Two People on Fire Came to the East Gate

Uncle Meng had taken two rest days in rotation. On the third time he worked the night shift with Hoothoot, something unusual happened outside the east gate.

Two clusters of dark red light pierced through the morning fog and headed toward the city gate along the stone road.

Xiao Liang gripped the bronze clapper in one hand, his eyes wide. The red light up high swayed with the figures, while two more points of light glowed below. From afar, it looked as though the newcomers had fire around their waists and legs.

"Uncle Meng!"

The old night watchman gathered his coat and poked his head out from the stairwell. "What is it this time?"

"The people outside are on fire!"

Uncle Meng looked in the direction he pointed. Instead of rushing for water, he called out beyond the gate first.

"Stop there. What are you doing?"

"Delivering charcoal! It's for Zhang Family Soup Shop!"

The reply came loud and full of vigor.

Xiao Liang stood frozen with the bronze clapper raised, then slowly lowered it. Only when they came closer did he see clearly: they were two kiln workers, each carrying a shoulder pole with covered charcoal baskets hanging from either end. Dim light seeped through the air holes, and obscured by fog, it had looked like something else.

The older kiln worker set down his load and rubbed his shoulders.

"Did we scare you?"

"I was afraid we'd scare you," Xiao Liang said seriously.

Uncle Meng did not expose him. He went over to inspect the wooden delivery tag, then asked whether the soup shop had opened yet. The two men clearly knew the routine and answered quickly. One of them even pulled a wrinkled note from his clothes.

The shopkeeper had written it yesterday while urging them to