Chapter 186: Dying is the Only Way Out
Xing Honglang furrowed her brow. "They're not allowed to touch gunpowder, so what about the firearms artisan?"
The artisan on shift whispered, "The firearms artisan can still be met. As long as he doesn't have gunpowder on him, taking a stroll or running an errand in the city is fine. But he can't leave the city. Too many registered artisans have fled in recent years, and the officials are afraid the firearms artisans will escape too, so they're watched very closely."
Xing Honglang finally understood. "Can't touch gunpowder, can leave the workshop, but not the city, right?"
The artisan on shift nodded. "Exactly!"
"Good, I understand." Xing Honglang pulled out a piece of broken silver and placed it in his palm. "Still want to earn some money?"
The artisan on shift nodded vigorously. "Yes, very much!"
Xing Honglang drew out a five-tael silver ingot and jingled it before him. "Bring the firearms artisan out of his workshop to meet me, and this ingot is yours."
The artisan on shift was overjoyed. "This... such a small matter, and so much silver? Madam, you won't go back on your word, will you?"
Xing Honglang sneered, "Do I look like the type to go back on my word? Let me tell you, anyone I catch breaking their promises, I'll send them to meet the King of Hell, one slice at a time."
He turned to leave, but Xing Honglang suddenly called out, "By the way, what kind of artisan are you?"
The artisan on shift scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I'm a lamplighter, a useless piece of trash."
Xing Honglang realized. "Oh? A lamplighter."
During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Chang'an thrived, its streets aglow with vibrant lights and merriment. Lamplighters were indeed a highly valued craft, with plenty of work.
But now, Chang'an had been renamed Xi'an, a shadow of its former glory, dark and heavy like a world's end. Lamplighters had fallen into obscurity long ago.
Xing Honglang murmured, "Want to go out and make a name for yourself? Earn more money?"
The lamplighter shook his head. "I don't have that kind of ability."
Xing Honglang tossed another silver ingot to him with a flourish. "Take this, pay your artisan's service tax for the next ten years, then follow me. I'll take you to a bustling, prosperous world where you can make a fortune."
The lamplighter was ecstatic. "Madam, wait for me at the teahouse. I'll go pay my service tax, then fetch the firearms artisan, and I'll come with you to make our fortune."
Xing Honglang headed to the teahouse, sat down, and sipped her tea distractedly.
Before long, the lamplighter indeed brought a man over. He looked to be in his thirties, with tattered clothes and a face full of wrinkles. This, it seemed, was the firearms artisan.
Inside the teahouse, the two found an empty table and sat down.
The firearms artisan looked at his friend with curiosity. "My friend, where did you suddenly get rich? You actually paid ten years of the artisan's service tax in one go! Congratulations, you'll have it easy for the next decade. And you even have money to treat me to tea, that's amazing."
The lamplighter spread his hands. "I brought you here because I want you to meet someone."
No sooner had he spoken than Xing Honglang settled down beside them with a resounding *thud*. Her large frame nearly shattered the bench beneath her, which let out a loud *creak*, making the firearms artisan almost leap backward in fright.
Only when he saw it was a woman did he slightly relax.
Xing Honglang, exuding a rough, outlaw air, didn't beat around the bush. She cut straight to the chase: "My friend, are you a gunpowder maker?"
Seeing that this woman was no ordinary person and not one to offend, the firearms artisan quickly replied, "My humble name is Xu Dafu, and I am indeed a firearms artisan."
"How's life treating you?" Xing Honglang inquired. "Do you eat your fill and wear warm clothes?"
Her blunt question immediately struck a nerve!
Xu Dafu froze, a pained expression clouding his face.
"Ever thought of running?" Xing Honglang's words were always direct. "In recent years, the escape of registered artisans has been a serious problem. Have you ever considered fleeing?"
Xu Dafu flinched, a flicker of alarm swiftly crossing his eyes. He lowered his head and said, "No, I've never thought of escaping. I only wish to continue my work as a firearms artisan peacefully and serve the authorities."
Xing Honglang chuckled. She had navigated the Jianghu long enough to never miss such subtle shifts in expression. The man clearly wanted to flee, but he wouldn't openly admit his true thoughts to just anyone.
He was likely afraid she was an official, sent to test him!
If he admitted he wanted to escape, he might be dragged back and beaten senseless.
Xing Honglang declared, "To be frank, I'm not a respectable woman."
Her words startled Xu Dafu again, and even the lamplighter, though he had already suspected as much, looked a little shaken.
Xing Honglang continued, "I'm a salt smuggler, and not just any kind – I carry a blade and fight back against arrest."
Carrying a blade and resisting arrest meant she wasn't just some petty salt peddler, but a true salt boss – a formidable figure who wouldn't hesitate to kill.
The two artisans were thoroughly terrified.
Xing Honglang reassured them, "I'm only telling you this to make it clear: I'm not with the authorities. You don't need to be afraid. You can speak your true mind."
Xu Dafu had always been timid and cautious; he wouldn't easily trust someone like this. After all, only those with keen caution and courage could survive as a firearms artisan; careless ones were often blown to smithereens.
He shook his head. "I truly don't want to escape."
Xing Honglang shrugged. "Fine! I understand. Come with me, I'll show you something interesting."
She stood up and strode away.
The two artisans exchanged glances behind her, an unspoken question passing between them, then timidly followed.
Xing Honglang hadn't misjudged them. While they dared not fully trust her, they also couldn't bear to let slip a chance to change their lives, so they steeled themselves and pressed on.
Xing Honglang led the two through several turns, and before long, they arrived at the market. She steered them to a corner where thirty-eight of her subordinates were liquidating their remaining stock: pristine white salt, selling at twenty percent below the official price.
As soon as Xing Honglang approached, she asked, "How are our salt sales going?"
A subordinate grinned. "Almost sold out!"
Xing Honglang nodded. "Excellent."
She turned to the two artisans. "See that? What do you think I do?"
The two artisans exchanged another glance. Suddenly, Xu Dafu dropped to his knees with a *thud*, bowing deeply. "Please, brave heroes, take me out of Xi'an! I can't endure this life for another day!"
Xing Honglang chuckled, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "That's what I was waiting to hear."
Xu Dafu asked, "The city gates are guarded extremely tightly; it would be very difficult for a humble person like me to leave. Brave woman, do you have a plan?"
"Die!" Xing Honglang grinned mischievously. "Just die, and you can leave."
Xu Dafu gasped in shock. "Huh?"
Xing Honglang explained, "With so many refugees in the city, finding a starved corpse won't be hard. Tonight, we'll stage a robbery-murder. You, Xu Dafu, will be found dead by bandits in an alley, your face hacked beyond recognition... Understood?"
Xu Dafu had a sudden realization. "Understood. I understand completely."
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