Daqian Dynasty.
The thirty-second year of the Zun'an reign, eleventh month.
Imperial City.
Earth No. 1 Prison Camp.
In the dim corridor, faint candlelight flickered from pillars with peeling lacquer.
CREAK—
A heavy, rusted iron door was pushed open by a large, calloused hand. A slightly drunk Prison Guard, carrying a small, oil-paper-wrapped bundle, walked down the steps.
HIC~
The Prison Guard was tall and burly, with a fierce Appearance. He had a blocky head, wide-set eyes, a unibrow, and a diagonal scar running from the corner of his right eye. People called him "Scarface Liu."
Rumor had it that Scarface Liu was the cousin of a favored imperial concubine. He had pulled some strings to land this decent, if not overly lucrative, post.
The oilcloth bundle in Scarface Liu's hand was tied tightly, but a tantalizing aroma still managed to escape—the smell of savory chicken. As he walked down the corridor, thin, grimy hands reached out from the dark cells. The prisoners were like flies drawn to the scent of meat, begging Old Liu in muffled voices for a single bite.
Scarface Liu seemed to be in an excellent mood. His waist pouch was bulging, and he didn't bother arguing with the inmates. He walked twenty paces to the end of the corridor. To the left, a sliver of bright moonlight pierced a cell like the tip of a sword. This was "Room A," the only cell in Earth No. 1 Prison with a window, reserved for high-profile criminals.
PHEW—
Scarface Liu let out a long breath of relief only when he reached A Cell. The previous cells all reeked; this was the only one that was well-ventilated and refreshingly clean.
High on the wall was a small window, about an arm's length long and two bricks wide.
In the moonlight, a young man with long, smooth hair sat cross-legged on a bed of clean, soft hay. His brow was furrowed, as if in deep thought, or perhaps feigning sleep. His expression shifted several times in the space of a few breaths.
Even in prison, the young man's rugged good looks were like a ray of white moonlight, making A Cell shine with a borrowed splendor. Scarface Liu couldn't help but stare for a moment. 'What a pity,' he thought, licking his dry lips before speaking. "As expected of Master Zheng, the Richest Person in the Imperial Capital! One look is all it takes to see your extraordinary bearing!"
"..."
The young man, addressed as "Master Zheng, the Richest Person in the Imperial Capital," seemed not to hear Scarface Liu's flattery. He remained under the narrow beam of moonlight, head bowed, gesturing with his fingers as if he were digging at or prying something open.
Scarface Liu gave a dry laugh, thinking his flattery hadn't been loud enough. He immediately laid it on thicker. "Master Zheng, you are truly wealthy and benevolent, handsome and fierce, tall and tough, and… and…" But Scarface Liu wasn't much of a scholar. His stream of praise ran dry, and he began to stutter.
Only then did Zheng Xiu raise his head, a blank look in his eyes. At first, his gaze was unfocused, but life slowly returned to his eyes, and his focus landed on Scarface Liu's face.
"My apologies, Sixth Master. I was lost in thought just now. Please forgive my rudeness."
Zheng Xiu stood, smiled, and clasped his hands in a gesture of apology.
Scarface Liu was suddenly rather flattered.
Zheng Xiu, the Richest Person in the Imperial Capital, had been imprisoned just that day and had fallen into his hands. But Scarface Liu understood perfectly. For a wealthy merchant like him, this was most likely just a formality. Barring any major transgression, he'd be locked up for a few days, and then the matter would be settled by others on the outside.
Even though this place was known as Death Row, Scarface Liu had seen people walk out with a smile.
Seeing Zheng Xiu's calm demeanor, he was sure the man had money at home and a plan in mind.
And so, thinking about how this tycoon could be released at any moment, Scarface Liu didn't dare to offend him. He quickly said:
"Hehehe, you're too kind, Master Zheng, too kind! Just call me Old Liu, that'll do! Let's skip the empty pleasantries!"
Being called "Sixth Master" had sent Scarface Liu's spirits soaring. He quickly passed the oil-paper bundle through the bars.
Zheng Xiu didn't stand on ceremony. He opened the bundle to find a massive roasted chicken leg inside. To his pleasant surprise, the leg was still warm.
He took a large bite. The aroma of chicken instantly filled the prison, wafting down the corridor, followed by a series of GULPS from the other cells in the quiet surroundings.
"Master Zheng, this is from your Zheng Family... from the Second Lady. She asked Old Liu to sneak it in for you. And there's also..." Scarface Liu reluctantly pulled an ornate leather flask from his waist. "A little of the finest 'Aged Fortune, Luck and Longevity.'"
Zheng Xiu was used to feasting on rich food, but he ate this chicken leg with particular care. Chewing with his head down, he casually replied, "I know this is against the rules, and I am not much of a drinker. I'll have to trouble Sixth Brother to take care of this for me."
Zheng Xiu had subtly changed his address from "Sixth Master" to "Sixth Brother."
This time, Scarface Liu found the address much more pleasing. Feeling a little giddy, he didn't refuse and asked tentatively, "So... shall I hold on to it for Master Zheng for now?"
Zheng Xiu smiled. "I'll leave it in your hands."
Scarface Liu paused for a second, then quickly stuffed the "Aged Fortune, Luck and Longevity" into his tunic and shook his head vigorously. "No trouble! No trouble at all! Master Zheng is truly generous!"
Having happily scored a flask of fine wine, Scarface Liu was secretly overjoyed. He looked at the young man in the cell and found him even more handsome, as if he were radiating an alluring glow. The fierce lines of Scarface Liu's face softened a little.
Scarface Liu thought back on Zheng Xiu's life.
The ancestors of the Zheng Family were founding heroes of the dynasty who had served in the military for generations. Twenty years ago, during the Northern Barbarian Chaos, Father Zheng died on the battlefield. The emperor himself bestowed a plaque inscribed with the words "Loyalty and Heroism" to be hung in the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, and granted the Zheng Family a hereditary title.
According to the Daqian tradition that "positions are granted based on ability, and titles are awarded for merit," even though his father was dead, this meritorious service alone guaranteed that if Zheng Xiu were to become a court official, he would secure a comfortable sinecure that would ensure he'd want for nothing his entire life, even if he couldn't climb to the highest ranks.
But to everyone's astonishment, Zheng Xiu had displayed an incredible Talent for business from a young age. He started with a single "Fragrant Pavilion" and gradually built a series of unprecedented "industries."