Step by Step, Closing In

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Constable Zhang of the yamen struck the bronze gong until it reverberated through the heavens, then shouted at the top of his lungs amid the clamor of East Market:

"Every household, keep an eye on your babies! Child snatchers have slipped into the capital—"

The endless gongbeats drew sidelong glances from every passerby.

A streetwise ruffian squatted in a corner, a blade of grass between his teeth, looking utterly carefree. Half-jokingly, he said, "Yo, I say, Constable Zhang, child snatchers in the capital aren't anything rare. Is all this really necessary?"

"You don't know a damn thing!"

Constable Zhang glared at him and cursed, "If you don't understand, keep your mouth shut! Think about it—if these were ordinary child snatchers, would I be making such a fuss? Keep spouting nonsense and you'll regret it!"

The ruffian shrank his neck and, still grinning, dared not say another word.

Constable Zhang's eyes flickered. He stepped forward and said, "Pass the word around. Have your brothers keep a closer eye out and see which areas have had the most children go missing lately. If you catch anyone, there's a reward of five hundred taels of silver!"

"Five hundred taels?"

The ruffian drew a sharp breath, then his eyes lit up. "Constable Zhang, is your word good?"

"It's a reward issued by the imperial court. Not a single copper will be missing!"

"Got it~"

Without another word, the ruffian rose, slapped the dust from his backside, and slipped into a dark alley like a streak of smoke.

Hearing their conversation, the surrounding commoners exchanged bewildered looks.

Before long, all kinds of rumors began to scatter through the streets...

The bronze gong of East Market was still echoing when the iron hooves of the Commandery Commandant Office's riders trampled into South City.