朱壽笑道:「我手執一子、掌藏兩子。最後兩着中,我每手下了三顆黑子,共下了六目棋。」任永細看棋盤,果然發現有不對路的地方。若朱壽不是行奸,黑子永無勝機。任永笑道:「將軍奇謀,草民佩服。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA37Y48gkLZJ
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朱壽移動棋盤中的黑白兩子,把棋子位置回復如初:1322Please respect copyright.PENANALp8wuvBeJe
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朱壽指着棋盤右下角至中圈一大片黑子道:「大明江山。」又指着右上角白子道:「韃靼。」亦指左上角白子道:「安化王朱寘鐇。」朱壽轉指左下角,問道:「任弟可知這片領地所屬?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA6pGxvcP9ti
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任永想:「白子全是大明的敵人,安化王朱寘鐇七年前造反不成被誅滅,韃靼連年犯邊。兩處白子勢力強悍如此,原來各自代表着西北的安化王與北方的韃靼。」又想:「朱將軍詢問左下角白子勢力所屬,剛剛我在左下角的白子被朱將軍輕鬆收拾,看來敵人身處大明西南。大明西南方叛亂且勢力較弱的敵人只有……」任永大叫:「苗人!」朱壽笑着點頭。1322Please respect copyright.PENANANe6vPcAIji
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朱壽指着代表大明江山的黑子,當中包圍着一小片白子敵人,再道:「任弟猜猜,誰有種在我大明山河中搗亂?」任永慢慢尋思,憶起當日朱壽在泉州的說話,叫道:「寧王!」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAxtLLaROjjV
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朱壽笑聲更大,站在一旁的談瑾也點頭讚賞。朱壽從懷中拿出一份公文,交到任永手上。任永細看之,公文上首句寫道:「右副都御史、江西巡撫孫燧頓首啟奏我皇萬歲,寧王久畜異志,意圖謀反……」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAnXNqCc2Wbr
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任永焦點落在「我皇萬歲」四字,手中不停抖震,說道:「這這……這是給聖上的奏摺……大將軍是當今聖上!」朱壽哈哈大笑,說道:「群臣反對朕自封鎮國公、威武大將軍,任弟有何見解?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA7bvHaJOZpo
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任永意想不到眼前的年輕少年是正德皇帝朱厚照,後世追封他的廟號為明武宗。任永想:「難怪邢兄有皇上令牌,大將軍即是當今聖上,我可不能亂說話。江湖人士皆說皇上性子古怪,常常出入豹房,好酒好色,不上朝、不理國事、愛出巡,想不到還假裝大官,化名朱壽。」又想:「坊間對皇上的評價不盡不實,皇上對國事看通看透,不是庸材。他既有此問,我一定要迎着他的意思,不能讓皇上不高興。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAxUKkA5RE3K
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任永答道:「這個大將軍封得好,唐太宗李世民即皇帝位前,也被他父親封為『天策上將』。皇上自封自官,比唐太宗更勝一籌。」朱壽大喜,笑不攏嘴,連談瑾也不禁笑了。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAh6IdXidXs1
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朱壽向談瑾示意,談瑾收起棋子和棋盤。朱壽交給任永一支硃筆,說道:「我通常不會自稱朕,喜歡別人叫我大將軍。」任永接過硃筆,說道:「大將軍說的是。」朱壽笑道:「孫燧上奏,要我派兵對付寧王。你代我做皇帝,想好回應孫燧的辦法,自行寫下聖旨。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAW6sbZAdRuV
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任永大驚,手中抖震,心想:「聖上性子怪癖,果然非比等閒,談瑾老伯要我揣摩上意,我可不能自作主張。」想起剛才朱壽下棋時,故意不理會代表寧王的白子,於是道:「大明東北、西北、東南皆有患亂,草民思索一番後,認為大將軍不能和寧王反面。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAkKVkvhsgsx
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朱壽道:「沒錯,寧王是本將軍的長輩,雖然多做小動作,欲派人統一嶺南,福建的江湖人士,又在民間假借我的名義作壞事,但我大明連連征戰,山東、陝西等地不時有民眾叛亂,實在無暇分心。如出兵攻伐寧王,其他王爺便會以為我要削藩。屆時諸王聯手,本將軍萬難對付。」任永想:「寧王大公子朱勝勾結廣州派張熹,意圖一統『嶺南十五派』,原來是想收為作亂之用。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA3RJguKcO43
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任永附和道:「說得對。大將軍剛剛一直等候,待代表寧王的白子發難片刻,才出手攻擊。一旦寧王舉事,大將軍出師有名,各王爺東顧西盼,自然不會相助寧王。」朱壽問道:「假如你是皇帝,會如何回應孫燧?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAIXPTJ8UWcS
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任永答道:「我讓孫燧不能輕舉妄動,時刻監視寧王。」朱壽道:「傳朕旨,你寫下。朕要斥罵孫燧離間朕和寧王的宗室感情,念在孫燧過去有功,朕罰他自領杖責二十,停俸三月。」話中忽然改稱「朕」,又返回皇帝身份。任永想:「皇上可比我厲害得多,他假裝責備孫燧,迷惑寧王,讓他大意不備。我的建議卻膚淺至極。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANARAbKh9EUXC
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任永依言寫下,把公文交給談瑾。朱壽再次遞上兩份奏摺,任永看了看,又是臣子勸皇上對寧王用兵的奏章。朱壽詢問任永意見,任永知情識趣,笑道:「王陽明公然斥罵寧王,論罪當罰。念在過去有功,杖責即可。」朱壽道:「沒錯,王守仁其心可誅。朕大仁大義,貶他離京,讓他巡撫江西南贛,授他兵權,從宜行事。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAbztxFuPUmK
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任永想:「皇上心意可真難猜,我說杖責,他說貶官。貶官之餘,又授王陽明兵權,防備寧王。皇上剛剛下棋使奸,偷下四子,就是在暗裡安排對付寧王的人馬。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAeAbkIyM4GW
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任永拿起另一份奏摺,說道:「這是河南知府伍文定的上疏。小小知府如此狂妄,不如貶他到江西去。」朱壽笑道:「任弟說得好,朕貶他到江西吉安去。」如是這二人一唱一和,任永代皇帝批了五六份相似內容的奏摺,然後將其交給談瑾。1322Please respect copyright.PENANA98NRRt9jb9
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朱壽道:「邢弟把你介紹給本將軍,果是不錯。」任永道:「草民見識疏淺,代大將軍批示臣下,實在罪該萬死。」朱壽笑道:「不用死,本將軍給你立功機會。你代我完成一個任務後,本將軍封你為……」朱壽想了想,說道:「封你為『天策將軍』,任永領旨。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAc2WmMxIBnA
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任永慌忙跪下,朱壽道:「朕命你作為朕的代表,出席在京師舉辦的『諸王論武大會』,奪得勝利。得勝後,朕封你為『天策將軍』,兵部尚書馬昂任你處置。」任永想:「皇帝親自下旨,我想不從也難。但他出頭讓我報仇,我不能不參加這個大會。」當下叩頭謝恩。朱壽再道:「本將軍有要事跟日本貢使商討,談先生帶任弟到別堂,向任弟訴說大會一切事宜。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAn2v1ujeHOJ
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任永和談瑾叩拜離去,到了別的房間。二人坐定後,談瑾道:「剛才表現尚可,言語沒重大過失,就是有一不對之處。」任永道:「請先生指教。」談瑾道:「小兄弟不應執筆批紅。就算要批,每寫幾字、每書一句,也要問明皇上意思。」任永道:「先生教訓得是。」心想:「人言大明宦官亂政,我看宦官個個害怕皇帝。皇帝要是下旨,就算宦官權力多大,立時會被誅殺。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAjO71lVGAwk
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談瑾道:「珣兒說寧王任命法宏大師參加『諸王論武大會』。這個大會中,七位王爺和皇上各派一名平民代表,比武奪帥。當官的不能參加,故此「南國二雄」不能代聖上參與大會。」任永道:「我與法宏和尚打得平分秋色,恐怕再比一場,亦是如此。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAkpTg5XZzLk
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談瑾道:「不能平手,非勝不可。」任永驚道:「我是皇上的代表,若不能勝出……」談瑾笑道:「不必擔心,賽制和流程都由皇上安排,我們佔盡天時地利人和,應該無事。」任永想:「這不是跟細川高國一樣嗎?看來為政者,必先立己於不敗之地。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA1UhdMntd9i
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任永道:「皇上要我在大會中壓抑寧王氣焰,對不對?」談瑾笑道:「也許。九十多年前,成祖皇帝創下『諸王論武大會』。王爺若得勝,可得封地若干;皇帝若得勝,賞各王爺千金。祖制如此,當今皇上不能更改,但皇上不想增添寧王封土,助長他的勢力,所以你不可落敗。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAfzIEmQCTn5
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任永問道:「成祖皇帝何以立下這個奇怪的大會?」談瑾道:「你可知道成祖皇帝如何得到天下?」任永道:「成祖皇帝的身份本來是燕王,他以『清君側,靖國難』為口號,起兵犯上……」本想說「犯上作亂」,但當今聖上是成祖後人,這樣說之不妥。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAGmvhSFKrqH
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談瑾道:「大將軍不在,你直言無妨。你不敢說,我代你說。」任永道:「還是先生開口比較好。」談瑾笑道:「大明開國皇帝是太祖。太祖死後,建文皇帝即位,當時的成祖皇帝本來是王爺,封地在燕,故曰燕王。」談瑾又道:「燕王後來造反,推翻了建文皇帝,自立為皇,是為成祖。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAl4quuMWrdl
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任永道:「等等,建文皇帝身邊的侍衛……麥萬鼎……喬萬鼎帶着建文皇帝南逃,就是因為成祖皇帝奪位。」談瑾道:「我聽說失去江山的建文皇帝和親信麥萬鼎逃至南海,出家為僧。成祖派鄭和七下西洋,其中一個原因,就是為了得知建文皇帝的死活,以絕後患。」任永想:「建文皇帝失去山河,心灰已冷,做了和尚。喬老忠心不二,拜他為師,跟着前任皇帝出家。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA9sCLDIIIZH
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任永再三思索,驚道:「寧王要找『凝命神寶』,即是建文皇帝的遺物,先生知道否?」談瑾道:「當今皇上也知道。建文皇帝被成祖奪去江山,建文舊部多歸於山林、隱姓埋名,有言道只要有人尋得建文皇帝的傳國玉璽,或曰傳國玉寶,即是『凝命神寶』,建文舊部便會奉那人為首,群起作亂。」又道:「寧王想以玉璽為助,借建文舊部後人之力,推翻當今皇上。幸好寧王只有半塊玉寶,又不知道號召建文舊部之物,還有『凝命寶刀』。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA6ejfJjUgVq
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任永道:「寧王已知寶刀的存在。」談瑾驚道:「當真?」任永後悔隨口說出,心想:「方頴把喬老自序交給『江西三友』的李士實,我不可將此事告訴他。」於是道:「我剛從江西而來,道聽途說的。」談瑾道:「待會我須將此事告訴大將軍。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAsppXVPomJ9
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談瑾又道:「成祖皇帝得天下後,創立『諸王論武大會』,每八年舉行一次。每年由七位王爺和皇上各派平民代表一人,比武論會,用以測試各王爺的忠誠,各王爺不得不參加。一屆大會後,另一屆由另外七位王爺作賽,所以每位王爺一生中都有幾次參賽經驗。今年參加大會的七位王爺中,寧王是其中之一。」任永明白大概,說道:「誰敢打倒皇帝的手下,那位王爺一定有苦頭吃。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAWTJczS32nZ
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談瑾笑道:「你太少看成祖皇帝。當年有一位王爺稱病不出,成祖皇帝以不君的藉口削了他的爵位。仁宗皇帝更厲害,漢王手下三招內敗於仁宗皇帝的代表,仁宗皇帝大罵漢王為了討好自己,沒盡全力,假裝慘敗,居心叵測,嚇得漢王自願領罪,交出一半封地。」任永驚道:「伴君如伴虎,就是這個道理。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA9LndecN4ap
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談瑾道:「當今皇上深得為帝之道。從前皇上要殺臣子,表面裝作寬厚,不理朝政,實際假手我劉瑾害人,使我成為眾矢之的,群臣不向皇上問罪。皇上和我又演戲一場,貶去前朝顧命元老劉健、謝遷等。後來群臣怨聲載道,皇上下令殺我,暗中要珣兒救我。嘻嘻,朝中沒有大太監劉瑾,還有張永。群臣不知道內監是我大明支柱,出將議政間,宦官直接向皇上負責。就算沒了一個劉瑾,還有千千萬萬個劉瑾。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA1JYNjAE6oi
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談瑾忽然問道:「邢珣和徐璉,你認為皇上較喜歡任用何人?」任永大概明白朱壽性格,說道:「徐璉!」談瑾道:「沒錯,珣兒仁而愛人。當年我代皇上誅殺大臣,珣兒偷偷救走那些臣子的兒女,又常常與市井之人交往,只要對方武功不差,珣兒一定交上。璉兒則不同,他不結交朋黨,處事為達目的,在所不計,毫不留情,深得皇上重用。這兩人足可成為你的借鏡,你代皇上參加大會,好自為之。」任永想:「這個大會我非勝不可。唉,我還想自由自處,豈知遇上當今皇帝。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZPygXclxi
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一輪話後,任永自行返回大廳。邢珣向任永道:「朱將軍派我護送任兄弟上京,請問蘇姑娘來了沒?」任永直言蘇寧霜自行北去,邢珣一臉失望。任永道:「我倆患難之交,今番終無阻礙,不如一起把酒言歡。」邢珣大聲讚同。宋素卿忽道:「我也想跟邢兄和任兄弟同往。」任永和邢珣異口同聲說好。1322Please respect copyright.PENANACcUq4n8SrQ
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三人來到酒家,邢珣花費二十兩,喚醒掌櫃與小二,命兩人上酒。宋素卿自執一埕,直接倒酒入喉,也不使用桌上酒碗酒杯。任永和邢珣甚感奇怪,宋素卿一路上大有不快,喃喃自語。任永忽然想起一事,問道:「江姑娘何在?」酒力上揚,宋素卿臉上極紅,說道:「她跟了皇上,即是朱壽大將軍,似乎很高興,叫我不用等她。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA9aDTE2tSIG
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邢珣用碗盛酒,喝了一口後道:「大將軍愛美色,江姑娘美若天仙,恐怕……」任永以杯盛酒,亦喝了一口,說道:「不會的,江希遙在路上常常提起宋兄。」宋素卿灌酒入腸,臉上通紅一片,說道:「任兄弟不明,希遙幼時被禁足,年輕男子只遇過我一個。這是因為高國大人命我教她漢文,才有機會與她日久生情,互相傾慕。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAmPShu0HW9z
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宋素卿喝畢一埕,又拿起另一埕道:「希遙最喜歡銀子,亦渴望有權有勢。大明境內,誰會比皇上更合她的條件?我乃天下之苦命人也。」宋素卿微有醉意。邢珣捨卻酒碗,拿起一埕,倒酒入喉後,說道:「好!宋弟乃有情人,邢某捨命陪君子!」宋素卿問道:「莫非邢兄遇上情事?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAFMOoLC4sx0
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邢珣提起酒埕,倒酒大喝,說道:「邢某行走江湖五十餘年,喜歡交上武功高強之輩,但從未遇上一位姑娘,可以與我大戰多個回合。」任永道:「邢兄所指的是蘇寧霜?」邢珣喝乾了一埕,說道:「宋弟與江姑娘相戀多時,我卻碰了大壁,被蘇姑娘一口拒絕。」宋素卿醉道:「好!你我皆是苦命人。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAw24jaqBiBx
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任永驚道:「難道她有意中人?」邢珣臉上微紅,說道:「我問過,蘇姑娘不答,但她神色扭捏,應該心有所屬。」任永提起酒杯道:「邢兄有勇氣向意中人表白,我任永自愧不如。」邢珣與宋素卿各抬起一埕,任永仍握酒杯,不太合興,於是跟二人一樣提起酒埕,三人以埕相碰,當作乾杯。1322Please respect copyright.PENANA9yQMQjypqz
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三人分別喝了兩三埕酒,醺意大盛。宋素卿醉道:「方姑娘好得很啊……跟了我上船……我問……問她有沒有思念任兄弟……她說或許……」任永聽後,一口氣把埕中酒水全都倒進口中,弄得衣衫盡濕,笑道:「哈哈,或許,哈哈……」邢珣醉道:「即是有……還是沒有……小二沒酒了!」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAmF19wO9NJA
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任永酒力最淺,臉上極紅,醉道:「來酒……她說或許……即是或許……哈哈……」宋素卿頭腦暈眩、睜不開眼,說道:「姑娘們心意真難猜……」邢珣亦感暈厥,笑道:「我們皆……不如……結為兄弟。」任永伏在桌上笑道:「我年紀小……宋兄是二哥……邢兄是大哥。」宋素卿道:「好……」三人乾了一口酒當作儀式,各自喝得銘鼎大醉,未幾紛紛伏在桌上,由掌櫃與小二抬入房間中。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAB0wUJrAi7P
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任永一覺醒來,頭痛欲裂,眼前一位女子相貌映入眼簾。任永道:「方姑娘……」定神一看,那人卻是方婷。任永凝視與方頴生得一模一樣的方婷,剎起冒起擁抱她的衝動。方婷被臉上盛紅,面紅耳赤。任永忽然驚醒:「這神態,不是方頴。」於是輕推方婷,坐起說道:「小妹妹為何在此?」方婷道:「任大哥喝醉了,正午都來了。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAFIpOUzT8CG
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任永道:「邢兄和宋兄呢?」方婷道:「邢珣不是敵人嗎?怎麼會說護送我們上京,是不是騙任大哥自投羅網?」任永想:「是皇帝防我逃走才對。」再道:「邢兄沒惡意,現在是我的好友,你要叫他邢大哥。宋兄呢?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAlLp2EDfobi
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方婷道:「你說那位日本商團的宋先生,他要我傳話,說要先……找……」忽然用手掩面,全身彈起,伸出舌頭道:「哎呀……我忘了。」任永想:「蘇寧雪說得不錯,要小妹妹傳話,實是難過登天。宋兄一定去找江希遙,我亦不用作江希遙的嚮導,但皇帝委託要務,到頭來也要上京,真是造化弄人。」方婷仍在思索,任永笑道:「我問邢大哥,也是一樣。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAY11KHCO4ov
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任永從床上站起,看見桌面置有一碟,碟上盛有一尾大魚。大魚沒有散發氣味,想是由今早開始擺放,直到正午。任永如臨大敵,驚道:「死……好丫頭又弄了『美食』,我真是前世……得修,今生大有口福。」方婷臉頰極紅,說道:「任大哥快快嚐嚐。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANABplQmXMdlC
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任永腦中細思,表情忽然變得嚴肅,正色道:「我和邢大哥昨晚結義為兄弟。作為小弟,我沒甚麼孝敬大哥,你快快將『美食』交他品嚐品嚐。」方婷轉轉眼睛,搖頭道:「我不依,你要先吃。」任永強笑道:「兄弟如手足,邢大哥吃,等於我吃。邢大哥吃得愈多,我愈高興。以我任永之能,只能吃雞骨。邢大哥功力非凡、齒力旺盛,可以表演吃魚骨。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAUuAiCbElxo
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方婷伸指摸摸面頰,說道:「是這樣啊……」任永心中緊張,害怕方婷鬧別彆。幸好方婷面露笑容,喜道:「我代任大哥孝敬邢大哥,也是好事。」話後高高興興地捧着碟子找邢珣去。1322Please respect copyright.PENANANN3vd5lpi7
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任永、方婷和邢珣整頓一番後,同步上路。方婷背着寶劍,手執一支花朵,一個兒快樂地走到前頭。邢珣刻意墮後,向任永道:「我倆結義不久,三弟一大早就送來厚禮,真是好事多為。」任永苦笑道:「大哥息怒,小弟是逼不得已。」邢珣笑道:「好啊,你可否對天發誓,說你沒有指使方婷那娃娃嚷着叫我表演吃魚骨。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAC7hntILS7L
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任永笑了數聲,說道:「大哥功力非凡,齒力驚人,必能化骨為碎。」邢珣道:「我痛忍噁氣,幫你吃了那垃圾,你如何報答我?」任永伸出一臂,輕聲說道:「請大哥責罰,我不會運功抵抗。」邢珣急抓任永肩頭,大叫道:「方婷妹妹!」方婷輕輕轉身,手中花朵微碰俏臉,實是美麗動人。任永本想掙扎,見方婷回過頭來,眼睛碌碌,不欲發作。方婷呆呆地道:「邢大哥有何吩咐?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAusPgZ5R8P3
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邢珣笑道:「任弟說今天未能吃大魚,十分可惜。下次他要吃更大的一……一頭龜!還要表演吃……吃龜殼!」方婷喜道:「當真?」邢珣運功制住任永,不讓任永發聲。任永運起內力抵抗,邢珣輕聲道:「你這奸賊,居然食言。」任永面容古怪,輕聲道:「大哥這樣報仇,小弟受之有愧。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAoTbyuTJ7pU
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方婷臉上生出數個問號,說道:「任大哥真的能吃龜殼?」邢珣搶口道:「你大哥功力非凡,齒力驚人,必能化殼為碎。三弟,大哥說得對嗎?」任永正想反對,見方婷神色楚楚,強笑道:「大哥說得好,小弟得嚐『美食』,真是三生有幸,四生有福,五生六生,生生不息。」邢珣鬆開雙手,哈哈大笑,方婷亦燦爛地笑起來。任永乾笑數聲,急急說道:「邢大哥也要表演吃龜殼,小妹妹不能弄一隻龜來,這叫好事成雙。」邢珣暗使重拳,偷襲任永背心,任永吃痛,怪叫一聲。1322Please respect copyright.PENANArqurTsjvz2
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往北京的路上,任永和邢珣害怕方婷煮下的「美食」,於是連成一線,同舟共濟,比方婷更早起床,先一步用飯,然後不斷趕路。到了晚上,二人合謀練武,吃龜之事不了了之。渡長江至安慶府後,每到一城,任永便與方婷遊玩一番。1322Please respect copyright.PENANARbZG7aBjFR
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一天,任永凝視頭帶花圈,天天掛着笑容的方婷,心想:「不像不像,方頴不是這樣。」邢珣向任永道:「方小妹妹似乎對你有意,三弟那天說的方姑娘是她,還是另一位?」任永答道:「另一位。」邢珣笑道:「我看二人一個樣子,三弟可聊解相思。」任永道:「不同不同,一舉一動完全相反。」邢珣嘆道:「三弟天天可見心上人面貌,我卻不知蘇姑娘身在何方。」任永道:「有緣總會相見,大哥不用灰心。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAoxXsWHxmIQ
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是日來到濟南府,任永多月不見方頴,實在難解相思之苦。方婷在大街中東奔西跑,好動活潑。要是方頴,她必定不作一聲,呆若木雞,安安靜靜地站到一旁。任永大皺眉頭,說道:「小妹妹過來。」方婷來到任永面前,說:「怎麼了?」任永道:「我們不如一起看戲子。」方婷眉開眼笑,大力點頭。任永又道:「不過我要看看小妹妹會不會演。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAad7bsUHUbD
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方婷呆呆地道:「不是要看別人演戲嗎?何解大哥要看我的?」任永道:「如果戲子連小妹妹也比不上,我們就不用看了。我說個表情,你來當。」方婷點點頭。任永想:「若我立刻要她扮作方頴,她必會拆穿我的用意。現下先讓她當別的樣子。」邢珣插口道:「扮作一名老頭。」任永想:「邢大哥看破我的用意。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANALDznIyrkpC
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方婷彎腰扮作駝背狀,引得任永和邢珣發笑。任永和邢珣連續要她扮成幾個樣子,方婷古靈精怪,全都演得不像樣。任永見時機成熟,輕拉邢珣衣袖,示意要認真開口,再道:「小妹妹試試穩穩站着,扮一個喪去父母的孤兒。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAelr2xKBeO0
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方婷笑容立收,面上血色全無,頓時顯出與方頴五六分相似的神色。任永呆呆地瞧着方婷,一眼不眨,再道:「你眼神……要做一個漠視眾人的眼色,頭向右微側。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANARHsti1Bxzd
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方婷眼睛停止碌碌轉動,現出一剎眼光如電的目光。任永大口張開,神情激動,內心大喊:「真像、真像……方頴,你知我在想你嗎?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAdFwDskNY2F
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霎時間,方婷眼眶轉紅,伏到任永懷中大哭。任永忙道:「怎麼了?怎麼了?」方婷哭了良久,才道:「爹爹……娘……」任永大感自責:「她本來就是孤女,我要她扮作失去雙親的孤兒,真是禽獸不如。」當下三人一同看戲,方婷不久忘去愁意,臉上重現笑盈盈的神情。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAL4P5RzNXEI
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戲後,為了安慰方婷,任永親自購買兩串糖葫蘆送她。方婷喜道:「我不主動開口,還以為任大哥忘了,下次要吃四串。」任永點頭同意。乘着方婷邊吃邊看攤販的時候,邢珣拉開任永,輕聲道:「大哥所見,方妹妹對三弟日久生情、泥足深陷,三弟如何處理?」任永嘆了口氣,不作回答。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAswM8KGbc1L
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數月後,三人終於來到北京。邢珣為任永和方婷安排住處報,獨自進宮面聖。1322Please respect copyright.PENANArCa5Um0w8g
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任永和方婷在街上逛閒,北京城繁華至極,行人商賈落繹不絕,儒生士人隨處可見。任永想:「由江西至北京,我刻意拖慢了許多腳步。怎料到達京師後,距離『諸王論武大會』仍有七日時間。邢大哥不在,我逼着與方婷小妹妹獨處七天。若她向我表示情意,我可沒法招架。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAmR9TUCbO14
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方婷拉拉任永衣袖,說道:「任大哥,該去哪兒玩玩?」任永道:「小妹妹知道大哥要參加比武,這天要練練刀法,你自己……」方婷長嘴一嘟,一臉不快,任永忙改口道:「你跟我一起修練吧。」方婷喜道:「大哥陪我練武,當然好。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAvLUCM6DaFX
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任永和方婷的暫居地由邢珣安排,地方甚大。二人攜武來到了住處旁的花園,找了一片空地。任永抽出短弓,說道:「進招,不比內力。」在天廷山上,方頴與任永練武前,曾短短說這一句,現下任永重覆此言,不禁有點惻然。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAwsVZTvl8S6
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方婷拔出「耀陽劍」,迅間挺劍朝天,任永眼中盡見方頴身影,不自主地呆呆愣住。定神之後,任永頓感雙目刺眼,手未抬,身亦未動,方婷劍尖已指到任永喉頸。方婷收劍而站,笑道:「我勝了。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAQMiYudC6rX
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此情此景,歷歷在目。任永苦笑道:「我沒有凝神,大意起來。小妹妹應該責備我,說『請專注一點』才對。」方婷嗔道:「我不會罵任大哥,姐姐才會說這些話來。」任永想:「沒錯,這話正是方頴所說。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAl5AkiCaczl
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二人再次比試。方婷獲江希遙口授內功心法,每晚皆有練習。被軟禁在寧王府期間,方婷閒來無事,向旁人借來一劍,旦夕修練「天公劍法」。於是任永所見,方婷招招凌厲,與從前大有不同。任永不禁心驚:「小妹妹沒有懶惰,我可不能輸她。」四招過後,方婷長劍脫手,任永輕易得勝。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAJlWFxRWrSs
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任永想:「出手始終太慢,慢了許多。」其實方婷使劍並非緩慢,但任永曾連續四十多次敗在方頴手上,相較之下,方頴使劍更快。方婷嚷道:「任大哥要讓我。」任永笑道:「我已手下留情。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAHI7oiqUZUW
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方婷道:「我教大哥一個法子,這是姐姐發明的讓招方法。」任永問道:「甚麼法門?」方婷道:「姐姐經常在兩招內打倒我,於是她站着不動,手握劍身,以半把木劍跟我對招。任大哥想不想試試?」任永道:「你姐姐做到的事,我當然要試。」方婷笑道:「雙腳一動,你就輸了,不能抵賴。」任永點頭同意,心想:「方頴想得出這種法子,難怪她的武功如此了得。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANA9yrG0rwrSF
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二人再次比試。方婷急攻數劍,任永僅握半身弓臂,施出「月明星稀」守禦。方婷攻了八十多次,任永守了八十多手。任永暗暗心驚:「這劍法當真厲害,可惜小妹妹功力尚淺。」方婷久攻無果,忽然收招,說道:「任大哥不進攻,全取守勢,不公平。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAdm8Lawd17b
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任永笑道:「我知道『天公劍法』有六十三式,為何來來去去只使八九招?」方婷道:「師父教了我九式而已。她曾說過,她自己僅懂十七招。」任永問道:「為甚麼?」方婷道:「我不知道啊。」又道:「姐姐會搶攻的,任大哥不可再守。」任永望了望短弓,心想:「這種比法,我如何進攻?」1322Please respect copyright.PENANAKVxhJZLecC
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任永有了主意,待方婷再次攻擊,立時揮弓交叉前劈,逼開方婷,同時使出「朔望回歸」,把弓前擲。方婷手腕被短弓擊中,寶劍下地,幸好任永施力甚輕,方婷不致受傷。短弓在空中折返,回到任永手上。任永想:「原來不難,剛才不敢搶攻而已。」於是道:「再來。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANADIWV3v3HaZ
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方婷不甘再敗,急施劍招。任永以「沉天蝕日」反擊,短弓前、後、左、右,四方八面狂揮。方婷難以招架,身子被任永弓臂輕點數次。二人進行了三十多次練習,任永勝了三十多次,但方婷仍無倦意,愈鬥愈起勁。第三十八場,方婷已能和任永拆上十一二個回合。任永想:「小妹妹潛質果比方頴優厚許多。不過方頴用了速成之法,內功修至第四層。小妹妹要追上姐姐,必定不可能。」1322Please respect copyright.PENANATMCDUSENap
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第二天,兩人再次拆招練習。方婷施劍愈來愈了得,大有蘇寧雪的影子。任永欲試試自己功力,於是不求速速打倒方婷,反而將所悟「徐家刀法」第二十一式至第五十四式打了幾遍。第三天下午,任永向方婷道:「小妹妹,我們練劍已久,不如練練內功。」方婷大聲讚同,於是二人打坐地上,閉目吐納,直至深夜。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAJcwBjdX8ZJ
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時已三更,任永張開雙眼,見方婷伏地睡覺,也不吵醒她。忽見一道身子瘦削、個子較矮的黑影飛過,往自己居室奔去,於是持弓追趕那人。那人身穿黑衣、面蒙黑布、沒持兵刃,發覺任永尾隨,立伸重掌攻擊。1322Please respect copyright.PENANAjtX9fZjYX2
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