Pan Little Black, Get Up and Work

"I asked the sulfur merchant. Apparently, eight hundred thousand jin of sulfur came in from Japan every year. When there was Kōgō trade, Japan would offer tribute of twenty thousand to one hundred thousand jin; almost all the rest was smuggled." Wang Cong said, "Most of them bought their stock from merchants in Zhe and Min, then transported it everywhere for distribution. And they couldn't get anywhere near the business of the Nine Border strongholds."

Pan Yun's gaze sharpened slightly. "Who was this merchant? He told you all that over a single drinking session?"

Wang Cong grinned and took out a yellow talisman, slapping it onto the table. "I secretly slipped a yellow talisman into his sleeve. If you want to know who he is, well, I got drunk, so Junior Martial Uncle will have to investigate."

Pan Yun took the yellow talisman and said disdainfully, "Go sleep."

Wang Cong staggered away.

Holding the yellow talisman, Pan Yun sat cross-legged on the bed. After pondering for a moment, she grabbed Pan Little Black, who was sprawled atop the pillow, and shook him awake. "It's such a fine night, and nobody else is asleep. How can you, a night owl, be sleeping?"

Pan Little Black said, "Don't slander me. My routine is perfectly healthy. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't stay up late."

Pan Yun gathered him into her arms and gently scratched beneath his chin.

Pan Little Black blissfully narrowed his eyes.

Pan Yun smiled faintly. He still had a cat's nature after all. Since that was the case, how could a cat possibly go to bed early?

Once Pan Yun had petted him into comfort, she cupped his head in her hands, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "Help me watch a few people."

Pan Little Black