Jinyi Town Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 91
As soon as Zheng Michang left, another big man came to the imperial envoy Xingyuan—Yang Jinshui, the eunuch of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and the chief eunuch of Zhejiang Bosi.

Yang Jinshui is in his 40s, with a pale face and no beard.A pair of eyes gleamed with cunning.

Yang Jinshui cupped his hands towards He Liugong: "Lao Liu is here in the south of the Yangtze River. I've always been too busy with business. It's really rude that I didn't take time to visit you."

He Liu said politely: "Eunuch Yang is in charge of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and Zhejiang City Bosi, and the heavy burden of tens of thousands of catties is on his shoulders. Who are the subordinates? I am worried about Eunuch Yang."

Yang Jinshui smiled: "Lao Liu, didn't you say that Wu Liangyong's family property has been confiscated? Why are you still staying in Jiangnan? It's time to return to Beijing to renew the order."

He Liu smiled: "I still have something to do in Jiangnan."

Yang Jinshui asked, "What's the matter?"

He Liudao: "Our Jin Yiwei's third brother, Jin Wanguan, has a goddaughter in Jiangnan, named Bai Xiaoyan. Jin Sange has already promised to marry her to me. I plan to return to Beijing after finishing my marriage in Jiangnan."

Yang Jinshui asked in surprise, "Jin Wanguan's goddaughter?"

Yang Jinshui's mind was spinning rapidly.He had known for a long time that He Liu's real purpose in coming to Jiangnan was to secretly investigate the illegal salt case.Marry Jin Wanguan's goddaughter?Could it be that He Liu has reached a tacit understanding with Jin Wanguan and Sifang Tea House?

Yang Jinshui began to doubt Jin Wanguan.

He Liu said again: "On the day of the wedding, please invite Eunuch Yang to come here."

Yang Jinshui said: "It must be. I didn't know that you, the sixth son, were going to get married before, so I didn't have any preparations."

With that said, Yang Jinshui took off a jade pendant from his belt and handed it to He Liu.

"This jade pendant is a congratulatory gift for you! On the wedding day, I will give you a big red envelope."

He Liu took the jade pendant.He is an expert in authenticating jade wares, and he knew as soon as he got his hands on them that this was a rare and precious white marble, and the value would not be less than 5000 taels of silver.

"Thank you, Eunuch Yang!" He Liu said.

Yang Jinshui said with something in his words: "Lao Liu, your trip to the south of the Yangtze River can be called a beautiful woman!"

He Liu's answer was beyond Yang Jinshui's expectation: "It's not just the beautiful woman in my arms. In fact, it should be said that it's a combination of wealth and sex!"

Yang Jinshui felt another "click" in his heart.Both money and sex?Could it be that someone gave He Liu a bribe to stop investigating the private salt case?
After sending Yang Jinshui away, He Liu found Lao Hu.

He Liu discussed with Lao Hu: "It seems that the big shots can't hold back anymore. They came to me one by one."

Old Hu said: "They should have known for a long time that you came to Jiangnan to thoroughly investigate the illegal salt case. But they despised you before, thinking that Jiangnan is a monolith, and you can't find anything. Never thought that you arrested Lu Da, It’s been closed for a few days, and these people will naturally not be able to sit still.”

He Liudao: "Old Hu, you look confused, but you are a smart old fox. Tell me, should I continue to investigate this case. I'm not afraid that those prominent officials will come to me Trouble. I’m just afraid that if we find out about the salt smuggling case, we will cut off the military expenditures of Qi’s and Yu’s troops, and let good officials like Hu Zongxian and Zhao Zhenji be convicted and imprisoned.”

Old Hu asked He Liu: "You should continue to investigate. There are three reasons. First, this is an errand given to you by the emperor and Commander Lu! If you can't find out, the emperor and Commander Lu will blame you. Second, Yan Tax accounts for half of Jiangnan's fiscal revenue, and Jiangnan fiscal tax accounts for half of the national treasury's revenue. If it is possible to recover [-]% of the salt tax for the emperor and the court, it will be a good thing for the country and the people! Third, Jin Wanguan It's a moth in Jinyiwei. As the sixth child in the Thirteen Taibao, you should dig out this moth."

He Liu shook his head: "Old Hu, these words you said are all official words! It's nothing more than Hu Zongxian's "Jiangshan Sheji, Limin's safety". Are you not telling the truth to me now?"

Old Hu said: "Oh, well, let me tell the truth. You have already investigated more than half of the salt smuggling case! If you die and return to the capital, the culprits in the salt smuggling case will not be brought to justice— —Have you heard this saying: Only the dead can keep secrets. The culprits in these private salt cases will definitely try their best to find an opportunity to get rid of you in the capital! If you want to save your life, you must let those people fall into the law!"

He Liudao: "We already have Lu Da's confession. Just having a confession is not proof. When the confession is submitted, what should those people say that Lu Da is talking nonsense? Zhejiang and Zhi traffic 200 million dan to other provinces every year. Illegal salt, with such a large amount, there may be a detailed accounting book in the 'salt gang' formed by the six major illegal salt dealers. If we can find this account, we can get the evidence of the illegal salt dealers."

Lao Hu's eyes lit up: "Oh, you've been hanging out with Bai Xiaoyan in Yicui Tower every day, and I, Lao Hu, have not been idle either. I found out something. The Salt Gang is an alliance of six private salt dealers The amount of smuggled salt and the amount of salt purchased from the Sifang teahouse are divided between the six parties. No one can transport an extra salt. This is an agreement between them. Oh, among the salt gang, there is a Mr. Account Manager, this person is in charge of the accounts of the six private salt dealers for the past five years!"

He Liu was startled and said: "Old Hu, I really can't see through you more and more! You have found out such a big matter in a few days? How did you do it?"

Old Hu smiled: "I told you earlier, I have been in Jinyiwei for 40 years, and I always have some reliable friends in the two capitals and the thirteen provinces. My friend inquired about this matter for me!"

He Liu hurriedly asked: "Who is the accountant of the Salt Gang? Have you found it?"

Old Hu smiled: "That day you and Lu Da went to Tianhe gambling house Du Qiuchong in Nanjing. Do you still remember who the owner of the 'Cockscomb Zongbing' is?"

He Liudao: "I remember. It's an unattractive scholar, who seems to be called Su Bei."

Lao Hu nodded: "Mr. Accountant of the Salt Gang is exactly Mr. Su Beisu!"

He Liu stared at Lao Hu: "Old Hu, can you tell me, which friend did you find to find out so many things?"

Lao Hu took out the tin jug, took a sip and said, "Don't inquire about it. It's useless for you to ask about things I don't want to talk about."

He Liu asked: "Then do you know the details of Mr. Su Bei?"

Lao Hu put down the flagon and told He Liu the details of Su Bei.

Su Bei, a 30-year-old broke son.It should be said that Su Bei's family background was once prominent.His father, Su Dingping, was once the largest salt merchant in Yangzhou, known as Su Bancheng.

Fifteen years ago, there was a flood in Shandong.The imperial court asked Su Bancheng to pledge 15 taels of flood donation.Su Bancheng couldn't afford the money.Li Miao, the governor of Zhejiang at that time, was furious: You, a wealthy salt merchant, can't even get 20 taels of silver?It is clearly perfunctory state affairs!
Li Miao is a big official in Zhejiang Province, so it is not easy to punish a businessman?He found a random excuse and put Su Bancheng in prison.A few months later, Su Bancheng died of grief and indignation in prison.Su Bancheng died, and the Su family's fortunes fell. The 15-year-old son Su Bei can only survive by selling his ancestral property.

There is a saying that a lean camel is bigger than a horse.The Su family's ancestral property is still a considerable sum.Su Bei took the money and spent the whole day doing nothing, fighting insects and walking birds.He is quite accomplished in fighting autumn insects.In more than ten years, he has become the "Bug King" in the south of the Yangtze River.

(End of this chapter)