Winter Begonia

Director Zhou of the Peking Police Department once said that when they encounter tricky cases, they really can't solve the case, and they are afraid that the common people will scold them, the best way is to ask Shang Xirui for help, please ask Shang Xirui Make some tricks on the stage, or make a show, or make a scandal.In this way, Shang Xirui will be the only one talking about in Beiping the next day, no one will be in charge of the case anymore.This is of course a joke, but Shang Lang's demeanor can be seen from this.Cheng Fengtai's high-end banquet has also been talked about very lively these days, fans and tabloids dug up the details of his origin, including the Fan family and Commander Cao, who were also involved.People have been oppressed by the war for a long time, earning a living is difficult, and they need entertainment more than ever before, and in this place of Peking, Peking Opera has always supported the market.This time the rumors were so deep and wide that it gradually deviated from Shang Xirui's expectations, there were reporters around the small mansion poking around, Chacha'er was also questioned by his classmates at school.Cheng Fengtai asked Shang Xirui to quell the rumors, Shang Xirui did not rush, he just said: "After two days for Lao Hou's birthday, they will stop talking about it when they have a new topic."

When it was Yukui's birthday, they had dinner at noon, and a servant from the Cheng family came, saying that the eldest lady told him to go home quickly, because the Japanese had entered the house.Cheng Fengtai didn't believe that the Japanese dared to go to his house to murder and set fire to Commander Cao because they were expecting him to betray him, so he was still worried, put on his scarf and hat in a hurry, and said to Shang Xirui: "Good evening Singing, I'll go back and have a look, and I'll come over if I can." Shang Xirui was unhappy that he missed his good show, but he knew the seriousness, so he didn't dare to stop him, he just said: "Come early! You haven't heard of me yet You beat the drums! This job is easy to hide!" Cheng Fengtai nodded and went.

The Cheng family really had a Japanese lieutenant, who claimed to be Sakata, with a white face and short stature, and Cheng Meixin and Second Grandma accompanied him to drink tea and chat.The second grandmother's Fanjiabao had conflicts with the Japanese army for many years, and finally could not bear the invasion, and the whole family moved to Peiping.She has a lot of opinions on the Japanese, and she came out to entertain guests in order to keep a close eye on them and not allow these notorious hungry wolves to act rashly, and she didn't speak much during the dinner, it was all handled by Cheng Meixin.Cheng Meixin and Sakata chatted wildly, and they kept saying that they wanted to go to the Golden Pavilion Temple. In the past, the third lady had a Japanese tutor in Pingyang. The tutor was good at art, music and cooking. Comb Japanese bun.Later, when the female tutor returned to China, the few Nishijin weaves sent by the Japanese were made into embroidered shoes and distributed to relatives and friends.She tried her best to reveal the meaning of the Cao family's kiss day inside and outside the words.Sakata smiled back.

Just as he was talking, Cheng Fengtai walked in from the outside, with hearty laughter and vigorous posture, he threw his stick at the servant casually, took off his coat, as if walking home from outside, and said in his mouth: "You have neglected the distinguished guest! You have been waiting for a long time!" When Second Grandma saw her husband, her expression immediately relaxed, and she felt extremely at ease in her heart.Cheng Fengtai looked at her with a smile, but she refused to show her face, she lowered her eyelids and ignored her, calling the little girl to light a cigarette.

Cheng Meixin made an introduction, Cheng Fengtai talked with Sakata, but they didn't have a good conversation. I don't know if it was because of the limited Chinese language skills. Sakata seldom spoke, and he didn't talk much. Cheng Fengtai never explained the purpose of this trip, he was just so tense, as if he was waiting for Cheng Fengtai to make a fool of himself.Cheng Fengtai was very impatient, he looked at Cheng Meixin, Cheng Meixin gave him a wink to comfort him, although she didn't know why the Japanese came here.

In the end, Cheng Fengtai proposed to take Sakata to the garden for a stroll. In winter, the flowers and plants are withered and there is no snow. What is there to see?Mu Ranran circled around, Cheng Fengtai pointed to the longevity character on the rockery and said: "This is the character that Emperor Qianlong inscribed on his uncle." He pointed to a well and introduced: "That's where King Fujin of Qi committed suicide. " Sakata nodded, indifferent, while Cheng Fengtai kept talking to himself.Usually when someone comes to the house as a guest, Cheng Fengtai will recite the history of the garden to others, and after reading it, he will enjoy himself, and the guests will gain a lot of knowledge, and the huge sum of money to buy the garden will not be in vain.Encountering such an ignorant thing today, Cheng Fengtai had no choice but to roll his eyes in his heart, and pretended to be kind on the surface.After looking around the garden, he came to a small flower hall near the water. There were various antiques on the shelves in the flower hall, and Sakata stopped his feet.Cheng Meixin beckoned, and called the maid to bring hot tea and snacks, and burn a charcoal pot, she wanted to sit here for a while, and said with a smile: "Mr. Sakata likes Chinese antiques?"

Sakata smiled slightly at her, and turned to look at a colorful vase on the shelf.Against this bleak winter background, this vase stands out the most.Cheng Fengtai took it down and said: "This is an imperial system made during the Kangxi period. It is mixed with gemstone powder and fired in color. There are not many left today!" To a little bit of starlight.Seeing that he couldn't put it down, Cheng Meixin winked at her younger brother.Cheng Fengtai understood what she meant very well, and pretended not to see it.All the Chinese with a bit of a temper would only hate the Japanese at the moment, Cheng Fengtai was forced by the situation, entertained them with a smile, already aware of the current affairs and the overall situation, it might not be necessary to send some meat buns to beat the dogs.

Unexpectedly, at this time, Sakata actually stared straight into Cheng Fengtai's eyes, and said: "I like this vase very much, I don't know if Mr. Cheng can part with it, and you are welcome in terms of price. When we complete this small business, then Do a big deal with you."

Cheng Meixin took a sip of tea and paused, Second Mistress also looked at Cheng Fengtai vigilantly, afraid that he would play a jerk.They underestimated Cheng Fengtai, Cheng Fengtai didn't even hesitate for a moment, he smiled naturally: "Hi! It's just a vase, what kind of business can it be called! If you like it, it's a matter of a word! But let's not hide it Mr. Sakata, this is the dowry my wife brought from her natal family. According to our Chinese rules, my wife’s dowry still belongs to her private property, so I need to ask my wife’s consent first.”

When Second Grandma heard this, her body collapsed and she sat upright.Cheng Fengtai walked up to her and leaned down, said with a smile: "Mr. Sakata came from a long way, it's rare to see something. The vase is just a gift, you can make friends, don't you think?"

Second Mistress here is the one who hates the Japanese the most, but she didn't dare to cause trouble for Cheng Fengtai, endured the grievance, turned her eyes away, and turned her head slightly.Cheng Fengtai immediately asked the servants to find boxes to put the vases in. The servants brought six or seven boxes with brocade veneer. Cheng Fengtai tried the size by himself. Some boxes were either too small to fit, or too big to fit. There is that slippery time.No one saw how the vase was broken, but heard a clang, and then saw that it was already lying on the ground torn apart.Cheng Fengtai let out an exclamation of regret, Second Mistress suddenly stood up in distress, this vase is a gift from the imperial family, it symbolizes the honor of the family, and it is to be enshrined in the ancestral hall, if not for the changing customs, she would not be able to bring it out from her natal home.Cheng Meixin reacted the most, knocking the teacup on the table, and said angrily: "I'm going to die! Such a big baby! You are so careless! Quickly ask someone to come and see if it can be repaired?"

Cheng Fengtai was also annoyed: "These idiots! You didn't tell them to measure the size of the vase first, so they found such a pile of boxes! It made me scramble! I can't do things like this!"

Cheng Meixin said loudly: "Don't emphasize the reason! Can't you just put it on the table and put it in a box? You have to hang it in the air, you're clumsy!"

The siblings talked to each other, just like when they were young, the elder sister scolded the younger brother, and the younger brother argued with the older sister, and they were anxious and pale.Cheng Fengtai was so scolded by his sister that he became wilted, and he stopped his flag and said to Sakata: "Hey! I did something bad with good intentions! I'm so ashamed! Can you see if there is anything else you like here? If not, I'll take you to the study!"

Sakata kept silent, squatted down very easy-going, and picked up the broken vases one by one into the box.Cheng Fengtai yelled at the servant: "Hurry up and clean it up! Seeing the guests do it themselves!" The servants rushed to pick it up, but Sakata stopped him.Cheng Fengtai lowered his eyes to see Sakata picking up the stubble all over the ground, for a moment, he couldn't hide his cold expression, it was the expression at that moment, Cheng Meixin gradually understood what, thanks to her sincere quarrel with Cheng Fengtai just now!

Ban Tian didn't wait for Cheng Fengtai's help, he picked it up by himself, this time he didn't need to pick out the box, the corpse was broken into pieces, no matter how big the coffin could fit in.Sakata clamped the box containing the fragments under his arm, raised his wrist to look at his watch, nodded to Cheng Fengtai and said: "It's almost time, I invite Mr. Cheng to listen to the play!" follow.When Cheng Fengtai heard the word "play", his heart skipped a beat, he had an ominous premonition, when he walked to the door, he saw many Japanese soldiers entering the door, and there were many armed guns standing there.Sakata handed the vase box to his subordinates, and made a gesture of invitation to Cheng Fengtai.Cheng Fengtai glanced at his face, and Sakata half bowed respectfully, his expression and posture were flawless.

Cheng Fengtai said: "Mr. Sakata and I will go shopping and come back." Again, as long as Commander Cao's attitude is ambiguous for a day, Cheng Fengtai will not believe that the Japanese dare to do anything to him now.Cheng Meixin thought the same way, so she didn't stop him from following others.Second Mistress panicked and shouted at his back: "Go home for dinner tonight!"

Cheng Fengtai nodded towards her.

Shang Xirui's role as Liang Hongyu today, she put on her makeup early in the silent show.The disciples of the Hou family were at odds with Shang Xirui, spoke in a strange tone, and were hypocritical. In the past, in order to replace the old-fashioned things, reporters wrote articles slandering Shang Xirui for stealing the limelight, and the disciples of the Hou family remained silent.When Shang Xirui needed to support the facade, there was another face.If it wasn't for Hou Yukui's big day today, Shang Xirui would not be bothered to meet them, Xiao Lai also knew that he was in the enemy's camp, so he stood by Shang Xirui's side, not daring to leave the teapot for a moment.Shang Xirui knocked on the table with two hairpins, like the sound of drums, the kid saw that it was almost time, so he brought a teapot for him to have a sip.Shang Xirui emptied the teapot, tapped it casually with the hairpin, the fine purple sand made a sound like a jade rock, the theater is always quieter than the opera garden, but today it was too quiet, this sound fell in the ears of the disciples of the Hou family , Qiqi was startled, and looked back at him, his face was a little pale.

Although it is the Hou family's own wedding and funeral, there is no need for outsiders to preside over it.On such occasions, Niu Baiwen still acted as an instigator. He hurriedly came from the front of the stage, his face changed: "What are you talking about! There are Japanese soldiers standing against the wall at the bottom! What do you mean?!" No wonder It's so quiet outside!How dare you gasp when you see the Japanese!Everyone in the backstage changed their colors. They lifted the curtain and looked at the audience one after another like a ghost. They couldn't tell the reason when they came back, maybe they were looking for faults.But the big apprentice of the Hou family said: "It's time to find fault with the backstage and talk, and the show is about to start, isn't there nothing going on?" Niu Baiwen smiled awkwardly: "Otherwise, I will ask? If it is aimed at the old man Fame comes, that's all, don't wait until halfway through the song to make a fool of yourself!" The second apprentice looked at Shang Xirui's back and said, "For the sake of Master's reputation, that's not necessarily the case! Japanese don't understand Beijing opera, right? But I heard that they love to watch the drumming the most, and they have to beat the drums to pray during the New Year and holidays. Today is probably aimed at Boss Shang's battle against Jinshan." The implication was that Shang Xirui was actually responsible for luring wolves into the house, and everyone Then he also looked towards him.At this time, Shang Xirui has already turned half of his soul into Liang Hongyu, and doesn't care about these nonsense.His face reflected in the makeup mirror, with high eyebrows and half-opened eyes, has such a stern and unruly demeanor that people can't help but speak in a low voice, for fear of disturbing the heroic soul thousands of years ago.

Niu Baiwen said in Shang Xirui's ear: "Boss Shang, looking at the situation, you can't tell the Japanese's way of thinking, so you're in a panic. How about...how about we replace Boss Chu?" Shang Xirui Rui is well-known and has many topics to talk about. Even if there is no wind, there will be three feet of waves.Changing Chu Qionghua over, it's not like neglecting the Hou family in terms of reputation. He doesn't have so many enemies, so he can probably calm things down.Shang Xirui didn't speak, just shook his head in a daze.Niu Baiwen said again: "Then let's change the play to Wu's, "Fan Jiangguan"? Look at what they said, the Japanese came here to praise your "War of Jinshan", and it has become a rumor once it spread!" Shang Xirui still shook his head.Niu Baiwen knew that after Shang Xirui put on makeup, even if his father died, he would not be able to dance, but it was just a question.Seeing that the gong started on the stage, Niu Baiwen snorted helplessly, and ran to the front and wanted to inquire about something. After a while, he ran back again in shock: "Boss Shang! Could it be that my eyes are dazzled! You know Who is sitting next to the Japanese? Why is Second Master Cheng there! Hey! Those soldiers are so fierce, I didn't dare to greet him!"

Shang Xirui reacted immediately to this sentence, hurriedly lifted the curtain to look down the stage, the lights were off, how could he see clearly?So he gave Xiao Lai some instructions, Xiao Lai stuffed the teapot into Niu Baiwen's hand, took off his sleeves and untied his braids, pretended to be an audience and walked down the stage, wandered around, came back and nodded to Shang Xirui.

Shang Xirui pulled down the curtain abruptly.

In the dark seats, Sakata and Cheng Fengtai were watching a play.Sakata's sitting posture was upright, Cheng Fengtai leaned on the back of the chair with his legs crossed, his brows were furrowed, and he looked a little impatient.Just now he stabbed Sakata with obvious words, saying that he brought so many soldiers to the theater, which seemed to have bad intentions.But Sakata said: "I heard that Mr. Cheng used to borrow many soldiers from Commander Cao to frighten the wicked in order to protect Boss Shang, so I think Chinese theaters don't shy away from soldiers." Cheng Fengtai's heart skipped a beat. Xirui has inquired so clearly about Xirui's affairs, and the plot inside is clearly revealed, and now he can't leave if he wants to, he is stuck on the back of a tiger, and is upset.When the play started, Sakata also started talking. He looked at the stage and whispered: "Major General Kutiao has been on the battlefield for two weeks. The battlefield is mostly mountain passes, traffic is blocked, and the mountains are closely connected. Even though the airport was opened, it was not open to traffic, and the ammunition supplies were often out of touch, which was very troublesome.”

Since Japan occupied the Northeast, Sakata began to learn Chinese, in order to be able to express his instructions to the Chinese fluently like today.His Chinese is much more formal than Yukinoyuki, and he even speaks in written language, with such an awkwardness, his voice is low, and it is difficult to hear it being pressed by the gongs and drums on the stage, but Cheng Fengtai heard every word , gloated at him.Sakata kept his eyes on, and then said: "As the retainers of the Kujo family, the Sakata family is already the ninth generation of me. It is not my duty to transport ammunition, but I have to solve this trouble for Major General Kujo. Therefore, the Beiping Chamber of Commerce recommended it to me. Mr. Cheng. They told me that the road paved by Mr. Cheng with silver dollars and gold bars can allow arms to reach the battlefield fifteen days earlier.”

Cheng Fengtai was so angry that he exploded.

"There are a lot of bandits and robbers on this road, caves and dense forests. Bandits have a geographical advantage, and they are not afraid of the army. The army is well equipped, and they are not afraid of bandits. However, it takes a lot of time to resist the harassment of bandits. Our time is extremely precious and cannot be wasted. I'm cleaning up bandits. I hope Mr. Cheng can help me." Sakata analyzed the situation, remembered that Cheng Fengtai was a businessman, and added: "Help me, I won't let you suffer."

Cheng Fengtai thought it over and said: "Mr. Sakata is too polite. So, you get the goods ready, and tomorrow I will call the men under my command to set off, and send a few soldiers to escort the car, so it's not difficult."

Sakata seemed to have expected that Cheng Fengtai would be so perfunctory, he turned his face sideways, his black eyes were gloomy: "Arms matter is very important, I can't trust those big guys, I hope Mr. Cheng will personally escort him."

Cheng Fengtai was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "I can't do it! That journey is not much easier than Tang Monk's study, I haven't left for many years, I'm afraid my bones can't handle it! These guys are old people, Sakata Don't worry, sir."

The eldest disciple of the Hou family left the stage after singing and replaced Shang Xirui, Sakata stopped talking, as if acquiescing to Cheng Fengtai's evasion, and looked intently at Shang Xirui on stage.Shang Xirui is dressed in a bright red military uniform, his crystal eyes are extra bright today, sweeping down the stage, majestic and intimidating, like the glaring arhats in the temple.

Liang Hongyu said: "Marshal Zhang is right. From my point of view, since the Jin soldiers invaded the Central Plains, all our generals have fought on their own and did not respond to each other. As a result, they have been defeated repeatedly. The Jin man saw that there was no one in my court. , So they went south again. Now, if we don't work together to plan a plan to break the gold, I'm afraid it will be too late when the lips die and the teeth are cold! Ah, Marshals, I think we are living in an important town, and we should treat it as a country. The most important thing is to save the people first. If you hesitate to wait and see and delay the military aircraft, you will be laughed at by the people of the world. Marshals, think again and think again!"

I don't know if Shang Xirui realized something was wrong when he read this passage in front of so many Japanese, or if he had turned into Liang Hongyu with all his body and mind, it was only right and proper to go into battle and kill the enemy, he would not have any worries.Cheng Fengtai and Niu Baiwen, one sitting in front of the stage and the other standing behind the stage, were shocked at the same time.After all, Niu Baiwen is just a low-level actor, he can't see through these political traps, he just feels terrified, while Cheng Fengtai stops breathing.He is a layman who came to grandma's house, how could he know that besides playing drums, Liang Hongyu's lines are actually like this!If he knows, he will mess up the show no matter what!This is clearly nothing more than obvious accusation and scolding!Cheng Fengtai didn't dare to look back at Sakata, for fear of showing off, but Sakata acted, he raised his hand, and soldiers immediately surrounded the stage.The seats fled in all directions shouting and screaming, but none of them escaped when they were hit by the barrel of a gun.

"After November, the literary and art circles in Peking forbid performances of sweeping the North and anti-Liao dramas." Sakata said: "Shang Xirui publicizes the idea of ​​uniting to resist Japan, he is not a good citizen." He couldn't get the pronunciation of the three words Shang Xirui , read extremely awkwardly.

Cheng Fengtai said: "Mr. Sakata has any advice, I will take it."

Sakata said: "Commander Cao is our friend. We have made an agreement that we will never harm his family."

On the stage, Liang Hongyu was still planning his overall anti-golden campaign, and remained calm.Shang Xirui has been singing opera for more than ten years, and he has never seen such a scene of indiscriminate bombing, no matter how vicious the Japanese soldiers are, in his eyes, they are not a dish.Han Shizhong faced the enemy ahead, it was Liang Hongyu who beat the drums to cheer him on.People in the world only know that Shang Xirui's martial arts is beautiful, but they don't know that his drum set is also a masterpiece, this is a handcraft that is in the same line as the cudgel technique, it's a test of hand skills, afraid of being learned by his peers, so it's rare to perform it.Sakata and Cheng Fengtai were secretly at war, they were not on stage, when Shang Xirui beat the drums, he listened in, admiring the concentration, even the eyes of the soldiers on standby were fixed, obviously freeing up their ears for on stage.The Japanese like to listen to drumming, which is actually true.On the contrary, Cheng Fengtai followed the drumbeat on the stage, and his heart was beating densely, Shang Xirui's drum hammer seemed to hit his chest, smashing his heart to pieces, the whole hero's end, filled with hatred and shortness of breath.Because of Commander Cao, Sakata was wary of Cheng Fengtai and played with Shang Xirui, that's nothing to worry about, the country has fallen into this state, life and death are written by the Japanese, and the size of the role is just a matter of human pens , what else can Cheng Fengtai think of.

Shang Xirui's drumming stopped, Cheng Fengtai's heart sank.

Cheng Fengtai said: "Since Mr. Sakata can't trust the guys, I'll take a trip."

Sakata stood up and applauded without answering.He didn't take off his military gloves, and clapped his hands muffledly, but then, the soldiers in the audience applauded together with Sakata, unusually neat.There was just such applause, but no applause, it was like a silent and eerie torrential downpour, cooling people down.

No need to listen to the next scene, Sakata put one hand on the box containing the vase, nodded and said: "Mr. Cheng, we have a happy cooperation."