Intelligence from the Northern Frontier

Chen Cheng accepted the packet of meat pies from the innkeeper and took out a few gold coins to pay him.

But the innkeeper refused again and again.

"If you hadn't stepped in last night, benefactor, a man on his own like me would probably have lost his life to those bandits.

"My inn may be small, but it's the only one for over a hundred miles around, so it brings in a fair income.

"That's why I absolutely can't take your money for the lodging or food."

Hearing that, Chen Cheng stopped insisting and said instead:

"Fine. Then take this as payment for information about the Northern Frontier. You must accept it."

The innkeeper looked at Chen Cheng, then finally sighed and took the money.

"You truly have a kind heart, benefactor. If I refused again, I'm afraid you'd only find another excuse."

Chen Cheng's face warmed at that. He hadn't actually given it so much thought.

But it was hardly an insult, so he saw no reason to explain.

"What brings you to the Northern Frontier, benefactor?"

"Ah, well, my family trades in Snow Fox and Snow Wolf pelts. You know how the ladies inland love white fur.

"My family used to have a close family friend—an uncle of sorts—who bought pelts here in the Northern Frontier. We bought our stock from him and sold it inland. That's how we made our fortune.

"But a few months ago, he cut off contact with my family for some reason. No more shipments came, either.

"So I brought guards north to look for him, and I'm hoping to find a new supplier while I'm here."

"Back at the checkpoint, I met a man named Wang Ma. He told me to stay at your inn and said I could buy a