Protect Our Patriarch

...

Such a change.

The two members of the Huangfu clan changed their colors one after another.

Especially the ancestor of Hua Ye, he came forward to preside over today's night banquet, but he didn't want someone from the patrol camp to rush into the main residence of the Huangfu clan, saying, "The former Ma Huangfu clan and Yin Shazong colluded with treason."

What a shame is this? !

Angrily rose in his heart, he suddenly looked at the city lord Xiahou Hongde: "Master city guard, what does this mean? My Huangfu Hua Ye asked myself that he had not offended the adults. During the time the adults stayed in Changningwei, our Huangfu family also did their best to assist. ."

Xiahou Hongde's face suddenly became serious.

Obviously, today's scene also exceeded his expectations.

Immediately, he shouted with a solemn expression: "Zhou Zhenwu, what are you doing?"

"It turns out that the city guard is here, so it would be better." Zhou Zhenwu seemed to have only seen Xiahou Hongde at this time, and immediately bowed his hands to a military salute. "During his official duties, he found that the former Ma Huangfu clan and Yin Sha Zong colluded with the inside and outside, conspiring to rebel. From the intelligence, it was learned that Huangfu Deyun, the patriarch of the former Ma Huangfu clan, was here, so he led his brothers to arrest him."

"Absurd!" The ancestor Hua Ye couldn't hold back anymore, and scolded coldly, "Where are you the main residence of my Huangfu family?"

Zhou Zhenwu stared at the ancestor Hua Ye, and said with a smile: "This commander is the commander of the patrol camp and has the responsibility of Anbang to kill the enemy. Where can I go? Could it be that your Huangfu family can't hide the traitor? ?"

The ancestor Hua Ye was about to get angry, Huangfu Jinhuan hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Leader Zhou, our ancestors didn't mean that. It's just that my Huangfu family is a dignified seventh-class family that has the imperial seal and coordinates the management of the place. You Ranging in at will, saying that we are harboring traitors. Once it spreads out and forms a rumor that will tarnish our reputation, I'm afraid you can't bear this responsibility?"

"Huangfu Patriarch." Zhou Zhenwu said blankly, "Since I led my troops to fetch people, naturally there is sufficient evidence. It just so happens that Lord City Guard is also there, so I will report to him."

With that said, Zhou Zhenwu bowed his hand to Xiahou Hongde again, and talked about the important parts of the cause and effect one by one.

In the end, he said loudly: "For the entire incident, our three battalions and hundreds of brothers are all witnesses, and the evidence of the collusion is solid. Since the city guard is here, please order the arrest of the traitor Huangfu Deyun, and The former Ma Huangfu clan waited."

Following Zhou Zhenwu's explanation, everyone's expressions changed, all of them cast strange and jealous eyes from the people of the Ma Huangfu family.

It is inevitable that conflicts, frictions and conflicts will arise between families due to interests or other factors. How terrible is it to collude with the Yin Sha sect at every turn to kill the existence of other families?

Even though Zhou Zhenwu was only talking about the former Ma Huangfu clan from beginning to end, he was not implicated in Changning Huangfu clan. But everyone with a discerning eye knows that the former Ma Huangfu clan has always looked at the head of the horse.

Huangfu Jinhuan and Huangfu Deyun looked at each other, both of them saw panic and anger in each other's eyes.

That thing was done so concealed, not only was it seen through by the other party, it even laid out a big picture, and wiped out their people in one fell swoop.

Especially when he heard that his ancestor Huangfu Jinyuan had died in battle, Huangfu Deyun's face suddenly turned pale, and his heart was even more painful.

If he hadn't taken care of the scene environment, he might have been crying bitterly.

Lei Yangyu, the Patriarch of the Celestial Lei Family, was about to withdraw, but he didn't expect that there would be such a big show. Moreover, the Huangfu clan actually colluded with Yin Shazong, which was really lawless.

He didn't leave at all, and said with a mocking tone: "It turns out that the Huangfu clan is the leader, but it's so worthy. It's really amazing."

Xu Anbang, the Patriarch of the Xu clan in Changning, was also "outraged": "Huangfu Deyun, you are too much! We just don't want to cooperate with you, and even colluded with the evil sect to murder us. Fortunately, Commander Zhou got a tip to save our people. This matter must not be let go, and Lord Cheng Shou, please call the shots for us!"

After all, Xu Anbang "extremely excited" appealed to Xiahou Hongde, as if he had been hit hard.

Xiahou Hongde's face was also very ugly.

Never imagined. Within his jurisdiction, there was a collusion between the local family and the Yin Sha sect, and it was exposed in the presence of the disciple of the Zifu Academy.

This is undoubtedly a slap in his face, how can he not be angry?

What's more, he is about to quit his job, and he actually did this for him. Isn't this because he didn't want him to leave the job properly?

If this matter is not handled properly today, his official reputation will definitely deteriorate. Don't talk about being promoted at that time, maybe you will be demoted to some extent.

When he was just about to speak.

Huangfu Jinhuan suddenly took a step forward and said, "City lord wait a minute, although Zhou ruler is plausible. But I believe that it was only the private behavior of Huangfu Jinyuan and Huangfu Kangping, and had nothing to do with the former Ma Huangfu clan."

While talking, Huangfu Jinhuan hinted to Huangfu Deyun that since the other party had sufficient evidence, he could only abandon the car and take care of him at this moment.

Huangfu Deyun was deeply saddened, but he could only stand up and said: "I was shocked when I heard about this. I never expected...I never expected that the two elders in my family would dare to take the world as a big man. No! Alas~~ But I can guarantee that this matter has nothing to do with our former Ma Huangfu family. It must be a private decision made by the two elders."

"Joke!" Xu Anbang breathed fire in his eyes, and said angrily, "Huangfu Deyun, your first ancestor and second ancestor have participated in it. You dare to say that the former Ma Huangfu didn't even know it. Are we stupid? !"

"Xu Anbang, it is the so-called'catch the **** in bed, catch the thief and get dirty'." Huangfu Jinhuan sneered and said, "What Zhou Tongling said only represents Huangfu Jinyuan, Huangfu Kangping two old thieves colluded with Yin Shazong , And what evidence is there to show that the entire former Ma Huangfu clan was involved?"

"Is it possible that if one or two people in the family commit a crime, then the whole family must be implicated?"

"Brother Xu~" Huangfu Deyun also said pitifully, "I really don't know about this. The two ancestors of my family... Well, they are really confused."

"Knowing or not knowing, just grab it and interrogate it." Xu Anbang smiled angrily. "The two ancestors in your family are both involved. How can you get out of the relationship?"

The two sides couldn't help but looked at the city lord Xiahou Hongde.

At this time, Xiahou Hongde was also very big.

What happened today was so sudden, he was not even mentally prepared.

He glared at Zhou Zhenwu dissatisfiedly. Since he got the tip, why didn't he report it to him?

It's just that this matter is an internal affair of the city guard mansion.

He took a deep breath and said with a serious expression: "Leader Zhou, is there evidence that this is the family behavior of the former Ma Huangfu family? Or is it Huangfu Kangping who confessed?"

"Enlighten the city lord. Although Huangfu Kangping has already confessed, he does not admit that he is the former Ma Huangfu chief envoy." Zhou Zhenwu said honestly, "I would like to ask the city guard to show you how to deal with it."

Xiahou Hongde was able to cultivate into the realm of heaven and human, and the main town was naturally not a fool. Of course he knew that this already involved a struggle between families.

Although the Huangfu Kangping did not confess, the entire former Ma Huangfu clan may not be able to escape. It is even possible that even the Tianren Huangfu clan was implicated in it.

Every decision he currently makes can influence the situation of this open and secret struggle.

Immediately, he said in a deep voice: "The former Ma Huangfu clan is after all an eighth-grade family with the seal of the imperial court. Everything must be evidenced. Since Huangfu Kangping didn't confess, how can our city guard mansion take people at will?"

This is not Xiahou Hongde's excuse, some things will become extremely complicated once it involves family struggles.

Whether it is the Huangfu family, the Xu family, or the Wang family, they all have their own roots and connections. No matter which one is offended, it is not worthwhile.

He can only act according to the evidence, so that he will not be partial and will not leave any troubles. After all, he only has the last three years in office.

"Follow the instructions of Lord City Shou."

Although Zhou Zhenwu wanted to make even greater deeds, he could only act according to the evidence if Lord Cheng Shou was not in front of him.

Although Huangfu Jinhuan's face was still ugly, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Although the plan failed this time, although the loss was extremely heavy, compared to involving all the former Ma Huangfu clan, or even the Tianren Huangfu clan, the most important thing is to be able to pick out the two.

As for the enmity, there will be opportunities to settle the accounts slowly in the future.

Some neutral families and units have also seen the strangeness of this time, and all understand that this is a contest between the Xu clan in Changning and the Huangfu clan, which naturally also involves the families such as the Ping An Wang clan.

Although on the surface it seems that the Xu family and the Wang family have the upper hand, if there is no stick to kill the former Ma Huangfu family, it is very likely that it will be a hidden danger in the future.

Those families who had good relations with the Huangfu clan were relieved.

Although the former Ma Huangfu had suffered heavy losses, he finally saved a bit of vitality. Then, as long as you hold your heels firmly, you can plan how to fight back.

Qian Xuean, the treasurer of the Qian's firm in Changning, had a good relationship with Wang Shouzhe, and couldn't help faintly worrying about his brother Wang Shouzhe, fearing that he would be harmed if he would not die.

Everyone present had different thoughts, and the atmosphere in the hall was a little tense, but Wang Shouzhe still had a calm expression on his face, as if an old **** was there.

Just then.

There was another noise outside.

A Ding general’s shout came from afar: "Are you patrolling the camp crazy? A wave just came, and now it’s coming again!"

There was another shout from a majestic man outside: "Get out of the way, otherwise I will be arrested for obstructing law enforcement and thief inside and outside."

While talking, a calm-looking middle-aged general led the team rushing in from the outside.

The visitor was the Wang Ding clan and his second patrol and defense battalion.

This scene really made the Huangfu family very popular.

The ancestor Hua Ye trembled with anger, and said angrily: "I just came to patrol the third battalion, and now come to patrol the second battalion again! Xiahou Hongde! You really think that our Huangfu clan is muddled!!"

In this way, even Xiahou Hongde's face was a little bit awkward, and he screamed: "Wangding clan! As the leader of the patrol camp, are you really going to participate in the family battle? Do you know what this is committed? taboo?"

"Enlighten the city lord." The Wang Ding clan said without rushing, "subordinates are performing official duties, don't understand what the city lord is referring to?"

"Good, good! I want to see what official duties you are performing!" Xiahou Hongde grinned angrily, "If you are found out by me and use your power to take advantage of the opportunity to suppress other families, I can't blame my ruthless men!"

"Yes, Master City Guard."

The Wang Ding clan is calm and self-assured.

Immediately after he waved his hand, several soldiers walked in, escorting Ding Youde.

The Wang Ding clan said: "This Ding Youde is the second shopkeeper of the Fa Cai Gambling House. He served as my tainted witness, reporting the Fa Cai Gambling House, Splendid Manor, and the former Ma Huangfu clan to hide evil people together! "

It was the first time in his life that Ding Youde saw so many big men gathered together.

He immediately knelt down tremblingly: "The villain Ding Youde has been working in the Fortune Gambling House for 20 years."

Although he is not a big figure, he is also a well-known figure in Changning Weizhong. He is known for his harsh debts and vicious methods. Many people present have heard of him or knew him.

"Sure enough, Ding Youde."

Everyone talked a lot, but they helped confirm Ding Youde's identity.

"Master Cheng Shou, apart from Ding Youde, Huang Huai'an, the treasurer of the Fa Cai Gambling Shop, has been arrested." The Wang Ding clan said with a serious face, "After preliminary interrogation, Huang Huai'an has confessed to the crime. Corrected the chief steward of Fairview Villa, as well as the former Ma Huangfu family Huangfu Deyun and others."

As he said, he took out the signed confession and handed it to Xiahou Hongde: "Lord Cheng Shou, please have a look."

Xiahou Hongde took a look.

Sure enough, the statement was complete, legal and valid.

Immediately, his face changed, and his eyes looked badly at Huangfu Deyun.

Because of the evidence, he blocked Zhou Zhenwu's request to get people. But I didn't want to. It was not more than a quarter of an hour before the Wang Ding clan took evidence and threw it on the face.

Huangfu Jinhuan hurriedly stood up and said, "Master of the city guard, the Wang Ding clan is a member of the Wang family. He shouldn't be involved in this matter because of his affection and the law."

"Master Cheng Shou." The Wang Ding clan said coldly, "The subordinates only got a secret report from an informant, saying that it was the Fa Cai Gambling House and the Fairview Villa, and that the former Ma Huangfu clan was suspected of collaborating with the enemy and treason. The subordinates investigated this according to the law. Cases, and come to get people according to their duties. What does it have to do with the Wang family?"

Huangfu Jinhuan's face was stagnant, but he insisted: "The crowds in the Fa Cai Gambling Shop are all inferior people. Based on their one-sided words, it would be too anxious for Commander Wang to come and arrest people? If this is the case, I will be at any time. You can find a hundred beggars and say that your Wang clan is in collusion with Yin Shazong. Are you going to take down Wang Shouzhe?"

"All the evidence of this matter does not involve the Tianren Huangfu family. Why should the Huangfu family jump up and down like this?" The Wang Ding clan calmly said, "I will never arrest people based on only one side of the story. Come, bring up the material evidence. "

Immediately after he waved his hand, two soldiers came in carrying a large box of ledger books.

The Wang Ding clan reported in an orderly manner: “These are the books that have not had time to destroy the Fa Cai Gambling House and the Fairview Villa. Although their accounts are hidden, some of the money is unknown. After verification, they were all purchased in the black market of Baidaowei. The materials used for the cultivation of the Yin Sha sect disciples were finally transferred to Splendid Mountain Villa. All accounts can be matched. Huangfu Patriarch, if you want to check the detailed evidence of crimes, please go to the Chengshou Mansion to apply according to the Dagan law."

"In addition, we have already sealed the Fairview Villa, where traces of life and cultivation can be found." The Wang Ding clan's face was calm as a waterway. "The evidence alone is enough to get people. As long as we examine carefully, we can be called. The ins and outs are clear."

Personal evidence and physical evidence are complete.

City lord Xiahou Hongde looked at Huangfu Deyun with a majestic expression: "Patriarch of Deyun, Wang commander has plenty of evidence. This city lord advises you to go with him."

"Master Cheng Shou, don't worry." Wang Ding Clan said, "As long as you win Huangfu De Yun and the whole group, your subordinates will be able to find out the matter clearly and will never let a bad person go."

As soon as this statement came out, not only Huangfu Deyun's face was pale, but also Huangfu Jinhuan and Hua Ye's ancestors all changed in color.

The entire operation of the whole thing, although the Tianren Huangfu family was clean on the surface, and the accounts could not be found on their heads, if it was Huangfu Deyun that could not bear the suffering...

Xu Anbang, the Patriarch of the Xu Family in Changning, sneered contemptuously: "Huangfu Deyun, I thought you were a human being, but I didn't expect to collude with the Yin Sha sect."

After that, he arched his hands and said, "Master Cheng Shou, in my opinion, a small 8-Rank family with limited energy can have such a deep collusion with the Yin Sha Sect? Please also ask Master Cheng Ning to protect me for a long time. Call the shots, thoroughly investigate the matter, and return me to Changningwei!"

Lei Yangyu, the Patriarch of the Celestial Lei family, also took the opportunity to make up for it: "The former Ma Huangfu family has always looked at the head of the Celestial Huangfu family. If it is said that the Celestial Huangfu family does not know the least, I am the first Lei to not believe it."

"You guys, this is slanderous, slandering my Celestial Huangfu family." Huangfu Jinhuan scolded him angrily, and he was also a little panicked.

If the city lord Xiahou Hongde is determined to investigate this matter, even if the Tianren Huangfu clan hides it deeply, it will be dug out.

At this moment, the ancestor Hua Ye's face gradually became angry, and he smiled angrily: "Well, well, our Huangfu clan has always adhered to the duty of guarding the chief, but we didn't expect the branch family to be such a scum. It's my fault, I didn't take care of them."

Say it!

A tyrannical aura permeated from him, and his figure swayed before Huangfu Deyun, a palm wrapped in a flame and patted his head: "I will clean up for the ancestors of the Huangfu family. You scum."

"boom!"

In the fire, Huangfu Deyun was slapped to death, and the corpse capital was burned and turned into a mass of ashes.

Among them, although Huangfu Deyun didn't expect Hua Ye's ancestor to take action, or Ji Wei was too instinctive to resist. However, we can also see the unfathomable strength of Hua Ye's ancestors.

A dignified monk who was in the early stage of the stage mirror was killed by a slap in the face!

On the other hand, the other two cultivators of the Celestial and Human Realm watched this scene, but they did not help. After all, the former Ma Huangfu clan was a branch of the Changning Huangfu clan. In a sense, this was really an internal matter of their entire Huangfu clan.

However, in this way, the suspicion of killing people is very great.

The scene was silent.

Some have a calm expression, and some show fear.

Only Xu Anbang, the Patriarch of the Xu family, sighed and went down the stone after a while and said: "Brother Deyun died too fast. It is not easy to investigate the black hand behind the scenes. The ancestor Hua Ye was too impulsive. Isn't this broken? clue?"

Lei Yangyu, the head of the Lei clan, also said with a strange expression of yin and yang: "Brother Xu's words are so bad. The bloodline of the same clan has such a scum that colludes with the evil evil people. It is not easy for the ancestors of Hua Ye to come out and destroy their relatives. Therefore, we can see that, The black hand behind this scene has absolutely nothing to do with the Tianren Huangfu family."

"Two juniors!" Old Ancestor Hua Ye's expression sank, and said with anger, "You are so small or not, even if your ancestor is in front of me, you dare not be so presumptuous..."

Although Hua Ye's ancestor was old, he was accustomed to it in his life after all, and no one dared to disobey him. This hot temper was not small.

Huangfu Jinhuan also recovered from the shock. He was frightened into a cold sweat, and hurriedly persuaded: "The ancestors please calm down, because we have not led a good branch family, and some gossips are normal. Please ancestors not to make peace today. The juniors are angry."

The implication is that they are all ruthless to kill people in public. It is not suitable to make waves today, and everything should wait for the matter to calm down, lest it fall into the other party's calculations.

"Huh!" All the changes today have made the face of ancestor Hua Ye embarrassed to the extreme. He bowed his hand to Xiahou Hongde and Fang Youan, "I asked two virtuous brothers to watch a joke today. I feel unwell, so I don't have to accompany him."

After all, the ancestor Hua Ye had no face again, staying at the scene and left straight away.

When he left, things settled down.

Xiahou Hongde still adhered to his consistent proposition, everything followed the procedures and evidence. Now Huangfu Deyun is dead, but with ample evidence, some key figures in the entire former Ma Huangfu clan are bound to be inseparable.

Immediately, he ordered: "Zhou Zhenwu, the Wang Ding clan is in charge. I order you and you to jointly supervise the case. You must follow rigorous procedures and act in accordance with the law. If you change the arrest, the trial is the trial."

"Yes, Master City Guard."

Zhou Zhenwu and the Wang Ding clan took the orders together and led the crowd to go to work.

With Xiahou Hongde's last final word, the former Ma Huangfu clan may be completely finished, and there is no room for turning over.

All the people who participated in the banquet, no matter what mood to stay, all got up and said goodbye.

Suddenly, the lively and lively Huangfu family home, which had just been singing and dancing, became deserted.

There is quite a sense of sadness when people go to the empty building and the birds are scattered.

...

On the wide avenue.

A carriage moved slowly, with Wang Shouzhe and Xu Anbang sitting on it.

Arriving on this private carriage, Xu Anbang removed his disguise and suddenly entered a state of excitement. He threw his fist and said, "Shouzhe, this time we have won a big victory. We knocked out the thief of Yin Shazong and the former Ma Huangfu clan. These two minions. And after such an event, the reputation of the Changning Huangfu clan was completely destroyed, who would dare to trust them? Now the Huangfu clan is already a polished general. Haha, do you see the last face of Huangfu Jinhuan? How wonderful, there will be more wonderful."

"Uncle Wu, take a sip of the spirit tea first." Wang Shouzhe made a pot of spirit tea leisurely and poured him a cup, "Although the minions are gone, the Tianren Huangfu clan is still a behemoth, and we are not allowed to be small. watch for."

Wang Shouzhe was also very excited about the success of this plan, but he could be regarded as a person who had come by the storm and could be stable.

"Afraid of him?" Xu Anbang took a sip of spiritual tea, and said with a sense of spirit, "Our eighth-grade families are united, and the overall strength is better than them. What's more, our ancestors of Beichen are only far away from the heavens and humans. Half a step away."

The Xu clan of Changning has been suppressed by the Huangfu clan for hundreds of years, and has always been the third year old of Changningwei. Now he is finally able to get rid of the constraints of the Huangfu clan. How can Xu Anbang not be excited?

Today's battle, although a big victory. But that was a situation that Wang Shouzhe had planned for several years, and it was only natural to obtain a phased victory. However, the Changning Huangfu clan who was beaten up might not be so easy to deal with next.

"Wait, this spirit tea seems to belong to me?" Xu Anbang drank this spirit tea, the more he drank, the smoother he drank, and he glanced intently, uh, it seems that this is his carriage!

It made him a little bit dumbfounded, Shouzhe, this kid, is really anti-going. Shicai didn't pay attention and thought he had gotten into his carriage.

At this moment.

Outside the carriage came the laughing voice of Lei Yangyu: "Brother Anbang, Brother Shouzhe, can Lei just get in the car without comment?"

Lei Yangyu is the patriarch of Changning Wei's only two celestial family. His status and status are not inferior to that of Huangfu Jinhuan. He is a powerful figure in Changning Wei.

Such a person.

Naturally, Xu Anbang and Wang Shouzhe didn't dare to neglect the slightest, so they went down and invited him into the carriage and exchanged greetings with each other on the spirit tea.

The three of them talked in greetings, and after three cups of tea, they seemed to get closer to each other.

Lei Yangyu smiled and said to Xu Anbang: "Brother Anbang, congratulations. Your current workshop technology allows the former Ma Huangfu clan to collude with Yin Shazong to destroy and snatch. It can be seen that it must be ours. Longzuo County is considered top-notch technology. Tsk tsk, then again, you can hide deep enough to use this trick at the critical moment. In this way, the rise of your family is just around the corner."

"Brother Yangyu, it's a fluke, just a fluke." Xu Anbang hurriedly said with humility, "If the Huangfu clan was too aggressive, why would we Xu clan take this tactic?"

The Xu family had an agreement with the Wang family that they claimed that the silk reeling technology was all developed by the Xu family. It can also be regarded as carrying some unnecessary limelight for Ping An Wang.

As for Lei Shi, he did not deny that the war tonight had been premeditated.

After all, the owners of each family are not fools, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that today is an open and secret game between the Huangfu Group and the Xu Group~www.wuxiaspot.com~ In the end, it was the Xu Group who won by a better one.

If you deny it categorically, it will leave an impression of hypocrisy.

"In the final analysis, it was the former Ma Huangfu clan who really colluded with the Yin Shazong, so they were to blame for the end." Lei Yangyu sneered, "If you don't stand upright, you will die sooner or later. My Lei clan is different, there is Although it was a bit arrogant and domineering at the time, in the end, only internal conflicts will be resolved internally, and there will be no collusion with the evil sect demon."

"It's a pity that Huangfu Jinyuan, the founder of the former Ma Huangfu clan, Huangfu Jinyuan, a former generation of small arrogance, could not escape the master's control after all, and eventually fell to this end."

Wang Shouzhe and the others were also embarrassed and regretted for Huangfu Jinyuan.

But Wang Shouzhe also felt normal, let alone the relationship between the master and branch of the Xuanwu clan. Even in the ordinary families of many modern people on earth, there are also many people who cannot escape the influence and invisible control of the original family.

Physical and psychological imprints are often accompanied by a person's life.

Suddenly!

Outside the carriage, another slightly dignified voice said: "Is Patriarch Shouzhe here? I am Xiahou Hongde. I have come to ask Patriarch Shouzhe some questions."

In that voice, there seemed to be uneasy anger.

It's no wonder that Lord Cheng Shou is in a bad mood.

From beginning to end today, he was treated as a swordsman.

And he hadn't given him a chance to resist, or even say no, it was arranged so silently!

Lei's Leiyangyu and Xu's Xu Anbang both looked at Wang Shouzhe with slightly worried eyes. Listening to the tone of the city guard Xiahou Hongde, it seemed that he was looking for trouble.

However, Wang Shouzhe still had a calm look, and gave them a look of peace of mind. He said in a loud voice, "Xiahou City Shou has something to summon, but Shouzhe dare not accept his orders?"

...