Pingwang County in Jiangnan is a typical water town in the south of the Yangtze River, with crisscrossed rivers and dotted with lakes. Here there is a man named Jiang Liu, nicknamed "Hunjianglong". He is a famous water bandit in this area of Pingwang County. There are dozens of brothers and more than a dozen small boats underneath. They come and go on the river at high speed on weekdays, specializing in robbing the passing ships.
On this day, a subordinate came to report that there was an official ship coming from a distance! When Hun Jianglong heard this, he was overjoyed and said to a group of subordinates: "Brothers, have you heard this? Is there an official ship?" The boat is going to pass here, but we haven't sailed it for a long time, and I'm almost like a bird in my mouth. Brothers, sharpen the knives in your hands and follow me to slaughter the fat sheep."
At this time, he got on the boat. The old man said: "Dalong, I have inquired about it. The man on that official ship was an upright official named Feng Lian. He came to our Pingwang County to be the county magistrate."
Everyone stopped when they heard this. Hun Jianglong was also stunned by the movement. Speaking of Hunjianglong and his group of water bandits, they all come from poor families. Before they became water bandits, they were fishermen who had to work hard to make a living in the wind and waves. Although fishing every day is very hard, the family can still have enough to eat. Dress warmly and live happily.
But then a corrupt official came to Pingwang County. He imposed excessive taxes and excessive taxes, and the officials in the yamen had to pay for their jobs, making life miserable. Once, a corrupt official deliberately set up a pretext to collect fishing tax. If someone could not pay the money, the government officials would burn the boat. Hun Jianglong was so angry that he chopped down the government officials with a knife, and later led a group of people to become water bandits. .
Hun Jianglong and the others only fight against corrupt officials and not against honest officials, so they all agreed in advance: even if they become water bandits, they will only rob corrupt officials and people who are unkind for their wealth. They are not allowed to rob civilians, let alone honest officials. Because honest officials are a rare treasure these days. If all officials are honest officials, who would be willing to put their head on the waist of their pants and do such a thing as licking blood from the edge of a knife?
After everyone was quiet for a moment, Hun Jianglong asked: "How do you know that Feng Lian is an upright official?"
The old man replied: "This Feng Lian was a prefect before, and one of my nephews lives in his house. In my jurisdiction, I often heard him talk about Feng Lian's character, saying that he was clean and honest, and he was a rare good official. He just didn't want to join in with those corrupt officials and offended the people above him. , was sent to us as a county magistrate. But there is something strange..."
Hun Jianglong asked quickly: "What is it?"
The old man continued: "My nephew said that Feng Lian's grandfather and Both his fathers were officials, but for some unknown reason, his grandfather lost an eye and his father committed suicide. People say that the reason why Feng Lian is so honest is because he was frightened by his grandfather and father. . This is nothing, do you know what is even weirder?"
Hun Jianglong said impatiently: "You old man, don't show off here, tell me quickly!"
The old man continued: "Listen It is said that he has a treasure, which is a small wooden box. It is said that he carries it with him and holds it in his arms even when he sleeps. It is not an exaggeration to say that the wooden box is his cherished treasure. At that time, all the sundries were moved by his servants, but he refused to let anyone move the wooden box. He carried it onto the boat himself. "
Hun Jianglong laughed loudly when he heard this and said, "I understand. The ghost is in this box. Huh, no matter whether Feng Lian is an upright official or not, I have to give it a try. There are too many people who are duplicitous and duplicitous these days. I won't be willing to give it a try. "
Let's talk about Feng again. Lian's boat didn't stop all the way until almost noon when we found a sheltered place to stop the boat. The accompanying servants hurriedly cooked, while Feng Lian picked up a book and read it. Just when Feng Lian was engrossed in reading, he heard his subordinates shouting: "Who dares to approach the official ship? Leave quickly."
When Feng Lian heard this, he quickly put down the book and walked out of the cabin to take a look. He didn't know when a small boat came. , standing on the boat was an old fisherman wearing a bamboo hat and a coir raincoat.
Seeing the yamen officer asking, the old fisherman bowed and replied: "This official, I am a fisherman. I heard that Mr. Feng was passing by here and happened to catch a fat bass today. I came here specially. It’s my wish to give it to you, so that you can have a taste of it.” The old fisherman said and took out a big, lively bass from the fish basket. The fish weighed more than four kilograms and had a fat belly. .
Feng Lian hurriedly stepped forward, returned the gift with his hand, and said: "I have just arrived at Guibao Land. How can I trouble you to drive the boat and give the fish to me in person? I will accept your wish, but this fish is worth ten thousand dollars." You must not accept it!"
The old fisherman said: "I have long heard that Mr. Feng is a rare and upright official. Now that he has taken office in a remote place like ours, it is a blessing that we have cultivated in our previous life. In order to express my welcome to you, I will send you What does it have to do with a fish? If you don’t accept it today, I won’t leave.”
After hearing this, Feng Lian waved his hands and said, “What do you say, sir? I can accept this fish.” "Excuse me, but you have to accept this money." As he said this, Feng Lian took out a couple of silver coins from his sleeve, handed it to the old fisherman, and said with a smile: "If you don't accept it, that's it." You want to deliberately destroy my innocence!"
The old fisherman didn't insist anymore. He took the silver and handed the fish to a servant next to him, saying: "This sea bass is a unique local fish species. I guess your chef can't cook it. "If you don't mind, how about I cook some boiled seabass for you to taste?"
Feng Lian thanked you and said, "I'm sorry to bother you."
So Feng Lian continued to read in the cabin. The old fisherman was cooking fish in the back cabin of the boat. After a while, bursts of fragrance floated out from the back cabin. Everyone drooled when they smelled the smell of fish. This old fisherman was really good at this.
After a while, the old fisherman personally brought the braised seabass to the table and said respectfully: "Master Feng, please taste the specialties of our Pingwang County!"
Unexpectedly, Feng Lian didn't even raise his head, he stared at it intently. Looking at the book, he said: "Take it down for others to eat."
The old fisherman was stunned when he heard this, and asked doubtfully: "Do you think my cooking is not delicious?"
Feng Lian put down the book and said seriously. : "It's not because the fish you cook is not delicious, but it's because I have never heard of the fish you cook. It's really delicious. That's why I won't eat it. I just took office, and what I need now is to understand the sufferings of the local people. , You need to drink more bitter water, instead of tasting such delicacies when you first take office. Everyone will have desires. I am afraid that once I start this today, I will not be able to bear the suffering of the people in the future."
The old fisherman listened silently. Exit the cabin, drive the boat, and go far away.
After the boat made two turns in the river, the old fisherman stopped the boat in a reed swamp. I saw many small boats ambush in the reeds. On one of the large boats, Hun Jianglong was standing on the bow holding a steel knife.
The old fisherman, that is, the elderly water bandit, came to Hun Jianglong and explained the story of the fish donation in detail, and finally said: "I said before that this Master Feng is If you still don't believe in a rare honest official, you should believe it now!"
After hearing this, Hun Jianglong fell into deep thought and said after a while: "Is there really such an honest official in this world? No... Feng Lian? Didn’t he say it all? Everyone has desires. Since he admits this, who can guarantee that he will not be tempted by gold, silver and jewelry after taking office? Maybe he has looted a lot of treasures before, that wooden box There might be evidence of his corruption. No, I have to try it myself. I know the nature of these officials very well."
said that Feng Lian was about to take a rest after lunch when he heard the officer shouting outside the cabin. He said: "Who is coming? Please stop quickly."
The person who came back this time was none other than Hun Jianglong himself.He shouted loudly: "I am a citizen of Pingwang County. I heard that the adults are resting here. It happens that there is an ancient painting handed down from my ancestors in my home. I am a villager who does not understand this and is afraid of ruining it. Good thing, so I want to ask Mr. Feng to help me palm the eyes. "
Feng Lian was immediately interested when he heard it. He had no other hobbies in his life except calligraphy and painting. How could he not be happy to hear that Hun Jianglong had an ancient painting handed down from his ancestors? Please invite Hun Jianglong to board the big ship.
After Hun Jianglong got on the boat, he took off the wooden box behind his back, took out a scroll from it, and respectfully handed the painting to Feng Lian. Feng Lian took the scroll and opened it, and immediately took a breath: This turned out to be a painting "River Flowing" by the saint Wu Daozi , and it was undoubtedly authentic!
Feng Lian couldn't control himself. He lay on the scroll and looked at it inch by inch. He didn't say a word for a long time until Hun Jianglong interrupted him: "Master Feng, Master Feng, is this painting real?"
Feng Lian was frightened by this sudden question and trembled. He nodded hurriedly and said: "Really, really, I will never be wrong. This painting of yours is an authentic work of the painting saint Wu Daozi. Today, I It's an eye-opener!"
Hun Jianglong said with a sincere face: "You are a rough man. This painting is really ruined in my hands. I can't understand the quality of this painting, Mr. Feng. If you like it, just keep it, and you can help it find someone who knows how to appreciate it."
Feng Lian's face turned red when he heard this, and he was obviously extremely excited, but then he shook his head and said forcefully: "How could I? Stealing people's love? However, I have something to discuss with you."
Hun Jianglong quickly replied: "You're welcome, sir. As long as it's something that a villain can do, there's nothing wrong with it."
Feng Lian Bu. He said politely: "Can I borrow this painting for one night? Don't worry, I can only borrow it for one night. I will stop the boat here tonight and enjoy it carefully all night. Early tomorrow morning, Feng must return the jade intact to Zhao."
Hun Jianglong said nonchalantly: "Master Feng is joking, let alone borrowing it for one night, it doesn't matter if it is given to you."
Hun Jianglong immediately sailed away and entered Luwei. During the swing, he shouted loudly to his subordinates: "Let's do it at midnight tonight! Hmph, he is right, everyone has desires. I just tried it a little bit, and he showed his fox tail. Since he is interested in calligraphy and painting, then He was even more attracted to gold and silver. He said he was only borrowing it for one night, but he clearly didn’t want to return it. "
At midnight, everything was quiet, and Hun Jianglong led his men on more than a dozen boats. Like a ghost, he boarded the official ship silently. All the water bandits roared in unison, frightening the sleeping government officials out of their wits. Just as they were about to resist, steel knives were already placed on their necks.
After subduing the government officials, Hun Jianglong and his men entered the cabin with their faces covered, only to see Feng Lian sitting upright in official uniform, holding a lamp in this fashion, and under the lamp was the painting. Feng Lian was really obsessed with it. I haven't slept yet and am still admiring the paintings.
Seeing people breaking into the cabin with steel knives, Feng Lian's expression did not change and he asked sternly: "I am an official of the imperial court, what do you want to do?"
Hun Jianglong chuckled and said: "What do you think we want to do? Not yet. Hand over the gold and silver jewelry as soon as possible, or don't blame me for being cruel and throwing you into the river to feed the bastard."
Feng Lian shook his head and said: "It seems that I will definitely die today. Do you have the gold and silver jewelry you want?" . But before you return it, please promise me the next thing: This painting is not mine, it was borrowed by me and a friend. Can you wait until the friend comes to return the painting to him tomorrow morning? I won't blame you until I die. You can't be dishonest as a human being."
Hun Jianglong felt a thump in his heart, but then he hardened his heart and shouted sternly: "These days, people who talk about benevolence, justice and morality, but are full of men who steal and women who are prostitutes. I've seen too much, I can't believe what you say. "Search it for me!"
After a while, the water bandit found a small box. When Feng Lian saw it, he was about to rush over, but the water bandit on the side held him back with a knife.
Hun Jianglong was happy in his heart. He pointed at the box and said, "What's in this? Humph, now let me see if you are still tough on your tongue?" As he said that, Hun Jianglong took the box. As soon as he took the wooden box in his hand, his expression was: I was stunned for a moment and thought: No, this wooden box is too light. It doesn't look like it contains gold or silver at all.
Hun Jianglong then opened the wooden box and took a look. All the water bandits were stunned. There was not even a tael of silver in it, only a shiny awl and a piece of blood-stained cotton cloth.
Hun Jianglong was so angry that he pointed at the things in the wooden box and asked: "What is this?"
Feng Lian did not show off his anger and shouted sternly: "Don't be presumptuous! This is an heirloom of my Feng family. "Hurry up and put it down!"
Hun Jianglong cocked his head and said with a sneer: "What a heirloom! Come on, if you tell a lie, I will chop you into pieces and feed it to the fishes!" "
Feng Lian sighed and said calmly: "Okay, it doesn't matter if I just tell you about the awl inside..."
It turns out that Feng Lian's grandfather was also a county magistrate, and he was also strict at the time. He is self-disciplined and has a pure heart, but one time he couldn't help but accept a piece of beautiful jade from someone before hearing a case. As a result, when the case was being heard, he involuntarily favored the side that gave the jade. When he woke up afterwards, he regretted it so much that he blinded one of his eyes with the awl in the box.
His father later joined the court as an official, and also became a county magistrate. During his tenure as an official, he always kept in mind his grandfather's lessons. At the beginning, he was very diligent, as good as a mountain, and never raised a finger. But as time went by, his father became a little relaxed. Seeing that all his colleagues who were officials at the same time were getting promoted and made a fortune, his heart gradually became confused.
Until one time, someone gave him an authentic painting of Tang Bohu, and he finally became confused. Feng Lian's father was as obsessed with calligraphy and painting as he was! Then, during the trial of the case, Feng Lian's father misjudged the law. As the saying goes, this is what it means to take advantage of others when they are short-handed and soft-spoken.
The result of Feng Lian's father accepting the favor was that he deliberately favored the other party when deciding the case, causing the party who lost the case to suffer injustice. The other party was so angry that he committed suicide on the spot to show his innocence. Feng Lian's father just woke up from a dream, but he had already made a mistake and regretted it for eternity. In extreme remorse, he stabbed his own heart with this awl.
After Hun Jianglong asked, he was stunned. Feng Lian continued: "After this awl was passed to me, I regarded it as a treasure. The lessons learned by my grandfather and father were so painful that I dare not forget them at all times." "
Only then did Hun Jianglong and others finally understand what the strange thing that happened to Feng Lian's father and grandfather was about. Hun Jianglong picked up the blood-stained cotton cloth in the wooden box and asked curiously: "Then what does this mean?"
Feng Lian smiled miserably and said with a look of shame: "Everyone has desires. , I am no exception. When faced with gold, silver, jewelry, and rare treasures, I will inevitably be tempted. Fortunately, I have this family heirloom to remind me. Whenever I have any wrong thoughts, I will use an awl to hit them hard. Prick the thigh hard, and the cotton cloth is used to wipe the blood. To be honest, the ancient painting in front of you makes me excited, and I want to take it for myself..."
Suddenly Hun Jianglong remembered something and stepped forward. About to lift Feng Lian's clothes, Feng Lian exclaimed: "What do you want to do?"
Hun Jianglong waved his hand, and several water bandits directly held Feng Lian down to prevent him from moving. Hun Jianglong forcibly took off Feng Lian's legs. When they saw the back of Feng Lian's legs, everyone was shocked: Feng Lian's legs were stained with blood, one was a new wound, and another was scabbed. , more of an old scar. It turned out that Feng Lian had just stabbed himself with an awl!
Hun Jianglong helped Feng Lian up, took two steps back, and asked the water bandits to also take two steps back. Then they knelt down together and said: "The villain has wrongly blamed the adults." After saying this, he faced Feng Lian. He kowtowed, then stood up and led everyone out of the cabin without looking back. He got out of the cabin frame and got on the boat and left.
Everyone asked: "Where are we going?"
Hun Jianglong said in a deep voice: "We are not going anywhere. Let's go home and go fishing. From now on, we will be a happy fisherman and we will no longer have to lick blood with the blade of a knife. With such upright officials, our good days are coming. What kind of water bandits are there? I hope there are more such upright officials in the world, so there will be no more water bandits!”
End
Xiaoran wants to say: Desire is the source of human suffering. The heart of few desires will be pure. If there is a cause, there will be a result. Because the small result is big, don't do evil because it is small, and don't do good because it is small.
All greed is condensed bit by bit. A bite of fish may be greed. If you are used to eating delicacies, how can you still eat simple meals?
Feng Lian's grandfather and father both made one mistake and suffered eternal hatred. Because of their greed, other people suffered. Feng Lian remembers the teachings and dare not forget them. He always reminds himself with an awl. If every official had an awl by his side, wouldn't there be no more corrupt officials?
Let us give a thumbs up to an upright official like Feng Lian!
