The More I Dig, The More Suspicious It Gets
As I arrived at the Puyang market, I took in my surroundings. No matter how many times I saw it, the place was always alive with energy—crowds of merchants and commoners filling every corner. Yet the blacksmith shops and weapon dealers were all tucked away in the most secluded spots.
“Weapon shops are surprisingly hard to find, aren’t they?”
“Blacksmiths are supposed to be in the most remote parts of any market.”
“What, in case a street brawl breaks out and someone grabs a displayed weapon in the heat of the moment?”
At that moment, Xu Shu gave me a strange look.
What? Was that not the reason?
“Blacksmiths use fire, so they’re full of charcoal and furnaces. If one of those was sitting right in the middle of the market and a fire broke out by accident, what then?”
“...Ah!”
This was a little embarrassing. I was a modern man, yet I had spoken without understanding something people of this era took for granted.
“Well… what you said isn’t entirely wrong. Government soldiers do keep watch around the blacksmith shops at all times.”
So I hadn’t been completely off the mark.
Enough idle chatter. We stepped into the weapon shop beside the blacksmith.
“Welcome, honored guests!”
The merchants greeted us with exaggerated enthusiasm. I scanned the items on display one by one.
“It’s a dangerous world we live in. A man should own at least one weapon to protect himself. Yes, indeed.”
“Hmm. I’d like to see some swords…”
“You’ve come to the right place! Even renowned knights and military officers occasionally purchase swords from our humble shop.”
While the weapon merchant continued his sales pitch, Xu Shu suddenly reached out, grabbed one of the many blades, and drew it partway.
Shing—
He didn’t even need to pull it all the way out. After drawing it only halfway, he slammed it back into its sheath and tossed it aside.
“Ah! Sir, what are you doing?!”
“You call this a sword?”
Xu Shu threw the blade away, picked up another, drew it, and immediately discarded it as well.
“No different from the last.”
“G-Great Lord! Those were our low-priced items! If you would look at the finely decorated swords up on that shelf instead…”
The merchant pointed to a blade with a rather ornate appearance rather than a plain, dark-sheath sword. The hilt, wrapped in decorative leather, looked perfect for ceremonial use.
“This one was forged from iron smelted in the lands of Qiao County…”
“Swords made from Qiao County iron have a distinctive wave pattern. This one has none.”
“Wh-What?!”
Xu Shu fully drew the sword and brought it down hard on a table inside the shop. With a loud crash, the beautifully decorated blade simply snapped in two.
“This is only fit to be a skewer for grilling meat.”
“Hiiik…”
I watched the scene, then turned to the merchant.
“How much for that sword? I’ll pay full price.”
In the end, we left the broken blade behind and moved on to other shops near the blacksmith district. They were all the same.
Clang—
“By the heavens?!”
“I told you, that’s not a sword. It’s a meat skewer.”
We found what looked like a sturdy blade in another shop, but when Xu Shu struck it with his own sword, it shattered without resistance. After we kept doing this, word must have spread through the Puyang merchant guilds.
“This humble one greets the two young masters.”
“And you are?”
“I am Yang Jia, manager of the Puyang merchant coalition. It seems the two lords are displeased with the quality of goods in Puyang, so I came at once.”
Our probing had drawn out a major figure from the merchant union that served the local powerful clans. Up to this point, neither Xu Shu nor I had revealed our identities, and this confirmed my suspicions.
Yuanzhi, if this man brings out several military-grade iron swords, we’ll have our proof.
Xu Shu’s quiet whisper told me he had the same thought. But they wouldn’t reveal their hand immediately. Behind these men stood powerful clans running massive merchant networks—including Lord Roh.
“Master Yang, we are looking for a sword to present as a gift to a high official serving the state. We need something of genuine quality.”
“Ah, such blades are extremely rare. Might you have something to verify your status?”
I almost said, “I am the nephew of the Governor of Yan Province,” or “Lord Roh sent us,” but stopped myself. That would send a direct report upward. We needed another identity. Fortunately, I had the perfect item in my robe.
“Do you recognize this?”
“Oh! This is…”
It was the silver token Wei Hong had given me before. She had told me it was a credential recognized by merchants across the Central Plains. I was finally putting it to use.
Master Yang frowned slightly at the token, but nodded.
“This is indeed the identification plaque of the Wei Merchant Group. So you have dealings with them. Very well. Allow me to guide you.”
At that moment, Xu Shu and I were permitted to enter. It felt like being ushered into the VIP section of a modern department store.
We were led from the main merchant building at the heart of the market down into a deep underground chamber. The interior was lined with decorations and bright lanterns, allowing us to walk without difficulty.
“You will not see items like these anywhere else.”
Creeeeak—
“Hup?!”
“By the heavens…”
What lay beyond the opened doors was a treasure vault. Black sandalwood boxes overflowed with jewelry. Swords, spears, and even a gilded suit of armor fit for an emperor’s personal campaign were on display.
They said that in Puyang, if you had the money, you could obtain anything. It seemed that was no exaggeration.
“Where did you acquire all of this?”
“In these chaotic times, many wealthy individuals must quickly sell their collections to flee danger. When you gather such pieces, this is the result.”
As Master Yang spoke with confidence, Xu Shu walked straight to a pile of swords and drew one. The moment I saw the gleaming blade, I understood.
A true famous sword was said to bear a wave-like pattern from the forging process—and there it was.
“This is a blade even most Han generals would struggle to obtain.”
“Ah, that one? It is a famous sword from Xiliang.”
“?!”
Xu Shu flinched at the words and approached Master Yang.
“These weapons belonged to the armies led by that traitor Dong Zhuo in the old days. After Luoyang fell, we collected and refurbished them.”
So these really were military weapons?
“If you carry such weapons in large quantities, wouldn’t the local authorities punish you?”
“That is why we do not sell them to just anyone. To purchase more than one, you would need at least the permission of the Governor.”
Permission from the Governor… and right now, the Governor of Puyang was Zhang Miao…
Something definitely smelled off, but it was still only a theory.
“Then I will take just one blade.”
“As you wish.”
“Also, I need gifts for ladies—some of the jewelry here that would be popular with women. Could you select a few for me?”
“Oh my! An excellent choice!”
If I had only bought a sword, it would have raised suspicion. But by also purchasing women’s jewelry and several bolts of fine silk, the merchant Yang Jia’s smile stretched from ear to ear. He probably assumed I was simply a high-ranking person using the coalition token to buy presents.
I did not mention any of this to Lord Roh.
“Master Yang, please have these treasures wrapped carefully.”
“Of course! I will send servants to deliver them safely.”
“And this sword… Yuanzhi, you should take it.”
“Hm?”
“You should be the one carrying it, Yuanzhi.”
I handed him the Xiliang-forged blade and gave him a meaningful look.
I had clearly received an order from Cao Cao to “obtain several famous swords.” This would serve as evidence, delivered directly to Xu Shu.
“While they finish wrapping everything, shall we look around a bit more?”
“I will send a servant to accompany you.”
“No need. We will return on our own. We’ll be back in one interval.”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
After speaking with Master Yang, I walked back through the market streets with Xu Shu and spoke in a low voice.
“Yuanzhi, you must return to Chenliu soon.”
“Should I leave this evening?”
“No, that would look suspicious. In two days, tell the Governor that an urgent matter has arisen and you must go. If you say it concerns your mother’s illness, he will send you immediately.”
“Mmm…”
Since Xu Shu had an elderly mother, anyone would allow him to leave at once if her health was the reason.
“While you are gone, I will continue probing the other powerful clans.”
“They already have Xiliang weapons and armor hidden in the merchant coalition’s basement. Just the gold, silver, and treasures piled inside would be enough to equip a private army.”
“Of course, my uncle won’t act just because we know that. I will write an interim report. Please deliver it for me.”
I told Xu Shu I would prepare it right away. He gave a small chuckle and murmured under his breath.
“I thought you had forgotten all about the mission, lost in women and wine. But it seems the blood of the Cao clan runs true after all?”
“You flatter me.”
After arranging future matters with Xu Shu, I returned to my quarters as if nothing had happened. Then I sat down and carefully wrote a letter to Cao Cao.
Situation in Puyang
● Puyang serves as the commercial heart of Yan Province. Countless merchants come and go, while the powerful local clans operate their own merchant networks, creating great economic prosperity.
● Bandits targeting the wealth of these merchants have been circling the area, causing Governor Zhang Miao great concern. My companion Yuanzhi has personally set out to track the bandit groups.
● Master Xu has guided me to pay respects at the tomb of Yan Province elder Bian Wenli and joined me in the memorial rites. He also took me to the ruins of Lady Ye’s house—a site that may bring painful memories to the Governor of Yan Province. Nevertheless, he has shown firm determination to do whatever is necessary to save Yan Province. I will continue to persuade him.
● The Yan Province clans appear to be in conflict with the Wei Merchant Group of Chenliu. A few of them voiced strong complaints while drinking, yet when I listened, they grew flustered and responded by calling even more courtesans and wine to entertain me. Though they may hold grievances against the Wei group, they fear the Governor of Yan Province greatly. They will move according to your commands.
● Regarding the swords you ordered me to investigate: Within the Puyang merchant coalition, weapons once used by the traitor Dong Zhuo’s Xiliang army are circulating in the markets. I have purchased one and am sending it. According to them, purchasing multiple blades requires verification by the coalition and the explicit permission of the Governor. I emphasize the phrase “the Governor’s permission.”
“Whew.”
Once I finished writing, I planned to hand it to Xu Shu before he left so he could deliver it to Chenliu.
“Young master, are you inside?”
“What is it?”
A maid’s clear, gentle voice came from outside.
“Young master, we are servants from Lord Qiao’s household. Our master instructed us to serve you with the utmost care today, so we came directly.”
“Ah, I see. Wait a moment. I will change my clothes and come out.”
I quickly hid the letter I had written and stepped outside as if nothing was wrong. The room was now tidy, and there would be no problems until I returned.