The Song Dynasty was an era of great prosperity in the study of gold and stone, and the literati liked and attached importance to it, and there were many people of gold and stone. At this time, people collected bronze ware and attached great importance to the inscription on it, which was called Zhong Dingwen. This kind of atmosphere spread to the people, even a rural coppersmith like Sun Ran, who also knew that the value of bronze with inscriptions was immeasurable, and he did not dare to recast.

Hearing that Sun Ran had kept the details, Du Zhongxiao let out a sigh of relief and asked him: "You have been doing this for many years, how many bronzes have you received with inscriptions?" Where did it go? ”

Sun Ran hesitated for a moment before he said: "Don't hide it from the officials, over the years, I have only been to three pieces, and they have all been sold to others." As the years go by, where to find buyers? We have dug up a lot of bronze here, and people have always bought them here. ”

Du Zhongxiao also knew that since he knew the value of the bronzes with inscriptions, Sun Ran had no reason to keep them in his hands. He was a coppersmith who made a profit by casting bronze objects, not a collector, and everything was mainly about exchanging money.

Seeing Sun Ran's submissive attitude, Du Zhongxiao's expression softened and said to him: "In your house, there are not many bronze utensils. It stands to reason that you have been in this business for so many years, how can you only have so much copper at home? You're telling the truth, it's good for you. Wait until the local officials arrive, and then find the bronze from your house, but you will be guilty of one more degree. ”

Sun Ran peeked at Du Zhongxiao, guessing his identity and how he should answer.

Seeing Sun Ran's expression, Du Zhongxiao said: "I'm just a passing official, I found out about myself, just take you." If there is nothing to do, I will judge you here. If you answer satisfactorily, I will intercede with the officials of this state on your behalf. ”

Sun Ran knew that the sin he had committed was big and big, but it was actually small. The tomb was not stolen by him, and he did not break the law as a coppersmith, and if he really dealt with it according to the law, he would be an accomplice to harbor at most.

Seeing that Du Zhongxiao didn't seem to be a mean person, Sun Ran hesitated again and again, gritted his teeth and said: "Don't hide from the officials, if you do this business, where is the reason to hide all the bronze artifacts at home?" In the mountains not far from my home, there are a few grass houses where most of the bronze ware is hidden. Recently, I took a big job, to cast a big bronze bell for Ciyuan Temple in Linshu County, because in recent days, I have been saving copper. ”

Hearing this, Du Zhongxiao became interested and asked: "The bronze bell is expensive, although Ciyuan Temple is a big temple, it can't afford to cast it." ”

Sun Ran said: "The little ones don't know where their money comes from, but they just want me to cast a big bell of a few hundred catties for them." It is said that only such a heavy weapon can show the majesty of their treasure temple. ”

Du Zhongxiao listened to it and scolded with a smile: "These bald donkeys, I don't know what money they cheated, they are so extravagant. ”

Suddenly, Du Zhongxiao remembered something and asked Sun Ran: "You said you can cast a bronze bell of several hundred catties?" This is not an easy task. Only skilled craftsmen who have been immersed in this matter for many years have this ability. If you really have this skill, I can intercede for you and give you a way out. ”

Sun Ran was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly surrendered his hand: "The officials are useful to small places, just give orders." ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Here in Xiangzhou, there is the most iron production. The imperial court has a field here, specializing in casting guns and cannons. When Zhizhou comes, I will explain to him that you don't have to be assigned to another state, as long as you work in the gun workshop in this state. You are exempt from your guilt, and you have something to do. ”

Sun Ran was a little disappointed when he heard this. If you are willing to be an honest craftsman, why hide in the countryside to do such a thing? But now that it is being held by the government, it can only be slaughtered by others, and there is no way to think about it. There was silence for a moment.

Du Zhongxiao guessed Sun Ran's mind and didn't say more. He was stolen by his own people, where is there a choice? It is not common for craftsmen who can cast a few hundred catties of bronze bells, especially outside the capital. The reason why Du Zhongxiao wanted Sun Ran to cast guns and cannons was because if he wanted to make large artillery in the future, most of them would still use bronze, and such people would be used. Of course, there are such skilled craftsmen in some workshops serving the court in the capital, but it is not easy to use them, and it is better to use folk craftsmen.

After asking in detail where Sun Ran hid the bronze utensils, Du Zhongxiao ordered someone to escort him out, watch him carefully, and rest in peace.

Early in the morning of the second day, Yang Zi, the governor of Xiangzhou, personally brought the manager to join the army Yao Anle and came to the Tianxi Town Post House.

Du Zhongxiao welcomed him into the post house, sat down separately, and explained in detail how he found out that someone was stealing and selling copper tripods yesterday, how he caught Sun Ran down the vine, and the interrogation situation.

Yang Zi listened to it and said angrily: "The local legend is the ancient tomb of the Shang King, and there have always been many bronzes that have been dug up, and there are many people who come here to buy them. These country thieves, greedy for a few copper coins, are becoming more and more arrogant! Punish them this time and make an example of them! ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Zhizhou, according to the following, these people are still carefully distinguished. Those who steal and dig up ancient tombs should be punished severely. As for the craftsmen who bought copper, they were just harboring and selling stolen goods, and they should not be sentenced harshly according to the law. ”

Yang Zi was stunned: "How did the doctor say that?" ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "When I was in the Volcano Army, I used to make muskets and artillery, which were extremely sharp, and repelled the Khitan attack in Tanglong Town. When he went to the capital to demonstrate, the saint and the ministers of the court also felt that this was a sharp weapon in the army, and they were specially ordered to cast it here in Xiangzhou. Tao Shiben, the prison officer, was originally the person who was with me. Sun Ran's family, having the ability to cast weapons, can order them to serve under Tao Seventeen. ”

Yang Zi was a little reluctant: "It's just a country craftsman, this kind of person is everywhere, one more is not more, and one less is not less." In my opinion, it should be assigned to remote military states, so that other people in the local area who do this business should be warned! ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Zhizhou, there are not many people who can cast hundreds of catties of bronze, and this Sun Ran is also rare." Now is the time to employ people, or to be light, let him make meritorious contributions to the court. ”

Yang Zi himself has just taken the library position, and he is the school secretary of the secret pavilion, and he does not take the library position, so it is not his turn to be the governor of Xiangzhou. Knowing that Du Zhongxiao returned to Beijing this time to try the academy, and he was young, it was not good not to sell his face, so he reluctantly agreed.

Yang Zi, the most widely rumored thing is that when he entered Beijing to take the Jinshi examination, he fell in love with a fireworks woman, and when he was in the capital, thanks to this woman's help, he stayed together for about a hundred years. Later, he returned to his hometown with this woman, but he didn't know how to see his family without face, and he was martyred by drinking medicine and wine. As a result, the woman drank poisoned wine and died, and Yang Zi broke his promise and became an official in peace.

This kind of thing, spread by word of mouth, the more outrageous it becomes, it is no longer the true face of the matter. When Du Zhongxiao heard people talk about it, he didn't believe it. The down-and-out Jinshi is poor and destitute in the capital, and it is not uncommon for women to rely on fireworks to eat and drink. But when it comes to the point where one of the two of you doesn't marry, and the other doesn't marry you, I've never heard of it. Because outsiders are not easy to ask, not many people can tell the true face of Yang Zi's matter, and it is only a strange news. This matter has spread widely, and no one has defended him, which shows that Yang Zi is a person, he has few friends in the officialdom, and his political achievements are not outstanding. Du Zhongxiao just wants to protect Sun Ran's family, and he may be able to use it in the future, so he has no intention of talking to Yang Zi.

Everything was handed over clearly, Yang Zi and the manager joined the army, Yao Anle mentioned the three tomb robbers, and took Sun Ran's family into custody, and returned to Xiangzhou with Du Zhongxiao. How they tried it had nothing to do with Du Zhongxiao. Only Sun Ran's family, because of Du Zhongxiao's relationship, was able to get off lightly.