The Prodigal Son

Soon, Yang Jichun and the others gathered around.

After careful comparison, it was found that there were indeed counterfeit copper coins among them.

Moreover, there are quite a few.

After careful selection, they found more than a hundred fake copper coins among thousands of copper coins.

They're all Yonghui Tongbao coins!

This is a huge problem!

These are counterfeit coins from Zhao Luan's reign!

These counterfeit copper coins were made to a very high standard.

From the appearance alone, it is basically impossible to tell them apart.

However, if you listen carefully to the sound of the coins clashing together, you can hear some differences.

When you cut it open, the inside is made of coarse iron and lead, with only the outer layer being copper.

"Tell me! Where did you get all these copper coins?"

Qin Yu tossed a fake copper coin to Chen Bao, saying, "If you figure this out, you'll have done a great service! If you don't, you're in trouble!"

Fuck!

The crackdown on illegal salt trade unexpectedly uncovered counterfeit currency!

Among the thousands of copper coins, more than a hundred were found to be fake.

That's quite a large proportion!

If we exclude the Deyou Tongbao coins from the previous emperor's reign, the proportion would be even greater.

Although Da Ning issued silver notes, copper coins were still the main form of currency circulating among the people.

Ordinary people rarely used banknotes. Some people in the mountains probably never saw a banknote in their entire lives and wouldn't believe in that piece of paper.

The circulation of so many counterfeit copper coins is no less serious than the rampant smuggling of salt!

Even more serious!

"this……"

Chen Bao, trembling, held the counterfeit coins in his hand and wailed, "Sir, I...I don't know! I don't know who gave me these counterfeit coins!"

Chen Bao was almost in tears; all he wanted to do at that moment was curse.

The highway robbery incident just passed, and now these damn fake copper coins have appeared!

Who can I reason with now?!

Was I destined to die?

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then immediately ordered Di Rong, "Go! Have all the villagers bring out their copper coins and see if there are any counterfeit coins left!"

"yes!"

Di Rong left quickly with a sullen face.

Now they're really going to be busy!

"You two should think carefully about where you got these counterfeit coins, or who gave them to you!"

Qin Yu glanced at Chen Bao again.

He also knew that it would be difficult to get Chen Bao to recall how he got the money.

However, these counterfeit copper coins were found in Chen Bao's possession. If he could recall where these counterfeit copper coins came from, it would be very helpful for their subsequent investigation and could save them a lot of trouble.

Chen Bao nodded repeatedly, then pulled his wife, Li, who was trembling with fear and tears welling up in her eyes, aside and tried to think hard.

As she was thinking, Li's expression suddenly changed, and she whispered in Chen Bao's ear.

Qin Yu noticed their subtle movements and immediately said in a deep voice, "If you have something to say, say it in front of me. Don't whisper at a time like this!"

"Yes, yes!"

Madam Li quickly turned around and timidly replied, "Your Excellency, I suddenly remembered that this money seems to have been obtained when we fled to Zilang County..."

As she spoke, Li quickly explained to them where the money came from.

They fled from Shanshui County, but because they had no travel permits, they could not take the main roads and mostly traveled along mountain trails.

While in a ravine in Zilang County, Longshan County, they unexpectedly discovered a skeleton and a small bag of gold nuggets on the body.

They were already on the run and were afraid that using gold nuggets would attract attention. Moreover, it was inconvenient to use gold in a small mountain town. So they exchanged the gold nuggets for four strings of copper coins and some loose silver at a low price in a town under Zilang County.

When she was happy, she would wave the copper coin near her ear, wanting to hear the coin make a sound.

She immediately sensed that the sound was a little off, and she even joked with Chen Bao that maybe he had exchanged it for fake copper coins.

However, Chen Bao said that all the new coins issued by the imperial court were like this.

She was just joking at the time, and since she didn't have much experience herself, she didn't think much of it after hearing Chen Bao say that.

They recruited a few more people who knew some martial arts, and they used the money along the way. When they arrived here, they only had a small amount of loose silver and less than a string of coins left. No one said that the copper coins were counterfeit, so she no longer doubted the money.

Knowing that Chen Bao was used to spending money lavishly, she hid about five qian of loose silver and half a string of coins for emergencies.

Later, Chen Bao and his brothers made some money by robbing people on the road. Every time Chen Bao entrusted the money to her for safekeeping, she would secretly hide some money in her own hiding place.

Today, Di Rong led his men to raid their mountain stronghold, and the money she had hidden was also found.

Yang Jichun stared at the copper coins and nodded slightly: "Hmm, these fake copper coins are all in very good condition, which means they haven't been used much."

"It's more than just that it's barely used!"

Ruan Zhi chimed in, "These copper coins are so new, it means they weren't really in circulation when they were being exchanged! If what she said is true, then the den making these counterfeit copper coins is very likely near Zilang County!"

"I absolutely did not lie!"

Li said in a panic, "What I said is true, but I only suspect that the money was obtained at that time. I am not sure. I beg you, sir, to judge for yourself..."

"Alright, I understand."

Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Don't worry, as long as you haven't lied to me, I won't make things difficult for you! If this case is solved based on the clues you provide, you will not only be innocent, but you will also have rendered meritorious service!"

"Thank you... thank you, sir!"

Li and Chen Bao quickly expressed their gratitude.

"Sir, this matter seems more serious than we thought!"

Yang Jichun lowered his voice and said with a solemn expression, "There are more than a hundred counterfeit copper coins in this half-string of coins. You can imagine how many counterfeit copper coins are on the market..."

Qin Yu gently rubbed his head. "Unauthorized minting of copper coins is tantamount to treason! What difference does it make whether there are more or less? More is better, it will make it easier for us to trace their origin!"

"Too!"

Yang Jichun nodded gently, feeling both happy and worried.

The salt smuggling case, the murder of Sun Min, and the counterfeit money case.

Every case is a major case.

As long as the case is solved, it will be a great achievement.

But there are just too many cases!

Moreover, they are all complex and major cases!

This has left him a bit confused.

Moreover, if these major cases are truly investigated and clarified, who knows how many more people will have to be withdrawn.

Before the gourd could be pressed down, the ladle popped up again!

Half an hour later, Di Rong came to report.

They did not find any counterfeit copper coins in the villagers' homes.

Qin Yu was not surprised by this result.

If the counterfeit money originated from Zilang County, it would be quite difficult for it to circulate in small mountain villages hundreds of miles away.

If even these remote areas have counterfeit money, it can only mean that counterfeit money has been circulating for a long time and is rampant.

It seems I'll have to send the people from the Baojing Division to Zilang County to investigate!

Since he encountered this situation, he definitely has to investigate!

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yu looked up at Yang Jichun and the others beside him: "Tomorrow we'll return to Jiankou County!"

"Why are you suddenly not going to Xiaguang County anymore?" Nan Que'er tilted her head and asked curiously.

Lu Si curled his lip, "Why do you always act on a whim?"

He still prefers to investigate the smuggled salt case.

After all, the salt smuggling case has the best chance of leading back to the Shi family!

He still wanted to see the Shi family kneeling before him and begging for mercy!

To this day, he still believes that the person behind Gan Dacheng is that bastard Shi Wang!

Who knows, even Shi Yi might be involved!

In any case, historians are definitely not immune to blame!

Qin Yu stretched and said, "Let's go back first, so it'll be easier for the people from the Treasure Mirror Division to contact us!"

He certainly doesn't have the energy to investigate the counterfeit money case right now.

Let the Baojing Division investigate this matter!

If this case can be thoroughly investigated, we might be able to uncover more people involved in the smuggled salt case by following the clues!

Merging two cases, or even three cases, can save some energy!