A few days later, the garrison troops of Cizhou escorted the grain carts into Chazhou. Fei Sheng returned to the residence and reported the situation in Chazhou to Shen Zechuan, along with records of commodity prices from Huaizhou and Fanzhou. Not only that, he had also thoroughly investigated Lei Changming and Lei Jingzhe.
Lei Changming was a native of Chazhou, originally from an escort agency—this was the publicly known part of his background. But after inquiring around Chazhou, and with help from shops in Juexi, Fei Sheng learned from local elders that during the Yongyi era, Lei Changming had engaged in flesh trade. At the time, brothels flourished in Dunzhou and Duanzhou, producing famed courtesans of Zhongbo such as Shen Zechuan’s mother, Bai Cha. Taking advantage of this, Lei Changming roamed Dengzhou, luring respectable women and selling them off to those cities.
Later, Shen Wei ordered the closure of brothels along the Chaishi River, causing Duanzhou’s business to plummet. Lacking connections at the checkpoints there, Lei Changming was forced to find another path.
By this point, he wanted to revive his old trade. Using the Zhu family’s influence, he began cultivating ties with officials across Zhongbo. In doing so, he noticed how deeply they feared the Censorate’s annual spring inspections. The censors held the power to impeach; any official reported would suffer damage to reputation, affecting promotions and transfers. Because of this, they avoided brothels.
Lei Changming seized the opportunity. He opened a place in Fanzhou called “Ming Book Hall.” On the surface it was a literary salon and teahouse, but in secret he kept abducted respectable women there as hidden prostitutes, using them to bribe officials. This venture didn’t last long—it was again shut down by Shen Wei.
Fei Sheng had specially marked this point.
Shen Wei had informants across the regions. After marrying Bai Cha, he cracked down heavily on brothel businesses. Lei Changming’s Ming Book Hall lasted less than a year before Shen Wei destroyed it with lightning speed. Trafficking respectable women carried severe punishment. To escape, Lei Changming ordered subordinates to take the blame under false names, then rushed to Dunzhou with a large bribe to buy his way out.
Afterward, he drifted along, barely surviving. His wife and children had long since died, and he did not take concubines. Even earlier, when trafficking women, he had developed a taste for keeping young boys, but his cruelty meant none survived. Near the end of Yongyi, he took on an escort job for the Yan family of Hezhou, earning their favor and finally beginning his rise.
The report mentioned nothing about jade earrings or ear ornaments. Shen Zechuan closed the booklet, thought for a moment, and said, “Strange. A child who wears ear ornaments must come from wealth or status. Even if Lei Changming dared traffic commoners, he wouldn’t dare touch the noble families of Qudu’s eight cities.”
“You’re right, Master,” Fei Sheng said. “I found out about this too, but without proof, I didn’t write it down—I needed to report it in person.” He glanced toward Li Xiong in the courtyard. “I spoke with that boy as well and pieced together a rough idea. During the Yongyi era, Lei Changming once rescued a young master of the Yan family, Yan Heru. That child wore ear ornaments, was delicate and beautiful, and greatly favored. Lei Changming took him home… but you’ve seen the man—he’s a beast. He actually developed intentions toward that child.”
Shen Zechuan snapped his folding fan shut.
“But he didn’t dare act,” Fei Sheng continued. “At the time, the Ministry of War’s Shao family was imprisoned, and all male heirs were to be executed. The old matriarch disguised their only grandson as a girl to preserve the bloodline. That boy was exiled to Zhongbo—and happened to fall into Lei Changming’s hands.”
At this, Qiao Tianya suddenly sat upright. “The Shao family? From the Yongyi era? Vice Minister Shao Chengbi?”
Fei Sheng clapped. “Yes, that’s the one. You know them?”
“Of course,” Qiao Tianya said, standing abruptly. “I told you before—I’m from the Qiao family of the Ministry of War. Shao Chengbi was my father’s close friend. He was also promoted by the Grand Tutor. He wasn’t good at socializing, so he didn’t often interact with him. Later he married the sister of the current Minister of War, Chen Zhen, which spared him during the Eastern Palace investigation—he wasn’t completely purged by the Empress Dowager.”
Fei Sheng nodded. “That’s right, but Shao Chengbi never aligned with either the Hua or Pan factions. Hua Siqian still wanted him gone, so at the end of Yongyi, he used his authority to have Ji Lei of the Embroidered Uniform Guard frame him as part of the Eastern Palace rebellion, leading to the destruction of his family.”
Shen Zechuan understood. Lei Changming didn’t dare touch Yan Heru, so he used the Shao heir as a substitute.
“Though the Shao boy was older than Yan Heru, he was only nine at the time—pampered and precious at home. His grandmother exhausted all connections to get him out of Qudu, only for him to fall into Lei Changming’s hands in Zhongbo.” Fei Sheng’s voice grew heavier. “That beast… he ruined the boy. He was brutal—he drank before doing anything, had no restraint, and afterward made sure to eliminate all traces. If the victim died, he simply buried the body. This was information Cai Yu uncovered. I suspect Lei Changming later fell out with the Yan family because of this.”
This was Fei Sheng’s first major assignment under Shen Zechuan, and he intended to do it well. He continued reporting on Luo Mu of Chazhou. As Shen Zechuan listened, he glanced at Qiao Tianya.
But Qiao Tianya’s mind was elsewhere.
After Fei Sheng finished and stepped out, he found an opportunity to speak privately with Qiao Tianya.
“Don’t ask me,” Fei Sheng said, rubbing his hands clean. “Everything about the Shao heir came from Chazhou bandits. You know how it is—he wasn’t as important as Yan Heru. Who would remember him? Falling into Lei Changming’s hands… chances are he’s dead. Even if he isn’t…” He sighed. “He wouldn’t be able to live on.”
Qiao Tianya forced a casual tone. “Did I ask? I wasn’t planning to.”
Fei Sheng looked at him skeptically and gestured between them. “You always lean in like this when you want to ask something. It’s been so many years. If you can’t let it go, just pretend he’s still alive.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘pretend,’” Qiao Tianya said, stepping down the stairs. He raised an arm behind his head, squinting in the sunlight. “Dead is dead. It’s probably cooler down there anyway.”
A few more days passed, nearing the end of the seventh month. The grain carts left Cizhou, and silver carts returned. With autumn approaching, Zhou Gui worried that Huaizhou’s grain might be bought up by others. Now that they had money, he discussed with his aides securing the deal as soon as possible.
Shen Zechuan asked, “What does Mr. Chengfeng think?”
Kong Ling hesitated. “I told the lord last night—I don’t agree with going to Huaizhou now. It’s too rushed.”
Zhou Gui nodded. “That’s true, but Tongzhi, parts of Juexi have suffered disasters this year. With Jiang Qingshan transferred away, those regions will have to buy grain elsewhere. Huaizhou is close to Qudu, and with harvest approaching, I worry Juexi will finalize the deal before we do.”
His concern was valid. Though Cizhou had surplus grain, it was reserved for emergencies. Even with silver in hand, they lacked confidence.
Shen Zechuan had been calculating the journey to Huaizhou but hesitated for another reason: the imperial decree regarding Jiang Qingshan’s reassignment had yet to be issued. Whether Jiang returned to Juexi or was transferred elsewhere would affect Cizhou’s grain trade. If he were sent to Huaizhou, any deal made now might be voided.
Shen Zechuan said, “Both concerns are valid. Our original plan was to act quickly, but now we must also consider how to avoid Qudu’s scrutiny.”
Kong Ling added, “Our silver carts must pass through Libei. That requires negotiation with the heir. He likely won’t refuse, but we must compensate with grain. My concern is Luoxia Pass. It answers directly to Qudu. Libei may have ties with them, but what about Cizhou?”
They discussed until dusk without reaching a conclusion.
When Shen Zechuan returned, Ding Tao and Li Xiong greeted him.
“Sir, many beggars came into the city today,” Ding Tao said. “They’re all gaunt—said they came from Dancheng. Master Yu bought buns this morning, and they even fought over them.”
Shen Zechuan paused. Seeing there was still daylight, he said to Qiao Tianya, “Let’s go take a look.”
Cizhou had only begun reorganizing its registry. Any refugees had to report their identity at the yamen to prevent bandits from infiltrating. Shen Zechuan went personally because Ding Tao had mentioned Dancheng.
When they arrived, Yu Xiaozai was distributing buns. Fei Sheng and Qiao Tianya stepped forward to help.
“Yujing,” Shen Zechuan said gently, “guide them to the yamen. There they’ll receive proper rations—you needn’t spend your own money.”
Yu Xiaozai had little to begin with. Now without official position, he lived under Shen Zechuan’s support, earning small sums by appraising calligraphy. Yet he had spent it all on buns.
“The yamen has limited rations,” Yu said. “Those who come late are often the old and weak. It’s pitiful to see them hungry. Money is just a worldly thing—just a worldly thing.”
Seeing so many refugees, Shen Zechuan grew suspicious. Dancheng was one of Qudu’s eight cities. There had been no disasters, and it had even supplied provisions to the Eight Great Camps. Why were there suddenly so many refugees?
Qiao Tianya was handing out buns when a commotion broke out behind them.
Several ruffians were trying to seize a donkey. Fei Sheng signaled his men to intervene.
“What’s all this noise?” he shouted.
One ruffian protested, “Officer, we’re not causing trouble! They said they’d sell the donkey—I already paid, and now they won’t hand it over!”
Fei Sheng turned. “Trying to scam people in Cizhou? Don’t you know who’s in charge here? Hand over the donkey!”
The ragged men hesitated, then pushed the rope forward. The donkey brayed as it was pulled.
A hand stretched out from behind, slapping the ground weakly. “That’s… my donkey…”
Fei Sheng heard it but chose not to react. The hand was stepped on, curling into a fist, pounding the ground. Then someone dragged the person back, and the hand disappeared.
Fei Sheng handed the donkey over. Something brushed his shoe—he looked down. A filthy kitten.
He bent to pick it up. “Taozi, here’s a little—”
Before he could finish, the hand reappeared, only fingertips visible, caked with blood and dirt.
“My… my cat!”
The person crawled forward, forehead scraping the ground. Someone behind was dragging his legs, trying to hide him.
Fei Sheng realized then—the man’s legs were crippled.