The old charcoal seller shook his head and said, "I asked at the Zhen Clan's trading houses. They said everything had already been handed out."
"Everything?"
The plump, fair-skinned scholar's gaze sharpened at once. He pondered for a moment, then smiled at the old charcoal seller. "Let's leave our chat here for today. I'll take my leave, sir."
He smiled at the little boy and reached out to pat his head.
But the boy was still angry about the plump scholar's earlier bargaining. He ducked straight behind the charcoal seller and pulled a face at him.
The old charcoal seller said awkwardly, "This child... please don't take offense, sir."
"He's quite all right."
The plump scholar was not angry either. He withdrew his hand with a chuckle, then left with the young scholar.
"Oh, sir, where should I deliver this charcoal?"
Only then did the old charcoal seller remember that the man had not told him where to deliver it, so he hurriedly called after him.
"Someone will come to collect it shortly."
The plump scholar did not turn back as he walked farther away.
He disappeared around the far end of the street.
Before long, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly rang out, and a troop of imposing guards rode up on tall horses.
Beneath their outer garments, splendid embroidered clothes were faintly visible.
As the old charcoal seller looked on in shock, the leading guard cupped his hands to him, had someone set down a large sack of grain, then took away the charcoal along with the donkey cart.
Only after watching them ride away did the charcoal seller come to his senses. He went over and looked inside the sack of grain, then could not help crying out in surprise.
For the sack contained not only grain but