A Treasure Trap (part one)

1. It is a blazing hot day and the convoy has paused for a breather atop Huangni Ridge. Yang Zhi, cane in hand, is belaboring his men for their sloth.

"Stir yourselves! On the double! This ridge is notorious for brigands!"

"It's boiling, I can't move in this heat."

"Hack me to pieces for all I care, I'm not budging."

"I can't see any brigands, this is just scare-talk."

Just then a figure is spotted watching them through the trees. He has a distinctive red mole at his temple and is armed with a short sword.

2. Yang Zhi flings down the cane, takes out his sword and chases the man into the woods. There he comes upon a group of seven men resting in the shade, each with his own cart.

"You're bandits, aren't you?"

"We're small-time traders, that's all, on our way to the Eastern Capital to sell dates. What about you lot?"

"Same as you, just normal people on our way to the capital, no-one special."

3. Another man arrives on the ridge, carrying a pair of wine-kegs on a shoulder-pole and singing as he goes.

"The blazing sun scorches like fire, and the crops are turning brown in the fields; the farmers are simmering with rage, while the rich sit around fanning themselves."

4. The man stops for a rest and sets his kegs on the ground. Yang's men look on with interest.

"What's in the kegs then?"

"Liquor. I'm taking it to the village to sell."

"How much for a whole keg?"

"Call it five strings of cash."

"Why don't we get some? We're parched, and need something to relieve the heat."

5. "What a nerve!" explodes Yang. "First ignoring my orders and now trying to buy booze. You've got no idea of the risks of the road. Do you realize how many travelers have been tricked into drinking sleeping potion?"

"What do you know about it? I haven't sold you a drop, and now you're making accusations."

6. "What's going on?" interjects one of the date traders.

"I'm on my way to the village to sell liquor and I stop here for a little rest. These guys want to buy some liquor, then this one here starts saying it's drugged."

"Let it pass. Anyway, we could use some liquor right now. If that lot are so suspicious, why not sell us a keg instead?"

"It's not for sale!"

"We didn't accuse you of anything, and you're going to sell it eventually anyhow. What's wrong with our money?

"I'm worried what people might say, and anyway, I haven't brought a scoop."

"We've got our own scoops."

7. The traders produce two coconut scoops and gather round the keg to drink. Before long the keg is empty.

"We never asked how much."

"Call it five strings of cash for a whole keg."

"Five strings of cash it is then, and you can treat us to another scoopful."

"No extras, sorry. It's a set price."

8. One of the traders lifts the lid off the other keg and helps himself, and the liquor vendor tries to stop him.