On the table before him, a mountain of sliced lamb was piled high in a large bowl. Layers of fatty white and lean pink meat were sprinkled with spices. A gentle stir with his chopsticks sent steam billowing up, the slices of meat threatening to spill over the brim, forcing him to use his left hand to guard the bowl.
Li Qingxian recalled seeing this man before. The first time he’d come here for lamb offal soup with Zheng Hui, he had encountered him.
At the time, Zheng Hui had seemed extremely displeased to see him. Li Qingxian had asked about it later, but Zheng Hui claimed not to know the man. Li Qingxian never did figure out why Zheng Hui had given the man such a dirty look.
Seeing that the other tables were too crowded, Li Qingxian walked over and sat down opposite the man. "Old Zhang," he called out, "a large bowl of lamb soup, some chopped flatbread on the side, and pick me out a nice, oily salted duck egg."
"Coming right up! Oh... Lord Official, I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. Is there anything else you require?" Old Zhang and his son hurried over. A Ninth-Grade official was a rare sight in their establishment.
"I’m a friend of Zheng Hui’s. I was here once before," Li Qingxian said. "Don’t make a fuss over me. Just carry on as usual."
"You got it! One large bowl of lamb soup, chopped flatbread, and one salted duck egg!"
"Greetings, Sir." The Junior Tenth-Grade Military Officer across from him took his foot off the stool. Clasping his fists, he looked completely ill at ease.
"Mm," Li Qingxian grunted. Influenced by Zheng Hui, he couldn’t be bothered with the man.
While waiting for his soup, Li Qingxian glanced around at the other patrons. Steam billowed from every table.
The amount of lamb and offal in everyone else’s bowls was less than what was in the bowl of the Military Officer opposite him.
A short while later, Old Zhang arrived carrying two large bowls and a small one. His son wiped the table clean before setting everything down.
Li Qingxian stared at the bowl of lamb soup before him, stunned.
His own soup was identical to the Military Officer’s—piled so high it formed a small mountain. If he wanted to stir it, he would have to shield the bowl with his hand to keep it from spilling.
Li Qingxian glanced at the Military Officer’s half-eaten soup, then at the fresh bowls being served to other customers.
None of the newly served bowls of lamb or offal were overflowing. In fact, they contained less meat than what was left in the Military Officer’s bowl.
His one bowl of meat was equivalent to three or four of anyone else’s.
Li Qingxian glanced at the wall.
Lamb Offal Soup: five Wen per bowl. Lamb Soup: fifteen Wen per bowl.
Li Qingxian sat stunned for a long moment, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. He finally understood why Captain Zheng rarely brought people here. He also understood why his friend only ever ordered the lamb offal soup, never the lamb soup.
And he finally understood why Captain Zheng had shot the man that glare.
Li Qingxian silently added chili and pepper, ate some of the lamb, and then slowly mixed in the chopped flatbread.
He picked up the salted duck egg, gently cracked its shell, and began to slowly peel it.
"Sir, I’m finished. Please, enjoy your meal."
The Military Officer across from him stood up, looking at Li Qingxian with an amiable smile.
"Sit back down. I have something to say to you in a moment," Li Qingxian said, his expression grim. He broke open the salted duck egg, its yolk oozing rich, glistening oil.
"Ah? Yes, Sir." The man timidly sat back down on the bench, stealing glances at Li Qingxian. His previously bold and imposing posture was completely gone.
Li Qingxian slowly finished the lamb, flatbread, and salted duck egg, drinking the soup until the bowl was empty. A surge of Magical Power flowed through his right hand; with a single wipe across his mouth, he was perfectly clean.
Li Qingxian raised his eyes to the Military Officer, who was now sitting ramrod straight with anxiety.
"What’s your name?"
"This subordinate is named Zhong Baishan."
"You serve in the Military Department?"
"Yes, I’m a Squad Commander in the West District Military Department."
"How much do you pay for a bowl of lamb soup?"
"The soup is fifteen Wen, and the flatbread is two. I always pay the full amount," Zhong Baishan said.
Li Qingxian nodded. "Let’s go pay."
"Sir, why don’t I treat you to this meal?" Zhong Baishan offered.
Li Qingxian gave Zhong Baishan a look that was not quite a smile, and the man’s face instantly turned red.
They each paid for their own meal.
"Follow me."
Li Qingxian led the way, walking a few paces into a small, nearby alley.
Zhong Baishan, his face a mask of misery, cautiously followed him into the alley.
Li Qingxian turned to face Zhong Baishan. "How many times a month do you come here?"
"A dozen times or so. The meat here is truly delicious, and the portions are generous."
"How’s the Zhangg Family’s business?"
"Business is excellent. But on this street, no matter how good business gets, you don’t get to keep all your earnings. After paying all the fees, there isn’t much left," Zhong Baishan said.
"I’m not going to pull rank on you. Let’s just make an arrangement. From now on, you’re forbidden from coming to Zhangg. How about it?"
The teenager stared at the man in his thirties.
Zhong Baishan looked completely bewildered, having no idea what was happening. He quickly nodded. "Don’t worry, Sir. If you say I can’t come here, then I won’t! If you have any other orders, I’ll carry them out without question."
"That won’t be necessary. Just stay away from now on," Li Qingxian said.
"Understood!" Zhong Baishan nodded.
"Go on," Li Qingxian said.
"This subordinate takes his leave." Zhong Baishan bowed and departed, a puzzled look on his face, lost in thought as he walked away.
Li Qingxian glanced at the "Zhangg" banner fluttering in the wind. He recalled the four steaming bowls of lamb offal soup from that day, sighed softly, and turned back toward the Night Guard Office.
Upon entering Room A9, Li Qingxian came to a halt.
There, on Zheng Hui’s normally empty bed, sat a hunched, unfamiliar figure.
The person looked up, revealing a full head of white hair and a wrinkled face.
Li Qingxian froze. ’It’s only been a day,’ he thought. ’How did Zheng Hui’s hair turn completely white? He looks like he’s aged more than ten years.’
"Qingxian... Captain Li... help your old brother. Please, save Da Guan."
Zheng Hui stood up, his back hunched and his body stooped. With trembling hands, he looked at Li Qingxian, his eyes brimming with tears.
Li Qingxian closed the distance in a few quick strides and supported him. "Captain Zheng, calm down. Sit down first and tell me what happened."
Zheng Hui nodded and rubbed his red-rimmed eyes. "Just yesterday, Da Guan’s friend told me he’d been arrested by men from the West District Military Department. At first, I assumed it was just a misunderstanding, so I took some silver coins and went to find an old friend who works there. My friend is a Tenth-Grade officer, just like I was, but even he didn’t have enough pull to get me in to see anyone. He told me not to panic and said he’d make some inquiries. It wasn’t until evening that I found out what really happened. A Ninth-Grade officer from the Military Department whom I’d offended in the past has been promoted to Eighth Grade. He learned that my Dantian was destroyed, so he found someone who’d previously fought with Da Guan to act as the aggrieved party and had my son arrested."
"I see," Li Qingxian said.
Zheng Hui continued, "I figured I could just swallow my pride, pay some reparations, and this would all be over. I scraped together a sum of money and had my friend deliver it to the man, along with a message saying I was willing to offer a humble apology. But he just took the money, said nothing, and threw my friend out. My friend told me to wait. This morning, he sent word that he’d done everything he could, but the man refuses to budge. That’s when I understood. He’s planning to kill Da Guan. I tried to find a few other friends in the Night Guard, but they were either out or couldn’t help. I have nowhere else to turn, which is why I’ve come to you. Captain Li, I, Zheng Hui, have never asked you for anything, but this time, I’m begging you..."
Tears streamed down Zheng Hui’s face as he cried out and started to fall to his knees.
Li Qingxian quickly grabbed Zheng Hui with both hands, preventing him from kneeling. "Captain Zheng, don’t panic. We will absolutely save Da Guan. However, I don’t know anything about the Military Department’s affairs, and I don’t know their people. I can’t just go in there blindly. I’ll send someone to find Brother Han right now. He’ll know what to do."
"Yes, yes, find Anbo! He’s a man who understands things," Zheng Hui said.
Li Qingxian comforted Zheng Hui, then went to the Street Patrol Room and called for some men. He found three who were idle, handed them some silver, and told them to hurry to Huang’s Tea House on Yar Street and bring Han Anbo back.
Zheng Hui was in a total panic, sighing and groaning. Li Qingxian could only continue to comfort him, using every spare moment to rack his brain for a way to rescue Da Guan.