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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAFGihgCzlLG
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAqlUjjssJrP
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAr1iToUlYFG
朱壽移動棋盤中的黑白兩子,把棋子位置回復如初:1359Please respect copyright.PENANADLTKU2iMBN
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAdv95BW3mNT
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAl3vr7NjWDW
白白白白白白白白白1359Please respect copyright.PENANACvqfFiZWhi
白白白白白白白白白1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMnGHhph4SW
白白白白白白白白白1359Please respect copyright.PENANAKVEzeJbf3Y
白白黑白白黑黑白黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANAyqlr4XB2sG
白白黑黑黑黑黑黑黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZI0HYnvIw
白白黑黑黑黑黑黑黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANAxGIofbGgAY
白黑黑黑白白黑黑黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANAnVaGYvdyoD
白黑黑黑黑黑黑黑黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANAQDHI8GEsoI
白白白黑黑黑黑黑黑1359Please respect copyright.PENANArfbMkLAnIy
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAme50eem6M5
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAm6sFxXTzue
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANANEwuMdpkC3
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA63wb7iiC2r
1359Please respect copyright.PENANARCI7E5PEz9
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANA34Hsxuh5hT
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAQja3Mf98cr
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAA32TncfKbU
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!」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAttFoTCIQtV
1359Please respect copyright.PENANANK1BnZ7zUi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANATUCTEGXzOD
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……」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAAp5L5pVSFi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAFUn7Yg1PAP
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAfo5K3EcQ6r
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANActJ7spWrQK
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ddy6tVzMU
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAplHUC2Fdi1
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANA73kB6U2Xgz
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAz3jktsSct4
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAO9a2pUKnFf
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANANj0uCrtuON
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA3OeMv1LAuQ
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAhZRK7F9n9C
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANARwf4NvrrPR
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAJ02tWHCo5D
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA2SZWp2SXhQ
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMI7Ud1FGqq
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAQz3OJ5qThA
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8eVbZrBtQ
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZY7SeLYCya
1359Please respect copyright.PENANADmx049OOnx
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAvYzjhzXhAM
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANABtifoZSiKC
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAYqvexO0x9b
1359Please respect copyright.PENANALtfNZsSpvt
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAf1MrlzVdYM
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAlugfsW9eQk
1359Please respect copyright.PENANASJfJoYMcFq
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAjVGyzj76mL
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMKZOb22ZO5
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwWN2AtJdzM
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANApHfjz9zaU0
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAk6qBIGVii3
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZNMsFY63bE
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANA351cmrDCwY
1359Please respect copyright.PENANANhipxbqcVJ
1359Please respect copyright.PENANARxHmUlr6OI
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAUIH3WNn9Om
1359Please respect copyright.PENANASzyGgWGxRW
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA7aTo38teg8
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAC2pV6baeSo
1359Please respect copyright.PENANANmljjLwy7t
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAWK3dalczsI
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANATZexWOqAyG
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA4pVnRZgILA
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwrEVfB1miV
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAgrF3AzfbIy
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAum1dUaT5ga
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAnx7bDI2vR3
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAFMgDrST4ZV
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAdMTUcatejL
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0GdZ3Kw1p
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAjWYqDgJfQi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAKR95NMxI5W
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAOSNuDEVmEl
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANASivb3lvIyk
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAbV1MfTIJJj
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAxNIJqYn1t0
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANA0B8qD39yQ0
1359Please respect copyright.PENANARdh3FYSAEB
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAG7jX4QcJkv
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAE4gxHJvAH8
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAiN92AICyeb
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAX1bgzyIcHC
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』。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAkuAmru2wDz
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAPtOLf9WZT9
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAyi35K4YhBs
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAN4hUn0BB4m
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAlaHQp62Jqt
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAkCXhXt0XT1
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANApy51XmirbE
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAm131M7HW8L
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA9YWQiyvHJ0
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9Uyc4Hnzv
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAF8XOuOvt4l
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAkx8xp4fK89
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAP3bgMGthJd
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAhKqFiToJJg
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAoghpalorlA
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAGwHfH3tU1a
1359Please respect copyright.PENANATdLkosmLnF
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAFAFLycPWYA
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANARB9geFmmGi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwNw4DbOXKM
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAkT6zz7XcI8
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANA2kHasxUA7K
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAjwrP0VJrdX
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAL6FnStVBlg
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAeAf6q20Sbd
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAJn5xpww8Qc
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAXuTQOOboBd
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANArakRdiSnt8
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAsqiyPxUGlv
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA1ooLcsBMUf
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAhkwdL5t9ZA
1359Please respect copyright.PENANArjnalqfA86
1359Please respect copyright.PENANABKLwBUSDkh
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZFl2cd9OTQ
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAXLzoTnXVcI
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAr5fvEJXJdj
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!」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAgiiz0hZfFw
1359Please respect copyright.PENANABnDdJVObX9
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAKC7OXUWjZO
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANApO3JT3oWHd
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAVYHKEAfVtU
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAYV8TgwM0Fn
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANA0INOYpBQAx
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAJdk1eg38Rc
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAetufVCXzDa
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAl2LJlrPUR5
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA1Yp5SWPgFl
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAAiN9jnN24B
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAjV3CO8Q7RC
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAzv3zI6qWaA
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAJh9suZ6ZGx
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAbiFUrZZEpf
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAlIXz23FTqp
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAlEP46Oqpwg
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANASVFf5Q3J63
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAFz7pAHMZ4y
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAjzEBLlM0EP
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANANKcFPq2q14
1359Please respect copyright.PENANALMhzxHVxJN
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAIqS65TXktK
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAazHBFmt4r7
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAnnv1gdQWFU
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAxa6DcLUzNm
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAbwDEUQTper
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAg9ls8sj9qr
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAqngFwweFOZ
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAVDa5xPAsE9
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA5HVDFLXb4F
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAloIo1SC5km
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAicdVUGhpW1
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAw1CqOjCLlz
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAGGx3OavXRg
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAnAThT9Zmdf
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAEaUSGKXPIO
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAVMU4HzzwQl
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAvTokEGEVmc
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAB0UuLpCg1i
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAeW4OUrS5Ui
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAj7exuSns0g
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAtHIYsvqMpi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANACX8hmR0uTn
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZDH3DfU3SO
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA84YMRCae0I
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAtxcVSHlBQr
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAtZvBYlotJf
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAow7X0UH1Yh
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwtSOIBWm71
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANASsJUKzAaa7
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMhm0xpdz63
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAYuSVQgd6fB
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMyn2q6AvMB
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAG6SEcLfyfe
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAbpOHvdnNm0
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAESNrQSwriH
1359Please respect copyright.PENANABiCWDv46nf
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAoh5aOellXS
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAKhGhYQCRrb
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA6kQaFPGrZG
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwl0Gk7nbOd
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANA59Z6KzILk7
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAh7Jdtdf8wh
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAkQrcigZf5n
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5svflmphL
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAIjSnLE3inW
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA10KdmIBZnz
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAcll2Eq4uzW
1359Please respect copyright.PENANApZz1n6c2Si
1359Please respect copyright.PENANALNWFfsoQ3s
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAsdXAuilzW1
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAwoWhXAwbOr
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA4VygP5APQw
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANABNLxvvqDSL
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAePOFnnRSGF
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA8HujT9nW0g
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAW7lxyhsVDm
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAziylEX3Nwr
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA59H3cSBzZf
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAxSPApGNVdq
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAuq6jFi1doz
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZN7f1oOVQD
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANA3fyHQAQ5HM
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAo0vWTSZQQE
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA8EJKsvMAXz
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAzD3Zn3E2Bn
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAZnqoO55oBX
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAlwZCM6dBTe
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAKZS7vcBCQj
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAILpBH9oezi
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAT8MMD7sTGT
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?」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAbR7umRFJLw
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAH3dmPxTOjl
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAMDUhVAA1DH
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAtSPyBMFoBG
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAhyCJcr0nps
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAxTT9LPskPq
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。」1359Please respect copyright.PENANAoJrfUP5o78
1359Please respect copyright.PENANApGcKPqKbo4
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAo37Bq3poBx
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAyqPijIYd3n
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAN5inJynOWD
1359Please respect copyright.PENANA5o5NQRrrFs
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。1359Please respect copyright.PENANAnGtbLkhCsb
1359Please respect copyright.PENANAWKGhbpDovx