Guanzhong Tomb Robbery Notes

Chapter 322: 3 and a half sticks of incense, diverting the trouble to the east

"Shizi, just wish you good luck."

"Brother Wei hates people who contradict him the most."

"You have to follow his lead."

"I can only help you up to this point. Get off the boat now!"

After saying that, Jizai went into the warehouse and pretended to be busy.

I took a deep breath, got off the boat and walked towards Lin Wei.

Five meters, four meters, three meters...

When I was one meter in front of Lin Wei, his younger brother stepped forward to stop me.

The young man stretched out his hands towards me.

Then bend the two index fingers inward, put the tips of the two index fingers close together, and overlap the thumb and the other three fingers.

He made a gesture I had never seen before.

As I curiously watched the gesture, he shouted, “Please teach me!”

I was confused at that time.

What do you want to ask?

How to answer this?

In fact, the gesture made by this young man is the etiquette used by members of the Hongmen when communicating with each other, which is called "Three and a Half Incense".

The little finger represents the first stick of incense, which is called the incense of benevolence and righteousness in memory of Yang Jiaoai and Zuo Botao.

The index finger represents the second stick of incense, which commemorates the brotherhood of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in Taoyuan, and is called the loyalty incense.

The middle finger represents the third stick of incense, which is called chivalrous incense to commemorate the 108 heroes of Liangshanpo.

The index finger represents half a stick of incense, which is called the incense of benevolence and righteousness in memory of Qin Qiong and Shan Xiongxin.

Why is the last half of the incense called the Incense of Benevolence and Righteousness?

Because there is a saying: I would rather learn from the three sworn brothers of Peach Garden than from the one incense burner of Wagang.

When Qin Qiong was down and out, Shan Xiongxin came to his aid several times.

Later, the two of them became sworn brothers with Cheng Yaojin, Xu Maogong and others at the Wagang Gathering.

After the fall of Wagangzhai, Qin Qiong and others surrendered to Li Shimin.

Because Shan Xiongxin had a grudge against Li Shimin, he defected to another army, each serving his own master.

Later, Shan Xiongxin was defeated and captured, and Li Shimin ordered him to be beheaded.

Qin Qiong was unable to save Shan Xiongxin and could only collect his body and bury him with honor. He cried on the day of the burial.

Because Qin Qiong could not sacrifice his life to preserve this friendship like Yang Jiaoai did.

That's why people in the Hongmen say: "Qin Qiong cries back half an incense stick."

The Hongmen established the three-and-a-half-incense gesture to remind gang members not to do anything that would let down their fellow brothers.

The question that the younger brother mentioned was the three kinds of questions in the Hongmen.

When two stranger disciples of the Hongmen meet, in order to find out whether they are from the same family, they usually make three and a half incense gestures with their hands and ask three questions.

One person first asks “Excuse me”, the other person replies “Please ask me again”, and the person who asked first replies “Please ask me again”.

If you ask three questions and find that they are the right ones, you can be sure that they are the Hongmen brothers.

Then use the incision to announce the name, mountain, hall, etc.

The halls in the 1970s and 1980s still had a strong legacy of the Hongmen, and people cared more about Hongmen etiquette with each other.

After the 1990s, this set of ideas gradually became unpopular.

It is still used only in some important ceremonial occasions.

For example, at the funeral of the third leader of the Tiandao League, President Chen of the World Hongmen Association went to see him off.

Chairman Chen's shoulder bag represents courtesy.

Holding a staff in one hand represents moderation.

The three-nod gesture of the Phoenix represents affection.

Ending with the gesture of stabbing a knife in the ribs represents righteousness.

Chairman Chen's entire ritual process is a textbook demonstration of Hongmen etiquette.

Let’s get back to the present.

I didn't understand the Hongmen etiquette at the time and had no idea how to respond.

So the atmosphere became dull.

There was dead silence for more than ten seconds.

Lin Wei pushed the younger brother who was standing between us away and asked, "What's going on?"

"I wonder if Shizi is from the mainland?"

"Excuse me!"

After scolding his younger brother, a smile immediately appeared on Lin Wei's face.

He took my hand and said, "Don't be offended, Shizi. I don't know your situation."

"Ah Hui told me that you are very brave!"

"He's all alone, holding a gun and hunting down the big circle guys!"

"We must also kill all the Daquanzi to avenge Ah Shan."

"This loyalty and courage are incredible!"

"Don't you agree?!" Lin Wei turned his head and looked at his younger brothers.

The younger brothers instantly became energized and started cheering enthusiastically with their arms raised.

"Shizi is unparalleled in his bravery!!!"

"Shizi is so brave!!!"

"Shizi is extremely loyal!!!"

The more I watched, the weirder it seemed.

This seems like it was rehearsed.

Coupled with the scene of the hand gestures just now, the more I watch it, the more I feel like it's acting.

But what is the purpose of performing this play?

To find a channel to collect antiques?

But this is a bit of an exaggeration.

The leader of the gang personally showed up to act and win me over. No matter how I looked at it, it seemed a little strange.

For something else?

But I have no other value.

Praising me like this, could it be...

The image of Big Circle Boy suddenly popped up in my mind.

Lin Wei is trying to flatter me to death!

They praised me and spread the word that I hunted down the Big Circle Boys single-handedly. They were simply trying to divert the hatred of the Big Circle Boys towards me!

This is a plan to divert the trouble away!

Was this plan thought up by Lin Wei?

Or was it that idea of ​​Bin, the traitor who fanned the white paper?

No matter who they are, it shows that these guys have bad intentions!

"Don't say that, don't say that." I pressed my hands down, but a smile that was three parts proud and seven parts shy appeared on my face.

Lin Wei put his arm around my shoulders, acting like he was very close to me.

"Don't be shy."

"The hall is in need of a young man as vigorous as you."

"Set an example for them so they can learn from it."

After saying these polite words, Lin Wei tilted his head and leaned close to my ear, whispering, "Hua Zai sent me a message."

"The ones behind are brothers in the same boat."

"As long as you do your best, you will have endless wealth and prosperity."

"Go see Boss Dong first."

"I'll treat you well tonight."

After saying that, he patted me hard on the back twice.

I was stunned for a moment.

I thought that the plan to divert the trouble to someone else didn't seem to come from Lin Wei.

Maybe Lin Wei didn't understand that praising me was actually killing me.

This guy seems to have more strength than intelligence... Maybe he can be used.

I thought about it and said, "Okay, see you tonight."

Lin Wei walked me to the car door and said to the driver and the escort, "Shizai is my brother. Don't let anyone bully him."

"Don't worry, boss."

"Boss Dong also reminded us to absolutely ensure Shizai's safety."

The driver opened the car door and said to me, "Please get in."

The van's passenger seat is a double seat, just big enough for me and the escort.

We got in the car.

The driver started the car and drove out of the dock.

I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes and recalled everything that happened after I got on the boat.

Thinking about what to say when I see Boss Dong.

The Big Circle Boys are like a sword hanging over my head.

The traitor Bin has directed all the hatred of the Big Circle Boys onto me. If the Big Circle Boys really want to take revenge, they will definitely target me first!

The car drove into Hollywood Road.

There are all kinds of antique shops on the roadside, with signs saying "Zhai" and "Xuan" hanging on them.

Looking into the store through the glass door.

There are all kinds of antiques on display.

From bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to various gadgets from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, it can be said that everything is available.

Soon the car stopped in front of a store.

Boss Dong walked out of the store.

As soon as I got off the car, he hugged me excitedly.

"brother!"

"I've been worried about you these past few days!"

"I'm so glad you made it here safely. Let's go upstairs quickly."

Boss Dong took me into the store.

At the same time, he turned around and said, "A Ming, move all the goods upstairs!"

"Close the shop after moving. No business today!"