I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 253 The secret of Yangzhou Port, what the Koreans stole was not books, but culture!

The first day of the twelfth lunar month.

The colder the weather, the stronger the flavor of the new year.

Although Yangzhou City is not as prosperous and lively as Bianjing City, its climate is far better than Bianjing City.

Especially the water in Yangzhou is very nourishing.

In the afternoon, in the backyard of Tang's house, the winter sun shines brightly.

There is a charcoal fire tea stove, the aroma of tea lingers, and various dried fruit snacks are placed on the small table.

Su Liang was leaning on a reclining chair wrapped in cashmere, holding a book in his hand, bathing in the sunshine, feeling very comfortable.

He designated this day as his first day of paid leave.

Su Liang felt very happy when he thought that such days could last until the Lantern Festival, a full forty-five days.

……

The next morning.

Tang Ze simply took a few bites of breakfast and then rushed to Shangwen Club.

Su Liang is the father-in-law.

In addition to his three hobbies of books, wine, and tea, he regards teaching as his life.

After returning to Yangzhou, he went to teach in this private school he built with several old friends every day.

Moreover, more than 300 books brought from Bianjing City were placed in the book club for students to copy.

Su Liang and Tang Wanmei were going to the Guanyin Temple in the south of the city to offer incense and pray for the child in Tang Wanmei's belly.

After a while.

Cao Hu drove the carriage out, and Su Liang, Tang Wanmei, Xiao Tao, and Su Zimu were talking and laughing in the carriage, very happy.

About half an hour later.

Cao Hu pulled the reins and suddenly stopped the carriage.

"Officer, something seems to have happened to the Shangwenshe in front?"

Hearing this, Su Liang quickly walked out of the carriage, and then saw Shangwenshe not far away, surrounded by people and several officials standing in the courtyard.

Su Liang also saw his father-in-law Tang Zezheng talking to the official with a frustrated look.

Tang Ze's safety will never be a problem, because Cao Hu sent five people to protect him secretly.

Immediately, Su Liang and his entourage got off the carriage and walked towards Shangwenshe in the alleyway not far away.

As soon as Su Liang arrived, the people watching greeted him one after another.

Su Liang waved his hand.

Then he helped Tang Wanmei to the courtyard of Shangwenshe.

A burly middle-aged man in official uniform quickly came to Su Liang, cupped his hands and said: "See Su Yushi!"

This person is Wei Hu, the leader of the state government office responsible for surrounding security.

Su Shunyuan specifically told him to protect Su Liang's family and surrounding neighbors.

Su Liang asked in confusion: "Bandou Wei, what happened?"

"The book club was robbed, and all the more than three hundred books that Mr. Tang had placed inside were stolen!"

Su Liang frowned slightly.

Today's thieves are so bold that they actually stole his father-in-law's head.

At this time, Tang Ze walked over with red eyes.

"Wonderful son-in-law, go and offer incense. I believe the government can get these books back."

Su Liang comforted him: "Don't worry, father-in-law, I will definitely get him back."

this moment.

Su Liang and Tang Wanmei both understood Tang Ze's mood.

The more than three hundred books that Tang Ze placed in the bookstore are all very precious.

There are original copies from previous dynasties, a collection of rare articles purchased through Su Liang's connections, and annotated copies written by celebrities such as Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, and Sun Fu.

It was what Tang Ze had saved so hard in the past two years in Bianjing City.

Although it cannot be called priceless, it is still valuable. If he cannot find it back, I am afraid that Tang Ze will not be able to live a good life this year.

Su Liang was also very distressed.

Su Liang looked at squad leader Wei Hu and said: "Team leader Wei, these books are extremely scarce. I hope you can send more manpower to solve the case as soon as possible and recover the books!"

"I understand!" Wei Hu heavily handed over his hand.

Immediately, Su Liang glanced at Cao Hu, who immediately understood.

Su Liang asked Cao Hu to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Su Shunyuan was honest and upright, and most of the officials below him also had this characteristic, but his ability to handle cases was average.

Now, as the New Year is approaching, there are many thefts in various places, which are not easy to investigate.

After a while.

After Su Liang comforted Tang Ze, he went to Guanyin Temple with Tang Wanmei and others.

……

An hour later.

More than ten officials, including Bantou Wei, appeared in the state government office.

Su Shunyuan, the magistrate of Yangzhou, looked ashen.

"This...isn't this a slap in my face? The thieves have become so rampant that they almost broke into Su Yushi's home! If this matter spreads to Bianjing City, where will the dignity of my officials in Yangzhou be?"

"Shao Tuiguan, you will personally lead the team to investigate this matter. How many days will it take for you to give me an explanation?"

Below, a thin, medium-sized middle-aged man with a goatee raised his head.

His name is Shao Gang, who is currently the official in Yangzhou and is in charge of prison litigation and punishment.

He thought for a moment and said, "About half a month!"

"Half a month? Half a month, the books have left Yangzhou long ago. I only give you five days. You will include this matter in the official examination book. If you fail to complete it, you will be punished. This time you must Get all the lost books back!" Su Shunyuan said angrily.

Seeing that some people below had not realized the seriousness of the matter, he added: "Currently, Taijian controls all performance appraisals of local officials. Su Yushi is very famous. If this matter spreads, Yushitai will give us a decision in Yangzhou." On the charge of 'producing thieves and making people's livelihood uneasy', none of you can expect to be promoted!"

"Su Zhizhou, this...this kind of theft is really difficult to investigate. Can you give us five days...?" Shao Gang looked troubled.

"I won't listen to excuses. You can't do anything. If you ask yourself to resign, I will never stop you!"

Su Shunyuan, who had always been elegant, had a particularly serious tone.

The officials were so frightened that they did not dare to raise their heads.

"Xiaguan...Xiaguan...will definitely complete the mission!" Shao Gang quickly handed over.

At this time, the squad leader Wei Hu said: "Su Zhizhou, this matter has affected my image of Yangzhou so much, should I investigate secretly? Try not to let too many people know that Su Yushi's father-in-law's books have been stolen!"

Hear this.

Su Shunyuan looked around, and when he couldn't find anything he could take advantage of, he said angrily: "Here... if there is a stick here, I will beat you out immediately!"

"This matter is already very embarrassing. Can you hide it? The best solution is to quickly solve the case and recover all the books!"

"I understand!"

All the officials held their hands together and walked out quickly. If they had been slower, Su Shunyuan might have really beaten him.

The biggest problem in lower-level government agencies is actually the high cost of communication. Some people always have their own little ideas or too many concerns.

Secondly, the ability is not good, it is really not good.

If this happened in Kaifeng Mansion, Bao Zheng could solve the case in at most one day.

……

Under the pressure of Su Shunyuan.

Within three days, the promotion officer Shao Gang and the squad leader Wei Hu caught the book thief.

There are three brothers who are habitual thieves in Yangzhou City, nicknamed: Lu Laoda, Lu Lao Er, and Lu Lao San.

The three brothers admitted that they had stolen the books.

But they didn't know that this was the book of Su Liang's father-in-law, who was a censor and a miscellaneous official. Otherwise, they wouldn't have dared to steal it even if they had ten courages.

The three brothers sold more than 300 books to Yazi Xiongwu for 30 guan early the next morning.

On the current market, the price of an ordinary book ranges from 300 yuan to several thousand yuan.

The three brothers sold each copy for less than a hundred cents, which was really a sale of stolen goods and they did not understand the value of these books at all.

Soon, Yazi Xiongwu was also arrested and brought to justice.

He said that that night, he put these books on the grass market bookstall in the south of the city, and then a man came and wrapped them up for fifty guan.

He didn't see the man's face clearly.

Then, after Xiong Wu learned that the books were the property of Su Liang's father-in-law, he said he was willing to hand over the profit of 50 yuan and then accept the punishment from the government.

Once the case is investigated, it can no longer be investigated.

There are still no traces of more than three hundred books.

……

In the afternoon, Yangzhou Yamen.

Su Shunyuan looked at the case submitted by the promotion officer Shao Gang and the squad leader Wei Hu.

He couldn't help but frown.

Most theft cases in the private sector are like this, and it is already very good to catch the murderer. As for lost items, they often change hands among many people in a day or two, and are even taken away from Yangzhou City, leaving no trace of them.

He thought for a moment and said, "We can't just let this matter go! Shao Tuiguan, go to Shangwenshe and ask Master Tang to write down the names of the lost books and then post them all over the city. Anyone who provides clues will be rewarded heavily." .”

"In addition, starting from tomorrow, we will crack down on theft, especially those who steal books. Let's see if we can get some clues from their mouths? Even if we go to other places, we must find these books!"

"Yes!" The two of them handed over their hands at the same time.

……

It's near dusk, inside Tang's house.

Cao Hu and Su Liang stood in the backyard.

"Su Zhizhou has found the murderer and the person who sold the stolen goods, but he has not found the whereabouts of the book. However, he is ready to crack down on theft in the city and wants to find some clues about the book from other thieves." Cao Hu said.

Su Liang nodded.

Cao Hu continued: "During our investigation, we found that there have been many people looking to buy books in Yangzhou recently. Many people are collecting books at high prices, especially rare collections. However, we have not yet found out whether there is anyone who is specifically collecting books. Acquire books?”

"Collecting books at a high price?" Su Liang was a little confused, but then he was relieved.

Throughout the Song Dynasty, there were many people who liked collecting books.

Some people collect good books everywhere and hide them at home. Some people want to sell them when the price increases, and some people want to pass them down to future generations.

Sometimes, officials of the imperial court would go to the homes of some wealthy businessmen to copy and copy treasured books.

……

The sixth day of the twelfth lunar month.

A list of the number of lost books was posted in front of the Yangzhou government office.

Then, the officials began to crack down on theft.

In less than two days, with the help of many people, hundreds of thieves were arrested and a lot of stolen goods were seized.

However, there has been no news about the more than three hundred books.

……

The ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, early morning.

Su Liang and Tang Ze were having breakfast when Cao Hu suddenly came to report that the books had been found and he was in the state office at the moment.

Su Liang and Tang Ze were overjoyed and rushed to the state government office immediately.

Half an hour later, inside the state government office.

Two large wooden boxes were placed in the center of the lobby, and more than three hundred books were neatly placed in front of Tang Ze and Su Liang.

Su Shunyuan said with a smile: "Early this morning, a government official discovered two large boxes placed in front of the gate of the state government office. Unexpectedly, they turned out to be more than three hundred books. The book buyer probably knew that these were your Su Yushi's father-in-law. book, so I secretly returned it!"

At this moment, Su Shunyuan was in a very good mood.

The lost face was finally recovered.

At this time, Tang Ze was checking the books in the box and said: "A lot of books, a lot of books. I guess this person is also a book lover. These rare books are wrapped in the innermost part without any damage." .”

Hearing this, Su Liang couldn't help but be stunned.

If the returner really knew books, he would not have known that these books could be sold for at least 5,000 guan.

It was incredible to suddenly return it without revealing any clues.

If this person despises five thousand dollars.

Then you really shouldn’t go to the black market to buy unclean books.

It's really contrary to common sense.

After all, Su Liang had been a promotion official.

He thought about it carefully, and combined with the large number of book collectors recently, a possibility emerged in his mind.

He looked at Su Shunyuan and said, "Zhizhou Su, can you let me see the testimonies of those who stole the books and sold the stolen goods?"

"Leave it here!" Su Shunyuan handed it to Su Liang.

Immediately, Su Liang read the testimony seriously.

He took a closer look and found a problem.

He asked the promoter Shao Gang on the side: "Reporter Shao, in the current black market, accounts are generally sold according to what percentage of the actual value they are?"

The black market also has black market rules.

"It ranges from 10% to 50%, and it may be 10% for urgent sales!"

"Do you know the value of these more than three hundred books?"

Shao Gang smiled and replied: "At least five thousand strings."

"Is it reasonable for Xiong Wu to sell it for 50 guan? In this case, it is written that he once worked for a bookseller and then had his teeth cut. How can a bookseller not understand the value of these books? No matter how anxious he is to sell, he will not sell them. The low price is fifty guan!"

As soon as these words came out, Shao Gang was dumbfounded. He didn't think about it at all.

Su Liang added: "I think this Xiong Wu may not be telling the truth. In addition, the returner may not necessarily know that this is my father-in-law's book, so he returned it. He may be worried that the government will find more books."

After hearing this, Su Shunyuan understood somewhat.

"Jing Ming, you mean that someone is purchasing a large number of books and smuggling them overseas?"

Yangzhou is the best place to transport prohibited items out to sea.

Su Liang nodded.

"This is just a suspicion of mine. It is unreasonable for a former bookseller to sell books for fifty guan; it is unreasonable for a person who does not care about books worth 5,000 guan to buy books of unknown origin on the black market; besides, love There are often people who collect books, but it is even more unreasonable to see people collecting books like this in Yangzhou City, where you only see Ya Zi busy and not God collecting books. Yangzhou is where the Yangtze River and the canal converge, and you can go to the sea at any time, so it is very popular for people like this. possibility."

Everyone nodded.

Su Shunyuan said loudly: "Bai Yazi Xiong will come to the lobby on the 5th."

After a while.

A middle-aged man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks was brought to the lobby.

Su Shunyuan sat at the top, Su Liang sat on one side, and the promotion officer Shao Gang and the squad leader Wei Hu stood aside.

"Officer, I...I really didn't know that it was the book from Su Yushi's father-in-law. I really received it by mistake. I am willing to hand over all the money and accept the punishment and pay the fine. The Chinese New Year is coming soon, you... …You can’t keep me in custody, I still have an eighty-eight-year-old mother!”

Su Shunyuan sat high in front of the table and said in a cold voice: "Don't be naocha. Whatever I ask you, just say it."

Suddenly, Xiong Wu no longer dared to speak nonsense.

"I would like to ask you, before you became a dentist, did you work as a bookseller? How long have you been doing this?"

"I did, I sold books for three years!"

"Then why not do it?"

“It’s not making money!”

"Then do you know the actual value of the more than three hundred books you stole?"

"I...I...don't know!"

"I don't know? You have been selling books for three years, but you don't know the value of the books. Most of those books are official editions, and they cost at least two guan each. You sold them for 50 guan. Why is that?"

"I...I really don't know. I'm just short of money. I'll be satisfied if I can sell it for fifty guan!"

At this time.

Shao Gang, the official on the side, added: "Except for the Nine Classics, if you sell books overseas, you will be sentenced to three years, and those who are serious will be rewarded with thousands of miles; if you join forces with overseas businessmen to smuggle goods and deceive them without reporting them, you will be charged with treason and killed." !”

When he heard the word "overseas", Xiong Wu's face became a little nervous.

"Xiong Wu, are you going to recruit me or not? Do you think I can't find out if you don't tell me?" Su Shunyuan said loudly.

Xiong Wu was suddenly frightened and collapsed on the ground.

"I'm recruiting, I'm recruiting! It's a Korean. There is a Korean who is buying books in large quantities. I am an errand boy. The Korean has his face covered all the time. I didn't see his face, and I don't know his identity. , where do you live, what accomplices do you have!”

Koreans buy books.

This matter suddenly became serious.

The Song Dynasty prohibited the export of all books except the "Nine Classics and Books", especially to Liao and Xia.

Goryeo was a vassal state of Liao.

This small country took advantage of the chaos to establish its country. It has little cultural heritage and likes to enrich itself with the culture of the Song Dynasty.

On the surface, they were stealing books, but in fact they were stealing the culture of the Song Dynasty, and they would shamelessly regard the culture of the Song Dynasty as the culture of their ancestors.

Su Liang disliked this small country very much.

If we say that Xixia played both sides between the Liao and Song Dynasties, claiming tributary status and establishing a country at the same time, in order to earn appeasement fees.

Goryeo is a proper domestic slave with two surnames. It wants to hug the lap of Song and the thigh of Liao. However, because it is close to the Liao Kingdom, after being beaten a few times, it became a vassal state of the Liao.

If Goryeo received a large number of books from the Song Dynasty, they would definitely present them to the Liao Kingdom to show their loyalty.

Su Shunyuan immediately ordered an investigation of all Koreans in the city. If anyone was found hoarding books, he would be arrested immediately.

There are not many merchants in Yangzhou City, and they are all registered. It is not difficult to find them.

Soon, Shao Gang ordered people to conduct a thorough investigation of all Koreans living in and around Yangzhou City, but no one was found to have hidden a large number of books.

……

Early in the morning, in the back hall of the state government office.

Su Liang and Su Shunyuan both felt a little strange. There were a lot of books that were difficult to hide, so they shouldn't be unable to find them.

at this time.

The two looked at the map of Yangzhou at the same time and said almost in unison: "Yangzhou Port!"

The Koreans were on the shore, but their boat was in the water. If they found out that the government was investigating them, they would definitely want to escape immediately.

"Prepare your horses and head to Yangzhou Port immediately!"

(End of this chapter)