I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 377 The idol of scholars! Su Liang appeared in Meizhou City
April 12, near dusk.

Su Liang, Du Lei and Sun Sheng were riding horses on a wide and flat official road.

this moment.

The sunset was brilliant and the clouds were rolling.

There are elms and willows on both sides, green and shaded, and the air is filled with the rich fragrance of green grass.

If Ouyang Xiu were here.

I will definitely stop my horse and feel the beauty of the late spring scenery, and even write a little poem.

But at this moment, Su Liang was looking forward to the damn sunset setting as soon as possible.

When the sun goes down, he can rest.

After riding horses for four consecutive days, 200 miles a day, Su Liang had only one feeling: hip pain.

The other guards either live in other inns or rest directly in the wild.

Among them, Meishan County is the administrative seat of Meizhou.

The spring rain was like ox hair, and it rained all night.

As long as you have hot water to take a shower and a clean bed to sleep on.

There are many bookstores in the city.

After fourteen days.

April 22nd, nearly noon.

Meizhou is Shangzhou.

Du Lei was very excited and immediately took people to find out the news.

Su Liang didn't pay much attention to things when he was out.

It has jurisdiction over four counties, namely Meishan County, Pengshan County, Danling County and Qingshen County.

Tired from traveling during the day, he basically ate, took a shower, lay down and fell asleep.

When Su Liang entered the inn, he naturally enjoyed the highest standards of food and accommodation, such as the best rooms, the best meals, and even tea, local specialties, etc.

But for Su Liang, two hundred miles is the limit.

He will show up only after he has figured out the situation.

If it were other officials riding carriages, it would probably take at least a month.

Meizhou's culture and education are prosperous, and poetry and calligraphy are very popular. The most famous one is book printing.

The three of them had a full meal first, and then found an inn to rest.

Su Liang and three others appeared in a post station.

Many families have extensive book collections.

After Su Liang and the others arrived at Meizhou City, it started to rain lightly.

Su Liang is quite satisfied with this speed.

……

Su Liang slept comfortably all night. After breakfast, he and Sun Sheng went to the streets of Meizhou City.

When Su Liang inspects local state capitals, he always conducts secret investigations first.

The two legs were also as heavy as lead because they pinched the horse's belly.

However, compared to the inns in the city, there is still a big gap.

This bit of physical work on the road is nothing compared to their daily training.

Su Liang and his party finally arrived at Meizhou.

The Song Dynasty was so anxious that it could travel four hundred miles a day.

The books printed in Meizhou are of high quality and are favored by book collectors all over the world.

As for Su Liang's luggage, the guards have already sent it to his room.

Half an hour later.

When I opened my eyes again, the sky was slightly bright.

This is under the premise that we will start at dawn and stop only after sunset, and we will choose the horse that is best at galloping at the inn.

Not only does my hip hurt.

Du Lei and Sun Sheng were very relaxed.

……

Even the employment prices of papermakers and engravers from Meizhou in Bianjing City are much higher than those of craftsmen elsewhere.

It wasn't until daybreak that it gradually cleared up.

……

Most of the people here speak Sichuan dialect.

Such as: Let’s eat! What do you want? I’m still reading and my paws are stuffed, but if I don’t read, I won’t read…

Fortunately, Meizhou City has prosperous trade, and there are merchants from all over the country.

There is also a lot of official talk.

No one would find it strange that Su Liang didn't speak Sichuan dialect.

The main streets of Meizhou City are filled with a strong fragrance of books and ink.

There are various book shops lined up in rows, as well as four treasure shops, book stalls and so on.

among them.

What made Su Liang feel dumbfounded was that there was a book stall with a line written on the sign: The Complete Works of Su Jingming's Literary Theory.

Someone has already compiled Su Liang's articles into a book and published it.

Su Liang walked over with a smile.

"Stall owner, how do you sell the complete works of Su Jingming's literary theory?" Su Liang imitated the tone of Sichuan people.

The stall owner immediately pulled out a beautifully engraved book and introduced it with a smile: "Master, I must not tell you, this... This is the seal signed by Su Jingming, and this is the only one left. , It’s really no good, 800 yuan!”

Su Liang flipped through "The Complete Works of Su Jingming's Literary Theory" and found that the articles in it were very complete. He immediately stretched out three fingers and said: "Three hundred articles."

"Three hundred cents? Too low! Too low!" the stall owner said with a frown.

Su Liang turned away and left.

The stall owner quickly said: "I sold it to you, I sold it to you, this book is really not bad!"

Immediately, Su Liang bought the book.

……

The evening of April 24th.

Su Liang sat at the table and sorted through the intelligence information compiled by Du Lei, basically understanding the entire situation of the death case of Meizhou Zhizhou Zuliang.

The ancestor of Meizhou Zhizhou was a Jinshi in the eighth year of Tianbao.

He just turned fifty this year, his performance is average, and his reputation among the people is pretty good.

On the evening of March 26, he was stabbed thirteen times and died in a bamboo forest less than 200 meters away from his home.

Zu Liang has a habit.

Every night from Xuchu (7 p.m.) to Xuzheng (8 p.m.), I take a walk in the bamboo forest in front of my house.

Except for bad weather such as wind, frost, rain, snow, etc., everything is on time.

On the day of his death, he went for a walk in the bamboo forest.

The murderer stabbed him thirteen times, obviously because he had a big grudge against Zu Liang.

But it had been less than a year since Zuliang came to Meizhou to serve as magistrate.

No one had ever heard of him messing with anyone.

He also has a good temper and rarely loses his temper, which is recognized by his colleagues.

Meizhou Yamen, the two officials who had the most contact with Zuliang.

One is Lu Qing, the general judge of Meizhou.

He was a Jinshi in the first year of Jingyou's reign and had been a general judge of Meizhou for two years. He was a low-key man and his political achievements were mediocre.

One is Cao Changyun, the magistrate of Meishan County.

The Jinshi in the first year of Baoyuan was different from Zu Liang who had average grades, Lu Qing who was low-key and mediocre, and Cao Changyun who had a very loud reputation.

He once ate and lived in the fields with the people during spring plowing and autumn harvest.

He also liked to chat with scholars at the famous "Sun's Library" in Meizhou City, and was highly respected by scholars.

Many people in Meizhou believe that he has the appearance of a ruler.

As for the rest, there are no clues. at present.

The key to solving the case is to find out the motive for the murder, that is, who has the grudge against Zuliang.

At present, Hong Zhong, the official of Yizhou Road Tidian Prison Department, is also in Meizhou City.

And the investigation is ongoing.

As a special envoy, Su Liang was ordered to govern the prison. Once he showed up, Hong Zhong would hand over everything to Su Liang.

Follow the rules.

Su Liangke set up the Yushi Taigen Survey Office in the Meizhou Prefecture Government Office. After the case was completed, all Meizhou officials were required to listen to his orders.

……

April 25th, early morning.

Su Liang had breakfast and decided to go to Meizhou Yamen.

He has collected almost all the information from the private sector. For more specific and detailed information about the case, he must go to the state government office to find out.

Immediately, Su Liang led Du Lei and Sun Chao towards the outside of the inn.

As soon as Su Liang went out, he heard a piece of news.

"Hong Zhong, the official of Yizhou Road Tidian Prison Department, dismissed Cao Changyun, the magistrate of Meishan County, and imprisoned him."

According to rumors from state officials, Cao Changyun may be the murderer of Zu Liang.

Su Liang was a little confused when he heard the news.

If the case was settled like this, then he would have come to Meizhou for nothing.

Su Liang walked to the street.

I saw many scholars wearing long gowns running towards the state government office.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could Cao Zhixian kill Zu Zhizhou? It is absolutely unjust. We must ask the state government to try the case!"

"Meizhou can not have Zhizhou and Tongfan, but it must have Cao Zhixian. I absolutely do not believe that Cao Zhixian can kill people. He has no reason to kill Zu Zhizhou!"

"This... this is impossible! The night Zu Zhizhou died, Cao Zhixian was at Sun's library the whole time!"

"I am willing to bet my official career. Cao Zhixian is definitely wronged. How could he, such a gentle and gentle man, kill someone? And there is no conflict between him and Hong Zhizhou!"

"Cao Zhi County has always advocated the development of culture and education, followed by commerce. He...if he is dismissed from office and imprisoned because of this matter, our Meizhou City may be doomed!"

……

Cao Changyun, the magistrate of Meishan County, has a very good reputation among scholars in Meizhou. No one thinks that he is the murderous maniac who stabbed him thirteen times in a row.

Su Liang and the others also walked quickly towards Meizhou Yamen.

When Su Liang and the others walked to the state government office.

A large number of scholars had gathered in front of the state government, and they all asked the state government to put the matter to public trial so that the people could see the trial process.

After a while.

Two men in official uniforms walked out of the state government office.

The one walking at the front was Hong Zhong, a sixty-nine-year-old sentencing officer. Behind him was a man of medium build, Lu Qing, the temporary magistrate of Meizhou.

At this time.

Hong Zhong said loudly: "Everyone, be quiet! Be quiet!"

Wait until everything quiets down.

Hong Zhong just spoke: "Everyone, don't be anxious! Don't be anxious! The outcome of the current case has not yet been determined. Cao Changyun, the magistrate of Meishan County, is just being detained for interrogation in accordance with the usual practice."

"There are two reasons why I detained him. First, he had a fierce quarrel with Cao Zhizhou the day before Zu Zhizhou died; second, Lu Tongxuan was arrested at 3:00 p.m. on the day Zu Zhizhou died. , I once saw Cao Changyun appear in front of the state government office in a panic, and then leave quickly. It was during the time when Zu Zhizhou arrived in Xuzheng that he was killed! "

"There is a motive for murder, and Judge Lu Tong witnessed him appearing in the state government office less than 300 meters away from the crime scene, so I want to put him on trial!" Hong Zhong said loudly.

At this time.

A scholar suddenly said: "Hong Tixing, there is a mistake, there is a mistake! At three o'clock in the morning, it is impossible for Cao Zhixian to be in the prefectural government office. He is with us in Sun's library. There is an inscription on the library. I I remember very clearly that at three o'clock in the morning, we were discussing the Book of Rites with Cao Zhixian! "

"Yes, at three o'clock in the morning, all six of us can testify!" Another scholar said, and the other five scholars stood at the front.

At this time.

Meizhou general judge Lu Qing frowned and said, "If you say this, then this general judge is lying?"

"Lu Tongpan, God is watching what you do. I'm afraid only you know whether you lied or not!" A scholar said without fear.

Most of the scholars did not like Lu Qing, the general judge of Meizhou.

Because Lu Qing loves to deal with merchants in Meizhou, and these scholars in Meizhou always look down on merchants.

Lu Qing frowned and said: "Huh! You and Cao Changyun have a close personal relationship. Most of you are close friends. If you cannot prove it, you should all leave quickly. If necessary, the state government will summon you!"

"Hong Ti's sentence! What we said will never be false. The current sentence of Lu Tong also involves giving false evidence. You must also remove him from office and take him into custody, otherwise it will be unfair!"

"Yes, Lu Tong was convicted of false testimony. It would be unfair not to remove him from office and take him into custody!"

"unfair!"

"unfair!"

These scholars have always been fearless.

"You are so reckless. You have the final say in my handling of the case. If you continue to act recklessly, I will punish you for disturbing the official business of the state government!" Hong Zhong glared.

At this time, a scholar became angry.

"A mediocre official! A mediocre official! A mediocre official..."

For a while.

The scholars who were watching all started shouting, and their momentum became stronger and stronger.

Su Liang, who was standing behind, frowned slightly.

The prosperity of culture and education means that scholars here are more independent-minded and more willing to fight for the truth.

However, it is indeed a bit lawless to call the imperial officials "mediocre officials" in front of the state government.

However, this also reflects that Hong Zhong and Lu Qing have a poor relationship with the people of Meizhou.

Hong Zhongnai is a road officer, which makes sense.

But Meizhou Tong judge Lu Qing was scolded like this by the scholars, which was completely unpopular and somewhat derelict in his duties.

Su Liang also got an important message from it.

One of these scholars and Meizhou Tongjian Lu Qing must have told lies.

"Come here! Arrest all those who are causing trouble and bring them to the state government office!" Hong Zhong said angrily.

"Wait!"

At this moment, Su Liang strode out.

Su Liang took out a document proving his identity, handed it to Hong Zhong, and then said: "I am Su Liang. By the official order, I am here to deal with the murder of Zu Liang, the magistrate of Meizhou."

After Hong Zhong and Lu Qing confirmed Su Liang's identity, they quickly handed over their hands and said, "I'm here to see Special Envoy Su."

at the same time.

The scholars at the back also became quiet, and then they all bent down and cupped their hands, saying: "Mr. Su!"

This move was completely different from the loud curse just now.

All young scholars who have the ambition to serve the country admire Su Liang.

Especially after Su Liang's theory of nationwide reform was released, his status in the hearts of scholars all over the world has surpassed that of Ouyang Xiu, Emperor Wenzong of the Song Dynasty.

These scholars are not disrespectful of etiquette, but they are disrespectful.

Su Liang looked at Hong Zhong and Lu Qing and said: "Hong will be punished and Lu Tong will be sentenced. If they are scolded by the people, they will be taken to the state prison. I am afraid that no matter how big the state prison is, they will not be able to accommodate them! Those who are officials , you can’t get angry with the people and aggravate the conflicts, it won’t do any good, do you understand?”

They both raised their hands.

Hong Zhong even blushed.

Although he was a veteran minister, facing Su Liang, a favorite and important minister of the imperial court who had made many great achievements, what he said was reasonable and he did not dare to refute it at all.

Immediately, Su Liang looked at the scholars.

"Next, I will take over this case with full authority. I will set up the Censor Taigen Investigation Office in Meizhou Prefecture. After some clues are found in the case, there will be a public trial, and the people have the right to hear the trial. Youwei Cao Those who testify from the county magistrate can write another testimony and submit it to the state government. This kind of trouble is absolutely not advisable, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Su!" All the scholars raised their hands in unison.

In front of Hong Zhong and Lu Qing, these scholars were like a group of crazy wild horses, full of stubbornness.

But in front of Su Liang, everyone was as well-behaved as a kitten that had just turned one month old.

This is the influence of "Su Zi".

"Let's all disperse!" Su Liang waved his hand.

Immediately, the scholars dispersed one after another, and Su Liang, Hong Zhong, and Lu Qing walked into the government office together.

(End of this chapter)