Chapter 17

There are only a few days left until the end of the year. On this day, Jia Fu went to Zhen's dock with her mother.

Not only are there shipyards where boats are built or repaired, but there is also a large area of ​​shanty towns. The Zhen family is kind, and their ancestors built houses here for the poor sailors and boatmen who went to sea for the Zhen family, so that they could have a place to stay after they landed. Later, those people married and started a family. The more, by the time of Jiafu's father, there were already hundreds of families living here. Three years ago, the families of the sailors and boatmen who went to sea with their father and did not return are still taken in here today. The widows rely on the dock to do odd jobs to survive. Although the life is difficult, at least there are roof tiles on their heads. It can keep out the wind and rain, and it can also support itself and the children. In recent years, at the end of each year, Mrs. Meng will come here in person to give

orphan

The widows distributed rice and meat, and each family sent two danglings of money, so that they could also celebrate the New Year.

Jiafu accompanies her mother every year, and this year too. After visiting the orphans and widows, when I left the dock, I suddenly remembered the young man I met and brought back for treatment that night a few months ago. Dock steward.

The steward didn't think of it at first, but there were really too many people doing chores. After a while, he patted his head and said, "I remember! That kid that Butler Zhang called for delivery! It's been rescued. , the illness is healed. Now he is working in the dock. I will call him and ask him to kowtow to the little lady?"

Jiafu said: "It's good to save it. I just remembered it and asked a question. You don't need to ask him to come here."

The steward smiled and said, "The little lady is kind, and she still remembers him. It's also because that boy was lucky. When he met you at that time, he saved his life. If the Jin family were like that, I don't know which fish belly was buried in by now. ."

He does not mean that. Jiafu was touched by the sentence "Buried in the belly of a fish", and when she thought of her father, her mood went down. The steward said his words, and immediately realized his blunder, he slapped his mouth with force, and hurriedly bowed to apologize: "Blame me for talking nonsense. Don't blame me, little lady."

Knowing that he was also unintentional, Jiafu smiled slightly, and turned to see that her mother and her party had arrived at the door of the dock.

The dock is in port, the sea breeze is always strong, and the opening is even more windy here. Just as Jiafu passed a shelf on the side of the road that was used to fasten log piles, a gust of wind blew over.

The shelves have been standing here for a long time, and the ropes at the joints have been rotted by wind and rain, but they have not been replaced in time. When the wind blows, the shelves squeak and shake, and the ropes suddenly burst open. The log, which was even taller than Fu, rolled down and rushed towards Jiafu.

The log was just transported a few days ago for use, and had not been towed away in time. It was not very thick, only the diameter of the mouth of the bowl. But even so, so many logs poured down together, and if they were pressed down, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Jiafu was looking down at the road. At first, she didn't pay attention to the movement on the side. When she realized that the situation was not right, she couldn't react, so she stayed where she was.

Mrs. Meng was standing at the gate of the dock, talking to Zhang Da and others while waiting for her daughter to come up. Suddenly, she heard a strange noise behind her. She turned her head and looked away. Zhang Da and others also noticed and reacted. Immediately rushed over, but it was too late. Seeing that Jiafu was about to be smashed by the piles of fallen wood, just at the critical moment, a young man in ragged clothes suddenly ran out from the side. As fast as a flash of lightning, he rushed to Jiafu's side in a blink of an eye. Just before the first log rolled to Jiafu's feet, Kankan grabbed her waist and led her to the side. . The two fell to the ground together.

Zhang Da and others rushed to the front, the fixed log of the fixed log, the rescuer of the rescuer, and the port of the dock became a mess.

Madam Meng's face was pale in fright, she ran to the front, separated the crowd, saw the young man lying on the ground, and tightly protected her daughter under her body, hurriedly rushed over, and said: "Afu! Afu! Good? Are you okay? Don't scare your mother!"

The young man was moving so fast that Jiafu was a little dizzy and was thrown under him. Only now did he come back to his senses, and when he heard his mother's voice, he opened his eyes and said in a trembling voice, "Mother, I'm fine. I'm fine..."

The boy quickly got up from her and squeezed out of the crowd. Mrs. Meng and Zhang Da were concerned about Jia Fu. They didn't pay much attention to him at first. They only helped Jia Fu to get up from the ground. Seeing that she was covered with some mud on the ground, except for her dress, her face turned pale with fright. Except for the color, the rest of the body was indeed uninjured, which was a sigh of relief.

Madam Meng was in shock. She hugged Jia Fu, and she didn't know how many times she recited the Buddha. After hearing Zhang Da scolding the dock steward for being negligent in taking precautions, she suddenly remembered the young man who had just rescued her daughter. The man helped Jiafu to get into the carriage and rested first, then walked over by himself, stopped the young man, and glanced at him. He was dressed in rags, it was winter, and there were only a pair of straw sandals with holes on his feet, and his face was covered with mud. , but looking closely, his appearance is very handsome, and he doesn't think he is dirty. He grabbed his hand and said, "Good boy, thanks to you today! What's your name? Which household's child is it?"

Zhang Da catches up, looking at this young man, he always feels a little familiar, but he can't remember where he's seen it for a while. But since he appeared here, he was naturally working in his own dock. Seeing that the young man was silent, he turned to the dock manager.

The steward saw that due to his negligence, he had almost caused a catastrophe, his face was pale, and he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "He is the kid who was sent by the little lady a few months ago. At that time, he was about to die of illness, because I remember the little lady and the Butler, your advice has been to treat him with care, and after he is rescued, ask him to do some odd jobs inside."

Only then did Zhang Da remember, glanced at the boy, and briefly explained to Madam Meng what happened to be brought back to him earlier. Mrs. Meng was very grateful and praised him constantly. After saying a few words, she noticed the agility of the young man when he had just rushed out. She just lowered her head and stood motionless without saying a word, staring blankly. Stayed, he looked at the steward in confusion.

The steward said: "Mrs. Qi, this kid is dumb and can't speak. Maybe it was because he had a fever that time, and his brain is not very flexible." .

Mrs. Meng sighed, even more pity, hurriedly stopped the steward, and sighed: "You can see the kindness of this child. I don't know what to do, but I still remember the fact that Afu saved him, and I have to pay it back regardless of my life. Well, I think he looks handsome too. If he is with his parents, he doesn't know what the baby is. I think he was kidnapped and abducted. He gave him thick new clothes and new shoes, and repeatedly told him to treat him well in the future and not to bully him. The steward repeatedly agreed.

After Mrs. Meng said a few more words, Fang let go of the boy's hand, turned back, and got into the carriage, saying to Jiafu, "Poor this child, he is dumb and not very smart."

Jia Fu had rested for a while in the carriage, and people gradually calmed down from the huge shock just now. Seeing his mother let go of him, he turned around again, lowered his head and continued to walk forward - Jia Fu stared at his back, always felt that his steps were a little stiff, staggering slightly, and the skill when he rushed out to save himself earlier. If the two of them hesitated for a while, asked their mother to wait a moment, got off the carriage again, quickly chased after them, and stopped the boy.

The young man raised his eyes and saw her coming, as if he was slightly startled, but there was still no expression on his face.

Jiafu smiled at him and said softly, "Your foot was hurt just now? I see you are a little constrained when you walk."

Teenagers should not.

"Can you understand what I'm saying?" Jiafu's voice became softer and she walked closer to him, "If you get hurt, just say it and don't be afraid."

She got close. The young man seemed to smell the fragrance from her body, the fragrance seemed to be absent, but it quietly penetrated into his heart, and the smell of the salty air that he had gradually become accustomed to was like this. It was different, even more different from the precious incense and rouge powder that he was familiar with that permeated the orchid room of Huawu.

His ears turned slightly red involuntarily. Fortunately, her face was covered in mud and she couldn't see it.

He shook his head, lowered his head to avoid her, and walked quickly past her.

Jiafu turned her head and stared at his feet, and saw a bright red blood oozing out of the soles of the soles, which had only been worn down to a layer of grass tendons.

"You stop!"

She stopped her again.

Zhang Da caught up and took off the boy's shoes.

A little finger-long bamboo stick, like a sharp knife, pierced deeply into the sole of his foot.

Facing the distressed gaze cast by Jiafu, the boy's eyes, which always seemed to be covered with shadows, gradually revealed bright colors.

He shook his head gently and smiled.

A subtle expression that flashed by and was only captured by her.

...

The New Year's Eve of the third year of Yongxi has just passed. The old year was over, and the people in Quanzhou were still beating gongs and dancing to encourage lions and dragons. On the third day of the first lunar month, Jiafu got news.

People came from Quanzhou Prefecture and conveyed an order from above, asking the Zhen family to list and report all the undocumented people they used over the years, especially the youth who seemed to be between thirteen and fourteen years old. can not be less. If it is concealed and not reported, if it is verified by the government, it will be severely punished.

The visitor and Zhang Da have always had a deep friendship. After passing the order, he screened the others, and bit his ear to Zhang Dao: "This boss is not a simple boss, it's Jin Yiwei... Here is a man named Wang, I heard that he is a very powerful character. , I don't know what to say. When our adults came out, I saw his face turned green. The Jin family's dock and boats used an inexplicable amount of coolies. I don't know how powerful they were. It's okay, unfortunately, a few people were called away last night, and those who were undocumented were still alive. When I came out, my stomach was all over the floor. I would never tell anyone this. But your Zhen family has a big business, so over the years, it is inevitable that you will use a few undocumented people. I can't bear to see you suffer too. I just said a few more words. Remember not to spread the word!"

Zhang Da sent the person away, turned around and reported to Mrs. Hu. The old lady looked solemn, and immediately asked him to make a roster, and report all the undocumented people, including boats, docks, transporters, as well as craftsmen and laymen in the docks, and the people were also jailed. can not be less.

Madam Meng was at the side at the time, and after she came back, she mentioned a word to Jiafu and sighed: "I don't know what happened, which made me panic. You must keep your brother under custody these few days, lest he go out and run around. In case of trouble."

After Mrs. Meng finished speaking, she hurried away. Jaffe was also a little uneasy.

According to the shipyard steward, the young man was not only dumb, but also had no brains.

But Jiafu had a feeling that the boy might not really be out of his mind.

When she was in danger that day, when the boy rolled her out and fell to the ground, regardless of his skill, at that moment, their eyes met for a short time.

At that time, although she was frightened and dumbfounded, her hands and feet did not obey, but he looked at her eyes, she still remembered clearly at this moment, black and white.

There was a slight smile on his face after being found with a foot injury. At that time, his eyes shone like the sun, and even the dust on his face couldn't hide the brilliance and aura in his eyes.

To say that he is not smart, Jiafu really doesn't feel like it.

If he did it on purpose, what was it for? What's the secret behind this young man? Just after the new year, the government has come to such an action, is it really related to this young man?

Jiafu remembered Xiao Yintang's inexplicable appearance, and the scene she met when she passed Fuming Island. The appearance of the little novices who were locked away by iron chains was vivid in her mind.

I don't know if the group of Jinyiwei is the same group as this Lord Wang who came to Quanzhou.

After listening to his grandmother's order, Zhang Da will definitely record this young man in the roster.

Out of a clear feeling that it is difficult for her to tell, Jiafu didn't want this. She suddenly worried about the boy.

But she also knew that her grandmother was right. Jinyiwei is like a wolf and a tiger, and they are all-pervasive. If they dare to be a little tricky in the Zhen family, if they are found out, the consequences will be disastrous.

Jiafu wanted to tell him the news and let him leave quietly as soon as possible. But hesitant.

After a night of hesitation, the next day, finally couldn't help but go to Zhang Da, pretending to inquire about the boy's foot injury.

Zhang Da glanced at Jiafu and said carefully: "Little lady, I was busy the other day, so I forgot to tell you. That kid died on New Year's Eve. Someone saw him going to the beach alone, and he jumped off and never came up again. , I haven't seen anyone in the dock these days, but the bedding and the new clothes are scattered, just like I woke up in the middle of the night and got up and walked away. Frightened, I went out in a daze and jumped into the sea..."

Jia Fu was surprised and sad.

She was only worried that he might be in danger, but she never thought that he would die on New Year's Eve.

For some reason, the unexpected death of this young man who was a stranger to her and who was rescued by accident made her feel so annoyed.

Perhaps it was at the beginning that the dying boy's eyes full of will to survive made her feel the same way. Or maybe it was a few days ago, after he used his teenage thin body to shield her from danger, when he left silently alone, the lonely back with a slightly staggering footsteps made her unforgettable.

She stayed for a while, suppressing the sadness in her heart, and said, "Uncle Zhang, please ask someone to burn two incense sticks for him."

Zhang Dao: "Uncle remember. Don't be sad, little lady."

Jiafu smiled and nodded.

...

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, there are still two days until the Lantern Festival. But in Quanzhou City, lanterns have been hung in front of every house. At night, the lanterns and the bright moon complement each other, and the city is filled with a festive atmosphere.

In stark contrast to the scene in the city, there is the silent unmanned port outside the city.

It was a clear, late night, with the bright moon hanging in the sky, a young man sitting alone on the seawall, his figure engulfed in the shadow of the night. The sea breeze was blowing on his face, and he remained motionless, facing the rising night tide, with a lonely back.

Suddenly, he quickly took off his clothes and shoes, and jumped, like a stone, and fell into the night tide.

After a while, with the sound of "crashing" slightly breaking the water, the boy's head was exposed from the water. He waved his arm and hit the water a few times, and then he leaned against the dam with something in his hand.

It was a square-shaped thing wrapped in soft cooked cowhide, the size of the palm of the hand, and it was wet. It was held in the boy's hand and dripped continuously.

This winter in Quanzhou, most of the days are wet and cold, but the teenager does not seem to feel the biting cold of the sea. He slowly untied the cowhide, staring at the thing in his palm.

One side of the jade seal, with five dragons in New York City, is engraved with the eight-character seal script "Ordered by the sky, longevity and prosperous". They are all reflected in the color of translucent pale flesh.

This is the jade seal of the country after the Qin Dynasty, the most important weapon of the country. For thousands of years, there has been no change, and the emperors of all dynasties have all regarded it as the destiny.

The Great Wei established the country, and Taizu took the opportunity to get the jade seal of the country. He was ecstatic and hid it in the Yuanshi Hall in the palace. Every time the sacrificial ceremony was held, the seal was affixed to the edict of sacrificing heaven, so as to show his destiny. return.

Today's Yongxi Emperor, at the beginning of his ascension to the throne, the reason why the voices of doubts continued is because he lacks the jade seal of the country that represents the emperor's authority.

It is said that after the young emperor Xiao Yu fell from a horse and died on the hunting ground, the jade seal that was passed down from the country was also bizarrely missing.

On the side of this dam, people come and go during the day, and no one would have thought that for the past three years, it has been wrapped in this piece of cowhide and hidden in a hole eroded by the sea below.

The daily ebb and flow, it quietly and lonely guarding the darkness, just like its owner, this young man.

The young man stared at the jade seal in his hand for a long time, then he hooked his lips mockingly, and said to himself: "What's the use of me keeping you? Why don't I send you away with the tide, and from now on, you can travel around the world without restraint. It’s better than hiding and not seeing the sun all year round!”

He climbed back to the seawall, stood up high, raised his arms violently, and was about to throw the jade seal in his hand towards the night tide under the moonlight.

Once it enters the sea, the tide is turbulent, and after it is swept away, this thing will sink into the sea forever and never return.