The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

Zhao Liben's order swept through Daming Prefecture like a whirlwind.

The soldiers' searches became increasingly frantic and ruthless. They no longer merely questioned people; they broke down doors and ransacked the place. Chaos erupted throughout the city, and the people were filled with resentment, but dared not speak out.

However, the soldiers searched every house, inn, and shop in the area, but still couldn't find any trace of Jiang Lin and his men.

Meanwhile, a strange piece of news was quietly circulating among the city's literary circles.

"Have you heard? Prefect Zhao recently acquired a divine inkstone, said to be an unprecedented masterpiece!"

"I've heard about it too! It's said that the ink was made by the newly appointed top scholar, Su Zizhan, and named 'Top Scholar Ink.' It's as black as lacquer and so shiny it can reflect a person's image!"

"Su Zizhan? Is that Su Shi, the one who was wanted by the government for spreading rumors about illegal mining? Wasn't he on the run? Where would he find the time to make ink?"

"You don't understand. It's said that this ink was made by Scholar Su before his 'exile,' a culmination of his efforts. What Prefect Zhao received was the very first piece from the last remaining stock!"

"Really? Is it that amazing?"

"Absolutely true! I have a distant cousin who works in the government office. He witnessed it firsthand: after Prefect Zhao tested the ink, he was so astonished that he smashed his treasured Li Tinggui 'Xi Ink' that he had kept for many years!"

Such discussions were constantly taking place in the various teahouses, taverns, and study rooms of Daming Prefecture.

The source of the news is now lost to history. But it spread like wildfire, reaching the entire scholar class of Daming Prefecture within a single day.

For these scholars who usually pride themselves on their refined tastes, the allure of a piece of exquisite ink surpasses even that of money and beautiful women.

For a time, countless people tried every means, pulling strings and using back channels, just to see the legendary "Top Scholar Ink" with their own eyes.

But Zhao Liben seemed to value that ink more than his own eyes, hiding it in a secret room and not letting anyone see it.

The more he acted this way, the more fantastical the rumors became, and the more curious people became.

Zhang Ximeng, the prefectural magistrate of Daming Prefecture, was a renowned calligrapher and a true "stationery enthusiast." Upon hearing the news of the "Top Scholar's Ink," he was so distressed that he lost his appetite and couldn't sleep for several days.

That day, he finally couldn't resist any longer, so he prepared a generous gift and personally visited Zhao Liben.

"Lord Zhao, I have come today to ask you for a favor." After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Ximeng got straight to the point.

"Oh? What is it, Magistrate Zhang? Please speak freely," Zhao Liben said casually, picking up his teacup.

"I have heard that Your Excellency recently acquired a 'Top Scholar Ink,' a divine ink among inks. I am unworthy, but I have always been fond of this art. I humbly request that Your Excellency allow me to broaden my horizons and witness the splendor of this divine ink." Zhang Ximeng adopted a very humble posture.

Zhao Liben sneered inwardly. He knew why Zhang Ximeng had come. In the past few days, at least eight or ten people had come to his door to subtly inquire about this piece of ink.

He put down his teacup and said, feigning difficulty, "Lord Zhang, you are indeed well-informed. To tell you the truth, I have indeed obtained this ink. However... this ink was made by Su Shi, a wanted criminal of the court, and is deeply connected with the 'black mine' case. It is an important piece of evidence, and it is really inconvenient to show it to others."

He deliberately linked the ink and the case together in an attempt to silence these people.

Zhang Ximeng, however, was a fool. He hurriedly said, "Your Excellency misunderstands! I am only interested in the ink, and have absolutely no intention of prying into the case! Besides, ink is an inanimate object, while people are living beings. Su Shi is guilty, but what crime has the ink committed? If such a masterpiece is ruined because of a person, wouldn't that be a great regret for the literary world of our Great Song Dynasty?"

These words made Zhao Liben frown.

He discovered that things had once again deviated from his expectations.

He had thought that by associating ink with Su Shi, a "wanted criminal," he could deter these literati. But to his surprise, these people didn't care whether Su Shi was loyal or treacherous; they only cared about the quality of the ink.

Furthermore, Su Shi's status as a "prisoner" adds a touch of legend to this inkstone.

"This..." Zhao Liben hesitated.

Just then, a servant rushed in to report: "Sir, outside... outside the gate, the Transport Commissioner has come to visit!"

"What? A transport commissioner?" Zhao Liben was taken aback.

The Transport Commissioner, in charge of the finances of a region and supervising local officials, may not hold a higher rank, but wields immense power, making him a true regional governor. This Transport Commissioner is usually reclusive; why has he suddenly come to my door today?

Zhao Liben dared not delay and immediately got up to personally greet him at the door.

The newcomer was a thin, elderly man over fifty years old, dressed in official robes, with a gaunt face but exceptionally sharp eyes. He was none other than Chen Xiang, the Transport Commissioner of Hebei East Circuit.

"I was unaware of Lord Chen's arrival. Please forgive my lack of hospitality." Zhao Liben greeted him with a beaming smile.

Chen Xiang simply nodded and got straight to the point: "Prefect Zhao, I have come uninvited today for something."

"Oh? What is it that makes you so concerned?"

Chen Xiang's gaze swept across Zhao Liben's study, finally settling on his desk, and he slowly uttered four words:

"The calligraphy left behind by the top scholar".

Zhao Liben's heart sank.

He never expected that this matter would even alarm the Transport Commissioner!

He knew that this ink stain could no longer be hidden today.

Under the "coercion" of the two important figures, Chen Xiang and Zhang Ximeng, Zhao Liben had no choice but to reluctantly take out the "Top Scholar Ink".

When the inkstone appeared before everyone, even the well-informed Chen Xiang was amazed.

Once the inkstone was opened and the inkstone was ground, and the brush touched the paper, the only sounds in the study were gasps and exclamations of praise.

"A masterpiece! A true masterpiece!" Zhang Ximeng was so excited that his face turned red as he stroked the words he had written, unable to put them down.

Although Chen Xiang wasn't quite as flustered, his eyes burned with fervor as he gazed at the deep ink on the paper. After a long pause, he said to Zhao Liben, "Prefect Zhao, it's a terrible waste to have such a divine object in your possession."

Zhao Liben's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over him: "Does Your Excellency mean...?"

"In my opinion, this ink should be presented as tribute to the Emperor. Firstly, it would demonstrate the flourishing literary culture of Hebei East Circuit, and secondly, it would allow the Emperor to judge whether the ink maker is treacherous or loyal." Chen Xiang's tone left no room for doubt.

Ink was designated as a tribute item!

Zhao Liben's face turned pale instantly.

He knew that Chen Xiang was using this as an excuse to make a fuss. Once this inkstone was sent to Bianjing and presented to the emperor, Su Shi's name would inevitably attract the court's attention again. At that point, this little scandal in Daming Prefecture would probably no longer be able to be covered up.

But would he dare to refuse?

He dare not.

Refusing the transport commissioner is tantamount to openly disobeying orders.

Zhao Liben felt like he was being roasted over a fire, caught in a dilemma. He couldn't understand how things had gotten to this point.

He clearly wanted to arrest someone, so how did it end up becoming a city-wide "treasure appraisal event"?

Looking at the small inkstone, he realized for the first time just how terrifying Jiang Lin, that seemingly insane opponent, was.

That guy didn't even show his face; he just threw out a piece of ink, which stirred up the entire situation in Daming Prefecture and pushed him to the edge of a cliff.