In the county yamen's rear hall, the candles were burning down, wax tears piled up like blood.
The old servant practically crashed through the door. He did not even have time to set down his lantern before throwing himself to his knees, his voice brimming with the wild joy of a survivor after catastrophe.
"My lord! My lord! Master Zhang agreed!"
"Master Zhang said he'd grant us this favor. Tomorrow, he'll have the merchants cooperate with the registration—just go through the motions!"
Du Heng had been sitting blankly at his desk. At those words, he sprang to his feet, knocking over the teacup at hand.
Warm tea splashed over his trouser leg, yet he did not notice at all. Astonishment first crossed his pale face, followed by a joy so intense it nearly left him limp.
"He agreed... he really agreed?"
He hauled the old servant to his feet, his fingers gripping the man's shoulders so hard it hurt. "Lady Zhang... that old fox Zhang Zhong... he's really willing to cooperate?"
"Absolutely true! Master Zhang agreed to it himself!"
Du Heng let out a long, long breath, as though he meant to empty every last bit of foul air that had built up in his chest through the night.
He staggered back onto his mat, leaned his back against the icy wall, and closed his eyes.
A bitter yet relieved smile actually rose at the corner of his lips. "Good... good... As long as they cooperate... as long as we can muddle through it..."
Only after resting for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea did he open his eyes again, his gaze falling upon the pile of dust-covered case files on the desk.
They were to impose market taxes tomorrow, so the paperwork had to