When the sun rises again, there seem to be more people on the streets. Some young men and women handed out leaflets and told people about the contents of the leaflets when they met people along the street. Liaocheng was not big, but the news spread quickly, and people began to talk about it in the streets and alleys. Before it was time for lunch, the servants of the Ji family were also boiling. Because the fat girl who bought vegetables was pointed at in the vegetable market today, when I asked, I realized that everyone was talking about her second young master, Ji Tang, instigating murder.

Ji Tang stayed in the study for two consecutive days and didn't go out, but his anxiety did not decrease. is worried that Black Friday will be arrested, and he is also worried that Yu Banshan will take the first step to catch Cao Ying and open the brocade box. Just as he was about to go to Tangyi after lunch to inquire, he saw Ernier and the two old mothers muttering tightly downstairs at the gate of the courtyard. He was so upset that he couldn't help but go out and reprimand them for "not preparing to start a meal and making nonsense". They all turned around and left, and in a fit of rage, he chased after him and scolded one of the old mothers severely. She said in a rambling manner that there were rumors outside that he had killed someone, and that if she didn't do it, she would be interrogated publicly. These words frightened him a lot, and he hurriedly went out to find out what was going on, and it happened that Ji Yan entered the door in a hurry. Tell him that there is a mess outside, and I don't know where so many people are handing out leaflets, and the streets are all talking. Some people even poured into his grain store to ask if Ji Tang had killed anyone, if Black Friday was a bandit leader, and even someone suspected them of things they had lost.

Can you still eat in this case? Ji Tang hurriedly called his second aunt Zhou Ying, and Zhou Ying also felt numb when she heard it. Zhou Ying pondered it again, believing that Dong Hua and Liu Tonghai would buy his face, and they would never do it without saying hello. comforted him a few words, saying that he would contact Dong Hua immediately and ask the county party department to press the matter down. After hanging up the phone, he called Lin Pu again, and Lin Pu was also anxious to find him, because Yao Tie Hammer's body was found floating in the east moat this morning. Ji Tang was even more scared, he knew what Yao Tiehammer had done before, and hurriedly begged Lin Pu for help. Lin Pu said that Yao Tiehammer's case could be dragged out first, but his case had already been reported, and all he could do at present was to ask the relationship to spend more money on it. He was worried that those people would make trouble at home, so Lin Pu had no choice but to agree to send a few policemen to Ji's house to maintain safety. When the police were at the door, he calmed down a little, but he was still not steady, so he sent someone to Tangyi to ask Yu Banshan to discuss.

When they were anxious, Ji Wenhua and his wife shouted and walked into the study. Ji Wenhua scolded him as usual, and he wanted to fight several times but couldn't. After all, he is older, and he coughs more than once he has not finished scolding. Han didn't protect his calves like before, he took care of supporting Ji Wenhua's stumbling body from the moment he entered the door, and when he saw that he was coughing badly, he was so panicked that he rubbed his chest and beat his back. When he stopped coughing, he nagged with red circles in his eyes that Ji Tang was too ignorant, and such an adult still let the old man worry about it.

Ji Tang was already annoyed, and when he saw that his parents couldn't hold his breath after repeated bombings, he slapped the table and shouted: "Okay, okay!" Don't babble here endlessly, there's no use for half a dime! ”

"You, Xiao Tang, is that true?" Ji Wenhua stood up with the back of his chair, and pointed at Ji Tang with a trembling right hand, "Why don't you know how to converge?" If you really want to judge in the public trial, there is no room for manoeuvre! ”

"Master, don't be in a hurry to get angry, what can you do if you are angry?" Han hurriedly grabbed Ji Wenhua's arm again. Turning his head, he still blamed Ji Tang: "Look at what you have done?" Is it a handle that people grab? Can you still spend money to find a replacement for the dead ghost? Don't be stingy with the money you need to spend your money! Also, did you ventilate this to your second uncle? No, I can also greet your third aunt, he is a Shanghainese face-"

"Don't talk about it, okay? It can annoy people to death! Ji Tang went out in annoyance.

"Stop!" Ji Wenhua slapped the square table next to him and scolded excitedly, "Rabbit cub!" What is your attitude? Why am I talking to your mother? Still not worried about you? ”

"It's going to be chattering all day long, using a ball?" Ji Tang stepped out of the door and stopped there, shouting without looking back, "I don't have to worry about my affairs!" You don't need to collect the corpse if you eat peanuts! Don't have this son! Okay, right? After saying that, he walked straight to the bedroom, leaving behind him only his father's rapid cough and his mother's excited scolding.

In the middle of the afternoon, Zhao Zhenhuan came and told Ji Tang that Yu Banshan had been killed, and he heard at the police station that Black Friday had been arrested by Zhou Yizhi's people. Now there is a lot of trouble outside, because Zhou Yizhi asked for this case to be tried publicly, and Dong Hua may have declared it to the above. After the two discussed, they became more anxious. Ji Tang asked Zhou Ying for help in front of Zhao Zhenhuan, asking him to stop the case no matter what, and Zhou Ying agreed. Zhao Zhenhuan was also afraid, on the one hand, Yu Banshan's revenge would not be avenged in a short time, and on the other hand, he was worried that Black Friday would confess him in public. In the end, the two discussed again and again, and for the sake of insurance, they had to go to the gendarmerie department to ask Watanabe Shizuichi. This guy's courage was really frightened, and after seeing Watanabe Shizuichi, he was still not at ease, so he simply went to the countryside to hide, and he didn't show up for a long time.

One day, two days, and the third day have mostly passed. Zhou Yizhi really couldn't sit still and went to the county party headquarters to urge, and Dong Hua's office was empty. The man on duty said that the county magistrate was not here today, but not yesterday, and asked him to do something and try again tomorrow. How did he know that Dong Hua was deliberately avoiding him, and went out to call a car and rushed to the Sixth District Special Office and the county government successively, Dong Hua was not there, and Liu Tonghai was not there. He rushed to Dong Hua's house again, where Mrs. Dong and several women were playing mahjong in the living room. As soon as she said that she was looking for the county magistrate, she immediately shook her head into a rattle, complaining that she didn't know what the head of the house had been busy with recently, and she got up early in the morning and went out in the middle of the night every day. He had no choice but to leave, and when he left, he saw half a cup of coffee next to the shrine (1) behind the sofa, and when he touched it with his hand, it was still a little warm, and he understood that even if he saw Dong Hua, it was useless.

Returning home dejectedly, it was already dark, Zhou Yizhi sat down on a chair in the hall and sighed. Gu Xinyi, who was having dinner in Zhang Luo, saw his state in his eyes, and knew that things were not going well in Ji Tang without asking. In fact, she wanted to tell him that it didn't matter if she won Jitang or not, as long as they could be together better than anything else. She also wanted to tell him that she had seen Xi'er, and gave all the Gu family's things to their mother and daughter. After thinking about it, I decided not to say it, and I should fully support him in whatever he wants to do. I went to the backyard to take a turn, saw that Zhang Mingyuan was not there, and asked Cao Ying. Cao Ying said that he went out early and returned late in the past two days, and he didn't say anything busy. Without saying anything, she went back to the kitchen and stewed a nest of pear white fungus soup in a casserole. After stewing, even the casserole was brought to the room where Zhang Mingyuan and Cao Ying lived, and a small stool was moved to sit at the door waiting for him. Zhou Yizhi didn't see her when he was eating, because Lu Jiayu was embarrassed to ask. When I returned to the study after dinner, I saw her sitting there with her cheeks up, and I knew that I was waiting for Zhang Mingyuan, so I went to the desk but didn't want to read. There was not much time for Cao Ying to come, just a simple hello, sat opposite him and picked up a book and looked at it with interest.

It was already more than ten o'clock when Zhang Mingyuan entered the backyard, and when he saw Gu Xinyi at the door, he knew that something was looking for him, and said with a faint smile: "Why don't you sit in the house?" It's cold outside at night, so don't catch a cold. When he entered the house, he first lifted the thermos and poured a glass of water, then turned back and handed it to her.

She took it and gently took a sip to moisten her lips and said softly, "Big brother, I heard that you have been going out early and returning late these days, you must be very busy, right?" Other little sisters can't help it, so I'll give you stewed nest soup and drink it while it's hot. ”

"Oh? Thank you then. It was a surprise to him. originally thought that she had a conflict with Lu Jiayu, otherwise she thought that Zhou Yizhi was busy and had no time to accompany her. Lifting the lid and still steaming, he picked up a scoop and felt that it was delicious and moist, and looked back at her with a smile. "It tastes good, but—don't sit outside and wait in the future, look, it's so late, go back to your room and rest."

"I'm fine, big brother, you drink it while it's hot." She said lightly, "Seeing that the eldest brother is so busy and comes back with a knowing and considerate little sister, how can it be like some people who don't know how to find a way when they encounter difficulties, and they will sigh when they get home." ”

As soon as the words fell, Zhou Yizhi's sigh came from the study again. Zhang Mingyuan instantly understood her real intention of waiting for him late at night, because he didn't help Zhou Yizhi implement Ji Tang's affairs. He smiled and said: "Xinyi, since we are two brothers and sisters, if we have something to say, we will say it directly." I've been helping Dai Lin find Ma Liang for the past two days, and I'll go in a while. You, go back to your room and rest. Yes? Don't catch a cold. ”

"Thank you, big brother! I know that the eldest brother feels most sorry for the little sister, the little sister has retired, and the eldest brother has good night. She made a deep blessing and walked out the door, a bright smile instantly blooming on her face. This is the first time Zhang Mingyuan has seen her purest and most flawless smile.

"Hehe, this girl, real." He smiled and picked up the casserole with one hand and a small spoon in the other, and drank most of the casserole with food and drink, and wiped his mouth with a smile. He hadn't drunk such a comforting soup in a long time, and maybe hadn't smiled so relaxed in a long time.

In a large house in the backyard of the Gendarmerie Department of the North Garden Temple, Shizuichi Watanabe was just about to go to bed when he heard two coughs outside. Knowing that an uninvited guest was coming, he hurriedly rushed to the courtyard and asked with a smile: "Since Your Excellency is here, why don't you go into the house and drink a cup of coarse tea?" ”

"It's inconvenient to stay for a long time when visiting late at night, and a few words are the same here, and the disturbance is also expected to be Mr. Watanabe's Haihan." Zhang Mingyuan stood on the edge of the eaves.

"Oh? Is that Mr. Zhang? Distinguished guests must be received even if they come late, please. Watanabe Shizuchi rushed up and bowed his hand.

"In this way, Zhang is better to be respectful than to obey his fate." Zhang Mingyuan floated down at the door and entered the house with his hands behind his back. Although he was wearing leather shoes, he didn't make any sound when he landed.

The two sat down cross-legged on a low wooden couch and drank a few wooden cups of tea. Zhang Mingyuan smiled faintly and said, "Good tea, thank you Mr. Watanabe for your hospitality." Zhang interrupted late at night in the hope that Mr. Watanabe would do him a favor and facilitate the public trial of Ji Tang and Black Friday. ”

"Mr. Zhang has been promoted, I, a foreign businessman, have no official and no power, how can I do such a big thing?"

"Everyone is so familiar, is it necessary for Mr. Watanabe to hide it? Even if you don't have the commissioner from Nanjing here, aren't Liu Tonghai and Dong Hua still on orders? ”

"How so? Mr. Zhang is so direct, I don't have to beat around the bush anymore. I can get a public trial, or I can sentence them to be shot in public, but what good can I do? Can you, sir, give me the two main culprits of the canal hijacking? ”

"What canal hijacking? When was this? ”

"Look at it, I just said that Mr. Zhang was direct, and you started to pretend to be confused again."

"I've never heard of anyone hijacking ships, I've heard of wars. It was the night you invited to dinner in that toad building that someone heard the sound of gunfire. ”

"So I'm going to see you off."

"Actually, it doesn't hurt you or me to get a public trial. Aren't you preaching some kind of Greater East Asia co-prosperity? Publicly dealing with the bandit Liu Heizi and the black-hearted profiteer Ji Tang doesn't just show that you are actively cracking down on criminals? ”

"Hmph, I'm afraid Zhou Ying from the Department of Finance won't think so, right?"

"From another point of view, doesn't it just mean that you don't cover up official and private interests? Fairly? Besides, didn't you just talk about hijacking ships? Lost something? Why don't you take the opportunity to find someone who carries the black pot? The benefits outweigh the disadvantages. ”

"Hehehe, if Mr. Zhang doesn't want to be a general, it's not bad to be a lobbyist, right?"

"Well, this could push the commissioner forward. Even if you have a grudge, it's a big traitor to a small traitor, isn't it good that you, a businessman, have interests to earn? Why not? ”

"Mr. Zhang, can you tell me why you are doing this? Black Friday is already in your hands, is it difficult to kill Ji Tang with your skills? ”

"Oops, here's the point, this can be said. Does Mr. Watanabe remember the Gu family? I promised Mr. Gu to take care of his daughter. But Ji Tang drove the girl crazy in order to occupy the Gu family's property, and he couldn't escape the relationship with that disaster. Now that the Gu family has fallen, how can I kill his son-in-law again? ”

"Oh? Borrowing a knife to kill someone, and making that woman grateful to you, right? ”

"This tea is really good, I'll leave when this is over. I hope that I will have the opportunity to have tea with Mr. Watanabe in the future, and it is better not to meet on the battlefield. ”

"Then I will practice tea instead of wine for Mr. Zhang in advance, and Mr. can take the woman to the court tomorrow for a hearing."

"Thank you, Mr. Watanabe, for the tea, farewell." Zhang Mingyuan said as he raised his glass and drank it all, stood up and went to the couch to put on his shoes. After going out, he bowed his hand to Watanabe Shizunichi and went to the room. A few hearty laughs, a few ups and downs disappeared into the night.

The waning moon hanging high in the eastern sky was white and clear, and it was dark and deserted outside, and the stars were still shining, so it was sure to be a good day at dawn.

March 26 was indeed a sunny day, the clear blue sky did not have a trace of clouds, and there was no half wind on the trees, as if the whole Liaocheng was still and still. The county courthouse, located at the west end of West Baiyitang Street, was surrounded by police officers walking around to maintain order, and the courtyard was crowded with people inside and outside. Today's first public trial in Liaocheng is being held here, and it is also the boiling Ji Tang instigation murder case that has been rumored in the city in the past few days, and the co-defendant is Liu Heizi, the number one bandit in Shandong. So people came early to watch, and although people came from eight o'clock in the morning, and the trial had not yet begun at eleven o'clock, no one left the venue early.

Ji Tang was directly arrested from his home and taken here. At first, he struggled desperately, and even scolded this group of people for being arrogant. Because last night his second uncle-in-law Zhou Ying also said that it would be fine. Today's arrest is also a fresh face, and his friend Lin Pu, who has a close relationship with him, not only did not give him a breath in advance, but also did not go to his house. When he was brought here by heavily armed pseudo-policemen and tied up in the middle of the courtyard, he gradually stopped shouting. He saw Lin Pu sitting on the very edge of the judgment seat in the middle of the courtyard, which was serious and serious that he had never seen before, and even as if he didn't know him, he knew that there was more luck today.

In the front row of the courtyard are pseudo-policemen armed with rifles. There were four people behind the table of the judgment seat under the eaves of the north roof, and Ji Tang knew all of them. Limp, with a black face, sat on the far west side with a jury sign in front of him. Next to it is the county magistrate Dong Hua, who is short with his brother on weekdays, and now he is also a cold face he has never seen, and the chief judge sign is directly in front of Dong Hua. Further east is Ma Liang, and in front of him is also a jury. This man was stumbling around with a pair of thief eyes, and his expression was as obscene and treacherous as his people. Lin Pu announced the start of the public trial meeting, Dong Hua stood up and said a set of various systems, it must have been memorized last night, this person loves to do superficial work. At such an important time, Ma Liang was still staring at the girl in the front row of the western audience, and his eyes were still so confused. actually bowed his head and whispered to Liu Tonghai on his right from time to time, what kind of court is this, is there justice and justice? Ji Tang could only think in his heart, he guessed that this group of people could be tried publicly, and they must have made sufficient preparations, and ten percent of them had already convicted him. As for the Black Five tied next to him, it was simply an unlucky ghost who should have died a long time ago, and he didn't have the heart to hate Black Friday anymore, because soon they would all be sentenced.

The first accusation is the crime of Black Friday, and I don't know how long they have been preparing for it, but there are more than 30 of them, all of which have time and place. After Dong Hua read a question and asked if he recognized Black Five, the onlookers followed suit, and Ji Tang, who listened, trembled in his heart. The most hateful thing is the kid Black Five, who actually recognizes them all. Why do it? Did they negotiate terms? It can't be just for me, right? Ji Tang panicked, shouted that something was wrong, and was shocked by Dong Hua's heavy slap on the table. They continued to ask and answer questions, and Ji Tang looked at the auditorium under the east wall. The dozens of people sitting on the chairs in several rows were his old acquaintances, Watanabe Shizuichi, Fan Zhongcheng, Zhang Mingyuan, Cao Ying, Lu Jiaxun, Zhou Yizhi...... Gu Xinyi was also here, and that was the woman he once loved. Now she is still so elegant and beautiful, but she actually sits quietly next to her and watches the jokes. He wept, felt a little remorseful, and felt that the person he was most sorry for was her. If it weren't for the shit treasure box that they still haven't figured out, their happiness would be enough to be the envy of the whole city.

Shot, shot after the fall. This is the verdict of Ji Tang and Black Friday. Dong Hua read the verdict, and had already asked him about his charges when Ji Tang was in a daze and crying, and his tears were taken as acquiescence. Ji Tang just thought that there would be half a year after the autumn, and the second aunt Zhou Ying would definitely save him, maybe this was their plan. The people around shouted: "Don't accept it!" "You guys take care of your shortcomings!" "Shoot immediately!" "Trap!" "Shoot them!" “……”

The shouts of the people rose higher and higher, and the voices of Limpu's subordinates were completely inaudible. Ji Tangyou began to be afraid, this was not designed, and the common people had never been so obedient. When he looked around anxiously, he actually saw Fan Junsheng's mother, standing there neatly dressed and shouting with everyone, which was no longer the appearance of a homeless woman on the street on weekdays. And not far from Widow Fan, there was his sister Ji Ying and his teenage nephew, they naturally didn't make a fuss, yes, they were his relatives. But although Ji Ying's eyes were looking at him, they were not looking at him. Opposite her eyes was the black five beside him, black five was actually laughing, he could still laugh when he died, this kid must be stupid. Black Friday is not stupid, he is willing to confess his guilt and ambush him. He was looking at the woman he had violated more than ten years ago, and now he sincerely atoned for her sins. And she seemed to understand it, so she looked at him calmly.

Someone on the stage began to speak, it was Ma Liang, who had been touching around. After talking for a long time to stabilize the mood of the crowd, he sat down again and muttered to the three people next to him. Ma Liang stood up again and announced the execution. Following Limpu's gesture, two policemen came directly behind Ji Tang and Hei Wu and held their guns to the back of their heads. Ji Tang had no hope at all, and recalled the past in his mind. suddenly realized that he had lived for decades and had not lived for a living, and he had not even seen him off when he was dying, and tears unconsciously rolled out of his eyes. For a moment when his vision was blurred, he suddenly encountered a pair of eyes that were just as blurred as him, right next to the west wall. It's Gu Xi'er, the lover who is as greedy and frustrated as him, his little concubine. seems to understand that she is the most compatible and cherished person with him, but at this time it is too late to understand. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, letting tears run down his cheeks.

The crowd around them became agitated again, and most of the people in the auditorium also stood up to watch. There were timid women and children who covered their eyes and dared to open their eyes when they heard two gunshots, and the two people in the middle of the field had already fallen to the ground.

Some cheered, and along with the cheers, others applauded. Before the commotion was over, someone exclaimed, "There are assassins!" Catch the assassins! "Call the doctor, the commissioner has been stabbed!" "Catch the assassins! Lockdown the city! ”

The crowd was boiling again, some running out and some inside. Linpu's men were also shouting like ants on a hot pot, and the voices of Japanese soldiers could be heard not far away.

Sharp-eyed people can see that Ma Liang is sitting crookedly on the chair. There was a half-dangling dart stuck in the middle of the neck, and a burgeoning hole in the middle of the throat. His head and arms were drooping, apparently dead.

The red light of the setting sun shrouded the earth, and the inside and outside of Liaocheng were painted burgundy.

A crimson fast horse had just left the small dock and was speeding east along the river. The woman on the horse left a cold sentence: "See you in the west of Yongji Bridge in Gucheng County before the second watch, and it is outdated." ”

Cao Ying led two horses and stood on the steps, he knew that Dai Lin had always been true to her words, and he also knew that it was not easy for her to give Zhang Mingyuan this opportunity, so he turned his head to look at Zhang Mingyuan by the river. Zhang Mingyuan was also a little excited in his heart, and he still had a faint smile on his face. He knew that this date was not the same as a commitment, and she would leave at any time, but a chance was better than nothing. He smiled faintly and turned his head to look at Zhou Yizhi at the stern of the boat and said, "Yizhi, I don't know if there is a chance to see her, you have to take good care of her-the two of them." ”

"Big brother, don't worry," Zhou Yizhi of course knew that Zhang Mingyuan was referring to Gu Xinyi, because Lu Jiayu was also there, "I will use the rest of my life to promise to treat them wholeheartedly and never let them be wronged again." ”

"Please don't worry, eldest brother, he dares to treat Xiaoyi's sister badly, and I don't rely on him." Lu Jiayu stood in front of the cabin door.

"Well, I believe. Have you been in contact with Shanghai? It is still necessary to pay more attention to safety. ”

"No problem, our friends will meet us at the pier. He didn't stay in Shanghai for long, and after explaining the affairs of the family to Zhuo Zhi, he took them and their three children to Hong Kong, and then to France. Big brother, what should you do? It's time to plan for yourself. After getting along with each other during this time, Zhou Yizhi regarded Zhang Mingyuan as a big brother from the bottom of his heart, rather than simply following Gu Xinyi's call.

"Frankly, I also want to be a mountain couple with her. But—alas, let's not talk about it, let's take one step at a time. Stay in this environment, try to help those who should be killed, and don't be soft when you encounter those who should be killed. ”

"Big brother, you are such a good person, Miss Dai will understand sooner or later." Gu Xinyi's eyes were filled with tears.

"I hope so, all right, you can go." Zhang Mingyuan waved his hand gently, he didn't like to watch the parting scene, which made him miss his former lover more and more, and feel more and more lonely.

"Big brother-" Gu Xinyi suddenly knelt on the deck of the ship, and her voice was a little choked, "Big brother, even if you call me pedantic again, I have to kowtow to you, please take care of your eldest brother." ”

"And me." Zhou Yizhi also knelt down next to Gu Xinyi, "I wish the eldest brother and Miss Dai to marry as soon as possible." ”

"Me too! Big brother, I won't kneel anymore. But like Xiaoyi, I respect you as a big brother from the bottom of my heart, and wish my big brother's dream come true. Lu Jiayu took a few steps forward and gently supported Gu Xinyi's shoulder.

Zhang Mingyuan knew that he couldn't stop them, so he had to watch Zhou Yizhi and Gu Xinyi kowtow decently. After a few steps up the steps, he floated on his horse and waved his hand, "Goodbye, I wish you all a dream come true." After saying that, he tapped the horse's belly with his foot, and the horse tilted its head and ran eastward. Cao Ying also got on the horse and waved his hand, patting the horse to catch up.

The ship started slowly, and the stern of the ship rolled up and splashed, reflecting the red light. The boat headed southwest along the small canal, and the three of them stood at the stern of the boat looking at the distant pier. The burgundy trees and houses running backwards on both sides of the strait are flying from big to small to the southeast corner. The sunset is getting redder and redder, dyeing the world in front of you a deep red.

Note: (1) shén kān, a small pavilion where the statues of Taoist gods and ancestral spirit tablets are placed among the people.

(ENDS)