No. 28, Tanlong Alley.
The night was black as ink. A cold wind swept dead leaves into whorls across the bluestone paving.
Abacus Song trotted all the way to the gate to see Qin Geng and the others off.
The threshold was high, so he stepped over it first and held the door for Third Master Cao. Then he turned and reached out as if to steady Qin Geng, his words sweet as honey.
"Gentlemen, the road's slippery. Take care."
Third Master Cao rolled his iron balls in his hand and gave him a sidelong glance. A snort of laughter escaped his nose, but he said nothing and strode away with measured steps.
Shopkeeper Lu wore the same beaming smile as ever. He nodded in greeting, then left with Zheng Tonghe and Miaoxuan.
Once those four great Buddhas had gone, the weighty pressure that had filled the place—a mingling of officialdom and the martial world—vanished like smoke.
Only Abacus Song remained beside Qin Geng, the cold sweat on his forehead not yet dry.
Qin Geng stopped.
"Fifth Master, tomorrow—tomorrow at noon—I'll host a welcome feast for you at Hongsheng Cart Company."
"Every brother who pulls a cart on this turf, every last one of them, will be there to acknowledge you as the new Boss. From now on, what happens in South City is up to you."
Abacus Song rubbed his hands together. "I've had the twenty new rickshaws cleaned up and tied red silk on every one. Just give the word tomorrow, and I'll hand over the keys and deeds together. Anything else you'd like done?"
"Good."
Qin Geng nodded. "Don't let anything go wrong with this. If something comes up, let me know at once. If I'm not around, find Li Gou. Pass the word to him; he