Tang riddles

What kind of life the people in the south of the Yangtze River live may be very strange to officials who have always lived in the north.In the south of the big river, the climate is humid and warm, the lakes are scattered, and the rivers are criss-crossing. Boats are inseparable means of transportation and production and living tools.Northern officials' stereotypes of the South are above the level of barefoot boatmen.

He has a pole for a penny, a fishing raft, a pair of cattail fans and big feet all year round, and a basket of fresh fish and shrimp is always slung around his waist.The smell of water all over the body, the inseparable bamboo hat and coir raincoat, and the osprey standing on the fishing raft shrugging.Thin body, simple and dark face, a pair of stubborn black eyes.

This is the southerner that Pei Yaoqing saw in his eyes all the way.

Such a southerner cannot be seen by the emperor in the imperial city of Chang'an.Therefore, Pei Yaoqing had to look carefully with her own eyes, and then describe it clearly to the saint.These people are all citizens of Datang, so how can we do it without unity?It is time for the northerners to discriminate against the southerners. They are all from the Tang Dynasty, so why divide the north from the south?The era of confrontation between the North and the South has passed, and the Xiao family in Lanling has all moved back to the north.Yang Guang is not good in every way, but there is still one thing that cannot be erased, that is, he communicated with the north and the south.Such a self-willed person also understands the benefits of north-south circulation. How can I be inferior to him, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty?

It's just that when he came to this passenger ship with colorful ropes tied to the mast, went down to the narrow cabin at the bottom, and saw the boatman's family surnamed Zhou in front of him, it made Pei Yaoqing a little dazed. Looking at the appearance, Pei Yaoqing felt a little pantothenic.The honest and simple family of the ship's boss, seven people squeezed into such a dark bilge twenty feet square, with big bunks, hard beds, and worn-out quilts patched and seams, and the cotton tires were still exposed.The changed clothes were hung on the side, exuding an unpleasant smell of drying in the shade, but they dared not hang them on the deck for fear of being unsightly and offending the eyes of the guests on board.The guest rooms on the upper floor are reluctant to live in, and they are kept clean.Seeing Shen Sui and a large group of officials in official robes coming down, they were terrified and respectful, not daring to raise their heads.Zhou Dalang muttered to all the officials to hurry up to the top, and don't let the bottom get their eyes dirty.

It was Shen Sui's intention not to let the soldiers guarding the ship report, and went directly to the lowest cabin to find the boss's family, and Zhang said he supported it.The final inquiry was still handed over to Shen Sui.

Zhou Dalang's family speaks a strong Jingchu dialect. Because they have been in the passenger ship business for many years, they can understand Mandarin, but they can't speak it very well.Shen Sui could understand a little Jingchu dialect, but it was still difficult to communicate.Fortunately, there was a local military official who spoke well and acted as an interpreter. When the communication was not smooth, he could express the meaning of the words on his behalf.

The environment below is really not good. Considering that there are too many people, the conversation finally came to the cabin.This honest fisherman was shocked by the silver-faced Lang Guan in front of him, and stuttered when answering questions.Fortunately, Shen Sui's tone was very gentle, so he slowly calmed down.The questions Shen Sui prepared in advance were all questions that he had asked Governor Liu.It is nothing more than the time and place of the incident, and the situation on the ship at that time.Zhou Dalang's answer did not differ from what Liu Zhi told her.

However, Shen Sui still asked one more question, but this question was not for Zhou Dalang, but for Zhang:

"Ms. Shen is very curious. At that time, there must have been many passenger ships on the Yizhou pier. Why Zhang Gong and Zhu Dadu chose such an unremarkable passenger ship."

Zhang said:

"Because this is an acquaintance's boat, and it was prepared by Yuan Mao himself a long time ago."

Shen Sui was a little surprised, and said:

"You mean, this is the boat of an acquaintance of Commander Zhu?"

"Yes, I heard Yuan Mao tell me that Zhou Dalang's family consists of three brothers, and Zhou Zhoulang works as a driver in the Metropolitan Government's Mansion. The steward of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion learned that Yuan Mao wanted to detour from Chang'an to benefit. Zhouzhou, and then take a boat along the river to return to Jiangling Mansion, so he ordered Zhou Zhoulang and Zhou Dalang to tell Zhou's family boat to go up the river and wait at Yizhou Wharf to pick up Yuanmao back. Because it is an acquaintance's boat, you can rest assured ’” Zhang said.

Shen Sui nodded, she didn't know about this situation before.

After a simple conversation, Shen Sui said:

"Shen wanted to take a look around on this boat, so he asked Zhou Dalang to accompany him, so that he could ask him some questions. Pei Shilang, Liu Yuanwailang, if you want, you can come with me. Zhang Gong, and colleagues, everyone It’s hard to accompany you to come here, or go to rest, I will return soon after I finish this round.”

Liu Yucheng knew that this was Shen Sui's first investigation at the scene of the case. He had accompanied Shen Sui to investigate at the Temple of Mercy, and he was very impressed by Shen Sui's superb observation ability and weird and interesting behavior at the scene. interest, changed his tired and lazy state, and took the lead in expressing his willingness to accompany him.Naturally, Pei Yaoqing did not intend to refuse, and was willing to follow.

Zhang said that he also planned to follow along and read it again. With his statement, all the officials present demanded to follow. Shen Sui smiled wryly:

"This boat is not big, with so many people following it, it really can't be used."

Zhang Shuo spoke to Liu Zhi:

"Chengbing, take your people and wait in the largest living room on the ship first. We will go back after we finish watching."

"Yes, Mr. Zhang."

In this way, Shen Sui finally reduced the long and huge search escort team following behind to five people.

She first looked at the place where the crime happened, that is, the deck at the bow.When Shen Sui came to the bow deck, he saw a low table and two bamboo beds on it.There is also a white porcelain jug, two shallow wine cups, and three pitch-black wine jars on the table, one of which has been sealed with mud, and the strong aroma of wine can be smelled when you get close.

"Zhou Da said, here, Mr. Zhang didn't let them move at first, and they never moved, and they still looked like they were at the time of the incident. That is, the vegetables and food that were originally placed were all broken, so they were taken away." Before Shen Sui could ask From then on, Zhou Dalang took the initiative to explain, and the Fubing translated it for Shen Sui and others.

Shen Sui didn't seem to care much about the so-called food, she walked to the railing of the bow alone while listening.She raised her hand and patted the railing. She made an estimate in her heart, and then asked Zhang:

"Mr. Zhang, I have never met Commander Zhu. I don't know how tall he is, but he is taller than me."

"Gao, he comes from a family of military generals, and everyone in his family is tall. I estimate that he is at least half a head taller than you, and can be more than six feet tall." Zhang said.

As soon as Shen Sui came up, he asked Zhu Dadu's height, which was beyond Liu Yucheng's expectation again. He thought that Shen Sui would ask about wine when he came up.But this is also reasonable, he understands that Shen Sui is estimating the possibility of Zhu Yuanmao falling into the water drunk, the height of the railing, how likely is it that Zhu Yuanmao will accidentally turn over and fall into the water.

Now it seems that the possibility is not small, the railing is not too high, according to Zhu Yuanmao's height, I am afraid it will only reach his waist and hips.If you are top-heavy when drunk and lean on the railing, it is entirely possible to fall into the river.

After Shen Sui asked about his height, he began to carefully observe the railing of the bow inside and out, and asked while observing:

"At that time, did no one really hear the sound of falling into the water?" Shen Sui confirmed repeatedly.

"Really not. Otherwise, we wouldn't have discovered something was wrong until we were almost in Guizhou." Zhang said.

Shen Sui turned his head to look at Zhou Dalang, and asked:

"Where were you all at the time?"

Zhou Dalang replied: "I was at the helm at the stern, my son was fishing river fish on the port side, the third son and his son were repairing the sampan on the starboard side, and my wife, sister-in-law and daughter were always in the kitchen, ready to serve the two officials at any time. Add food and wine."

This sentence was also completely conveyed to Shen Sui by the soldiers.

Shen Sui paused, thought for a moment, then turned around to look at the wine table and the bed on the deck, and asked Zhang, saying:

"Mr. Zhang, how did you sit with the governor at that time?"

Zhang said, pointing to the seat with its back to the bow and the direction of sailing:

"This is Yuanmao's seat. I sit opposite him. He said he likes to see thousands of mountains and rivers receding, so he chose this seat. But I feel that sitting in this position is uncomfortable, and it always makes me feel empty behind me." Feeling helpless."

Shen Sui nodded, opened the bed, opened his robe and sat down.

She suddenly sighed:

"Mr. Zhang, you just said something very interesting."

Zhang said he looked at her suspiciously, but Shen Sui didn't explain.She picked up the wine jug in front of her, opened the lid, looked in, and smelled it again.He took the two bottles of wine and looked at them.After a while, she put down the jug and cup, and finally picked up the jar of unsealed wine, dipped it with her index finger, lifted a little mask, and put it in her mouth to taste.Immediately, on the handsome and beautiful face under the mask, rich expression changes took place, as if enjoying a rare delicacy in this world, and there was a little doubt and entanglement in the delicacy, as if something was wrong with the taste.

Everyone was staring at her movements, especially Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng, their eyes were wide open, their mouths were slightly open, and the corners of their mouths seemed to be spitting.Although I can't see the expression on Shen Sui's face, it seems that this wine...is very delicious...but Shen Sui just smiled and said:

"Well, good wine! Hahaha..."

Liu Yucheng rolled his eyes to the sky, Pei Yaoqing was also a little speechless, they thought that Shen Sui had discovered something during the wine tasting.Only Zhang Shuo also smiled along with Shen Sui, and raised his food, middle two fingers, and nodded Shen Sui, there was a deep meaning hidden in his smile.

Shen Sui said coldly at this moment:

"The jug and cup have been touched, so there is no reference value."

"Have you moved?" Liu Yucheng frowned and looked at Zhou Dalang.

Zhou Dalang sweated coldly on his brow, and explained with trepidation:

"My mother-in-law is not sensible, her hands are too fast, and we don't understand that these things can't be moved. In the end, when Mr. Zhang told us to put them back again, the mothers-in-law washed the jug and wine cup."

"It's meaningless to put it back after it's been washed." Shen Sui said with a smile, "I can understand that the law on the protection of the crime scene has only been implemented by Dali Temple from the central to the local areas in the past two years. A certain estimate, many local officials are not used to doing this when they investigate cases, let alone ordinary people, who don’t have this awareness.”

Pei Yaoqing and Liu Yucheng nodded, they were deeply aware of this.Zhang said that although it was not from the judicial mouth, he had heard about these things.He suddenly said:

"The laws protecting the scene of the crime were not recommended by you, Bo Zhao, to Dali Temple."

"Mr. Zhang really offends me. How can I write this letter? This is a good decision made by the sage and Dali Temple Minister Mr. Qin. It can't be attributed to me. Shen can't afford it." Shen Sui shook his head again and again.

"Really?" Zhang said looking at her suspiciously.

Shen Sui secretly wiped off a cold sweat. She really recommended Qin Zhen to implement this legal system. Zhang Daoji really deserves to be an old fox in the officialdom.

"Let's go to the starboard side, I want to see that sampan." Shen Sui changed the topic with a smile, and then took the lead to go to the starboard side along the railing, and everyone continued to accompany him.

At the same time, there was a knock on the door of Zhang Ruohan's room on the official ship that Shen Sui and others took.When Wu Ya opened the door, he saw Blue Robin pushing Shen Jin in the wheelchair and appearing at the door.

"Shen Erlang, why are you here?" Wu Ya was very surprised,

"My Erlang has something to talk to Mrs. Zhang San, I wonder if it is possible?" Blue Robin said.

"Quickly invite Shen Erlang to come in." Zhang Ruohan's voice sounded from inside the room.

"Yes." Wu Ya quickly helped Blue Robin lift the wheelchair over the threshold, and led Shen Jin into the house.

As soon as Shen Jin came in, he saw Qianhe, who had disappeared for a long time, sitting on the futon with his sword on his back, and Zhang Ruohan was sitting at the table opposite her, wrapped in a blanket, holding the charcoal stove in his hand, his face was a little pale.The two seemed to have been discussing something.

【Did Shen bother Mrs. Zhang San? 】Shen Jin said silently, and was relayed by Blue Robin.

"No, the conversation between Qianhe and I just came to an end. You don't have to be polite, Shen Erlang, this way please." Zhang Ruohan's attitude towards Shen Jin was much gentler and more polite than that of Shen Sui. She smiled and pointed to the seat opposite her. Robin pushed Shen Jin over.

"Wu Ya, make tea for Erlang."

"Here."

The author has something to say: on May [-]th, Tang riddles are updated every day.

By the way, the official language of the Tang Dynasty is the "Qieyun" phonology of the Jiangzuo Wu Yin of the Southern Dynasty written by Lu Fayan of the Sui Dynasty. The phonology of "Yunying", "Yunquan" and "Kaoshengqieyun" are the actual voice communication standards.

That is to say, the official dialect common in the north and south was Xiaoshu’s hometown—Nanjing dialect at that time. (Nanjing at that time actually referred to Wuyin, but not now.) At that time, Qin Opera represented the identity of the Gyeonggi area, and it can be said to be superior to others.

Some people say that the official dialect of the Tang Dynasty is very similar to the Hokkien dialect. This causal relationship cannot be reversed. The similarity is undeniable, but they did not originate in southern Hokkien. The reason for the similarity is because people from Guanzhong and Central Plains moved south.But in fact, even if they are similar, they are already two different things.However, reading Tang poems in Cantonese, Hokkien, and especially the Hakka dialect is quite enjoyable.