Chapter 33 Zhu Yan
“Langjun Cui, go here.” Wei Yanqing led the way personally and said, “This is the warehouse, and the best puppets of the Wei family are all inside. Look, what do you want?”
With a squeak, the door was slowly pushed open, and there seemed to be a slight dust on the ground. Ming Huazhang and Xie Jichuan stood at the door, raising their eyes toward the dark room.
The warehouse is cold and humid, and there is no sunshine all year round. You can feel the chill when standing at the door. However, the room was very lively and crowded.
The walls were full of puppets. In order to show the flexibility of their puppets, the Wei family put their joints in various positions and greeted the visitors with a smile.
Puppets are made for dead people, so the paint is used strongly and heavily, and even their expressions look particularly exaggerated.
They smiled and maintained some difficult movements, motionless, as if they were trying their best to show friendship, but instead brought out the gloomyness of excessive force.
As she was stared at by so many sweet smile puppets, Xie Jichuan couldn’t help but feel chills on his spine. However, Ming Huazhang just paused at the door and then strode into the room.
Walking among the exquisite and gorgeous puppets, the feeling of being watched is even stronger. Wei Yanqing was used to seeing these things and did not think there was any difference. He introduced them to Minghuazhang one by one.
Wei Yanqing said all the best puppets sold by the Wei family, and Ming Huazhang nodded slowly, but he was not particularly satisfied with his expression.
Wei Yanqing was not sure and asked, “Cui Langjun, what kind of puppet do you want?”
Ming Huazhang said, “Shopkeeper Wei, these puppets are all mass-produced, right?”
Wei Yanqing’s face paused, and then smiled, “Each of the puppets in our Wei family is carved by hand, and each of the parts is perfect. Cui Langjun can rest assured.”
“I know.” Ming Huazhang said, “But although Cui is not talented, he will not be able to pick up others. My grandmother worked hard for us all her life. If she could only use the most common slaves underground and was inferior to others everywhere, wouldn’t it be unfilial for her children and grandchildren?”
Wei Yanqing was doing business at the upper level, and even the most ordinary puppets were painted with luxurious luxury. However, what the powerful and powerful lack the most is money, and the most taboo thing is to be like others.
Therefore, there are many powerful people who come to the Wei family to tailor it. It doesn’t matter whether it is expensive or not, but it must be unique. Otherwise, if they go underground in the future and use the same slaves as the streets, where will they face?
So Ming Huazhang’s request is not too much. Is it normal for aristocratic family to be arrogant. Although this kind of order is troublesome, it must be a big order. Wei Yanqing should be very happy. However, Wei Yanqing hesitated for a while before saying, “Cui Langjun respects the Wei family. It is a blessing for the common people to come to the Wei family to customize puppets. But customization takes time, and the husband may have to wait for a while.”
Ming Huazhang said:”I’m going to visit my old friends in Luoyang, and it’s okay to wait for you for a while. These are all too ordinary. Where are your custom-made puppets?”
The puppets customized for the powerful and noble family must not be displayed. Wei Yanqing unknowingly frowned: “Those are not done yet, put in the workshop. The workshop is messy, and I’m afraid it will be abrupt. Please come to the hall for a while. I’ll take the puppets.”
“No.” Ming Huazhang said, already walking out, “It’s a waste of time to move around. I remember you just said that the workshop is in this direction, I can just go and see it myself.”
Ming Huazhang was steady and fast, and Wei Yanqing was just shivering in his mind, and Ming Huazhang walked away. Wei Yanqing hurriedly chased out: “Langjun Cui, stay.”
“Shopkeeper Wei.” Xie Jichuan called him from behind and pointed at the warehouse with a smile, “You don’t care about these.”
Wei Yanqing looked at the warehouse in Dakan and then looked at Ming Huazhang. He was worried about handing over the key to someone else, so he could only signal the housekeeper to chase Ming Huazhang quickly and lock the door himself. Xie Jichuan looked at Wei Yanqing’s actions and said, “This lock looks solid. Manager Wei, how many keys are there in the warehouse?”
“I am the only one.” Wei Yanqing skillfully locked it, “This is related to the eating skills of the people, and I dare not be careless.”
Xie Jichuan slowly said and asked seriously, “The lock is fine, and the key is with Manager Wei. How did the puppet come out? Could it be that there is really a ghost?”
Wei Yanqing shivered and accidentally threw the key down. Xie Jichuan quickly caught it with a quick eye and handed it to Wei Yanqing with a smile: “Be careful, the shopkeeper, I’m sure.”
Wei Yanqing looked at Xie Jichuan who was smiling gently in front of him. For some reason, he felt that he was even more cunning than the puppets inside.
Wei Yanqing calmed down and wondered how he had such an outrageous idea. Maybe too many things happened during this period, so he was tired.
Wei Yanqing took the key and thanked him with a smile. After this interruption, Ming Huazhang had already left and disappeared. Wei Yanqing rushed to the workshop quickly. Sure enough, the butler could not stop Ming Huazhang at all.
Ming Huazhang stood in front of the closed door, paced slowly, and looked back and asked, “Shopkeeper Wei, didn’t you say you had already done it? Why are there still talismans stuck here?”
A yellow paper cinnabar talisman was pasted on the door. Not only the main door, but the surrounding doors and windows were also covered with peach wood swords, mirrors, and talisman paper. It looked Xiao Suo but was unknown.
Wei Yanqing sighed. When he was leading the way, he casually mentioned the direction of the workshop. He forgot it when he passed by. How could Ming Huazhang remember it?
But everyone was found, and Wei Yanqing could not hide it anymore. He said truthfully, “My husband doesn’t know anything. Death is unlucky after all, and suicide is even more unlucky. It is said that the person who commits suicide cannot pass away, and his soul will be trapped in the same place. I am afraid that the second disciple will not be able to reincarnate, so I invited the Taoist priest to come and save her.”
“Is that true?? “Ming Huazhang said, “Since the ritual of salvation has been completed, there should be nothing in it.” Open the door, after picking a puppet for my grandmother, I have other things to do. “
The name of the five surnames Qi Wang is too big. Wei Yanqing wants to make this business. Even if the other party is forced to do something, he has to follow it: “Okay. The husband stepped back a little and locked it inside for several days, and the taste might not be good. ”
As he said that, Wei Yanqing winked at the butler: “Reveal the talisman paper. “
The butler’s body shook, his eyes were filled with fear: “Shopkeeper…”
Wei Yanqing’s expression was calm, and a ruthlessness appeared on his handsome fair face: “Listen.” “
The housekeeper trembled and tore open the Taoist talisman that was as red as blood, flying dragons and phoenixes, and then hid aside, not daring to look inside at all. Wei Yanqing was much calmer, and he pushed open the door and said, “Look, Mr. Lang, this is the workshop for making puppets. It’s dirty and messy inside, nothing special, it’s better…”
After Wei Yanqing finished speaking, Ming Huazhang had already walked into the workshop. Xie Jichuan followed him in. Wherever he saw a clearing of the space that was quickly cleared, there were traces of making. Many molded and unformed puppets were piled up beside him, with talismans of unknown function on their faces.
To be honest, it looks even more terrifying.
The puppets of the Wei family are famous for the word “true”. Some of the puppets are still invisible. Some have begun to color, and some are simply scattered with arms and legs, like dismembered corpses, piled together like corpses. Inside, it seems to be staring at countless pairs of empty and weird eyes. I thought that someone died here not long ago, and the gloomy feeling arises.
Ming Huazhang seemed to be unable to feel the coldness of climbing on the ground, and his expression was still so indifferent and cold. He raised his head, looked at the extremely empty beam of the room, and asked, “Shopkeeper Wei, you said your second disciple committed suicide here. How did she commit suicide? “
The beam of the workshop was specially raised, and it was difficult to hang himself. How could that woman commit suicide?
Wei Yanqing sighed, pointed to the tools scattered all over the floor, and said, “Use a knife. “
Ming Huazhang raised his eyebrows and was a little surprised: “I committed suicide with a knife? ”
“Yes. “Wei Yanqing said, “Although she ranks second, she is actually my most true disciple. She is very talented in puppets. I have been busy with business over the years, and gradually I have handed over all the puppets to her. The great disciple is a bit mediocre in this regard. I have always been counting on their brothers and sisters to get married and pass on the Wei family’s brand together. Who would have thought… Alas. “
Ming Huazhang picked up a carving knife from the ground, looked around and asked, “Shopkeeper Wei, what was happening when you found out about her death? Are you sure it was suicide? ”
“Confirm. “Wei Yanqing lowered his head and looked at the ground and said, “It was a great disciple who bumped into the door. As soon as he came in, he saw her lying on the ground, with a knife inserted in his throat, and blood was still gulping.outflow. Mo Yuan was frightened and hurried to call someone…”
Wei Yanqing paused in a very subtle manner and continued, “The second brother has always been obedient, and is the most worry-free among their senior brothers and sisters. It’s also my fault. After she contradicted me, I became angry and said some harsh words to her go to the workshop to reflect. Who would know that she couldn’t think so and did this kind of thing herself. “
Minghuazhang asked: “What did Shopkeeper Wei say to her? “
“It’s nothing more than a marriage. “Wei Yanqing said, “It’s really a miserable family. She likes the eldest, but the eldest loves my three disciples. Because of these things, I am not a human inside and outside, and they don’t know how to blame me in private. “
Ming Huazhang turned the carving knife in his hand. Such a small knife could only be fatal unless one stabbed the artery. Will a person who commits suicide be so accurate?