forced Xu Yicheng to leave Liu Yiming in the capital and make other arrangements.

Fu Gui asked him what his plans were after arriving in Ping'an City. Xu Yicheng said very simply, just two words: benefits.

Wang Shaoyi's nickname is "Evil Zhuge ", which shows that he is very smart, and the way of thinking of smart people is elusive, and only a madman cannot predict it. No matter how ferocious Wang Shaoyi is, his actions are also closely focused on the word benefit, as long as he believes that there are enough benefits, his own line can ensure safety.

As for how to make Wang Shaoyi believe, it depends on Xu Yicheng's performance.

The carriage soon came to the gates of Heian Castle, where there were two guards dressed in military uniforms. Ma Futian and Wang Shaoyi's troops are now nominally under the command of Yue Zhaolin of the Feng Army, so they have their own demarcated garrisons. Their demeanor is actually a little friendlier than that of the Zhengpai Fengjun in Beijing. The guards heard that Xu Yicheng was here to collect antiques, so they put them in without much inspection. However, the eyes they looked at Hai Lanzhu were quite hot. Fu Gui stared at them fiercely a few times before forcing them back.

Ping'an City is very lively, shops, restaurants, silver grocery stores, and there is actually a theater, although it is not as prosperous as Beijing, but there should be. Hai Lanzhu looked out through the carriage and said in surprise: "I thought this thief's den was so dirty and messy, it turned out to be similar to an ordinary town." ”

"Rabbits don't eat grass around their nests. Everyone wants to be comfortable. Xu Yicheng commented briefly. Don't be fooled by this illusion, this is the most ferocious gang of bandits in Zhili, and the people who underestimate them are already dead, and they are dying very miserably.

"Since it's so dangerous, why did you accept this commission, Mr. Xu?" Hai Lanzhu asked suddenly, this was the second time she asked.

This time in the narrow carriage, Xu Yicheng had no room to maneuver. He thought for a moment and replied softly, "I want to avenge a friend, but not just a friend. ”

Hai Lanzhu tilted her head slightly, indicating that she was a little confused, looking forward to more explanations. But Xu Yicheng did not continue. He didn't want to talk too much about the people of the clan. They always have a faint sense of superiority that he doesn't like very much. Hai Lanzhu felt this hostility and pursed her lips and smiled: "I know that Brother Xu, you have doubts. Actually, I'm different from Yu Fang, I feel sorry for my father. Tanglin was stolen, and the saddest thing was him, who couldn't sleep at night. I came with you just to fulfill the filial piety of a daughter and solve this trouble for him with my own hands. ”

Ah Hexuan looks not young, it is likely that he was guarding the tomb when he was young, and his lifelong career was suddenly denied, and he will inevitably be hit. Xu Yicheng nodded understandingly, stretched out his fingers to lift the curtain of the car and looked outside, and suddenly sighed: "If Tanglin is stolen, your father will be sad, and the people of the clan will be anxious, but others may not." ”

"Huh? Why? Hai Lanzhu was puzzled.

"You don't know what kind of mess China is in right now. Many antique chambers of commerce personally hired tomb robbers to wait in the cemetery, and transported them out one by one, and smashed those who could not be transported on the spot. Everyone is red-eyed, a treasure like Tanglin, as long as anyone dares to bite the first bite, others will bite it like a hungry wolf. ”

Hai Lanzhu's eyes widened, she didn't know that China could be like this not long after she returned from studying abroad.

Xu Yicheng's fingers pinched the armrest slightly, and his tone began to be slightly excited: "My teacher Li Ji started the field archaeology at Tsinghua University, just to reverse this trend and incorporate it into the formal academic track. Selling antiques is only for personal gain, and archaeology is where the public heart lies. If you're studying abroad in the British Empire, you should know what the civilized world does with cultural heritage. If China continues to be in such a mess, I am afraid that the cultural relics will be stolen, the people's hearts will be lost, and even the roots will be stolen. ”

Hai Lanzhu suddenly asked: "So, Mr. Xu, if the theft of Tanglin has nothing to do with your friend, you will still accept this commission?" ”

"Yes!" Xu Yicheng replied without hesitation, "This is no longer just a personal or your clan's trouble, but a crisis in the entire history of China. I'm afraid that as soon as the opening of Tanglin is opened, the tomb robbers will be unscrupulous, and the situation will be completely out of control. After Tangling, there is Xiling; After Xiling, there is also the Ming Tomb; Henan has the Song Tombs, and Shaanxi has the Tang Tombs and the Han Tombs. Think about it, if all these mausoleums were hollowed out, what would be left of the country? In any case, such a thing cannot be allowed to happen! Speaking of this, his voice trembled slightly.

Hai Lanzhu looked at Xu Yicheng and couldn't help but be stunned. She had the impression that Xu Yicheng always had a light smile, but she didn't expect him to be so excited. Is there a history of China...... She stared at the sad face under Xiao Yuan's sunglasses, she thought that Xu Yicheng was just a master of palm eyes with clever means, but she didn't expect him to have such thoughts.

Xu Yicheng put the small round sunglasses back on the bridge of his nose, and turned back into a philistine businessman, only his voice was still loud: "So I have to track it down to the end, both public and private." At this point, please rest assured, Miss Hai Lanzhu. ”

Hai Lanzhu took off the hollow lace gloves, stretched out her hand in front of Xu Yicheng, and smiled sweetly: "You have come to Ping'an City in person, I have nothing to worry about." But I finally understand your thoughts, Brother Xu, we are on the same front now, it's enough. She suddenly changed her words, from "Mr. Xu" to "Brother Xu", Xu Yicheng didn't care, stretched out his hand, and the two shook it generously.

Hai Lanzhu felt that this person's hands were very hot and warm, but unfortunately they were loose as soon as they were grasped, and they didn't have a chance to feel more.

The carriage eventually stopped at the door of one of the largest inns in Heian City. Xu Yicheng got out of the car, immediately entered the role, put out the big score, and opened his mouth to order the three best rooms. When the boss saw that he was generous, he was naturally full of smiles and took care of his hospitality. After the check-in arrangements were made, Xu Yicheng drove away the guys, called the other three people into the room, and briefly said what he thought.

In the previous investigation, it has been determined that only the gold copper chime and tiger beeswax Buddha beads stolen from Tanglin were stolen from the market, or Yu Peng secretly hidden, and most of the other burial goods must still be in the hands of tomb robbers. After many people rob tombs, they cover things for three or five years, and then sell them when the limelight passes, but these two people definitely won't. There are one or two thousand men and horses under their command, and it is a lot of money to eat and chew horses every day. For warlords, nothing is more attractive than cash. If Wang Shaoyi was a tomb robber in Tanglin, then they must be eager to cash out these things to pay for the army.

However, the antiques trade has its own way. These stolen goods are too sensitive, so they are rashly taken to the shop to sell, not to mention the loss, and they may be sent to the government. Therefore, Wang Shaoyi couldn't sell it in person, so he had to find a reliable antique dealer to sell the stolen goods for him unknowingly.

That's why Xu Yicheng dressed up as a merchant who went to the countryside to collect antiques. As long as he gains Wang Shaoyi's trust and sells the stolen goods for him, he can grasp the whereabouts of these Donglin Ming weapons, and his trip to Ping'an City will be regarded as a great success.

Others have no objection to this plan. Xu Yicheng asked Huang Kewu to go to the innkeeper and put out a copper golden toad he brought.

Antique dealers collect things, which are divided into two types. One is to go to the countryside in person, go from house to yard, this is called counting Buddha beads, which means counting them one by one, which is very hard, but the probability of picking up leaks is high, and you can often get good objects at a very cheap price; There is also a kind called waiting rabbit, which is generally in the most lively and well-informed places in the town, such as inns, with a golden toad and a stack of copper coins pressed on its head. This is to tell the locals, I came to your place to receive goods, and there are good things at home that can be brought to the inn, bought and sold on the spot, and waited for the rabbit.

There are subtle differences between the two. In large antique provinces such as Henan and Shaanxi, antique dealers generally count Buddha beads, and would rather look for them all because there are many good things. Waiting for rabbits to pass by some places that are not so rich in monuments, they are not familiar with the place, and they may not be able to dig up good things, so they simply show signs for people to take the initiative to come to the door.

Xu Yicheng put the golden toad out, just put an advertisement, telling everyone in Ping'an City, including Wang Shaoyi, that I passed by the treasure land, and by the way, I collected some antiques, and those who are interested should contact me.

After a while, Huang Kewu came back with a strange look, Xu Yicheng asked him what was wrong, and Huang Kewu said that there was a golden toad on the counter. That is to say, three antique dealers have also come to Heian City, and they are all in a posture of waiting for rabbits.

There are no monuments near Heian Castle, and it has not been a big city since ancient times, and few antique dealers have made a special trip. There were four waves of people all at once, and things were strange.

Xu Yicheng leaned on the rattan chair, knocked his knees with his fingers, and said that the other Bacheng heard the wind of Diandonglin and wanted to run over to receive the goods, which is a good thing, as long as someone can fish out the goods in Wang Shaoyi's hand, it will be considered a success.

"I'll go out for a walk first." Fu Gui said, and without waiting for Xu Yicheng to say anything, he turned around and went out. Xu Yicheng had a tacit understanding with him, so he didn't need to say anything, so he told him to be careful. Fu Gui doesn't understand antiques, he has to be responsible for everyone's safety, so the terrain of this Ping'an City is real and real, and he has to step on it in advance.

Hai Lanzhu stood up, pushed open the window and looked out, this was a second-floor room facing the street, facing the only street in Ping'an City. She took off her hat and unbuttoned the first button on her dress to breathe. Huang Kewu's face turned red, and he turned around to go out, but Xu Yicheng whispered to him: "Kewu, don't walk around, there is someone on the other side." Huang Kewu was startled at first, and then reacted. In his spare light, he saw a figure flashing by the window of the room opposite the inn. Hai Lanzhu was only afraid that she would find out as soon as she entered the house, so she deliberately made such a relaxed gesture to make people relax their vigilance.

This woman is not simple, Xu Yicheng thought to himself, then opened the newspaper, stilted Erlang's legs and slowly browsed. Hai Lanzhu sat on the edge of the bed, took out a small nail clipper from her bag, and began to trim her nails. Only Huang Kewu was a little embarrassed, feeling that he was not standing or sitting, he thought that he was a bodyguard, so he stood against the wall.

After a while, the guy ran over and knocked on the door and said respectfully, "Master Xu, someone is looking for you down there." ”

Xu Yicheng and the other two glanced at each other, and they didn't expect that someone would deliver the goods to the door so soon. But if you think about it carefully, Ping'an City is the size of a sparrow, and if there is any movement, it must be known all over the city as soon as it is transmitted.

"Kewu, you take care of the luggage in the room, Miss Hai Lanzhu, you go with me." Xu Yicheng Road. Hai Lanzhu smiled charmingly: "Brother Xu, don't be so angry, you will be seen by others." Just call me Anne, that's the name I gave in the UK. Xu Yicheng nodded to indicate that he understood.

Taking advantage of the downstairs, Hai Lanzhu asked curiously, "Why did you let me accompany you down and let Kewu guard the room?" She knew very well that Xu Yicheng was wary of her.

Xu Yicheng said: "In the early Qing Dynasty, there was a custom in the Kanto region, when you saw a camel, you knew that the medicine seller was coming. Because the Kanto people have never seen a camel before, they don't know that it has a docile temper. As soon as they saw that the medicine seller could actually clean up such a behemoth, he must have a great ability, and the medicine he sold would definitely work. ”

Hai Lanzhu was stunned for a moment, and then realized that Xu Yicheng was using her as a camel. She smiled and pasted: "Then I will be your camel, how do you want me to obey?" This time it was Xu Yicheng's turn to walk a few steps briskly. Hai Lanzhu rarely saw him embarrassed, and giggled and laughed.

The two went downstairs and saw an old farmer standing at the counter from a distance. The old peasant wore a hat on his head, his skin was dark, his eyes were squeezed into a thin slit by layers of folds, and there was a burden of dung outside the door, although it had been dried but the smell was still not small.

The man called the old farmer over, and the old farmer hurriedly nodded his head and said that he heard from the people on the street that the collector of the treasure was coming, and he also came to offer the treasure. Since Xu Yicheng pretended to be an antique dealer, he had to open, so he raised his chin, pretended to be impatient, and said What do you have?

The old farmer wiped his hand vigorously on his coat, and then picked up a porcelain pillow from the side of the burden. This porcelain pillow is in the shape of a fat child, lying flat on his back, and two chubby little hands holding up a lotus leaf. The lotus leaves are delicate, and the leaf stems and leaf patterns are clearly visible, which is very exquisite. However, the porcelain color is dull, it is estimated that it has been dusty for a long time, although it has been hastily wiped by people, but it still does not show any luster.

Xu Yicheng took the things and looked at them a few times, and the old farmer was very nervous, and he also craned his neck to look. Hai Lanzhu glared at him, and the old farmer smiled awkwardly and took a few steps back, for fear of soiling her dress. Xu Yicheng looked at it for a while, and bent his fingers and flicked it a few times, and the porcelain pillow made a muffled sound.

Porcelain pillows also belong to the category of porcelain, but they are not particularly valuable. Only in the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was produced in large quantities in the Song Dynasty, mostly from the folk kilns, with many shapes and origins, and the porcelain pillow of the master will be put in it when accompanying the funeral, and the pillow will be under the head. Therefore, most of these things are carved out of tomb robberies, and the ancestral ones in the family are rare.

Xu Yicheng asked the old farmer where he came from, and the old farmer said that he had dug up the ground in the first year and had been sitting at home to press the vat. Some people said that this is a treasure, and I just heard that someone came to collect it, so I deliberately took it over to try my luck.

Xu Yicheng inspected it and already had a rough bottom.

There are two kinds of porcelain pillows, one is a raw pillow and a living pillow; One is called the corpse pillow, also called the longevity pillow or the yin pillow, which is dedicated to the dead. The difference between the two is that the raw pillow is simple and practical, because you really have to sleep with it; The longevity pillow is hard and gorgeous, and the dead will not panic anyway. This is obviously a corpse pillow, which should be Song porcelain, from the Ding kiln. Because the tire color is white with a little yellow, the glaze is like wax tears, and you can also see the traces of bamboo silk whiskering in the corners. This is an embarrassing object, let's say it's worth it, the porcelain pillow can't be sold at a particularly expensive price; It's not worth it, it's also a Song product from the kiln.

The old farmer was anxious and asked how much it could be sold for. Xu Yicheng pondered for a moment, frowned, and threw the porcelain pillow back and said that this thing is clumsy and heavy, and the workmanship is not very good, that is, the style is quite pleasing, give you two oceans. The old farmer said can you give more? Xu Yicheng sneered and said that there are still others in this inn to collect it, can you see how many pieces they can give you? He added: "You asked them, but you can't regret it." ”

If this thing is put on the market, it can be called at least five hundred oceans. If it is an authentic antique dealer, at this time, you must desperately depreciate and try to lower the price as much as possible, so that the seller feels worthless, so as to earn the difference.

"Someone doesn't want it? Show me that. ”

As he spoke, another person came out from behind the inn. This man is middle-aged and slightly fat, with thick eyebrows, dressed like Xu Yicheng, and carrying a gold pocket watch on his chest. It turned out that the guy not only called Xu Yicheng's family, but also called another one waiting for rabbits.

This person walked over, Xu Yicheng nodded at him, said hello, and then handed over the porcelain pillow: "You have also seen this thing?" "There was a hint in the words, I had already seen it, and I had called a low price. If it is not something particularly valuable, the other party will often back away and not offend people for this little thing.

But the man actually stretched out his hand to take it, looked at it several times, weighed it, and then asked the old farmer the same question. The old farmer did not dare to be impatient, and answered a few more words honestly. The antique dealer glanced at Xu Yicheng and said I will add an eagle ocean, let me give this one, Xu Yicheng pretended to be dissatisfied and said: "Friend, there has to be a first come, first come, I have already asked the price, you insert a lever, but the rules are broken." ”

The antique dealer didn't insist, raised his hand and said, okay, I won't fight for this, you take it, turn around and leave. Xu Yicheng didn't relent: "I have already negotiated two oceans just now, you can add one to this opening, don't want it, what's the matter?" Is it intentional to block me? The antique dealer said angrily: "Why are you unreasonable, you want to break the rules, don't you also break the rules?" ”

The old peasant leaned over tremblingly and stretched out three fingers: "What about this, three?" His cloudy eyes shone with gold, a typical peasant shrewdness. Xu Yicheng's face sank: "I just said that two pieces are worth so much." If you have the ability, you can sell it to him. "The old farmer hesitated, not only wanting to take advantage of it, but also afraid of missing the opportunity and being in a dilemma.

The antique dealer didn't bother to quarrel with them, and said okay, sell me three pieces, you can bring them. After speaking, he took out three silver dangling oceans from his arms, threw them to the old farmer, and then glared at Xu Yicheng, rolled up the porcelain pillow and was about to go upstairs.

At this time, the old farmer suddenly shouted: "I still have something here, can you still take a look?" The antique dealer turned around, and curled his lips, intending to scold him back, but halfway through his mouth, he saw that the old peasant had a pistol in his hand, and the muzzle of the black hole was aimed at him.

"Wait a minute, I'll ......" Before the antique dealer could finish speaking, he heard a gunshot, and his right knee suddenly burst into a cloud of blood, and he fell down the stairs screaming.

The old peasant's eyelids twitched a few times, struggling to squeeze the cascading folds up and down. The greedy old peasant's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a pair of grim eyes. The old peasant walked over slowly, saw the antique dealer clutching his legs, raised his gun, and put it on his shoulder again. This time it was a close-range shot, and most of his shoulders were covered with flesh and blood, and the antique dealer let out an even more terrible scream, lying on the ground shaking violently. Hai Lanzhu screamed and hid behind Xu Yicheng.

The old peasant leaned over to probe his snort, and said to the innkeeper, "Carry him down, don't die, it's not so cheap." When he said it, there was a hint of a smile on his lips. In fact, he had already knocked the merchant out of the way with his first shot, and the second shot was purely to hear the screams, and he seemed to be enjoying it.

A few innkeepers came, and they carried the antique dealer down with all their hands and feet, dragging blood stains all the way to the floor. Except for Xu Yicheng and Hai Lanzhu, everyone else looked as usual, as if this kind of thing happened every day.

The old farmer walked up to Xu Yicheng with a gun and looked up and down, with blood splashing on his trouser legs. Hai Lanzhu lowered her head, grabbed Xu Yicheng's arm, and her shoulders trembled. Xu Yicheng tore her away, and scolded in his mouth: "Uninformed girl! Then he quickly took out a pack of beautiful cigarettes from his bosom and handed one to the old farmer.

The old farmer was not polite, took a few puffs of his cigarette, nodded and said, "Well, authentic." He slowly swallowed the clouds and mist, and Xu Yicheng waited beside him, not daring to speak.

The old farmer smoked half of it and said, "Do you know why I cleaned him up and didn't clean you up?" Xu Yicheng said: "I know, I know." He is not authentic. The old farmer raised his eyebrows: "It's a little interesting, why isn't it authentic?" Xu Yicheng said: "I'm looking at your things, and after negotiating the price, he has to lift it up, which is unjust; The price was raised, and I fought for it, but he didn't want it, which is unbelief; In the end, as soon as you entangled, he did not take the opportunity to lower the price, but gave the money and left, which is unwise. Serious antiques, no one does this business, this person has not walked on every step, obviously not a person in this industry, his mind is not here. ”

"Oh, so where do you say his mind is?"

"I don't know about that." Xu Yicheng had to hand another cigarette to the old farmer. The old farmer's eyes squinted, he didn't take the cigarette, and grabbed Xu Yicheng's hand violently. Xu Yicheng's face changed, but he didn't dare to struggle. The old farmer said with a smile: "His hands are full of calluses, and at first glance he looks like a veteran who plays with guns, thinking that he can pretend to be a civilized person with a gold pocket watch?" It's like yours, who has fine skin and tender flesh, and is painted by touching porcelain characters. ”

Xu Yicheng withdrew his hand and said with a smile: "You lift, you lift." The old farmer's eyes suddenly widened, and his voice went down fiercely: "But this Ping'an City is a poor place, and those who are serious about collecting antiques can't come once a year." You came here to wait for the rabbit, aren't you not thinking about it? Hmm-" He deliberately dragged his tongue and looked at Xu Yicheng, as long as he said something wrong, he didn't mind spending an extra bullet.

Xu Yicheng said with a smile: "When I came down here, I naturally came for money." But whether this can be done or not is not up to me, it depends on whether you can complete it or not. The old farmer raised his eyebrows and grinned: "I am a countryman, what can I accomplish?" Xu Yicheng said: "Speaking of this, I don't know who you are, my pair of tricks are simply wasted by myself, right?" Deputy Wang Tuan? ”

The old farmer suddenly laughed, threw the gun to the innkeeper next to him, patted Xu Yicheng on the shoulder, and said, "You are interesting." This person is naturally Wang Shaoyi, nicknamed "Evil Zhuge ". There were almost no photos circulating about him, and Fu Gui could only find a few contradictory confessions in the police department, and it was only now that Xu Yicheng found out that it was such a thin and dry old man from the countryside, which was really unexpected.

Wang Shaoyi said: "Don't blame the old man, I don't entertain well, there are too many spies who want to come to Ping'an City to inquire about the news these years, and I have to guard against it." I can't trust others, so I have to test it myself. He sharpened his molars and made a high-pitched sound, as if he couldn't finish it. Xu Yicheng glanced at the porcelain pillow: "You have chosen this thing well, it is not expensive or cheap, it is easy to identify, whether it is a person in the industry, you can try it." ”

"Hey, so if you look at a layman antique dealer, it must be a spy; Even if it's not, it's a lack of craftsmanship, and you deserve to die. Wang Shaoyi said it rightly.

This Wang Shaoyi is really vigilant, and even a person who collects antiques comes in and personally carries a dung burden to test it. Fortunately, Xu Yicheng is a master in the industry, and if he doesn't pay attention to it, he will be like the spy sent from nowhere, and he doesn't know how life will be worse than death.

Xu Yicheng thought to himself, and bowed his hand to Wang Shaoyi: "This time I came to Ping'an City, but I actually heard a little rumor, and I wanted to go to Wang Tuan's deputy here to get some goods." It's just that there is no way, so I have to learn from Mrs. Jiang to put on a posture here first. From the contact just now, he knew that Wang Shaoyi was cunning and extremely suspicious, so it was better to admit it himself first than to wait for him to be suspicious.

Wang Shaoyi said lightly: "I am a serious soldier of 800 here, and it is my duty to protect the territory and the people, but it is not for trading, what goods can I have?" Who did you hear about it from? Xu Yicheng said: "Yu Peng." Wang Shaoyi smiled: "Oh, he, it seems that I have time to go to Beijing to talk to him." ”

Xu Yicheng also smiled: "You may not be able to see him, I heard that Yu Peng let the people of the sect arrest him, and his whereabouts are still unknown." "He is telling Wang Shaoyi that the clan already knows about your theft of Dongling. In this way, it is applying pressure without leaving a trace. Wang Shaoyi let out an "oh", seemingly indifferent to this, and asked: "What is the situation in Beijing recently?" ”

Xu Yicheng shook his head, revealing a worried look: "It's messed up, one news a day." One moment said that Zhang Dashuai was going to run, another time said that the south had reached the edge of the city, and another time said that he wanted to negotiate peace, but no one had a quasi-idea. Wang Shaoyi said: "It's such a mess, do you still have the heart to collect antiques?" ”

"Collecting antiques in troubled times, selling antiques in prosperous times, isn't this the money we earn." Xu Yicheng happily told the truth.

Wang Shaoyi was stunned, he didn't expect this guy to be so real, and laughed. Xu Yicheng took the opportunity to take out a piece of paper and handed it over respectfully: "Regardless of whether there is any goods or not, it is also an honor to meet Deputy Wang Tuan." The contemptible Xu Yicheng is waiting here at the inn, ready to listen to your orders. ”

"Then you just wait."

Wang Shaoyi took the business card, didn't make any promises, turned around and left. When he walked to Hai Lanzhu's side, he stopped and grinned at Hai Lanzhu: "The little girl's screaming just now was good, but she owes a little heat, and she needs to hone it a little more." Hai Lanzhu's face changed color and took a step back. Wang Shaoyi smiled, stretched out his wrinkled fingers and slid on her pink chin: "Those who dare to come to this peaceful city will be scared by this bit of blood?" Then he walked out of the inn, still picking up the dung burden, and changed back to the appearance of an old man in the country, and walked away step by step.

Xu Yicheng and Hai Lanzhu returned to the room. As soon as she entered the house, Hai Lanzhu almost sat down on the ground crookedly, but fortunately, Xu Yicheng helped her up. The pressure brought to her by Wang Shaoyi was too great, and she almost didn't hold back. Xu Yicheng said: "I told you not to come, you want to be strong, it's too late to leave now, I'll let Kewu send you back." ”

Hai Lanzhu bit her lip: "I'm not going back!" I've got to catch the grave robbers for my father! Xu Yicheng said: "This matter has been entrusted to me, why do you bother to do this." Hai Lanzhu shook his head: "Don't go, Wang Shaoyi already knows me, and now that I'm leaving, he will definitely be suspicious." ”

What she said also made sense, Xu Yicheng sighed and stopped insisting. Hai Lanzhu asked what to do next? Xu Yicheng said: "Our intention Wang Shaoyi already knows, and the next thing is to wait." Don't forget, in addition to our total of three golden toads, one was killed, and there were two more on the counter. ”

After a while, Fu Gui came back. Xu Yicheng asked him how he was, and Fu Gui said: "As soon as I went out, I was decorated with it, and I followed me for a whole circle." "It seems that this Ping'an City is loose on the outside and tight on the inside, and it seems to be lax, but in fact, as soon as they enter the city, they are under close surveillance.

Then the room was quiet again, this time feeling completely different from the previous one, like being trapped in a birdcage. No one knows what Wang Shaoyi means, let alone plucking or bleeding or something else waiting for him. Xu Yicheng said: "He is still testing us, if he can't hold his breath at this time and escapes, it will be a collision on the road to death." ”

Hai Lanzhu glanced at him: "Someone was trying to drive me away just now, according to what you said, it was really self-defeating." Xu Yicheng couldn't tell her, so he could only open the newspaper with a wry smile and continue to look.

For a whole afternoon, there was no other movement outside the inn, and of course no one came to offer treasures. In the evening, Xu Yicheng asked the boss to bring a few side dishes and ate a few bites with a few other people. Xu Yicheng was not in a hurry at all, picked up the book and slowly flipped through it. Hai Lanzhu was a little impetuous, walking back and forth in the house, Huang Kewu was silent, only Fu Gui removed the pistol and wiped it over and over again.

At ten o'clock in the evening, Ping'an City closed its doors, and there was no light, and the black pressure was like a ghost city, and there was no sound at all. Everyone in the house was about to go back to their rooms to rest, but suddenly they heard the creaking sound of footsteps on the wooden plank, and it was strange step by step. Soon a cloud of dim candlelight approached the door, and with a squeak, the innkeeper pushed open the door and said expressionlessly: "Everyone, bring your luggage, please go on the road." ”

This was said in a gloomy manner, and Xu Yicheng asked: "Is this what Deputy Wang Tuan meant?" "The innkeeper was expressionless, and said that it doesn't matter if you don't go, I'll just reply. Xu Yicheng glanced at the other people, and the four of them had to follow, and soon left the inn and walked onto the street.

A group of five people walked forward on the silent and deserted street, and the innkeeper walked in front with a lantern, as if to summon spirits. Soon they were led into a dark building. By the candlelight, Xu Yicheng recognized it, and it turned out that this was the City God Temple in Ping'an City.

The temple is full of ghosts, and the old man of the city god in the middle sits upright, with bull heads and horse faces on both sides, black and white impermanence, and all clay sculptures with hideous faces. There is also a faded plaque hanging above the head of the old man of the city god, with the words "Haoran Righteousness" written on it, and the couplets on both sides "It is useless to burn incense for doing treacherous things, and it doesn't matter if you don't worship me if you are upright", it is well written, but I read it at this time, it is really unspeakable irony.

They didn't wait a while, Wang Shaoyi walked out from behind the main hall of the City God Temple, he changed into a military uniform, with a box cannon at his waist, and the soldiers around him were like ghosts, holding spears, and his face was stiff.

"It's time, come with me to the Netherworld." Wang Shaoyi grinned and pointed at Xu Yicheng and Hai Lanzhu.

Huang Kewu and Fu Gui also wanted to follow, but they were stopped by the soldiers next to them with their spears horizontal. Wang Shaoyi said that we are going to talk about business, and these things of using knives and guns will be exempted. The two of them looked at each other, this was deliberately to separate them, but they had guns in their hands, and if they resisted a little, they would have to be killed on the spot. Xu Yicheng grabbed Fu Gui and handed over an innocuous look. If Wang Shaoyi wanted to kill them, he would have done it a long time ago, and he didn't have to wait until now. Fu Gui and Huang Kewu had no choice but to go out with the little leader.

After they left, Xu Yicheng stepped forward and handed over a cigarette: "Deputy Wang Tuan, what do you mean by going down to the underworld?" ”

Wang Shaoyi took the cigarette and said, "Didn't you come to me to do business?" How can you talk about it if you don't go down? After speaking, he stretched out his hand and asked Xu Yicheng to go to the back of the City God Temple.