Chapter 410 Inkstone Competition.

In the blink of an eye, it was late autumn, the wind was blowing colder, and the leaves in the courtyard had already fallen.

The case of Lin Shan's murder has been over for more than a month, the murderer has been punished, Duanzhou seems to be calm, but Hualang and Bao Zheng both know the road, and the undercurrent has always been there, but they don't know when the road will break out.

Although Hua Lang's reputation has started in Duanzhou, the business is not as hot as imagined, after all, murders cannot happen every day, and no one wants it to happen.

At dusk that day, the sunset has been covered with a layer of faint rhyme, giving people the feeling that it is no longer bright, but dim and melancholy.

Hua Lang, Bao Zheng and others were chatting in the state office, and at this time, a government official came to report that Tang Wanli wanted to see him.

Bao Zheng glanced at Hua Lang and asked with some puzzlement: "At this time, what is Tang Wanli doing?" ”

Hua Lang was also puzzled, and said, "Invite him to come in and see him." ”

A government official invited Tang Wanli in, and after Tang Wanli came in, he hurriedly saluted, Bao Zheng bowed slightly, and asked, "Why did Tang Gongzi come to my state office?" ”

Tang Wanli hurriedly smiled: "Actually, there is no big deal, that is, the inkstone competition in Duanzhou is about to start, I will ask on behalf of the inkstone shops in Duanzhou, can Master Bao and the playboy attend then?" ”

Bao Zheng frowned slightly, and said: "Those competitions are activities organized by you merchants, is it appropriate for us from the imperial court to attend?" ”

Tang Wanli hurriedly said: "I also hope that Master Bao will not misunderstand, the people who come to participate in the inkstone competition are from all over the country, and some of the inkstones are very precious, if there is no one to press, I am afraid that those who have a good inkstone will not dare to come, so ......"

The words were not finished, but the meaning that Tang Wanli wanted to express Hua Lang and Bao Zheng had fully understood, that is, they wanted someone from their state government to be bodyguards to prevent someone from making trouble in the midfield.

For this kind of lively thing, Hua Lang is very happy to take a look, and Wen Meng and they also want to go to see it, as for Bao Zheng, he is a little hesitant, because he feels that letting the court send someone to show these businessmen will damage the face of the court to some extent, but if you don't go, something really happens, and the most troublesome thing is their state government and the state government's arrest.

Bao Zheng didn't know how to prevent this kind of thing, but he still felt embarrassed, so at this time, Bao Zheng glanced at Hua Lang and said, "What do you think Brother Hua should do about this?" ”

Hua Lang naturally wanted to go, but he didn't understand a few things, so he looked at Tang Wanli and asked: "As far as I know, the Duanzhou tribute inkstone is all in charge of the nearby soldiers in Duanzhou, which should have nothing to do with you private inkstone shops, but how can I hear that you people also want to pay tribute to the inkstone?" ”

Tang Wanli asked, and hurriedly replied: "The playboy is right, the tribute inkstone is indeed in charge of the box soldiers, they are responsible for summoning people to pick inkstones on the mountain, but they are all soldiers, and there will be carved inkstones, so after they dig out the inkstones, they will recruit some craftsmen to carve, after carving, according to the number stipulated by the imperial court, the Duanzhou Zhizhou, that is, the Bao people, will go to the acceptance, and then the Duanzhou Zhizhou will send people to escort into Beijing, which is the tribute inkstone; However, sometimes the folk have good inkstones will also be collected, and after these inkstones are collected, the court will give a lot of rewards, and if you want to know whether there are good inkstones among the people, it is naturally this inkstone competition. ”

After listening to Tang Wanli's words, Bao Zheng nodded again and again: "Tang Wanli is right, a few days ago, the commander of the box soldiers, You Dan, came to visit, saying that the inkstone stipulated by the imperial court has been prepared soon, and after some processing in the later stage, it can be escorted into Beijing." ”

After Bao Zheng said this, Hua Lang also understood better, whether it was the court or the local government, the Song Dynasty was all civilian officials and military attachés, and even if You Dan was the commander of the Xiang soldiers, he had to listen to Bao Zheng's dispatch in the Duanzhou territory; You Dan's soldiers were responsible for digging inkstones and other labor, while Bao Zheng was responsible for acceptance and escorting them into Beijing.

As for the folk inkstone competition, it is to discover the good inkstones of the people.

And after understanding these circumstances, Hua Lang found out how simple it was for the former Duanzhou Governor to privately swallow the tribute inkstone, he could report the number of tribute inkstones asked by the imperial court, or he could be embarrassed by the commander of the box soldiers, anyway, as long as he wanted to make a fortune from it, it was absolutely possible.

Of course, it is easy for the governor of Duanzhou to do this, but it is even easier for the commander of the soldiers, and after digging out the inkstone, hide it and do not report it, even the governor of Duanzhou is helpless.

Hua Lang turned his head and glanced at Bao Zheng, he didn't know if Bao Zheng knew these things, if he knew about it, what should he do?

Tang Wanli saw that everyone had no words, so he hurriedly broke the silence and asked, "I don't know what Lord Bao and the playboy think, are they willing to participate in the inkstone competition?" ”

For the tribute of the folk inkstone, it cannot be compared with the special Duanzhou tribute inkstone, so Bao Zheng didn't care much, he glanced at Hualang, and Hualang smiled lightly: "It's not bad to go and see, it's also fun with the people!" ”

Hearing Hua Lang's words, Bao Zheng smiled slyly, and then said to Tang Wanli: "Okay, Brother Hua has said so, we will definitely go then!" ”

When Tang Wanli's task was completed, he was immediately overjoyed and left the state government happily.

And after Tang Wanli left, Bao Zheng suddenly looked at Hua Lang with a serious face and said: "If Brother Hua really wants to take care of this inkstone, please ask Brother Hua to do me a favor, how about it?" ”

Looking at Bao Zheng's appearance, Hua Lang suddenly felt as if he had fallen into a trap, but now that Bao Zheng said so, what else could he Hua Lang do, so he hurriedly said: "Brother Bao is polite, if there is anything you need my help with, just say it." ”

Bao Zheng seemed to be waiting for such an opportunity, so he hurriedly said: "What Tang Wanli said just now must have understood Brother Hua, and since Brother Hua has understood, it should be very clear that Duanzhou's tribute inkstone is easy to lose!" ”

After listening to Bao Zheng's words, Hua Lang felt that this Bao Zheng was really thoughtful, far smarter than he imagined.

Hua Lang nodded: "That's true, but I don't know why Brother Bao wants to tell me this?" ”

Bao Zheng sighed and said, "I have already read the account of the tribute inkstone sent by You Dan, and there are many discrepancies in it, I think it is necessary to check it." ”

There are certain discrepancies, but Hua Lang doesn't understand, Bao Zheng only looks at the accounts, how can he know that there are discrepancies in the Yandao inkstone, could it be that he has secretly been to which ravines where the inkstone is dug up, and how many inkstones they have dug up?

But this is obviously impossible, they are so close, if Bao Zheng does something big, Hua Lang must know the way.