The man, however, smiled without taking offense and said with a light chuckle, "Be careful there, look what you've done to me."
Snapping out of her daze, she hastily rolled up her sleeves to brush him off, apologizing profusely, "I'm so sorry! I was only watching my step and didn't see you. Please think of me as blind as a bat! Really... on such a cold day, splashing you like this is just awful. Why don't you take it off, and I'll dry it by the fire? You can put it back on once it's dry."
He declined, his voice warm and husky. Pointing ahead, he said, "I have an appointment to discuss some business inside. Could you do me a favor and ask if there's a gentleman named Jin Yangxian here?"
Dingyi understood—this must be the contact Twelfth Master had arranged at the slave market. What a pity! Such a kind man, yet involved in human trafficking. Then again, she thought, all slave traders sweet-talked their victims. Without a friendly demeanor, how else could they lure people in?
Her guard up, she straightened her back to appear more confident and replied, "Master Jin is my employer. So you must be Lord Yue? What a coincidence! Follow me, I'll show you the way. Our master has been waiting for you. Please, this way!"
Yue Kundu, however, didn’t hurry after her. Instead, he shuffled his feet, eyeing her as they walked. "You look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
Typical slave trader tactics! Dingyi smiled. "I've traveled far and wide with my master and met plenty of people. Maybe we crossed paths somewhere. Have you ever left Suifenhe?"
Yue Kundu said, "My hometown is Datong. Later, I followed my father to the capital to make a living and moved around quite a bit... Maybe we have met. The moment I saw you, I felt that way. If not, then it must be fate."
Hearing him mention his hometown, Dingyi’s mind wandered for a moment. She was from Datong too—another coincidence. But too many coincidences felt suspicious. Slave traders always tried to build rapport, either by promising food and shelter or luring with treats and the chance to "find your mother." Dingyi was no naive child. Having grown up in the streets, she’d heard and seen it all. She wouldn’t fall for such tricks!
She humored him with a vague reply, "You’re right. It’s fate that you’re doing business with our master. If things go well, we might even become friends and greet each other next time we meet."
Yue Kundu was sharp enough to recognize her deflection but didn’t press further. Instead, he asked, "Your Master Jin deals in quite a range. What’s his main trade?"
Dingyi launched into an exaggerated spiel, "Our master calls himself a 'wheeler-dealer'—anything that turns a profit, he’ll trade. From land and property down to cricket cages, there’s nothing he won’t flip. It’s hard work, just like you—earning a middleman’s cut. As they say, the world hustles for profit. Running around is unavoidable when you’ve got a family to feed!"
By then, they’d reached Twelfth Master’s door. As Dingyi stopped to announce their arrival, Yue Kundu held up a hand. "Wait. The main party isn’t here yet. The one discussing business with Master Jin is someone else. That gentleman had a stomachache today and went off to find a place to... relieve himself. He asked me to come ahead. I’m just the middleman, connecting the dots. The important matters are for them to settle."
Dingyi nodded. "Oh, I see. Well, come in and have some tea while you wait.""No need," he said. "I feel we hit it off, let's chat. How old are you this year?"
Was he sizing her up to sell her? Dingyi felt uneasy but couldn't snap at him, so she replied, "I'm not young anymore—just turned eighteen recently. My master relies on me for everything and looks for me the moment I'm out of sight. We're inseparable."
Yue Kundu nodded. "Master Jin seems extraordinary, must be a good employer. But no matter how well he treats you, you're still not his kind—scraping by under someone else's roof must be tough."
He'd probably urge her to strike out on her own next! She quickly deflected with a smile, "I've no real skills—just tagging along for meals. Can't do much else."
"What about your family? Do your parents approve of you wandering around like this?"
She laughed it off. "Isn't this how common folks live? Not everyone has your sharp mind. With no capital or abilities, guarding houses is all we're good for."
Just then, a burly man swayed through the door—different from Najin's stubby, barrel-like build. This was a proper seven-foot-tall man with a waistline over three feet eight, looming like a tower from afar. Chopped up, his bulk could match three Dingyis.
Yue Kundu stepped forward. Recognizing the main player, she swallowed hard.
"This is Master Soluntu," he said, cupping his hands toward her. "Please announce that Yue Kundu seeks an audience with Master Jin."
Dingyi blinked. "Right away! Please wait a moment, masters."
She slipped behind the curtain to the Twelfth Master and whispered, "They're here." Gesturing upward, she added, "Terrifyingly tall. Should I fetch Ha Gang and the others? Safer with them around."
Hongce gripped her wrist. "No need. They're better off hidden." Seeing her pale face, he chuckled, "Don't panic. With me here, what's there to fear? Invite them in normally—don't let them suspect anything."
She nodded and withdrew, lifting the curtain with a bright smile. "Masters, my lord invites you inside. Mind your step at the threshold." She ushered them in.
Though not openly hostile, the negotiation at the table was tense. The Slave Trader used jargon that grated—calling Aha "merchandise" in their back-and-forth. Terms like "chopping the lot," "trapped stock," and "fattening lean horses" left Dingyi baffled, but the Twelfth Master bantered effortlessly.
After lengthy discussion—simple at core, with seller willing and buyer ready, both compromising on price—they neared agreement.
Hongce played cautious. "I'm straightforward—fair warning. I know your trade's trick of 'switching mounts': showing good samples then substituting duds. Try that, and I'll withhold payment for every defect caught."
Soluntu waved his fan-like hands. "Wouldn't dream of it! We're veterans—this business thrives on reputation. Cheat you now, and word spreads, ruining me. Ours may be a shady trade, but we've rules. Inspect them yourself—pick door-mountain or sharp-tongued ones. Reject any flaw, and I'll sell rejects as floaters. Deal?"He leaned on his right hand, fingers slowly rubbing together, gleaming like jade under the lamplight. After glancing at Soluntu, he nodded and said, "Since we've come this far, if I didn't trust Master Suo, we wouldn't be discussing this deal. I'll go inspect the goods later. If everything checks out, I'll pay half the deposit upfront. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve—nothing's more important than the New Year. Let's take a couple of days off. I'll set off on the second day of the year, and we'll handle the delivery then. Otherwise, with a hundred Aha, I've got nowhere to house them." He turned to Yue Kundu. "Lord Yue, I’d like you to vouch for this. If Master Suo runs off, I’ll have to come looking for you at the slave market."
Yue Kundu smirked. "No problem. Master Suo and I have been friends for five or six years. You can rest easy on that."
With a faint smile, he picked up the teapot and poured for them. "When buying goods, it's only natural to ask about their origin. With so many Aha, are they properly sourced? If the authorities start asking questions, I’d like to have an explanation ready."
Soluntu and Yue Kundu exchanged glances. "Asking that just shows you're new to this, Master Jin. There are rules in this business—once the goods are packed, we don’t ask where they came from or where they're going. You buy, and once they’re yours, they’ll earn you money. Any risks are yours to bear. We just handle the supply—once they’re out of our hands, we don’t ask questions. You’ve got the appetite for this, so naturally, you’ve got the means to smooth things over with the officials. No need to be modest."
It seemed prying information from them wouldn’t work. No matter—with so many people, a hundred mouths, surely he could get answers eventually. Hongce chuckled. "My mistake for asking such a naive question. I should slap my own mouth. Have you two eaten yet? Let me treat you to a meal. Business is best discussed over drinks, and friendship over a banquet." He turned and gave an unusually soft order, "Shu'er, go arrange a private room. We’re treating these two gentlemen to drinks."
Dingyi sprang up at once. "Right away! Just leave it to me, sirs!" But as she moved to leave, Yue Kundu stopped her.
"Master Jin, no need for formalities. There’ll be plenty of time for drinks later. Let’s take care of business first. Once that’s settled, we can drink for three days and nights without a care."
Since that was the case, Hongce didn’t insist. He nodded in agreement, then took his cape and draped it over his shoulders before following them onto a black-curtained carriage. This was a vehicle specifically for inspecting goods, its interior sealed tight—so much so that he couldn’t even tell which direction they were heading or what road they took. Truthfully, this was a bit risky. There was no telling how these people might treat him. If they found him suspicious, they could easily take him somewhere quiet and kill him without a sound—who would he even complain to then? But to Hongce, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even if they were suspicious, the lure of a hundred Aha would make them think twice. Besides, his Guards were following in secret—seasoned elites from the battlefield, each capable of taking on ten in a fight.
Dingyi sat beside him in the darkness, gripping his hand tightly. With no light to communicate by, her heart was in turmoil. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this venture was far too dangerous. Maybe for men, fortune favored the bold—the same went for officialdom. But when it came down to it, it was enough to make anyone sweat.
He could feel her tension. Turning, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "This is a legitimate deal. We pay, they deliver. Don’t be afraid."
She didn’t answer. In the pitch black, she clung to him, burying her face against his neck.When they got off the carriage, Dingyi was completely disoriented, only seeing bright lights ahead. A narrow shack stretched unusually large, four or five times the usual size, surrounded by armed thugs wielding swords. Up close, each had a face full of menacing scars, enough to frighten anyone.
Dingyi had truly seen it all now, her heart pounding as she followed closely behind the Twelfth Master. That lord, however, remained utterly composed—accustomed to grand scenes, a few mere slave traders were nothing in his eyes.
The shack door creaked open, releasing a foul stench that assaulted their senses. Hongce covered his nose slightly; people living in such squalor didn’t smell pleasant. These Aha couldn’t even fill their stomachs, let alone wash themselves.
His gaze swept over the crowd—all sturdy laborers. The young men weren’t without defiance, but they had been beaten into submission, too afraid to resist. When newcomers entered, they knew they were about to be sold again, their eyes burning with hatred, as if they could bore holes through the traders with their stares. Hongce walked slowly, arms crossed, inspecting them as per the usual routine—checking eyes, teeth, and ribs. When he reached one particularly defiant man, the slightest touch provoked a violent reaction. Impatient, he struck the Aha’s neck sharply with his elbow, sending him crashing to the ground, unable to rise.
His ruthlessness surprised the onlookers. With his refined appearance, he seemed nothing more than a wealthy young master—no one expected such brutality. Yet his control was precise; any more force would have been fatal.
Turning back, his demeanor was as serene as ever. “I’ve seen them all. Not top-grade goods, but decent enough. The agreed deposit will be paid in full, but when I collect them on the second day of the month, they’d better be in the same condition.”
“Of course,” Soluntu chuckled. “I must say, Master Jin, your methods are impressive. Quite the eye-opener.”
Hongce clasped his hands in mock modesty. “You flatter me. A man in this trade needs some tricks up his sleeve—can’t afford to panic when trouble comes.” Before leaving, he glanced back. “Make sure they’re fed well these two days. If they’re too weak to walk when I come for them, it’ll be a problem.”
Soluntu nodded eagerly. After some polite exchanges, they left. The same carriage took them back to the inn, jolting along the way. When they disembarked, Dingyi swayed dizzily, stumbling a few steps before Yue Kundu steadied her. Hongce smoothly took over without a flicker of expression, laughing, “My little guard here can ride alone for miles without blinking, but put her in a carriage, and she’s dizzy in no time.” He pulled a stack of banknotes from his sleeve. “Five hundred taels—Master Suo, take this first. And an extra fifty for Lord Yue, for the trouble. Today’s deal was smooth, and I appreciate straightforward men. I’ve never liked wasting words—if things go well, I don’t mind spending a bit more. I’ll be traveling this Suifen River route often, so now that we’ve done business, I hope you’ll look out for me.”
Soluntu waved a hand grandly. “No problem at all. Anything for Master Jin—consider Ningguta my turf. If you hit a snag, just send word, and I’ll handle it without question.”Both parties got what they wanted and the conversation was pleasant. With the deal settled, they chatted idly. When Hongce asked about interesting local attractions, Yue Kundu said, "The ice sculpture festival on New Year's Eve is quite spectacular—held on the river just three li ahead. They transport massive ice blocks from the Songhua River, each as tall as a person with arms raised. Skilled artisans carve intricate designs into them, hollowing out the centers to place lanterns inside. As the ice walls melt thinner, the candlelight grows brighter. Many young men and women gather there for fun. If Master Jin is interested, have your attendants accompany you. You might even meet a lovely maiden and spark a romantic tale!"
Hongce chuckled and cast a leisurely glance at Dingyi. "We'll see when the time comes. With a virtuous wife at home, it wouldn't be right to fool around outside."
Such words were rare among men, especially traveling merchants. Yue Kundu laughed, "Your lady is truly fortunate. In these times, few gentlemen are as devoted as you."
Soluntu chimed in with a few polite remarks, though his mind was preoccupied with the beautiful maids delivered earlier that day. Eager to leave, he soon rose to bid farewell. Yue Kundu naturally didn't press them to stay. As they exchanged parting bows, he gave Dingyi one last glance—a fleeting, inscrutable flash in his eyes—before spurring his horse into the distance.
Author's Notes:
① Wine dipper: An old-fashioned bamboo ladle with a long handle for scooping wine, also called a wine measure.
② "Chopping board": Slang for a beautiful person.
③ "Sleeping board": Slang for an ugly person.
④ "Feeding a lean horse": Raising children to sell later.
⑤ "Open mountain gate": Having no eye ailments.
⑥ "Sharp mouth": Having good teeth.
⑦ "Floating tail": Being lame.
⑧ "Loading cargo": The transaction between kidnappers and buyers.
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