Hu Li I

Guo Xue’s Estate outside Shaozou, Xiao Empire

a Hunter for Hire

The morning sun beat down hard on the inspector and his horse. Li traveled alone. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked onto Governor Guo Xue’s estate from a distance of two hundred meters. Cicadas sang and his horse whined in need of water after their long morning in the humid heat. It was only the start of summer, but Li longed for autumn. Just that day, he woke at dawn and rode straight through the morning to reach the governor’s estate outside Shaozou by noon. Hu Li had his pick of work, but when men of Guo Xue’s standing called for you, you answered.

Li took a swig of the rice wine in his pouch, “Alright boy, let’s get you some water.”

He gently squeezed his legs around Rou’s waist to move the horse forward. He’d owned the brown speckled valley colt for three years now; quick, fast, and even-tempered, Hu Li trusted the horse. In the past, he’d worn out his horses traveling large swaths of land for his work. With Rou, he’d learned to be more patient. He didn’t want to lose this one.

Rou trotted towards the gates with Hu Li on his back. Three massive layered towers lay on a manicured green lawn, freshly painted white with dark green trim. The closer Hu Li looked, the more it seemed to be one massive structure combined at the base, not three separate towers. The well-manicured grass and gardens surrounded the central structure. They held various other smaller dwellings scattered around the middle three towers. Each residence looked as sturdy and clean as the main towers. The estate was surrounded by a stone wall, with guard towers on each of the four corners. Only one gate lets people and goods in and out of the estate through the front.

And tunnels below ground, I’m sure. They always have a second way out.

A black iron gate adorned with a flag of the black scorpion on light green trim. The scorpion was the flag of the House of Guo. Not many houses were allowed to fly their symbol in the Xiao Empire, but Governor Guo rose quickly. Not a military mind; the word was that Guo was a ruthless and efficient tax collector. The emperor gave him the governorship of the Duyun province five years prior. Duyun was the original territory of the Xiao Empire and the largest of the four provinces. With the territory came the lucrative and vital trade relationships with the Heguri Empire to the north. In the spring and autumn, Heguri traders traveled south along the northern route to the border city of Fuhua, the provincial capital of Shaozou, and the small country towns Yueyang, Zhongdao, and Fuzhou. The trading relationship made the Duyun province wealthy and whoever governed it very powerful.

Of course, Governor Guo Xue had to share the power in the province. Each of the four Xiao provinces came with a governor and a general. The two shared power in the region. Governor Guo sat in an estate outside the provincial capital of Shaozou. In contrast, General Qi Hu sat in the palace at Shaozou. Like Governor Guo, General Qi was supposedly highly competent. The Xiao Empire placed significant importance on the Duyun province. Not only was it the oldest and largest province with a relationship with the ancient Heguri Empire, but it also had the majority of the Empire’s arable farmland.

As Hu Li approached, the massive iron gate opened. From behind the gate came a skinny man with a thin face and long mustache. He was dressed in simple white robes and wore sandals; an ordinary-looking man, for the most part. Hu Li noticed how he hurried forward with a subordinate’s smile.

Not an overly confident man. He must be a messenger for the governor—a messenger for more powerful men, in general.

“You must be Inspector Hu Li. Welcome to Governor Guo’s estate,” the man bowed elaborately, “My name is Liu. I am head servant to Governor Guo and will be your escort during your time at the estate.”

“Hello,” Hu Li replied, brusquely.

Hu Li preferred to let others talk. It allowed him to take in more information. After all, that was his profession: ask questions, take in information from disparate sources, process it, and piece it all together.

The man beckoned Li into the gate, “Come this way please, there is much to do. You will speak with some of Governor Guo’s staff. First, two of his concubines - officially approved by Emperor Xiao, of course. Then possibly the madame of the concubines if you have time. Not many knew the girl well, you see. She kept to herself. Finally, you will dine with Governor Guo.”

And so the narrative begins.

In so many cases, the truth turned out to be different than what the client wanted Li to believe. One thing he learned over the years is not to trust the client’s word blindly.

“I shall take you to the stables to leave your horse,” Liu feigned amazement, “What a beautiful beast you have!”

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

The men made their way to the stables which lay to the left once inside the gate. Hu Li dismounted and tied Rou up to the large wooden post in front. Liu called over two men to brush, feed, and look after Rou. From there, the two men strolled through the gardens and lawn towards an elegant house detached from the main tower structure. Hu Li took in the massive tower structure. The grounds were beautiful, and the tower was imposing.

I can see why Governor Guo prefers to live here rather than inside the crowded walls of Shaozou.

“We’re headed for the residences of the concubines. The other two, Zhong Bai and Duan He, live there. Of course, it’s also where Chen Feiyan lived. The three of them are like sisters, you see. I imagine they’re still in shock from her disappearance,” Liu feigned sadness as he shook his head. Li enjoyed watching Liu gesture wildly as he spoke, his face alive as he told his stories.

This man is so transparent. He doesn’t have a future on stage.

Li thought of the message in the official letter he received from Governor Guo Xue’s swallow.

“What have Zhong Bai and Duan He been told so far?”

Liu smiled and looked down to avoid eye contact, “Nothing yet. I believe Governor Guo would prefer we resolve the matter before filling them in on any of the choice details.”

“And the madame?”

“Madame Tao Fu, yes. She does not live here with the concubines. Her quarters are in the main tower. A very diligent woman. Very loyal to Governor Guo,” Liu paused and sighed for dramatic effect before adding, “And a true, true, mother to these women.”

Li ignored the show, “And what does she know?”

“She knows of the circumstances of our little Fei’s departure. And the direction in which she left.”

Li nodded as the men continued their walk towards the residence.

“So Fei is close with Zhong Bai and Duan He?”

“Very much so, yes. Like I said, like three sisters we have here. Zhong Bai, the eldest and wisest, Duan He our youthful spirit in the middle, and Chen Feiyan our youngest and the peacemaker. All with such respect for their Master. That’s what makes this incident so troubling.”

“I see,” Hu Li let the words linger for a moment, “Some people don’t let their true feelings show to the outside world. Perhaps your little Fei wasn’t as happy as she let on.”

Liu shook his head in exaggerated disbelief as he walked. Li watched as he feigned shock on his face as part of his little act.

“Not our Fei! No. Fortunately, all our girls are honest and loyal. And truly lucky to be here. They know it. They are happy.”

A wasted question.

They approached the residence, and Li was running out of time to collect information from Head Servant Liu. He wasn’t sure he would get anything of value, however. The man was too theatrical to be reliable. Perhaps he’d save his energy for the rest of the conversations. It was getting very hot. The midday sun beat down on the two men, and the humidity was high. Li let Liu set the pace, and he walked quickly. Li wondered how much Liu would watch over him as he worked.

Will I be reported on to the governor?

“Head Servant Liu, will you be joining me in my conversations?”

Liu paused and turned to face Li, “I was wondering the same; perhaps it’s best if I do.”

Li responded quickly, “My policy is that you do not. I keep my conversations one-to-one. I find we learn the most that way.”

Liu’s face looked pained, “I’m not sure that would be... preferred, Inspector Hu Li.”

“I understand, Head Servant Liu. However, Governor Guo Xue told me in the letter that he would give me what I need to do my job. I’m sure you understand that this gives us the best chances of a successful outcome.”

Liu smiled and gave a slight nod of the head, “Of course. I will check with madame Tao Fu after I leave; to make sure this is all acceptable. I hope you understand.”

“Of course. You do that, Head Servant Liu,” Li replied.

Li tossed Liu a coin and took a swig from his rice wine. The wine was hot from the sun and burned his throat on the way down.

“Thank you for your help so far.”

Head Servant Liu showed him into the first building. In truth, it was more of a small compound within the estate. Traditionally Daming, the entry was a small open courtyard. A stone wall enclosed three buildings. One central building faced the entrance to the courtyard, with two buildings on its flanks. There were small trees that provided shade and benches in front of the buildings. Shade was a welcome relief from the midday summer sun.

“Front and center, you’ll find Zhong Bai. To your left, our little Duan He. The right was Chen Feiyan’s. The girls know you’ll be calling on them. You may investigate little Fei’s vacant residence, too, of course. We left all her things as they were as soon as we learned Master Guo was calling on you,” Liu paused and added, “We took inventory of our little Fei’s possessions. Again, I’m sure you understand, one of Guo Xue’s standing can’t be careful enough around strangers.”

Li was insulted but used to it. The elite treated investigators as lower class. He hid his feelings and moved on, “Of course, smart of you.”

Liu bowed and took his leave from the courtyard. He strode quickly out into the estate grounds and turned the corner towards the central towers.

To report back to the madame Tao Fu that I am speaking with them alone, no doubt.

Hu Li took another swig of his wine, heated from the sun, and started to put together the organizational structure in his head. Of course, Governor Guo was at the top, Liu reporting into the madame Tao Fu, it seemed. Whether or not the madame reported to Guo Xue directly, he did not know. Madame Tao Fu watched over the three girls. It seemed odd for a madame to hold as much authority as it appeared she did. Li tucked the information away.

He looked around the courtyard and wondered where to start, “Keep it simple. Start with the younger woman.”

Li worked by the principles he developed over the years. Keep it simple, stay quiet, listen, and process.

He walked towards the building on the left and knocked on the door, one quick pair of footsteps from inside. Then a pause. Whoever was on the other side of the door was waiting to gather themselves. The door swung open. In the frame stood a short young woman. Not older than eighteen or nineteen, she was full-figured and charming with long dark hair and hazel brown eyes. Her skin was milky white and not worn by age or the sun. Even in the summer, she wore a traditional long white blouse with simple gold stitching. Underneath, she wore a long green dress that reached the floor. She wore simple sandals on her feet. Hu Li wondered if she dressed down intentionally. A Governor’s concubine often wore more ornamentation.

“Hello,” Duan He smiled, “I suppose you’re the investigator.”

“I am.”

Clean teeth are difficult to come by. Guo Xue must take care of them.

“Come in, please. My name is Duan He.”

“I know who you are.”

“Would you like some tea? She gestured towards a chair in the middle of the room. “Please sit.”

Li took his seat, and Duan He sat across from him on a cushioned sofa. The windows in the back of the room were open, letting in whatever breeze the stingy weather offered. There was a bed to the back partially covered behind a changing wall made of wood and patterned paper. The pattern was a repeating swan in flight. Over the wall hung a few expensive-looking garments. Hu Li looked around. Not a clean residence, but not particularly dirty either. It was unkempt, perhaps. Other garments lay in small piles around the room. She knew he was coming yet didn’t pick up everything. And yet, she didn’t seem the disobedient or lazy type. He wondered over this detail.

“No tea, too hot today, I’m afraid.”

“I have room temperature; I like it that way in the summer.”

“No, thank you.” Hu Li smiled as he changed subjects, “So how long did you know Chen Feiyan?”

Duan He fanned herself with a small handheld fan, “Little Fei? For as long as she’s been here, so... seven years? Yes, it’s been that long. I joined Master Guo just a year before Fei.”

“I see. And how would you describe little Fei?”

“In what way? Physically? Her personality?”

“Whatever you think answers the question. Whatever is noteworthy to you.”

“She’s smart. Smarter than me, that’s for sure. Maybe smarter than Zhong Bai. They say an intelligent life is an unhappy life. I always joke that’s why I’m happy, and she’s sad.”

“Sad?”

“She puts on a face. But I think perhaps she misses home. She’s grateful for Master Guo’s generosity, of course. Look at all the things he gives us. We have everything we need, truly. But she does mention home occasionally. I always wonder.”

“Where is she from?”

“Loghua, in the east. Her family is in the fishing business, I think. Fei said they do well for themselves. Better than my family.”

He was familiar with the town, bustling, capable river folk. Very different from a governor’s estate, Loghua was a small central village with sprawling fields leading into forests surrounding it. There were fisheries, farms, livestock, and a typical open-air market.

He did the quick math in his head.

They brought her here at twelve. That would have been a culture shock.

“What’s wrong with your family?”

Duan He’s eyes lit up as if she’d made a mistake, “Nothing! Nothing. My parents are not educated. They don’t make much money. They aren’t smart like Master Guo. When we had the opportunity for me to move here, we were all very excited. Master Guo paid my parents very well. They live comfortably now.”

“And where are you from?”

“Wuzhou. Do you know it?”

Farming town.

“I do, yes. And little Fei’s parents? Did they receive compensation like yours?”

“I don’t know. I can’t say. But Master Guo must have paid. He is as generous as he is kind.”

“When did you last see your family?”

“My family? Well, not since I came here, of course.”

Li nodded as if that was a normal response.

“Naturally.”

Either the girl is naive and foolish or a great liar. If she was the latter, I should be careful.

Li pegged it as more probable that she was the former but kept the possibility of the latter open.

“So, Chen Feiyan, or little Fei as you call her, she’s smart and possibly sad. Any chance she ran home?”

Duan He answered nervously now, “I’m sorry. I feel like I’ve said something wrong. Fei knows how much Master Guo gives us. She’s very grateful. I do not think she’s sad to be here.”

Li could see how nervous she was. The girl didn’t want to get Fei in trouble. It wouldn’t be a surprise that a concubine wasn’t thrilled with her life. And yet Duan He was nervous. Hu Li noted it. There was more he would need to learn about Guo Xue, but that would have to wait for another conversation.

“I’m sure, yes. You’ve made that clear, and I believe you. Now, do you think Fei might have run home?”

“I don’t know; I just don’t know. Why would she want to leave? Maybe someone kidnapped her.”

Li thought back on the information he had so far. The original search party followed horse tracks north. It seemed Fei stole one of the light river mares of the estate, a blue roan, and rode north. The last note received via swallow was that her tracks crossed the border into the Heguri territory. No one heard from the trackers in a week. No rider returned yet, and there were no more swallows with messages. The tracks led north, and yet Loghua was due east of the estate, to the coast. It was quite a ride. Either she knew how to misdirect using tracks, or she was not heading home. The former unlikely but possible. If she was a smart girl and her family were Daming river folk, there was no reason she couldn’t have learned how to ride and track as a child. Li slightly adjusted his prior on Fei riding north. Still, it was the overwhelming probability in his mind, but he left open a slight chance that she rode for home.

“You know, often those that kidnap are close to the family people they take. Who did she spend most of her time with?”

The girl looked puzzled as she thought, “Me, Zhong Bai, and the madame Tao Fu. Master Guo, of course. But that’s it.”

“She has no hobbies, nothing she liked to do on the grounds?”

“Not that I know of,” he could see her mind working in earnest; if she were a liar, she was a good one. “No, nothing of note. Master Guo prefers us to rest and relax. He doesn’t want us roaming the grounds causing trouble for him.”

“Any other men, perhaps? A lover?”

The tracks were a lone horse, but still, that didn’t rule out a lover—a young man rescuing a damsel in distress, perhaps.

Did they ride together on the same horse?

Li watched Duan He closely as she answered.

“None. I don’t think Fei would do that.”

She seems earnest. Naive but earnest.

Li looked around the room. There wasn’t much left here.

He sighed, “Duan He, thank you for your time. If there’s anything else that comes to mind, please call for me. Anything out of the ordinary that you remember.”

She nodded, “I will. I’m sorry I can’t help. I hope she’s ok.”

“Fine, I’m sure she’s fine.”

Li smiled at the girl and slowly took his leave into the hot courtyard. The cicadas sang their summer song. He listened to their music as he wiped the sweat from his brow and took another swing of the hot wine. Li looked around the courtyard. In front of him now, the vacant residence, and to his left Zhong Bai.

Better speak with her first before Liu has a chance to return and let me know he’ll be listening in.

Hu Li knocked on the door. The footsteps this time were ponderous and loud. The door swung open, and by the time he could see Zhong Bai on the other side, she was already wheeling in retreat back into the room.

“Come in,” she said lazily.

Zhong Bai collapsed onto the sofa and put up her legs. Unlike Duan He, who was short and curved, Zhong Bai was tall and slender. And yet, she had the same white skin that gave away her status. Her eyes were dark and hard, and her face symmetrical and sharp. She wasn’t putting on for Li, that was sure. He looked around the room. Unlike Duan He’s room, this room was neat and tidy. The furniture was the same, a bed, changing wall, and a sofa and chairs. The only object in the seating area was a glass bottle of foreign wine sitting in a cold water bowl.

This governor does treat them well.

“Want a glass?”

Li looked at the bored woman, “What? No. No, I’m working. Your Master is paying me for this.”

She shrugged, “I won’t be telling anyone. And your breath already stinks of rice wine, so no point putting on a show. Best not, though, more delicious Germigny wine for me. You can stick to your cheap stuff.”

Zhong Bai raised her eyebrows as she sarcastically drank more of her glass.

This conversation will be more difficult.

“Do you always have wine imported from the western continent?”

She nodded and smiled, “Nod bad, huh.”

Zhong Bai shifted to her side to face him. She wore a long dark blue silk shirt with red stitching and matching blue silk plants that ran only slightly past the knees. The stitching was a repeating tiger pattern. Her hair was up, and she wore powder and paint on her face. Golden earrings hung from her ears.

An elegant woman. A bored, potentially drunk woman.

“How long have you known Chen Feiyan?”

“It’s Fei. And you know the answer to that,” she frowned and took a sip from her glass. She raised her eyes to look back at Hu Li and check for his reaction.

She’s reading me.

“I don’t.”

Zhong Bai sighed, “She’s been here seven years; I’ve been here longer, put it together.”

Li wanted to laugh but kept an expressionless look.

Better to talk to a cynic than a liar.

“Oh, what? A serious inspector can’t have a little fun? Listen, I don’t even know her. She was cold, and so am I. She never wanted to get to know me, and I don’t blame her.”

“Liu says you’re like sisters.”

Zhong Bai didn’t try to stifle her laughter, “That man, I swear. It’s as if he believes he can summon things from thin air if he lies about them well enough.”

“Would you like me to tell him you said that?”

She rolled her eyes again, “Try me.”

Her smile and laughter turned to a dead, expressionless face.

“Did Fei know Duan He? Were they close at least?”

Zhong Bai shook her head, “No.”

“Duan He seemed to think otherwise.”

“Just parroting what Liu says. You’ll find our little Duan He doesn’t have many original ideas.”

“Did Fei know anyone? Did she get along with anyone at the estate? A lover?”

Zhong Bai shifted and sat up to face Hu Li, “Look, I’m going to solve your mystery for you. She ran away because she doesn’t like the life of a whore. That’s what we are. They dress us up and call us concubines, but it’s all in exchange for what’s between our legs. I don’t mind it. Truly. How else would I spend time relaxing and drinking cold, expensive wine during a hot summer? My family was poor. I was poor,” she gestured around towards all her things in her room, “It won’t last forever, so I might as well enjoy it while it does. It’s my life.”

She could do my job. She’s in the wrong profession.

“And little Fei doesn’t like cold wine?”

“I have no clue if there’s anything in the world Fei likes.”

“What about home? Did she ever discuss Loghua?”

“Sure, sometimes.”

“Do you think she missed it?”

Zhong Bai paused and thought before responding, “Yes.”

“So she likes at least one thing.”

“I guess.”

“I thought you said you don’t know her.”

“It doesn’t take a genius to know these things, inspector,” she swirled her wine in her glass and finished it, “I’m telling you, she ran off. But not home.”

“Why not home?”

“She’s not a dumb little girl like Duan He,” she frowned, “You’re supposed to be good at this, right?”

“What?”

“Investigating… finding.”

Li didn’t answer. Zhong Bai smiled from her position lounging on the sofa, her expensive wine in hand. Bai smirked as if she’d won a sparring bout. Li was amused but kept that to himself. He was finding Zhong Bai more fun than Duan He. She got up and filled up her glass with more cold wine.

“Are you sure you don’t want any?”

“I’m sure.”

“Your breath says otherwise.”

A knock on the door. Li turned and saw Liu walking in, the small man, theatrical as ever.

Liu bowed as he entered with his message, “Apologies for the interruption. The madame sent me to oversee the rest of the conversation. I trust that will be alright with you two.”

Before he could answer, Zhong Bai spoke, but not in the cynical face she had shown him so far.

“Of course, we don’t mind Uncle Liu, and it’s great to see you. You don’t come by enough,” she smiled at him, “Unfortunately, our new friend Inspector Hu was just telling me that he has everything he needs. Is that right, inspector?”

Which is the mask? Are they both masks?

Bai was one step ahead of him. He wasn’t finished with the conversation but didn’t want to break Zhong Bai’s cover, either. If anyone were an ally that’d he’d met so far, it would be her. Li might need another conversation with her, but that wasn’t going to come now.

“That’s right. And thank you again for your time,” this time Li paused, “I will take you up on your offer for a glass of that Germigny wine, though.”

Li got up from his seat and walked over to the ice bath. He picked up the bottle; it only held around a fifth left. As Zhong Bai reached for another glass, he put the bottle to his lips and finished it in one large swig. Li wiped his mouth and tossed the empty bottle into the ice bath.

“Interesting taste. I guess I always preferred our stuff to Germigny white, anyhow. But still worth a taste. Thank you, my lady. Please enjoy the rest of your afternoon. I hope I haven’t kept you from more important matters.”

Zhong Bai kept her face on and smiled politely.

Head Servant Liu saw Hu Li over to the vacant residence next. He watched over Li as he worked this time.

But it was no good—nothing of note. Li spent over an hour looking through the residence, but all he found was furniture, clothes, and innocuous items. No pictures of family members hidden away, no secret letters from lovers, no knives, no poison.

I wonder if they already searched this place.

“And you didn’t find anything of note before I arrived, did you, Liu?”

Liu laughed, “If we had, we would have told you, inspector.”

Lies.

“Of course. And the madame? Is there time to speak with her before my appointment with the governor?”

Liu looked down, “Unfortunately, the madame Tao Fu is unavailable at this time.”

“Unavailable?”

Liu was expressionless for once and avoided eye contact, “Unavailable, yes.”

It was late afternoon but still a few hours before his appointment with Governor Guo Xue. Hu Li found Rou where he left him in the stables. With Liu’s approval, he mounted the horse and rode outside the grounds. Plains surrounded the estate, and Hu Li wanted a ride to clear his mind before his final meeting with Guo Xue. He rode Rou out into the meadow until he reached a ridge overlooking the compound. Li dismounted and sat on a large boulder in the summer sun. He looked down onto the estate from a distance.

His priors were solidifying some on Fei.

Smart, or at least not stupid. Unhappy with the life of a concubine. From the east, the girl grew up near the river. She’s likely a decent rider, tracker, and fisher. She might be alright living on her own. She missed home, but did she return there? That was the question. Follow the tracks north, or head east to Loghua.

Li thought it possible she was heading home, but less likely. Far less likely. If the girl were indeed smart, she’d know that’s where they will look for her.

Guo Xue likely already sent men down there. Zhong Bai thought she ran, but not home.

Li opened a small basket that hung from the side of Rou and pulled out a swallow. The bird fluttered on his hand, jumping from finger to finger. He wrote to Gao Ju, a colleague he trusted in the east. Gao Ju and Li worked jobs together on multiple occasions. One autumn, they tracked a group of bandits who ran off with a local administrator’s gold and silver all around the east of the Xiao territory. He would not ride to Loghua, no, but we would check on the lead. Li wasn’t holding his breath, but it was worth an inquiry with someone as reliable as Gao Ju. Li tied the note to the small bird’s delicate leg and released the swallow into the air. The bird darted off to the east and quickly rose into the air.

By the time the sun was setting on the estate, Li was back at the stables tying up Rou. Not a second too late, Liu scampered in to summon him to dinner. Dinner would not be in the large hall. Instead, Liu took Li to small private quarters within the central tower structure. Liu took Hu Li through a side entrance instead of up the main steps.

I wonder why they hide me.

The side entrance took Li and the head servant through the kitchen and then out into a courtyard. It was an open courtyard with guards stationed all around. Li was the only person seated at the table for almost half an hour. The summer air was warm, not unbearably hot like during the day. But the wait was unpleasant as Li left his wine with Rou. Finally, the man of the hour arrived. A small unit of six guards, dressed in long green-plated armor, flanked Governor Guo Xue. Each carried a long thin blade at their hilt. Some had lightweight bows and quivers across their backs. Each wore the scorpion on their breast. With them strode a portly man with long black hair and a long mustache. He wore green silks with gold stitching.

“Inspector Hu Li, welcome to my estate. I trust you found your day comfortable?”

Li rose and bowed to the governor. Li didn’t live within the province he governed for the emperor, but he still was his subordinate.

“Don’t bow for me inspector, we’re peers when it comes to this matter. Please, let’s sit and eat.” The governor looked around, “Where’s my trusted head servant Liu?”

Liu hurried into the courtyard from around the corner, “Yes, Master?”

“Send for dinner and a bottle of western white wine. In a cold water bath.”

He and Zhong Bai have the same taste.

“Of course,” Liu bowed left the room.

“Now that’s a man I expect to bow to me.” Governor Guo laughed, and Hu Li mimicked his behavior with a laugh of his own.

“Now, where are we.”

“I spoke with Duan He and Zhong Bai and searched the vacant residence. Duan He thinks she ran home, but I doubt that. Neither gave me much to go on, unfortunately. I plan to head north to the tracks unless I learn anything of note from you, of course.”

Guo Xue scoffed, “Not surprising you didn’t learn much from those two. Not the most perceptive women in the world. That makes them good concubines, don’t you think?”

Li gave him a small laugh and smiled to appease him, but thought of Zhong Bai. She seemed plenty perceptive. He wondered what face she put on for Guo Xue.

“I bet Zhong Bai had a bottle of my white wine, did she not? The woman has a thirst,” Governor Guo Xue smiled.

Liu came scurrying back into the courtyard with three men in tow, each loaded to the brim with dishes. They set down fried pork with peppers, a steamed white fish covered in a spicy dark soy-based sauce, thinly sliced beef rolled up in fried green onion pancake, steamed greens, and a savory root cake. Two bottles of foreign wine sat in the cool water bath, and one of the men poured two tall glasses. When the men left, Liu declared dinner served and left the room.

“A man for theatrics, our Head Servant,” Guo Xue laughed, “at least he keeps the place lively.”

The governor raised his glass, and Li did the same, mimicking his host, “To a good hunt.”

Interesting wording.

Governor Guo drank deep from his glass and began to speak before he finished, “I don’t recommend you head east to her hometown, either. A small little village on the coast. Pitiful thing. Her family begged me to take the poor girl with me. They needed the money, you see, just like Duan He and Zhong Bai. Little Fei wasn’t of age, of course, and I was reluctant as a man of honor. Even if I didn’t make love to the girl until she was of age, what would the others say about me?”

“Right,” Li nodded.

“But you see, her family needed the money. Things were not good there. They were almost destitute. I did what I could to help,” Guo Xue ate a bit of beef wrapped in scallion pancake, “Do you know my primary responsibility, inspector?”

“Tax collection.”

Guo Xue smiled, “Right you are. You speak like a man that earns a living. Our great Empire needs revenue. Without it, we can not build roads or schools or keep the peace. And for taxes to bring in sufficient revenue, we need people up off their feet. To give little Fei’s father enough money to pull himself up out of the mire was for the betterment of the Xiao Empire itself.”

“I see,” Li gave his most studious look.

“You’ll find, I’m never off the clock Inspector Hu Li. I’m always working for the betterment of the Xiao Empire.”

“Honorable. Your reputation precedes you.”

The governor scoffed, “You flatter me, inspector. No, no, do not head east to Loghua. I’d have you head north to the tracks. That must be the way. I’m sure of it.”

Another wrinkle in the puzzle. My employer does not want me heading east, yet he does not tell me why. He says her family is destitute, and yet Fei told Duan He they were financially sound fishermen.

The man ate as he spoke, and his hands grew greasy. His manners at the table did not match his reputation as a diligent tax collector.

“I plan on it. I’d ride out north in the morning if that’s alright.”

“Yes, of course. We’ll find a room for you here tonight.”

The governor filled his glass again and topped off Li. The wine was cold and smooth. It did not burn on the way down like his rice wine. Zhong Bai was right; his wine had been cheap.

“Governor Guo, I wonder if there’s anything you’d like to tell me about the girl. About her personality. Anything you think might help with the search. Of course, whatever you tell me stays with me.”

Governor Guo thought as he ate a large mouthful of whitefish.

“Such a pleasant girl. Quiet, but pleasant, and very friendly with me. The other girls were quite happy to have her join them. The three of them get along quite well, you know. To be honest with you, I’d love to have her back safe and sound. I worry for her. If she truly did run away, I’d like to have her back simply to know why. Then I’d send her on her way safe and sound. You have my word on that inspector. I know you must worry about how a man like me might treat a defenseless girl like little Fei.”

Li watched the man’s face closely.

“My priority is my work, nothing else.”

“Good man. Even still, I hope you know I’d send her back with more money than I bought her for. It’s the least I could do for that sad, sad village. And for the Empire. A little stimulus package for the village,” he laughed, “The Gods know she’s worked hard while she’s been here.”

The look he gave Li with a mouthful of fish was difficult to stomach, but he maintained his flat expression. Truth be told Li was not above paying for a woman, but his experiences were limited to brothels. He wondered if he would have a concubine if he had the money and power of Guo Xue.

No. I could not. I would not.

But money was money, and Governor Guo Xue paid well. Honor and integrity didn’t matter in a land governed by coin.

“One more thing concerning your work, inspector. The Heguri lords near the border asked to send a representative to show you through their lands. A Heguri Pathfinder. Should your investigation take you into their territory, you will need a guide.”

“Thank you, governor, but I prefer to work alone. I know the language well enough to get around.”

Guo Xue sipped from his glass and refilled it, “I am sorry, inspector, this is out of my control. The Heguri tell me the man is quite capable. They call him the Ox up in the Heguri territory. A strong man. His given name is Morokore Wada.”

Strong. Strong often goes with stubborn and dumb.

“Well, I’m lucky to have a Pathfinder by my side,” Li raised his glass and mimicked his host’s phrasing from earlier, “to a successful hunt.”

Guo Xue smiled and raised his glass.