Xu Yanshou recounted, and everyone understood what was going on.

It turned out that there were two big families in Pingding County, namely the Xu family of the gentry in the west of the city and the Haoqiang Lou family in the north of the city, who were also competing for profit in trading. The local government and virtuous people have come forward to mediate more than a dozen times, but there is no result. Although the two masters also intended to restrain their subordinates, they never let go of their suspicions, so they still had disputes from time to time.

The Xu family is a gentry, relying on more power from the government, while the Lou family is strong and strong, and the rivers and lakes are the most powerful, and the two sides are offset by cocoa, and no one can have the upper hand, and no one is willing to be at a disadvantage.

Xu Yanshou remembered that he was old, and most of his children and grandchildren were officials in Chang'an and other places, and once there was a change, he would not be able to reach the whip, so he had the heart to reconcile with the Lou family. It's just that local well-known people have come forward to mediate before, and now there is no suitable candidate.

He had long heard the chivalrous name of the Guo family in Maolingyi, and when the servant came to report that Niu Baoguo had a conflict with someone on Dongjie, and the other party of the conflict was Guo Cong of Maolingyi, his mind moved, and then he drove to Dongjie and invited him to talk, hoping that Guo Cong would come forward to mediate.

Xu Yanshou said his bitterness, Guo Cong was also a little hesitant when he heard it, and said: "Mediating disputes is also a good deed, and it is not impossible." It's just that the local authorities have repeatedly mediated before, but it has not been effective. Guo, a certain foreigner, if he succeeds in persuasion, won't he refute the face of the local princes. How will the owner of the village and the Lou family get along with these people in Xihe in the future".

Xu Yanshou thought about it like this, bowed his head and said nothing, with a sad expression on his face. Then the maid served the food and wine, and he got up and beckoned them to eat.

Guo Cong saw that although Xu Yanshou was a rich man, he also had a good temperament, and he had a good feeling, thought for a while, and said: "I think that the two of you actually don't have any deep hatred, but it's just that your subordinates are holding grudges. Tomorrow we will go to Lou's house to mediate, if it doesn't work, then there is no way. If the Lou family is willing to listen to my persuasion, then it is the best, and the two of you can live in harmony. ”

Xu Yanshou was overjoyed when he heard that he agreed to mediate, and he raised his wine to respect him. Guo Cong picked up the wine, did not drink it, and said, "I still have one more sentence to say." ”

"Hero, please speak."

"If the mediation is successful, then after we leave, the two of you still have to ask the local princes to come forward again to persuade them, and then express their willingness to listen. In this way, the dignity of the local public is taken into account, and everyone is happy. Good no good? ”

Xu Yanshou was slightly stunned when he heard this, but then understood Guo Cong's intentions, and was grateful, so he nodded frequently and said in a trembling voice: "Okay, good, the hero is thoughtful." A glass of old decay to the hero. The two of them drank it all.

Guo Cong raised his head and said: "If you offend the head of the cow today, I hope the owner will forgive me." Xu Yanshou laughed and said, "It should be Niu Baoguo who offended the hero, so I will compensate for him." ”

Xu Xin asked curiously: "Then Niu Baoguo's martial arts are mediocre, how can he be the head of the martial arts hall?" ”

Xu Yanshou hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm not afraid of everyone's jokes." The Lou family is a strong man, and there are many people in the family who practice martial arts, and our Xu family is an official eunuch family, so he was brave and ruthless. That Niu Baoguo's ancestor was a ranger in the rivers and lakes, and he had some connections with our Xu family, but in his generation, he had no name. Last year, he came to me, and I also went to the doctor in a hurry, wanting to use the fame of the Niu family's ancestors to make the Lou family fearful, so he became the head of the martial arts hall. His apprentices were all unscrupulous sons of the manor. I also know that they are messing around, but I think that this way I can earn some fame, as long as it is not too much, I don't care too much. He shook his head again and again.

Xu Xin is simple by nature, and after listening to Xu Yanshou's words, he was embarrassed, and said apologetically: "I am reckless and make the owner embarrassed." ”

Xu Yanshou waved his hand and said with a smile: "Niu Baoguo is also capable of this, even if he doesn't meet you, he will be beaten by others." ”

Zhang Xiaoyi jumped up and said loudly: "What the owner said is too right. ”

Xu Xin dragged him to sit down, and said with a straight face: "You can't be rude if you're small." But when he remembered Niu Baoguo's embarrassed appearance, he couldn't help laughing, and everyone laughed together.

Xu Yanshou said all the troubles, and he was suddenly relaxed. On weekdays, as the owner of the village, he has to hold his identity, both tired and lonely, and now he drinks with this group of lively and bold men, women and children, and has indescribable joy in his heart. He slapped his hand at the screen, and everyone looked at it curiously.

After a while, three pretty girls came out from behind the screen, one wearing a long-sleeved robe, one holding a drum and the other holding a flute.

The Maiko had a delicate face, a slender body, and a light step.

When the drum music played, she danced to the beat of the music and drums in the melodious flute, her clothes were blowing on the ground, Xu Shu had long sleeves, her chin was slightly open, sometimes leaning over and sometimes leaning back, light when like Liang Yan murmuring, and when agitated like a swan flying away.

Song Niang looked in a trance, and couldn't help but learn to raise her arms and sway in the wind. Suddenly, she felt that she was a little out of shape, put down her hands, and quietly glanced around, only to see that everyone was already stunned. Zhang Xiaoyi's eyes were hooked, and the corners of his mouth seemed to be saliva. She smiled and watched the dance intently.

The drums fade away, the soothing flute sounds like weeping, the Maiko bends their waists, their white long sleeves flutter in the wind, and the light dance steps are just like the clouds rolling up.

There is a poem that praises:

The dancing girl came out of the Western Qin, and danced in the spring.

Dan Fu Xiao hangs his hands, and his wide sleeves are brushed with red dust.

Bend the waist should be two flutes, and turn the double scarf.

Moth eyebrows and slow faces, seeing this empty sorrow.

At the end of the song, the Maiko slowly thanked him, smiled and walked back from the stage. Everyone was still immersed in it, fascinated.

Song Niang snuggled softly to Ling Yue, who was sitting on the side, and murmured, "It's so beautiful, I also want to learn to dance." ”

Ling Yue was taken aback, quietly looked at Uncle Song, and found that Uncle Song was swaying with his eyes closed, as if he was reminiscing about the charming style just now. She hurriedly pulled Song Niang's sleeve and said softly: "What are you talking nonsense, wake up quickly, it's terrible to be heard by Uncle Song." ”

Song Niang came to her senses at this time, her little face was flushed, and she whispered in Ling Yue's ear: "That sister dances so well." ”

This night, everyone had a great time.

·

The next day, the autumn was bright, and everyone sat upstairs in the front hall and gossiped.

Song Niang held the trunk in her hand and looked into the distance, there was still a short wheat stubble on the freshly harvested field, as if a golden straw mat had been laid, the sky was extremely blue, as soft as silk. Song Niang couldn't help but be intoxicated, closed her eyes and opened her arms and said, "I'm going to fly." ”

Song Bo patted her head lightly and said, "Girls don't know how to be reserved, which makes people laugh." Song Niang pursed her lips and was not happy.

Xu Xin, who was standing on the side, persuaded: "The child is happy, why should he be restrained too much." ”

Song Niang smiled: "It's best to be the third uncle." ”

Xu Yanshou came over at this time and invited everyone to have breakfast together, and then discussed it again. Guo Cong said: "The owner of the village can send someone to guide us in the way." Xu Yanshou nodded in agreement.

The servants of the Xu family brought a few horses, and Guo Cong said to Song Bo and Xu Yu: "We are going to Lou Family Manor to do something, and we don't know when it will be over." If you are in a hurry, set out first, and we will leave here. ”

Although Song Bo was reluctant in his heart, he thought that following would only cause trouble for them, so he said goodbye.

Guo Cong took out two pieces of money and distributed them to Song Bo and Xu Yu. The two were embarrassed and pushed back together. Guo Cong said sincerely: "You don't have to push back. As I said before, we can be said to have difficulties together, and it is also fate. You used the money to hire a carriage and a horse, and when you arrived in Chang'an on time, we might all be able to turn evil into good fortune. ”

When Song Bo and Xu Yu heard this, they couldn't push it back anymore, thanked them again and again, and each accepted the usual five-baht copper coin.