Chapter 107: The Radiance of Pearls and Jade Stirs the Heart

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In the dead of night under the curfew, most of Taolin County was enveloped in silence. Only in the clusters of inns did the lively sounds of flutes and strings still echo.

For the upcoming triennial Treasure Contest held between the East and West Markets of Chang’an, many wealthy merchants had pondered deeply. One must understand that within these markets, with their hundreds of trades and thousands of shops, locations and business fortunes vary greatly. Only a select few top-tier merchants could curry favor with the high-ranking officials and dignitaries. For outsiders wanting to establish themselves and expand their businesses in these markets, the Treasure Contest was the prime opportunity.

Because of this, recent strange robberies targeting merchant caravans had delayed many traders’ journeys within Taolin County. Now, inns were often packed with two or three groups of merchants who, for safety, had to band together tightly. They paid no heed to the previous outrageous offers made by that plump fellow Cui; even if the price were ten times higher, it was insignificant compared to the priceless treasures in their possession.

Hence, the once irate Cui, listening to the innkeeper’s account of the situation, found his anger slowly replaced by curiosity.

“Master Cui, it’s not that the merchants refused to make room out of ignorance or selfishness, but because of caution. That caravan that was robbed was also headed for the Treasure Contest in the East and West Markets of Chang’an. When they left Taolin, they took in a young lad who had nowhere else to stay. But after leaving the city, at some unknown resting place, they were ambushed. The goods were stolen, and although they called it a giant bandit, no trace was found. The boy vanished with the treasure—clearly an inside job. The Governor of Shan Prefecture was furious and ordered a thorough investigation, but the culprit had fled immediately; how could they find him? Now, the merchants here travel in groups to avoid a repeat. Honestly, these phantom bandits are elusive; they may never be caught.”

Cui cared little for such bandits, but the mention of the Treasure Contest stirred his heart. Having served alongside Cui Weizhi in official posts, he had little memory of Chang’an and rarely had the chance to roam freely in Luoyang. His eyes gleamed as he suddenly asked, “So those merchants who’ve booked all the rooms, are they all carrying treasures?”

“Exactly!” The innkeeper, a lean middle-aged man named Dai Han, nodded eagerly and added with relish, “I heard there’s luminous pearls as large as fingers; fire rat fur coats from the Western Regions, said to be the finest for cold weather; and a complete set of tortoiseshell combs, each exquisitely carved…”

Though from a noble family, Cui Ershiwulang had a natural passion for rare things and swallowed hard. Then he bluntly asked, “If I want to see these treasures now, how can I?”

“Well…” Dai Han hesitated, rubbing his hands, “My inn is new and seldom hosts wealthy merchants. If you go to other inns, those merchants are very possessive of their belongings, wary of others’ interest…”

Seeing the displeasure on Cui’s face, he quickly smiled apologetically, “But there is a way. When you stayed around before, you didn’t give your family name, right? If they knew you were the nephew of the Duke of Zhao and Minister Cui, they’d flock to you. After all, they’ve come all the way to the Western Capital to gain favor with nobles.”

“You’re not wrong!” Cui jumped up excitedly and waved his hand, “Then let’s go now. Since you’re from Taolin County, you lead the way. Just say I want to admire their treasures!”

As Cui happily set out with his attendants and bodyguards, led by Dai Han, a Cui family servant watching from outside suddenly felt uneasy. It was curfew, movement was restricted, and the messenger had yet to return. If he followed, who would handle the report? Just as he resolved to quietly trail them and mark the route, he heard noises behind him. Turning, he saw his companion had followed, and feeling relief, he grabbed him and hurried after.

With the few ahead somehow persuading the town patrol, the two Cui servants grew troubled. They couldn’t openly admit they were tracking their young master and had to hide carefully. When Dai Han and Cui Ershiwulang finally knocked on an inn’s door and entered after some effort, the two servants exchanged anxious looks.

“Liu Mo, what do we do now?”

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“Let’s do this: after a while, you claim that Lady Cui sent you to find Ershiwulang. Go in first to investigate. Knowing Ershiwulang’s temper, he’ll likely throw you out soon enough, but you might overhear something.”

“Alright!”

After agreeing on the plan, when the time seemed right, one of them knocked loudly. Soon someone answered. Though questioned thoroughly, after presenting the Cui family’s verification token, he was admitted. Shortly after, loud commotion erupted inside, and the man was hastily expelled. Meeting up with Liu Mo, he glanced around before slipping into the shadows and whispering:

“Ershiwulang is here admiring the treasures brought for the Chang’an East-West Market Treasure Contest, accompanied by the innkeeper. Thanks to the family ties and his jade pendant from the Qinghe Cui clan, most merchants, except a few politely declining, are currying favor with him. I only caught sight of a flawless jade paperweight carved from Hetian jade.”

“I think Ershiwulang will stay here quite a while tonight. It’s uncertain if he’ll return to the original inn. You go back and report; I’ll keep watch here.”

When Du Shiyi heard from the returning servant that young Cui was visiting merchants preparing for the Treasure Contest to request a look at their treasures, he furrowed his brow thoughtfully.

The constable had already vividly described the recent robbery of a merchant caravan. What surprised him most was that the merchants had tearfully reported to the officials that their best-hidden treasures were stolen: luminous pearls hidden in a mute’s mouth, seemingly dull hairpins worn by women, and a soiled headscarf that was actually a rare light fabric from the Western Regions. However, a locked money chest carried for convenience on the journey, containing five strings of coins and several gold ingots at the bottom, was untouched.

Du Shiyi had probed further and learned the caravan belonged to Humaier, a prominent merchant from Kucha, who traded regularly between the Western Regions and Luoyang. They were carrying rare treasures to Chang’an to make a name for themselves but were delayed due to the loss.

At first glance, the case seemed the work of the phantom bandit youth. But while using sedatives was relatively easy, how could one quickly learn the hiding places of precious items? Such secrets were known only to a few trusted members, certainly not a stranger or even common helpers. Moreover, the looted items were treasures; the gold in the chest remained untouched. Did the bandit really have such keen eyesight?

While pondering, Du Shiyi comforted the servants, “You two must stay vigilant tonight, especially watch when Ershiwulang comes and goes.”

“Yes, Master Du, rest assured.”

That night, the Wang brothers slept soundly, but others tossed and turned. Du Shisan’s wife kept urging Cui Shiqi until midnight. Du Shiyi lay awake, pondering why Cui Ershiwulang suddenly wanted to visit other inns to see treasures for the contest. The Cui family’s servants were mostly anxious. At dawn, as the city’s morning drum sounded, many rose, yawning with dark circles. Yet at this moment, the inn received a visitor.

It was Liu, the county captain, a scholar who had only recently obtained his post after seven years of rigorous service. Though aged and weathered beyond his forty-plus years, he was meticulous. After confirming the identities of the group and noting some absentees had moved elsewhere in anger, he studied Du Shiyi and Wang Wei for a long moment before smiling and greeting, “I didn’t realize honorable guests stayed here last night. What a coincidence, just yesterday Master Gongsun and his party passed through, staying at the Taolin post…”

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Du Shiyi paid little attention to the captain’s rambling pleasantries, but heard that the Gongsun party’s itinerary was a day ahead of theirs. Thinking of the troubles caused by Cui Ershiwulang’s antics last night, he felt irritated. Suddenly, he noticed Tian Mo gesturing vigorously nearby. He gave Wang Wei a knowing look, excused himself, and headed in the direction Tian indicated. Outside in the courtyard, he found the servant who had run several times the previous night, splashing cold water from a basin onto his face.

The servant, exhausted and starved from sleeplessness, brightened upon seeing Du Shiyi and hurried forward, breathless: “Master Du! I don’t know why, but today the young master insisted on traveling with the merchants he visited last night. They’ve already set off! Liu Mo has caught up and told me to report!”

That damned fat boy—how long will he keep this up!

Thinking this was surely a huge trouble Cui Jiuniang had caused him, Du Shiyi’s forehead veins bulged. He wanted to reprimand the boy but had more pressing concerns. Under other circumstances, he would have sent the servants to follow discreetly, waiting until they reached Chang’an to hand the boy to his uncle, regardless of whether the uncle understood or was annoyed. But after a restless night, the chain of events seemed stranger than ever.

“Prepare horses. Wait for my order to pursue.”

Without another word, Du Shiyi left the courtyard, nearly colliding with the constable who had arranged their lodging the previous night. The constable quickly apologized, and Du Shiyi, inspired, pulled him aside and whispered, “Tell me—did the robbed caravan show anyone their treasures?”

“Well…” Under Du Shiyi’s piercing gaze, the constable hesitated briefly before confessing, “They did. But the man was Captain Xiao of the Left Yulin Army, a subordinate of Duke Huo and General Wang, with ironclad credentials. He promised to introduce them to General Wang one day. They hoped to gain favor and gladly showed their best items. Captain Xiao was full of praise.”

“Was Captain Xiao just passing through Taolin?”

“He and his party were traveling from Luoyang back to Chang’an and were honored guests of the magistrate before the caravan left. A few days before departure, he set off for Chang’an with his entourage.”

Du Shiyi’s suspicions deepened. Almost without a moment’s thought, he hurried back to the room where they had met the others. Facing Liu, he said to Wang Wei, “Brother Wang, I entrust my wife Du Shisan and Cui Shiqi to you and Wang Shi. I must leave immediately to retrieve Cui Ershiwulang.”

Seeing Wang Wei’s quick agreement, he turned to Liu, “Captain Liu, I’m in a hurry to pursue. Could you accompany us to the city gate?”

“Well…” After a brief hesitation, Liu nodded. “This is no trouble, and since it concerns the Cui family, I’m happy to help. However, your companion lacks proper identification, and with the strict checks at the gate, he likely won’t be allowed to leave.”

[End of text]