Three years ago, when the mistress of the Shen family died of illness, the Shen family village invited Taoist priests from Yulingguan to come to the Taoist temple and promised to go to Yulingguan to fulfill their vows in three years. When the time came to fulfill the vows, the court summoned Shen Ping, Shen Ling, and Shen Di. Discussing how to get to Yuling Pass. Shen Ling said: "At this time, Song Jiang's army and Fang La's army are fighting at Yuling Pass. How can we get there? It's better to wait a little longer." Shen Di said, "What are you afraid of? I'm willing to go. That's it. If you make a promise but fail to fulfill it, you may be punished by God!" Shen Ling said: "It's just a little time off, that's okay!" Shen Di said anxiously: "What's okay? If it's slowed down, it's slowed down, what excuse are you looking for!"

One is named Xu, one is willing to go, one is flexible, and the other is stubborn. Shen Di said that Shen Ling was afraid of death, and Shen Ling said that Shen Di was looking for trouble. They argued for a long time, but no result was achieved. In the end, Chao Feng asked Shen Di to go alone. , told him to go and return quickly, and not to cause trouble on the way. Chao Feng said: "Taoist Master Shen Jingxuan of Xuanwu Palace is an old acquaintance of the Shen family. I will give this letter to you and give it to the Taoist priest, and he will make arrangements for himself. Don't do anything on the way. If you’re delayed, hurry up and come back!” The next day, Shen Di took out a bad horse from the stable. It was gray in color and very strong. It traveled five hundred miles a day. Shen Di took the package, silver coins, and a single sword on his shoulder, and flew on the horse. Wuzi went alone. He traveled for days and nights, and for three or four days, he arrived at the foot of Yuling Pass. The road was divided into two, one looked at Yuling Pass on the left, and the other looked at Xuanwu Palace on the right. He drove his horse and looked to the right. When he came up the mountain, he saw a palace in the distance, with bent pines and green cypresses. Behind the pines and cypresses was a Xuanwu Palace, and the main hall was dedicated to Emperor Xuanwu.

This Xuanwu Palace is hundreds of years old and was built by the ancestor of the Shen family. Entering the palace gate, he saw a Taoist boy. Shen Di stepped forward and asked, "I came to see Taoist Master Shen Jingxuan, how can I meet him?" The boy said: " Who are you and why are you here?" Shen Di respectfully handed over the letter and said: "I am Shen Di, the boss of the third young master of Shenjiazhuang, Dantu County. Three years ago, my mother died of illness, and I invited the Taoist priest from Xuanwu Palace to perform the ritual. Today My father sent me here to fulfill my wish." The boy said: "It turns out to be the young owner of Shenjiazhuang. Please rest for a moment and let me go in to report." Shen Di was waiting outside. After a while, the boy came out and said, "You follow me. "Come." Shen Di followed the boy into the hall and saw an old Taoist, with white hair and a boyish face, a Taoist bun on his head, a white robe, and a whisk in his hand, just like the white gold star descending to earth. Shen Di stepped forward to bow his head and presented a package of silver in both hands. The Taoist Master He called the boy over and collected the silver. After a brief exchange of greetings, Shen Di asked directly: "Dare you ask the chief, when will the ceremony be arranged?" The Taoist said: "Don't be anxious, let's discuss it. We have been in Shenjiazhuang before. If you want to do a death ceremony, you should do a blessing ceremony in the palace today. Your father has explained it in his letter. You should rest in the guest room first, ask the Taoist boy to prepare some things today, and do a complete set of rituals tomorrow. What do you think?" Shen Di He smiled and said: "It turns out that my father has already made an explanation. In that case, I will listen to the Taoist priest's arrangements." The boy led Shen Di to the guest room to rest.

To perform rituals, it is nothing more than writing talismans and cursing water, stepping on the pole, swallowing clouds and mist, and calling for wind and rain. Look at the main hall of Zhenwu Palace, with golden bells and jade chimes ringing harmoniously. Between the sky and the feet; the precious millet floats in the sky to see the wonderful appearance, and the pearls hold high the beautiful face of the sky; the clouds control the dragon and descend to the Dharma Realm, the wind, candles, and dragon lanterns reflect the treasure platform; the three realms and ten directions come together to pay homage, and the Pangliu Hong God fills the world. They circle in groups, slowly Pray the praises. The Taoist leader steps up and fights, the soul leaves the body, travels around the heaven, meets the green dragon, white tiger, red bird, Xuanwu, sees the Big Dipper and the twenty-eight constellations. He casts talismans and invites the gods and Emperor Zhenwu to come to the altar. Shen Di bows to the ground and bows his head. , receive the talismans with piety. This is exactly what it means, all the sorrows and troubles are gone, and joy and satisfaction come one after another. Shen Di followed the Taoist priest's instructions, recited the incantations and did things. After finishing the rituals and fulfilling his wish, it was already noon, Shen Di Anxious to rush back to Shenjiazhuang, the Taoist priest advised: "Today Fang La's army and Song Jiang's army are fighting in front of Yuling Pass, but they don't know what the situation is. It's better to rest during the day and rush on the road at night when there is no one. A lot of trouble." Shen Di secretly said: "When I came here, my father told me to listen to the Taoist Master's words." He then said, "I just listen to the Taoist Master's arrangements." The Taoist Master said, "leave Yuling Pass as soon as possible. Don't be too troublesome."

Shen Di responded casually: "No." In the middle of the night, Shen Di took the bad horse and left the Xuanwu Palace and went down to the foot of Yuling Pass. He saw a man, stumbling and staggering, coming down from Yuling Pass. He fell down on the roadside. Taking advantage of the moonlight, Shen Di looked at the man. He was more than seven feet tall. He was twenty-four or five years old. He was in military uniform. He had injuries on his shoulders. His face was sallow, his eyes were closed, and his teeth were clenched. , had passed out. At this time, Shen Di had already forgotten the Taoist Priest's instructions. Shen Di helped the man, but he couldn't help him, so he picked him up and put him on the horse. Go up. Shen Di also got on the horse and walked carefully. After walking out of Yulingguan, Shen Di rode hard and traveled day and night. In only two days and two nights, he arrived at Shenjiazhuang. After entering the village, Shen Di shouted loudly: "Second sister , come and save people!”

Caihong heard the sound and came to look for him. Shen Di had put the man on the bed in the guest room. Caihong asked: "Third brother, who are you trying to save?" Shen Di said: "I don't know who he was. He was rescued at Yuling Pass. He looks like A good man." Caihong walked to the bedside and saw that the man was unconscious, so he took his pulse, checked the wound, and said, "This man was wounded by an arrow, and he has applied gold gun medicine." He went to the man's side and pulled out the gold. He put the gunpowder under his nose, sniffed it, and said: "The gunpowder is a good medicine, but he lost too much blood, the wound was stained, and there was pus inside. No wonder he fell asleep. I'll go get the medicine and come back." ." Caihong took the medicine, made it into a soup, and poured it down from the man's mouth. After two hours, the man suddenly stood up and spurted out a large mouthful of thick blood. He vomited blood and fell down again. Caihong fell asleep. Caihong said happily: "Okay, just vomit it." Caihong opened the man's robe and opened the wound, only to see pus and blood pouring out. When the pus and blood drained out, Caihong called the banker to get it He brought some water, cleaned the wound, and applied it with the man's gold gun medicine. He called the banker and scrubbed the blood off the man's clothes. After another half an hour, the man gradually woke up.

Shen Di moved a stool, sat beside the bed, and asked: "You man, you look like an officer of the Song Dynasty in your attire." The man was still weak and groggy, and he said with difficulty: "That's right. I am a soldier of the Song Jiang Army. General Xue Yong, the former leader of the Liangshan Bo Infantry Army. Recently, he crossed the Yangtze River with Song Gongming's brother to conquer Fangla. When he attacked Yuling Pass, he was ambushed by Pang Wanchun. He was hit by an arrow in his shoulder and was crushed by a horse. He fainted. He died. He woke up at night, climbed out secretly in the dark, struggled down the mountain, and passed out on the roadside. Fortunately, the brave man rescued me and saved his life. I would like to thank the brave man for saving his life." Shen Di smiled and said: "It turns out to be General Xue. I'm sorry! General Xue has been sleeping. How did you know that I saved you?" "General Xue is still weak. Let's rest for the time being and talk to you tomorrow."

Shen Di, Shen Ling, and Shen Ping all came to see Xue Yong. Rainbow came every day, checking his pulse, changing medicine, and chatting. The next day, Xue Yong came down to the ground. He solemnly paid his respects to Rainbow and said: "Thank you second sister for saving your life!" Xue Yong followed Shen Di and called her second sister. Caihong was still young and couldn't stand others thanking her like this, so her face suddenly turned red and she hurriedly said: "Oh, little sister Zhesha" No thanks!" On the seventh or eighth day, when there was no need to change the dressing, Xue Yong walked out of the house and walked in the yard. He asked Cai Cai to take him and thanked him. On this day, after checking his pulse, Xue Yong asked: "Second sister "Can you take me for a walk outside the village?" Caihong said with a smile: "The general wanted to go, so my little sister followed him. Why bother asking me?" A handsome face turned red. Caihong carried a bamboo basket, and the basket He put a small shovel in the middle and concealed it: "I'll pick some herbs by the way."

Along the way, Caihong occasionally stopped to collect herbs. Some only picked leaves, some picked stems, and some shoveled out the roots. Xue Yong was stunned and said: "Second sister knows so many herbs, it's amazing Awesome! I know a few things, but I can only make golden gun medicine." Caihong said: "Your golden gun medicine is indeed a good medicine." He also said: "I have been collecting herbs with my father since I was a child, so I know a lot about this mountain. , there are herbal medicines everywhere." Xue Yong praised: "So, you have a family background. At such a young age, you can help people diagnose diseases, which is amazing!" Caihong smiled and said: "It's not just me who diagnoses and treats diseases. . Sometimes it’s my father who diagnoses me, and sometimes it’s me who diagnoses you. You were rescued by Third Brother, who likes to send me. Third Brother sent me, so I have to come.” Xue Yong deliberately joked: “Did you know it’s fate?” Rainbow He said angrily: "Don't talk nonsense!" He blushed in embarrassment and turned his face away.

Rainbow combed her hair back, tied it into a loose bun, and wore a light red collared shirt with narrow sleeves, showing off her exquisite figure. Although she is only fourteen years old, her figure has just begun to grow, and she looks like she is sixteen or seventeen years old. Xue Yong's complexion was getting better and his complexion was slightly yellow. He wore a new white gauze robe sent by Shen Ling. Shen Ling made a new white gauze robe and made an extra collar to give to Xue Yong to wear in the future. When I saw the rainbow, I was heartbroken. Thinking: This Xue Yong is a very energetic and polite person. I wanted to cure his illness, and he thanked me again and again. Thinking like this, his face turned red again for no reason.

The two people came to the valley and looked back, only to see: There was a large villa with green mountains at its back. It was surrounded by stone walls and dozens of camphor trees outside the walls. Outside the villa gate, there was a stream with gurgling water. It winds past the door. There is a canyon in front of the village, and a road passes through the canyon, looking out. On the edge of the yard: water chestnuts and geese, mulberry elms and swallow beams; a border of spring leek green, ten miles of rice flowers, and chickens and dogs. He and Wen, Geng and Zhi were busy with their own business. Xue Yong looked at it and felt happy in his heart. Xue Yong turned his head and looked at the rainbow, but he saw: as pretty as a peach in three springs, as pure as a chrysanthemum in nine autumns; there is delicacy hidden in the corners of the eyebrows and eyes, and his voice and smile are revealed Gentle. Catching a glimpse of Xue Yong looking at her, Caihong blushed with embarrassment and turned away, pretending to look for herbs.

There was a rustling sound on a row of camphor trees on the side of the mountain, and a skinny little girl shuttled between the branches. Rainbow shouted: "Black Cherry, wild monkey, come down quickly." The skinny girl did not come down, but just laughed on the tree, but she saw She shuttled among the branches and disappeared all the way. Caihong said: "This girl is also named Shen, and her name is Shen Yingying. She is the daughter of Shen Qi, a farmer in the village. She is eight years old and very naughty. Her parents don't care much. , just born and bred, everything is decided by herself. She wanders around all day long, climbs on the trees to play with the hozens, and dives into the water like a catfish. Because she is tanned, people call her Black Cherry, also Call her a wild monkey." Xue Yong was shocked and said: "There is such a strange woman in Shenjiazhuang, she is really like a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger!"

Shen Ling returned to Zhuangshang from Dantu County and came to look for Xue Yong. Shen Ling was six feet five inches tall, fair-skinned, without much beard, and elegant in appearance. He was about thirty years old. He asked: "There is a man in Song Jiang's army. , I wonder if my dear brother recognizes the one called Yang Zhi?” County. How is he now?" Shen Ling said: "There are rumors in Dantu County these days that Yang Zhi has just passed away." Xue Yong heard this and said sadly: "I once had Yang Zhi's envoy teach me how to use the sword, and my martial arts improved. Changjin. Now that he has gone, let me go to his grave to worship." Shen Ling prepared a pig's head, a basket of fruits and a jug of wine, went to the stable and took out two horses, and the two rode to Dantu County. , asked people, came to the cemetery outside the city, and worshiped in front of Yang Zhixin's grave.

When he passed by a blacksmith shop on his way back, he saw two people forging iron, one was a middle-aged man and the other was a young man. Xue Yong dismounted and asked, "Is there any good iron in the waiting room?" The two men stopped what they were doing. Seeing two guests arriving, both wearing new white silk robes, he hurriedly agreed: "Sir, please sit down, what kind of equipment do you want to hit?" Xue Yong said: "To hit a scimitar, my scimitar was lost at Yuling Pass." The middle-aged waiter was startled and said, "Wait a moment, sir. I'll come as soon as I can." After a while, he took out a scimitar from it and pulled it out of the wooden scabbard with a wheeze. Xue Yong and Shen Ling After looking at it, he saw the knife: the cold light was dazzling and the cold air invaded people. Xue Yong was startled and said: "What a knife! How much do you want to sell it for?" The middle-aged man said: "This knife is called the Mongolian Bend. A merchant brought the knife back from the north and put it on consignment here for me. He told me that if anyone wants to use a scimitar, sell it to him. The merchant actually wants five taels of silver and will not bargain." Xue Yong took the scimitar and withdrew it. After a few steps, he retreated to the open space and waved the knife. Feeling that he could take advantage of it, he kept saying: "Good knife! Good knife!" Seeing that Xue Yong liked it, Shen Ling took out the money and paid the bill. Xue Yong hurriedly said: " What's the point of asking the second brother to spend money?" Shen Ling said: "What is this little money worth! As the saying goes, a good horse goes with a good saddle. This knife is a perfect match for you." Xue Yong had to thank him. The man left the blacksmith shop and rode back to Shenjiazhuang.

On this day, Chaofeng sent the villager to look for him. Xue Yong followed the villager to the main hall and greeted him. The three brothers of the Shen family had been waiting for a long time. After some greetings, they each sat down. Chaofeng ordered the villager to serve tea. Chaofeng said: "I see The general's spirit is shining, it must be that the wound has healed." Xue Yong quickly stood up and saluted: "Thank you, Mr. Chaofeng, Xiao Ke's wound has healed." Chaofeng said: "General, I have already thanked you. Please sit down, don't be polite or disrespectful. A lot." Xue Yong said: "The grace of saving my life is unforgettable!" Xue Yong turned around, saluted Shen Di and said, "Thank you so much, third brother! If it hadn't been for third brother's righteousness in rescuing me and rushing back for treatment at starry night, I would have become Yuling. Shut down the lonely souls and wild ghosts." Xue Yong followed Caihong and called Shen Di as his third brother. Shen Di said: "What's it worth? It's a casual thing, it's not worth mentioning! If you always thank me, it's a good relationship." Xue Yong said: " According to Third Brother, it's just a convenience; according to me, it's a great life-saving favor!" Then he turned around, bowed to the court and said, "I also want to thank Second Sister for prescribing prescriptions for Xiao Ke, checking his pulse and changing medicine every day. , Xiao Ke will be cured."

Chao Feng smiled and said: "I was about to talk about the rainbow, but you mentioned it first. Let me ask you, where are you from, how young are you, have you ever been married?" , never married." Chao Feng said: "General, are you willing to stay in Shenjiazhuang?" He is a ghost of the Shen family, and he is willing to bring trouble to the Shen family. Xiao Ke just listens to Chao Feng's orders. He will stay when Chao Feng tells him to stay, and he will leave when Chao Feng tells him to leave." Chao Feng said: "You say this, but it's as if I have forced you to stay. I I just heard that you and Caihong are very fond of each other. They get along with each other every day and have endless things to say. I want to betroth Caihong to you. I wonder what the general wants?" Xue Yong said: "It's just that the second sister is still young and has not been married yet. Age." Chao Feng said: "Let's make a marriage contract first. When she turns sixteen, the marriage can be consummated." After hearing this, Xue Yong was overjoyed and fell on the ground, thanking him repeatedly. Chao Feng said with a smile: "Get up now. It's settled. If you want to get married, you two can see each other every day, and no one in the village will dare to gossip anymore." Since both Xue Yong's parents died, it was up to Chaofeng to make the decision, with Shen Ping, Shen Ling, and Shen Di as witnesses, and they found a The person who wrote the document came and the marriage contract was made immediately.

This Xue Yong is from Luoyang. His grandfather worked as an officer in front of Lao Zhong, the Prime Minister, but he was not promoted because he offended his colleagues. His father killed pigs for a living. His mother died young, so he followed his grandfather since he was a child. He grew up in the army and practiced training at the age of eight.

He practiced boxing at the age of ten and practiced swordsmanship at the age of twelve. When he was sixteen, his grandfather and father both died. From then on, he lived in the world, playing sticks and selling medicine to make a living. Because he was a righteous man, he had a bad reputation in the world, and was called a big bug.

When he was seven years old, he met Song Jiang and Mu Chun in Jieyang Town, and they made a big fuss in Jiangzhou. They went to Liangshan together and served as the commander of the Scimitar Battalion of the Peking Army. After the imperial court recruited peace, he followed Song Gongming's brother to conquer Liao, conquer Tianhu, and conquer Wang Qing.

Conquered Fangla, fought for many years, and moved around various places. Now we can settle down.

Xue Yong settled in Shenjiazhuang. On that day, Caihong accompanied him to wander in the village and saw a martial arts field next to the village. It was very sparse. Xue Yong said: "How can there be a martial arts field in the village?" Caihong said: "There was an old man in the village.

Martial arts masters teach villagers during the off-season, and farmers practice martial arts, which is nothing more than guns, sticks, swords, horseback riding and archery. After the old martial arts master passed away, because there was no one to teach the villagers, farmers became lazy, and the martial arts field became deserted." Xue Yong left on a whim.

Entering the martial arts field, I took off my robe, went to the gun and stick stand to get a stick, and used it to wield the sword. Just as I was doing it smoothly, someone suddenly praised: "What a stick technique!"

I saw an indigo shadow rolling in. When Xue Yong looked intently, it was Shen Di, wearing an indigo jacket and trousers, carrying a thick iron fork, and jumped into the field, shouting: "I

Come and fight with you." It turned out that Shen Di heard Zhuang Ke's words that Xue Yong was wielding a stick in the martial arts arena and hurried over with an iron fork. He saw Shen Di's long arms and big hands, as big as bear paws, and he raised the iron fork.

An iron fork was wielded like a lantern grass. Xue Yong cheered: "What a fierce general! I am of low ability, how dare I fight with the third brother." Shen Di said: "I haven't met my opponent for a long time, but today I met him.

How can we miss it! Brother-in-law, there is no need to be humble. You and I will fight for a while first." Shen Di stabbed with his fork, but Xue Yong had no choice but to raise his stick to meet him, and the two of them started to fight.

I saw two people, each showing their life skills, coming and going, four arms and two weapons, one stick going straight to the forehead, and the other fork never leaving the heart; one was brave and fierce, like the wrath of a giant spirit god; the other was dexterous.

They circle around like poisonous snakes spitting messages; a pair of tigers compete for food, making a loud noise; two dragons compete for treasure, stirring up waves; one rushes and the other moves lightly. For a time, the weapons on the martial arts field intersect with each other, clanking, clanging, and clanking.

The shouts were like thunder, and the earth shook. Caihong watched from the sidelines with his heart beating wildly and his legs weak. He scratched his head and scratched his head anxiously and shouted: "Third brother, don't hurt Xue Yong!" He looked at it and shouted again.

"Xue Yong, don't hurt my third brother!" At some point, more than a dozen people gradually gathered on the sidelines to watch the two of them fight. Everyone outside the court stared blankly, smacked their tongues, and cheered: "

I never imagined that two heroes could be so heroic!"

The two fought until they were over forty years old. Xue Yong had just recovered from a serious illness and had lost his strength. Shen Di stretched out his long arm, grabbed the stick, and snatched it away. Xue Yong had to let go and jumped out of the circle.

He shouted: "Third brother, you are so powerful! I'm ashamed, I lost." Shen Di put away the steel fork and shouted: "Brother-in-law, don't be too modest. You are so slippery, I tried to snatch your stick several times, but you escaped.

"!"

Before they got married, Shen Di called Xue Yong "brother-in-law" early on. Shen Di shouted: "It's so fun! It's so fun to fight!" The two cherished each other, and a good man knows a good man. From then on, they competed with guns and sticks in the martial arts field every day.

They competed in martial arts, and each of them improved greatly.
Chapter completed!