When Fang Junjie and others were talking about Chen Wenqi at the Ruixiang pawnshop, Chen Wenqi's master and servant hired a small boat, traced the river, and rushed to Wuchang City, the political envoy of Huguangbu, before sunset.

In Wuchang City, there is a lot of traffic and people. The civil and military personnel of the 16 prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Huguangbu Political Envoy Department gathered here one after another to rush to the long-lost township test. Not only that, the "Autumn Season" event attracted magnates from all over the world, peddlers and pawns, carts to buy pulp and even wandering beggars, who also gathered in Wuchang City. For a time, the inns and inns in Wuchang City were full.

Chen Wenqi took Xiao Jingxing to walk all over the streets and alleys of Wuchang City, but he didn't find a place to stay. Between the walks, the two came to the bank of the Yangtze River in the north of the city, at this moment the sun is about to fall, the red glow is all over the sky, the river wind is blowing, and the hot sweat of the body is swept away, and they suddenly feel extremely cool.

After coming from Chenjiazhuang and going around Wuchang City for a long time, he was already hungry at this time. Looking up and seeing that a restaurant called "Cyclamen" next to him had already started to open, Chen Wenqi said to Jing Xing: "It's dusk, let's go eat something first." ”

The shopkeeper just came out and greeted them: "Do the two guest officers want to eat? With a hand, he led them to the first Eight Immortals table on the left side of the door and sat down.

It was still early for dinner, and only a few tables of guests were sitting on the left side.

At the innermost table facing the window sat two young men dressed as scholars. The one sitting facing the river was wearing a jade-colored cloud satin round-necked student shirt and a soap silk scarf draped around his waist, although his figure was not very great, but he was extremely handsome, even if Pan An was reincarnated, he would be ashamed of himself; The weather was hot, and everyone else was dressed in short clothes and shorts, but both of them were wearing wide tops and tight long hakama, but fortunately they sat by the window, and the river was breezy and the breeze came in through the window, but they did not sweat. The two of them didn't drink, one of them held a small bowl of rice, and a few delicate side dishes in front of him, absentmindedly taking small bites of it. Although the two of them sat by the window, they were not interested in the scenery outside the window, but they were particularly concerned about the customers who entered the store, and they always looked at the customers who had just entered the store, intentionally or unintentionally, as if they were looking for someone.

At the next table sat a thirty-five or sixteen-year-old Ge Yi man, neatly dressed, but with long hair and dense mustache, which seemed to have not been repaired for a long time. There was a wine glass, a pot of wine, and a plate of side dishes in front of him, although he drank lightly, he was not leisurely, his expression was even a little irritable, and his eyes were looking at the door from time to time, as if he was waiting for someone.

Further out, on the table next to Chen Wenqi and them, sat four middle-aged strong men, all wearing white cardigan vests and pedaling shoes.

The shopkeeper carried a blue painting porcelain pot, came over to pour tea for Chen Wenqi and Jing Xing, habitually wiped the table with a rag in his hand, and asked, "Guest officer, do you want to drink or ......?"

"We don't drink alcohol, just have a braised tarpon with a plate of side dishes and two bowls of rice. ”

"Okay, one braised tarpon, a plate of side dishes, and two bowls of rice-" Xiao Er dragged in a long voice and reported the name of the dish to the kitchen behind.

In the middle of the meal, a little beggar with a dirty face appeared at the door of the store, squeezing out a "flattering" smile on his dirty face, and then stretched out his dirty hand and begged from table to table. The little beggar seemed to be accustomed to people's indifference, and did not stay at each table for too long, until he walked to Chen Wenqi's table, and still repeated the sentence in his mouth, "Give a few pennies."

Chen Wenqi took out a few copper coins, and when he was about to put them in the little beggar's hand, the little beggar had already walked to Ge Yiren's side.

Chen Wenqi was stunned, muttered "so anxious", and was about to get up to give it to him, when there was already a commotion next to him.

It turned out that when the little beggar walked up to the man in Geyi and stretched out his hand to beg, the two clashed.

"Go, go, go. Ge Yiren was very impatient, and reached out and pushed the little beggar.

The little beggar was furious and said, "You are unreasonable, if you don't give alms to the master, why do you still push the master?"

Chen Wenqi said in his heart, this person is not willing to give charity, why do it to children? Not afraid of falling into the notoriety of bullying the small? This little beggar is really, such a villain dares to take the initiative to provoke other people's healthy and strong men?

But what happened next was even more incredible.

The little beggar seemed to have some kung fu, and Ge Yiren was pulled and pushed by him, and he staggered back a few steps, and was about to fall. In his busy schedule, he reached out and supported the young man wearing a soap-colored shirt at the adjacent table so as not to fall.

Seeing this, Chen Wenqi "chuckled" in his heart, but he remained silent on the surface.

Ge Yiren was not careful, and was pushed down by the little beggar, although he was not injured, he was embarrassed, and immediately became angry, quickly tied the hem of his shirt to his waist, and swung his round fists at the little beggar. Seeing this, the little beggar seemed a little timid, and hurriedly turned around and fled. Ge Yi let him escape, shouted, and chased after him.

Chen Wenqi snorted coldly, and was about to get up to stop it, but the middle-aged strong man driving the boat at the adjacent table had already grabbed Ge Yiren and persuaded: "This big brother, the little beggar begs for you, if you like to reward, you will reward a few cents, and if you don't like to reward, ignore it." Not only do you not give it, but you speak ill of you. Now that he has not begged for anything, and you have not been hurt anywhere, the adults do not care about the villain, so let him go. ”

When Ge Yiren saw that someone was persuading, he scolded loudly, and reluctantly went back to the table just now to drink. Seeing that he was unstoppable and sitting on pins and needles, Chen Wenqi was amused in his heart, and secretly paid attention to prevent him from getting away.

The sky is getting dark, and Jingxing is anxious that the inn has not yet landed, just like the people in Ge Yi at the next table, the soul is not guarded, like sitting on pins and needles. Seeing that Chen Wenqi was still eating unhurriedly, he couldn't help but remind him: "Brother Wenqi, it's not early, we haven't found the inn yet." ”

Chen Wenqi stretched out his hand and touched Jingxing's head, and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, wait until you finish watching a play before leaving." ”

"Watching a play, how can there be a play?" Jing Xing raised his eyes and looked around, looking for someone who sang the opera.

"Shhhh Chen Wenqi put his index finger to his lips, motioned for Jingxing to speak quietly, and said with a smile: "Look at the two sitting by the window, they are ready to settle the bill." As soon as they settle the bill, the show will begin. ”

"Little two, check out. Before he finished speaking, the soapy man had already called the store.

"Okay, guest officer, the total amount of your meal is fifty-eight yuan. ”

"Good. This is ......", suddenly, the hand that the soapy boy stretched out to his waist stiffened, and his expression was not very natural.

"What's wrong?" asked the jade-clad boy in a low voice.

"Money...... The money bag is not ......," the soapy boy snorted.

The young man in the jade shirt only said that he didn't bring the silver taels out, so he said angrily: "You, it's always unreliable. He turned around and said to Xiao Er guiltily: "Little Second Brother, I forgot to bring money when I went out, can I take credit for the time being, and then take the money to make up for it?"

"What, didn't bring any money?" Seeing them playing double reeds, the shopkeeper couldn't help but be suspicious, and reached out to grab the placket of the jade shirt, "Did you forget to bring money or didn't bring money at all?" I have experienced a lot of such things, I want to eat overlord meals, and I don't want to see what kind of place this is?"

When the jade-shirted boy saw Xiao Er grabbing his chest, he couldn't help but be ashamed, and his face suddenly turned crimson.

"Little second brother, please don't embarrass my little ...... Master. Actually...... I lost my purse at some point. Seeing this, the soapy boy hurriedly pulled Xiao Er's sleeve, but where could he pull it for a while? The shopkeeper's hand continued to grab the jade shirt's chest.

Ge Yiren at the adjacent table swept his eyes around, and while the store was full of customers watching the excitement, he got up and walked quickly to the door.

At the same time, Chen Wenqi stood up, stepped between the jade shirt boy and the shopkeeper, stopped the jade shirt boy behind him, grabbed the shopkeeper's outstretched hand, and said: "Little second brother, you are angry and make money, why bother to do anything? These two sons are just joking with you, their money bags are here, you and I will take them." ”

Xiao Er's hand was clasped by Chen Wenqi, and he suddenly became sore, and the whole person involuntarily followed Chen Wenqi to the door.

The young man in the jade shirt glanced at Chen Wenqi gratefully, and his face turned red again.

Ge Yiren walked to the door, and was about to raise his feet to cross the threshold, when suddenly his eyes darkened, and Chen Wenqi and the shopkeeper blocked his way.

"Brother Ren, please leave what you have found before leaving. Chen Wenqi didn't intend to expose his actions, and pretended to pick up the lost property and prepared a step for him.

Ge Yiren was not interested, and pretended to be confused and asked, "What is it?"

Chen Wenqi pointed his finger at the soapy boy and said, "Didn't you pick up this son's money bag just now?"

"So you stole my purse? Without waiting for Ge Yiren's reaction, the soapy boy suddenly realized, stepped forward, and reached out to grab Ge Yiren's arm.

Ge Yiren waved his hand and threw the soapy boy to a stumbling moment, and Chen Wenqi hurriedly stretched out his hand to support him.

"What thief? Don't wronged the good guys. Why do you say I stole your money bags?" shouted Ge Yiren angrily.

"Yes, he stole something, but what proof is there?" said one of the diners, as if he was both upset and heckling.

The jade shirt and soap clothes also felt abrupt at this time, and looked at Chen Wenqi with their eyes.

Ge Yiren did not "get off the donkey", and Chen Wenqi no longer covered up for him.

"To steal or not to steal, you can see it at a glance. Chen Wenqi's right hand "swooped" into the waist of the man in Ge Yi who had just tied up the hem of his clothes, and he had already grabbed an object in his hand, but the heart of his fist was inward, and everyone couldn't see what he was holding.

"You...... That's my money bag. Ge Yiren's face turned red at this time, and he said loudly.

"You said this is your money bag, what proof is there?"

"Absolutely. Ge Yiren said without hesitation, "I know how many copper coins and silver tickets are in the money bag. You say it's theirs, do they know?"

"Yes, whoever can name the copper coins and silver tickets in the money bag is the owner of the money bag. The crowd responded.

The jade-shirted boy hurriedly said to the soap-clothed boy: "Rui...... Zhu Rui, tell me quickly, how many silver tickets and copper coins do you have in your money bag?"

"I just remember...... It seems like...... There are seven or eight silver tickets, ten ...... Yu Wen copper coins. Juri stammered as he recalled.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you see how he looks at him, and he is still 'like, like', could it be that he doesn't know his own money?" In my purse there were three silver bills and seventeen copper coins. Please check it out, and if I am not right, this money bag is not mine. ”

All the guests immediately clamored, saying that Chen Wenqi had slandered good people. A person came over with a grievance and asked Chen Wenqi to hand over the money bag and check the silver money in the money bag in front of everyone.

At this time, the jade-shirted boy who was at a loss for a moment "snorted": "Three silver tickets?

"This ...... This ......" Ge Yiren seemed to be stumped by the jade shirt's repeated questions, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.

Chen Wenqi understood the meaning of the jade shirt's words, and nodded approvingly to the jade shirt. When the jade-shirted boy nodded in return, his face was slightly red.

"There's nothing strange about this, when you're out of the house, the money in your money bag is spent from time to time, who can remember how much is left?

"That's right. ”

"I only have an approximate amount of how much money I have, and I can't remember it normally. ”

Everyone agreed.

Ge Yiren secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately said confidently: "Yes, I used the money more than once a day today, and I can't remember it clearly." But at least he clearly remembers that there are three silver tickets, but he doesn't know anything, everyone evaluates, whose money bag should it be?"

"Hmph, don't you think it's counterintuitive to remember a few but can't remember a few? The jade-shirted boy snorted, and glanced at Chen Wenqi after speaking.

Chen Wenqi comprehended, turned his head and asked the Ge Yi man: "May I ask this benevolent brother, do you know your money bag?"

Ge Yiren shook his head and immediately said: "Joke, I've been using this money bag for more than ten years, why don't I know it?"

"Do you really know?"

"When...... Correct...... Know. Ge Yiren was a little weak-hearted.

Chen Wenqi turned to Zhu Rui again: "This son, do you know your money bag?"

"Recognize. ”

"That's good. Chen Wenqi lowered his head and quickly glanced at the money bag in his hand, and said to the two:

"I just saw this money bag, and it is embroidered with a lotus flower pattern. Since you all know your money bag, let me ask you, how many lotus flowers are embroidered on this money bag?"

He also said to Ge Yiren: "The money bag is taken out of the body, please say it first, if you are right, he doesn't need to say it again, this money bag is yours." ”

Ge Yiren was silent for a while, and then said: "This money bag is only used to hold money, I am a big man, I am not interested in flowers, who usually pays attention to how many lotus flowers it embroiders?"

"That's right, my money bag is embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water, I never noticed how many mandarin ducks there are on it, is it said that this money bag is not mine?"

There is some truth to that. Since I don't usually pay attention to the number of lotus flowers, but what color lotus flowers should always have some impression, right? Do you say it is a white lotus or a red lotus?" Chen Wenqi took a step back.

"This ...... ," Ge Yiren hesitated for a moment and said, "There are both red and white lotuses. He thought that since he wanted to embroider, it would naturally be more colorful than a monochrome.

Chen Wenqi smiled slightly, turned around and asked Zhu Rui: "May I ask this son, do you remember how many lotus flowers you have in your money bag? Is it a red lotus or a white lotus?"

"There is no ....... Zhu Rui snorted.

"Look, he doesn't know anything. Seeing this, Ge Yiren felt that victory was in sight.

Everyone clamored again, and some even began to accuse Chen Wenqi of making trouble for nothing and framing good people.

Chen Wenqi turned a deaf ear to everyone's accusations, and just stared at Zhu Rui, urging him to give the answer.

Zhu Rui hesitated and didn't speak, and the jade-shirted boy standing on the side was also puzzled, he hadn't usually seen him use any red lotus and white lotus pattern money bags, could this boy be mistaken? So he asked Zhu Rui:

"Zhu Rui, do you have a money bag with a lotus pattern, haven't you used it on weekdays?"

Zhu Rui regained his composure and said to Chen Wenqi:

"Thank you, this child, for your kind help. Maybe you've really wronged a good guy, that's not my money bag. ”

Zhu Rui categorically denied that it was his own money bag, and Ge Yiren suddenly became angry: "What? He himself admits that it is not his, and you still dare to slander your uncle? If you don't kowtow today to apologize, I will never spare you." Why don't you bring it yet?"

"You haven't seen the money bag yet, how do you know it's not yours?" Chen Wenqi ignored Ge Yiren and asked Zhu Rui with a calm face.

Zhu Rui shook his head and said, "My money bag is just a pure cyan linen pouch, tied with a yellow ribbon, and there is no embroidery on it at all. ”

Chen Wenqi raised the hand holding the money bag high above the top, and then flipped his palm.

"Ahh

"Yes, that's my purse. This is Zhu Rui's excited voice.

In mid-air, a pure cyan linen pouch tied with a yellow ribbon at the mouth of the bag was swinging in the air under Chen Wenqi's two fingers.

When the Ge Yi man saw it, his face turned pale, and he pushed away the shopkeeper who was blocking the door with one palm, wanting to take the road and escape. The diner who was holding a mandarin duck water money bag just now, thinking of fighting for Ge Yiren and mocking Chen Wenqi with words, his face was red at this time, how could he be allowed to escape? Shouting, "Don't let this thief escape," he surrounded him with several good deeds, grabbed Ge Yiren, and fought with fists and feet. Rao is Ge Yi had some punches and kicks, and he didn't dare to fight back at this time.

"Please stop," the young man in the jade shirt couldn't bear it, and shouted to stop those people, "Thinking that he is just a thief, maybe he is forced by his livelihood to do this as a last resort, and he is not a big traitor." Now that the money bag has been recovered, let him go. ”

The person concerned opened his mouth, and everyone had no reason to continue to commit violence, so they let go of Ge Yiren. Ge Yiren lifted the placket of his clothes and wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth, glanced at Chen Wenqi hatefully, and ran away.

Chen Wenqi has learned literature and etiquette since he was a child, and his cultivation is very high, and he dislikes narrow-minded people who will repay him. Zhu Rui did not pretend to admit that the money bag was the first, and the jade shirt boy was the last to excuse the person who harmed him, which made Chen Wenqi admire him, and he couldn't help but take a look at the two of them. It just so happened that at this time, the young man in the jade shirt also looked at him, his eyes met, and both of them were a little embarrassed, and hurriedly moved his gaze away. Chen Wenqi returned the money bag to Zhu Rui, hugged his fists at the two, and went back to the table to eat.

The young man in the jade shirt instructed Zhu Rui to pay the bill, took him to Chen Wenqi's table, gave Chen Wenqi a deep salute, and said gratefully: "Thanks to Brother Tai just now, I saw through the thief and saved us from humiliation, so I thank you here." ”

"It's a trivial matter, brother Tai doesn't have to mind. And if it weren't for Brother Tai's secret prompt, it would not be possible to expose the thief's tricks for a while. Chen Wenqi got up and returned the salute.

Knowing the bag and breaking the bag was originally in his plan, and the "hint" of the jade shirt boy was just "the hero sees the same thing". Chen Wenqi counted the "credit" on the jade shirt, although it is "the beauty of a gentleman who does not plunder others", but he also does not want others to have the burden of "gratitude".

"Brother Tai is too modest. In the next moment, I was anxious, and blurted out that this was 'playing a big knife in front of Guan Gong'. ”

Chen Wenqi smiled and did not make a sound. The more you talk about this kind of thing, the more people care.

That's it, it's time to wrap up.

However, the two of them, the Jade Shirt Boy and Zhu Rui, have no intention of leaving.

"Hmm...... Belch....... ”

As the saying goes, the grace of a drop of water should be reciprocated by a spring. The jade shirt boy was favored by others, hoping to have the opportunity to repay, but he and Chen Wenqi just met in Pingshui, and he would be a passerby once he passed today, and if he missed the opportunity to repay his kindness today, he would be guilty for life. Just now, I vaguely heard what their master and servant were talking about, and they seemed to be in trouble and wanted to help, but they didn't know how to speak for a while.

Seeing that the young man in the jade shirt wanted to speak and stopped, Chen Wenqi asked, "What else is there to do with Brother Tai?" But it doesn't hurt to talk about it. ”

The jade-shirted boy turned red, and asked in a low voice, "Dare to ask Brother Taigao's surname?"

"Under the surname Chen Wenqi, a person from Huangzhou Mansion. Pointing at Jingxing, "His name is Jingxing, and he is the little brother who accompanies me to study." ”

"It turned out to be Brother Chen, fortunately, fortunately. Under the surname...... Poplar...... Mingshan Ling," and pointed to Zhu Rui, "His name is Zhu Rui, and he is mine...... Clerks. ”

"It's Brother Yang, disrespectful, disrespectful. Chen Wenqi put down his chopsticks and saluted with his fists, "Dare to ask Brother Yang, are you also going to take the exam?"

"No, no. Although I read a few lines of poetry, it is just a talent for socks and a learning of memorization. ”

"Brother Yang is too humble, and he is ashamed to teach him. ”

"Brother Chen came to Wuchang City, could it be that he is participating in this year's scientific expedition?"

Chen Wenqi nodded: "It's just a good time." ”

Brother Chen laughed. Yang Shanling glanced at the book beside the table and asked, "Has Brother Chen not checked into the inn yet?"

Chen Wenqi smiled awkwardly and replied embarrassedly: "Yes, I thought it would be easy to find an inn, but I don't know that the large and small inns in the city are all full." ”

"Brother Chen doesn't know, it is said that there are no less than 100 hotels and inns in Wuchang City, and the guest rooms are not very nervous on weekdays, even if there are more talents to take the exam, the guest rooms are more than enough. It's just that this year's civil and military double subjects have opened the examination, in addition to the increase in Wu Xiucai, who is rushing to take the exam, there are also those "martial" businessmen who sell bows and horses have also come to join in the fun, so Wuchang City is already hard to find, and Brother Chen wants to find a hotel to stay, but I am afraid that it is indeed difficult. ”

"What can I do then?" Xiao Jingxing said eagerly: "Brother Wenqi, it's your fault, the master asked you to come early, you ...... favoritism"

"What's the bias?" Chen Wenqi smiled and intercepted Jing Xing's words, and said casually: "It's a big deal, I will beg the owner of the restaurant to show mercy later, and I will make up for one night on his table of eight immortals." Otherwise, we will find an open space by the river outside, and we will take a bath in the river and sleep on the shore, just to enjoy the shade. It's just ......" Chen Wenqi frowned, as soon as tonight passes, he will enter the Gongyuan tomorrow, and the three-day exam will be eaten and lodging inside, what can Jingxing do in these three days? I couldn't help but ponder.

"I know that there is an inn in Jinshazhou outside Wangshan Gate, which is a little remote, and there may still be vacant rooms, but the road is a little farther, I don't know what Brother Chen wants?" Yang Shanling said.

Chen Wenqi and Jing Xing were overjoyed when they heard this, and hurriedly asked Yang Shanling for the address.

"The path outside the city is tortuous, and I can't say a word or two, so why don't we take you two there, and if it's full, we can take you around. ”

Chen Wenqi knew that he was grateful for what he had just done, and he was bent on repaying the favor, but if he shirked it, it would make him feel guilty. Besides, it was getting late, and the two of them really didn't know where to find a hotel, so it was better to agree to them, which would not only fulfill their wishes, but also perhaps make it easier to find a place to stay. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "In this case, then Brother Lao Yang will lead the way." ”

Yang Shanling was overjoyed when he saw Chen Wenqi agree, and hurriedly ordered Zhu Rui to take Chen Wenqi's luggage, wait for Jingxing to settle the accounts, and lead the two to Wangshan Gate.