一行人到達曲中,時刻已近黃昏,東方天際還殘留一抹桔梗色的餘暉,星子探出頭來。酉時的卯聲一如往常地響徹了秦淮河畔,華院樓閣的紗燈瞬間同時點亮,樂手吹笛奏箏,負責迎客的小廝走到大門口招呼來客。鮮花和脂粉的香氣襲上遊人衣衫。350Please respect copyright.PENANARWDa9tL1IR
350Please respect copyright.PENANAOYmk06cMWp
豫明夷與子犀帶領數名幫眾沿河前行,風情各異的亭閣花榭比鄰而居,有的金粉鋪裝、極盡奢華;有的雕欄畫檻、綺窗絲障,每戶皆有數名嫵媚女子坐在面河的臨水露臺上,下棋撫琴,或斜倚美人靠,如水的含情眼眸挑動過往遊人。350Please respect copyright.PENANAhZKjlasNW6
350Please respect copyright.PENANAIaroW9LvL3
「喂!你,」子犀指向一名叫郭賀的年輕弟子,「把唾沫擦一擦,都滴到衣服上了。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8wDVaIF8t
350Please respect copyright.PENANAl2klRU8NDd
小夥子沒見過世面,一進曲中就被這股女人香迷得神不守舍,魂飛天外。350Please respect copyright.PENANAWCg21FVZQi
350Please respect copyright.PENANAsad6I0U3yw
十里秦淮,數不清有多少男人和郭賀一樣,一進曲中就心蕩意馳,流連忘返,直到床頭金盡,被青樓的護院拖著扔到大街上,才稍有醒悟。350Please respect copyright.PENANAAQsMPUYWAy
350Please respect copyright.PENANAdWOMfftDb8
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「前頭就是沿尋樓。」豫明夷沉聲說道。350Please respect copyright.PENANAY22nvVvYiV
350Please respect copyright.PENANAptDXqjTO4B
今天他們是來談正事的,他不想看到自家兄弟在胡百川及部從面前,露出色令智昏的模樣。350Please respect copyright.PENANA99LSMPgaQt
350Please respect copyright.PENANA5sHcVpLTB8
曲中的「曲」,是指道路結構宛若迷宮,曲徑交錯而複雜,故有其名。要到沿尋樓,必須先沿著盈漫的秦淮河,穿過幾處迷陣似的彎曲巷道,殷殷尋覓,才能看到隱匿在長寬竹和梧桐古樹間的樓閣,故曰「沿尋」。350Please respect copyright.PENANAsCAYWkfyjE
350Please respect copyright.PENANAyGong17dZO
豫明夷一行人來到開敞的雙扉大門前,大廳裡人聲鼎沸,盈滿喧嘩聲和姑娘的嬌笑,以及繚繞的絲竹之聲。兩名迎客的小廝遠遠見著鹽幫一行人,立刻走下門階招呼。350Please respect copyright.PENANA4wvF5H2yfs
350Please respect copyright.PENANAYC77BiVcPm
「大當家、二當家、諸位爺,這邊請,」小廝堆滿笑容,低聲說道:「胡爺已經到了,二樓第三進的古梅軒,小的找個姑娘帶您上去。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAxC4jtIlPgm
350Please respect copyright.PENANAALChW9AftN
「不必了。」豫明夷一揚手,逕自往大廳旁的階梯走去,手下也邁步跟隨。350Please respect copyright.PENANAO5f1o5gnKR
350Please respect copyright.PENANACRPWhyx3ai
依照秦淮遊廊的規矩,賓客進門,須先於大廳入座,由負責迎賓的侍姬接待,寒暄敘禮,飲茶或飲酒,三巡之後,才能指名有掛牌的姑娘陪侍。若是姑娘願意見客,就由侍姬引領賓客至樓上內堂,宴飲聽曲,留待三更,才與姑娘相挽入寢歇息。350Please respect copyright.PENANAQxNGcX3f74
350Please respect copyright.PENANA8jEcxeVkpx
沿尋樓在綠玉的經營下,近年名聲鵲起,成為秦淮數一數二的花樓,立下的規矩又比別家繁瑣些,頭回上門的生客,都需要金陵的名人雅士引薦,否則便只能待在樓下大廳,看藝姬們競獻輕歌曼舞,若是想見紅牌姑娘,還得先在樓裡設宴三日,成為常客以後,才有可能見上一面。350Please respect copyright.PENANAQdzdg0O2Ry
350Please respect copyright.PENANACl9H4hw6ae
豫明夷不是尋歡客,自然不受虛節所限。350Please respect copyright.PENANAeINpj1E2qS
350Please respect copyright.PENANAdLFyeiVqhE
他登上二樓,穿過琴房和書齋,還沒進到古梅軒,便聽見廂房內傳來陣陣談笑聲,他正想提醒弟兄們別失了禮數,卻發現子犀已不在他身後,而是閃身竄到書齋旁牽著個姑娘的小手,露出似笑非笑的神情。350Please respect copyright.PENANAjKZI5mhVeF
350Please respect copyright.PENANAkG8SVJSv1Q
「妹子,作哥哥的小娘子吧?」350Please respect copyright.PENANAZIjrvk7IdY
350Please respect copyright.PENANAtIsmvIpJmU
那姑娘嗔道,「哎,二爺,說渾話會爛舌頭的。」說完便抽出手,飄然離去,留下一縷淡淡的脂粉香。350Please respect copyright.PENANASfOsEc3Ju6
350Please respect copyright.PENANAmBzZ43g2td
子犀正想跟過去,見到豫明夷鐵青著臉,只得對著那姑娘的背影喊道,「別走太遠,哥哥談完事就來尋妳。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAmtX1roDihy
350Please respect copyright.PENANABTieGrAAT0
豫明夷直想揮他一拳,考慮此刻不好發作,於是鐵青著臉,領著眾人走進約見的古梅軒。350Please respect copyright.PENANARosQ0P8qyX
350Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9bYJRiHZ7
廂房內設著酒宴,三名男子圍坐案旁,五名男子靠牆站立,還有三個樓裡的姑娘隨侍在側,一群人談笑風生。350Please respect copyright.PENANADgK20WJAwM
350Please respect copyright.PENANAW4Pvl2wuKj
豫明夷與子犀雙雙走上前抱拳行禮,「胡兄。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAt8Tb4DhyGb
350Please respect copyright.PENANAtoerAiM6PW
坐在上首的就是蘇州府民變首領胡百川,他雙眼迷濛,看來已有三分醉意,與兩名同行者起身回禮。350Please respect copyright.PENANAaYQze4CPJC
350Please respect copyright.PENANAgq1BhZnr07
「大當家,二當家,這兩名是我部參軍,石青和劉中,大夥兒不必拘禮,自便即是。」350Please respect copyright.PENANA9YjJBKEcuR
350Please respect copyright.PENANAbXzEgRWcC9
一旁服侍的使役連忙安排豫明夷、子犀入座,其餘幫眾則肅立一旁。350Please respect copyright.PENANAl4bM3Kkh7J
350Please respect copyright.PENANAHPu9JKOdzI
「我剛和姑娘們說,在沿尋樓約人談事,還真是錯了。一進了這門,就什麼正事也談不成。」胡百川望著站在身後的嬌媚女子,看得目不轉睛。她是沿尋樓的名妓,柳陌。350Please respect copyright.PENANAM88haWUgxv
350Please respect copyright.PENANA4GLmZ18U0Z
柳陌輕笑,「胡爺說笑了,要不我帶妹妹退出去,好讓爺們談事。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAc6VITeNmGq
350Please respect copyright.PENANACRHZpsNesH
胡百川連忙揮手,「哎,不忙不忙,談正事有的是時間,您說是吧,豫當家?」350Please respect copyright.PENANAYNzSLgaQJ9
350Please respect copyright.PENANAfWwURIfemM
豫明夷悶哼了一聲,心中有了底案,此人貪杯又好色,行事很不牢靠。350Please respect copyright.PENANA0y7PccBliB
350Please respect copyright.PENANAEmnr2GQ6kb
「好啦,柳陌,到底能不能勸妳妹子出來,好教兩位當家也瞧瞧,她生得如何懾人心魄?」胡百川勸道,分坐兩旁的石青和劉中也顯得興致勃勃。350Please respect copyright.PENANAgC0dKEgkKm
350Please respect copyright.PENANANy5A0PX7HK
子犀低頭冷笑。350Please respect copyright.PENANAe1yhzCZ4p9
350Please respect copyright.PENANA17Pd8WRx9w
「胡爺,我那妹子還在學藝,而且很怯生,就怕她惹得爺們不高興,所以還不教她見客。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAGxXAGh3d0M
350Please respect copyright.PENANAjfFqLLJkzw
石青一拍大腿,「我知道了,花案選考將近,柳陌姑娘定是準備藏著她,待她被選為花魁再出來見客,到時咱們兄弟就算捧來大把銀子,也未必能會上一會。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAAK8uCGJCtQ
350Please respect copyright.PENANAyMMnAIZKp5
花案是秦淮獨有的盛事,由地方顯要為各青樓名妓品定高下,另一方面也是為了彰顯自身的財力、人望。主事者定出時間、地點、聚集諸姬、邀請評判人選,與會諸君在筵席上評比各樓名花。決定名次後,獲選優勝的美人將被封為花魁,並在市街中巡繞遊行,一如科舉狀元進封,光耀鄉里一般。350Please respect copyright.PENANAvSsPcLxUZ0
350Please respect copyright.PENANA7jaaY4iHsi
豫明夷假意凝聽,幾乎沒有聽進他們在談論些什麼,對於胡百川一直繞著彎,不切入正題感到不耐。350Please respect copyright.PENANA5wUGnzI5JK
350Please respect copyright.PENANA45kkunmXgb
倒是子犀的好奇心被勾起,忍不住打岔,「胡兄指的是哪位美人,怎麼我沒聽說?」350Please respect copyright.PENANAdzAdsulTnu
350Please respect copyright.PENANA3feDe3QpK8
「是個新來的姑娘,花名喚作冰月。」劉中回答,涎著臉道:「柳陌姑娘,妳瞧連二當家都開口了,就喚妳那妹子出來給大家開開眼界吧?」350Please respect copyright.PENANALXhCjtYkeI
350Please respect copyright.PENANASCNag51Jco
「既然爺都這麼說了,就讓妹妹來給各位彈首曲兒吧?」350Please respect copyright.PENANA0Awvy84VPP
350Please respect copyright.PENANAEERLo8mMJi
柳陌走到門前,吩咐在外頭的使役,「去喚冰月,再去把琴房的鳳首箜篌搬過來。」350Please respect copyright.PENANApqvDDkpFQ0
350Please respect copyright.PENANARrmapNXQgr
豫明夷被這名字引去注意,就是那慘遭滅門,命運乖舛的姑娘。他也想見見她,不知她在樓裡過得如何。350Please respect copyright.PENANATSk423Jdyi
350Please respect copyright.PENANAht5DGwj0Wt
過不了多久,廳門再度打開,一名白衣女子翩然到來。350Please respect copyright.PENANAi3hiyjJNUG
350Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZjCBR0Ncb
是她。350Please respect copyright.PENANAQRln6Fa3zD
350Please respect copyright.PENANASAVAg5gBYM
豫明夷睜大了眼睛,簡直不敢置信。350Please respect copyright.PENANAQlop3oQvX4
350Please respect copyright.PENANAq7PM6jfhGk
不可能是她。350Please respect copyright.PENANA5lHsGxwB87
350Please respect copyright.PENANAC6Y18gJm5A
那日在北門橋口,他看著她和知府夫人一起發放賑糧,救治災民,面對粗暴的欽差她也毫不畏懼,於是他和子犀聲東擊西,在眾人面前將她劫走,帶回知府宅邸。他一直以為她是知府之女,即使驚嘆她的美麗與勇氣,他也硬逼自己斷了念想,官家之女是他永遠無法企及的高度,誰知再重逢竟會是在此時此地?350Please respect copyright.PENANAjNA0ryIylo
350Please respect copyright.PENANAxZP1gGOyii
而她似乎也認出他來,雙眉微挑,又迅速挪開視線。350Please respect copyright.PENANACxjeiT4q7i
350Please respect copyright.PENANANIPVZelXLz
她比他記憶中還要清瘦,細緻的五官看不出悲喜,他知曉那不是柳陌說的怯生,而是疏離。350Please respect copyright.PENANAGFbzZfAmON
350Please respect copyright.PENANARF6xlBjW9v
「姊姊。」白衣揚起,冰月飄然走到眾人面前。350Please respect copyright.PENANAX09See7Re8
350Please respect copyright.PENANA7iNMwLKGJA
柳陌輕點頭,示意她坐到一旁,「幾位爺是綠玉姊姊的舊識,來樓裡喝酒敘舊。要不,妳先給爺兒們彈首『渭城曲』,助助興。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAotNoLN3mTq
350Please respect copyright.PENANAazgxqxzClh
冰月依言入座,兩名使役搬來樓中名琴,一座梓木箜篌,高三尺許,黑漆鏤花描金,上雕沉香色鳳首。冰月輕輕彈了幾下琴弦試音,聲如金玉,自然是把好琴。 350Please respect copyright.PENANAr5FmzToukA
350Please respect copyright.PENANANGtMvxyI0r
冰月撥動琴弦,琴音響起,初時曲調平緩,偶然幾個絞弦聲,像是霜寒時節風吹雪花,中段曲風一轉,琴韻輕柔細膩,像是初春竹雪琳琅,冬去春來、冰雪融化,萬物知春,漸漸地,輕快的旋律沉寂了下來,琴韻深長而悠遠,如風擺荷花、一輪明月高掛夜空、東皋鶴鳴,終曲清冷孤寂,如昏黃暮色,禪院鐘聲。350Please respect copyright.PENANAtZ9i1pENL6
350Please respect copyright.PENANARBIWxuSjNA
豫明夷彷彿看見眼前這夏花般的女子,轉眼間絞去了青絲,出家遁世,與青燈古佛相伴餘生。350Please respect copyright.PENANAloEdprRVQD
350Please respect copyright.PENANAZamsCN6EIE
豫明夷忽然一陣心酸,想要緊擁住她,為她驅散這股悲涼。350Please respect copyright.PENANA0b6gkCOFmU
350Please respect copyright.PENANAkEdA16fsfS
琴聲感染所有在場的人,跟著喟嘆起生命的無常。350Please respect copyright.PENANAxxvNc9yUU0
350Please respect copyright.PENANA5b4wLacBEJ
冰月起身向眾人行裡,神情依舊淡漠。350Please respect copyright.PENANAS4GZ4eaEHZ
350Please respect copyright.PENANA95WM4tstRD
豫明夷本想開口說些甚麼,胡百川突然大聲鼓掌喝采,其餘等人也跟著鼓譟叫好,他備感煩躁,不再言語。350Please respect copyright.PENANAvndjV7k6x9
350Please respect copyright.PENANAqwVrUVxUnl
「妹妹彈的好呀,不過,」柳陌拍拍冰月的手背,「下回還是彈些歡快的曲兒。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAXZ0pqq5eyA
350Please respect copyright.PENANAJHxDYphUj3
冰月點了點頭。350Please respect copyright.PENANAsoozWTyPvx
350Please respect copyright.PENANARJd9HxFlTO
柳陌牽了冰月起身,「奴家不敢耽誤爺談正事,這就退下,有什麼事兒,叫喚一聲便是。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAEmPyaLlTAs
350Please respect copyright.PENANA87vSjYSnCy
四周響起了不滿的嚎叫,柳陌不理會眾人的抗議,從容地帶著姑娘們退了出去。350Please respect copyright.PENANAnPKtmLanM9
350Please respect copyright.PENANAuMsfEg3fDH
「我就說是個美人!」劉中說道,一群手下齊聲讚同,連鹽幫部眾也熱切地附和。350Please respect copyright.PENANAjnjPFPsF4L
350Please respect copyright.PENANAHfroYvmotq
豫明夷不耐地舉起手,「我等今日來聚,不是為了喝酒聽曲吧?」350Please respect copyright.PENANALIfCwXK9px
350Please respect copyright.PENANAdKOAhd60yP
「豫兄說的是,今日邀請鹽幫諸位英雄,實有要事相商。」胡百川拱了拱手,略表歉意,「朝廷要向南方諸部招安了。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAWhmj8Pf4Q9
350Please respect copyright.PENANA5zkJrijXSb
此言一出,鹽幫眾人一片譁然。350Please respect copyright.PENANANvs4R43xq7
350Please respect copyright.PENANAi1Flgyw11N
「甚麼東西。」子犀嗤之以鼻。350Please respect copyright.PENANAzmsQgWQXtk
350Please respect copyright.PENANAaaFrMYtENl
胡百川續道:「日前南京兵部主事董濠帶著飭令前來我部,招安文書上說只要願意投降,不但過往罪行皆不究責,而且為首的封作參將,其餘弟兄各有封賞,與其遭官方通緝,四處流竄,還不如投效朝廷,不知豫兄可願率幫眾一同歸順?」350Please respect copyright.PENANANXq24aaALd
350Please respect copyright.PENANAht5N736jp6
「歸順朝廷?」豫明夷望向胡百川,這名男子儘管粗莽不文,卻不至於心存惡念,「竊以為應先靜觀其變。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAezFboQRYzs
350Please respect copyright.PENANAzFY8xmIYL5
「我也認同大哥,」子犀說道,「唯恐其中有詐。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAhYtmGVrnQq
350Please respect copyright.PENANAAzjJ2tDImi
大明自建朝以來,各地民變不斷,被朝廷視為心腹之患。350Please respect copyright.PENANA28GL9D4VAh
350Please respect copyright.PENANAirM2pY2Ohu
兵力強大時期,朝廷的策略是派兵剿匪,將賊寇首領扣押進京,斬首示眾;兵力不足時期,則會下令招安,給賊首一個虛銜,好教亂民們依從當政者的號令行事。但更多時候,招安只是個幌子,意在誘出賊首自投羅網,如今內憂外患,朝廷自顧不暇,此刻招安,怎麼聽都像是請君入甕。350Please respect copyright.PENANANexrwo11Yo
350Please respect copyright.PENANAMFjhc6PeJ2
「其中的風險,我又何嘗不知,」胡百川望著酒杯,沉思半晌,才又開口,「敢問豫當家是何出身?」350Please respect copyright.PENANAk38QcceYrF
350Please respect copyright.PENANAT4brWLGno7
「我是湖廣竹山縣人,幼時故里被右督御史項忠所滅,此後與數名同鄉孤兒流落異地,曾在東關碼頭搬運貨物維生。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAvtbSf9hwNk
350Please respect copyright.PENANA0ycf66xEvI
豫明夷對這段過往並不引以為恥,碼頭每日過往行人無數,他因此得遇貴人。有位武學前輩見他天生勇武,傳授他練氣強身的武術和幾路剛猛的刀法;他還曾在行商者身邊,學得貨物如何流通,搬有運無。接著他遇見甫下天山的子犀,和師從北刀的楚寧,三人志同道合,一起創立鹽幫,到了現今,麾下約有三十萬幫眾。350Please respect copyright.PENANAaDpUxmNBPI
350Please respect copyright.PENANApMJ0JfmY8u
「我大哥的出身,與此事有幾毛錢關係?」子犀十分不以為然。350Please respect copyright.PENANAO8SnW2opiP
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「仗義每多屠狗輩,英雄自是不論出身,」胡百川搖頭,沉聲續道,「胡某原是蘇州府的一名推事,專責收稅。蘇州府的鎮守太監甫一上任,就忙著加稅,我見升斗小民為了交稅,砸鍋賣鐵、休妻賣女,於是鋌而走險,和幾名府役一起殺了鎮守太監,避之山谷。我常思來想去,兄弟們懸命跟隨,胡某理應為他們考慮出路,殺人劫掠畢竟不是長久之計,若是接受招安,在朝中謀得一官半職,便能洗脫賊寇的污名。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAwOC5I8VsIb
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這番話使得鹽幫眾人一洗對胡百川的成見。為弟兄的將來設想而接受招安,足見他是位重情重義的好漢子。350Please respect copyright.PENANAPMNQ5PU40J
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參軍劉忠接口,「再說了,官府不會坐視我們佔山為王,遲早會派兵征剿,到時,怕是玉石俱焚,退無死所。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAKuF8nHeA19
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「官是光,咱們這些匪徒是影,有光必有影。是因為昏君奸臣當道,官逼民反,走投無路的貧民才會落草為寇,」子犀抬起頭,他對混亂的朝局向來不吐不快,「我們鹽幫殺人越貨,雖說不上是什麼光彩之事,至少不必去拍朝廷狗官的馬屁。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAuwOLJemUc0
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「我的部眾只是反貪官,並不反大明朝。招安之後,兄弟們都有官職,為國効忠,死後也還留個好名聲。」胡百川對子犀的評斷不但不以為忤,還顯出幾分欣賞,「若豫兄願意投靠,你我同朝為官,下屬們也可彼此照應。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAnqO7xqbETf
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豫明夷搖了搖頭。350Please respect copyright.PENANAmzPiWA6WPI
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「胡兄,我敬佩你為部眾設想出路,」豫明夷看出胡百川有些失望,由衷地對他說:「但我鹽幫的幫眾大多是無力繳納苛稅的農民、犯了微罪的逃犯、或是因高官圈地,而流離失所的難民,他們都是被逼到走投無路才會鋌而走險。我鹽幫搶劫官鹽、販賣私鹽,是將國家自百姓身上掠奪的財物,還諸於百姓。那是我等身於亂世夾縫中,不得已的生存之道。若是歸降,就成了朝廷的奴才,幫著權貴欺壓百姓,造就更多走投無路之人,助紂為虐,此事在下無法苟同。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAqcpZZMFjH0
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胡百川起身對眾人拱手,「豫兄,儘管你我對招安一事抱持著不同看法,但胡某敬你是位劫富濟貧,濟弱扶傾的仁俠。只盼不會有朝一日狹路相逢,被迫與豫兄兵刃相見。」350Please respect copyright.PENANAVWXsxYSjDN
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「胡兄毋須擔憂……」350Please respect copyright.PENANA5eeyyexKP1
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樓底下忽然傳來一陣怒罵,然後是桌椅被掀翻,杯盞狼藉的響聲。350Please respect copyright.PENANAz7YvqNI3J4
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