Chapter 11: You Can Never Know Another Person’s Heart
The crowd looked up to see a man standing at the doorway, dressed in a blue robe and small cap, chest puffed out and belly folded, smiling warmly.
Li Gui did not recognize him, but Old Li Seven suddenly jumped up.
“Ah! So it’s Steward Li! I had planned to visit this afternoon, but didn’t expect to meet you here.”
The others also recognized the man, putting down their chopsticks and rising to greet him respectfully.
Steward Li smiled cheerfully, nodding but not returning the salute. His gaze then swept across to where Li Gui sat upright with decorum.
Though displeased inwardly, he showed no sign of it, instead warmly inquiring:
“How has Leader Zhao been recently?”
“Where are the other leaders? Why haven’t they come?”
“This brother here looks unfamiliar—is he a new leader from the mountain stronghold?”
Li Old Seven hesitated briefly, then introduced:
“My elder brother is the newly appointed chief leader of the mountain bandits, known as ‘Heaven-Slaying Star’ Li Gui!”
“The former Zhao Hei Tou and the other leaders were notorious for their wickedness and stubbornness, and have already been dealt with by my brother’s righteous hand!”
Steward Li’s expression changed abruptly; hastily he forced a smile, clasped his hands together in a bow, and bent slightly.
“Little brother did not recognize the honored chief leader’s face and was impolite; I beg your forgiveness, chief.”
“Not at all, not at all. From now on, we will be brothers with frequent dealings—no need for such formalities. Please sit and talk.”
Steward Li quickly arranged another seat, brought more dishes, and a pot of wine.
Once seated, he first filled his cup, holding it with both hands as he toasted:
“Today we meet for the first time; little brother offers a cup to brother.”
Li Gui did not refuse, lifting his own bowl of wine and drinking it down in one gulp.
He drank proudly but did not insist others drink from his bowl.
After several cups, Steward Li smiled and asked:
“May I ask if you’ve come down the mountain this time with any precious goods to sell?”
“There are indeed some fine trinkets, but most importantly, I wish to purchase some contraband through the Li family’s connections. Does the Li family dare to trade such goods?”
“You have asked the right person. Whatever you need, our Li family will arrange it properly.”
Li Gui poured another cup for Steward Li, who drank it down before Li Gui inquired:
“Can the Li family get weapons, armor, bows, and crossbows?”
Steward Li’s face stiffened, hesitating briefly before nodding:
“Yes, but about the prices…”
“Steward Li, please feel free to name your price. If it’s beyond my means, I won’t embarrass myself by forcing the matter.”
After some thought, Steward Li said:
“Ordinary folded iron knives are one guan each; steel knives are ten guan each.”
“Wooden shaft spears with iron heads are one guan a piece; just the iron spearheads are five hundred wen each.”
“As for armor, paper armor is one hundred guan per set, leather armor three hundred guan; chainmail and iron armor are simply unavailable.”
“Crossbows are also unavailable; ordinary eight-dou birchwood bows cost ten guan each, and arrows ten wen apiece.”
Steward Li recited the prices as if they were treasured knowledge, undoubtedly having done this business often in secret.
This was promising.
“Steward Li, very straightforward! I have no objection to these prices!” Li Gui refilled Steward Li’s cup. “I intend to look over the goods first, then decide what to take. Is that acceptable?”
“Good, no problem! I will prepare everything at once, and you may come by the shop this afternoon to collect.”
Steward Li rose to leave, but Li Gui grabbed his arm.
“Hey, it won’t take long; stay and drink with us first!”
The group took turns toasting Steward Li. By the time they were full and drunk, Steward Li was already quite intoxicated.
“Brother, please stay a while in the shop; I will go prepare the goods.”
“Since there’s nothing pressing, I might as well visit my brothers’ shops, get familiar with the area—it will make future visits easier.”
Belching contentedly, Li Gui stood to settle the bill. Steward Li hurried to stop him.
“Brother, we hit it off right away; this welcome feast is on me! The Thousand-Foot Tower is Li family property—I’ll just notify them. No need for you to spend.”
“Brother, how can you say that? On first meeting, how can I let you pay? Please sit, let Old Seven handle the bill.”
“No, no, I insist on informing them myself. It’s all family property; you needn’t pay from your own pocket.”
After some back-and-forth, Li Gui couldn’t refuse. He then called over a waiter.
“Very well! If you insist, have the waiter notified.”
Steward Li hesitated briefly, then said:
“Brother, you don’t know—such things are beyond a waiter’s authority; I must notify the shopkeeper.”
“Then summon the shopkeeper!” Li Gui waved at the waiter, who understood and bowed out to fetch the shopkeeper.
Moments later, the shopkeeper appeared with a broad smile, clasping his hands in greeting.
“Distinguished guests, Steward Li called me. What can I do for you?”
Steward Li, seeing the shopkeeper arrive, had no choice but to say openly:
“Brother and I hit it off immediately; this meal is on my tab.”
“Understood, Steward Li. You needn’t worry,” the shopkeeper assured him respectfully before stepping back.
Steward Li said, “Brother, please sit. I’ve had my fill of wine; I’ll just step out briefly.”
“Just as well! I need to use the restroom too—let’s go together!”
Li Gui put his arm around Steward Li’s shoulder and led the way, with the others following, all swaying toward the latrine.
Afterward, clean-handed, they all proceeded to the iron goods shop.
Li Gui and Steward Li walked arm in arm through the streets, looking like close brothers, never parting.
At the shop, Steward Li instructed the staff to treat the guests well and then went to fetch the goods.
These items were usually kept elsewhere; only trusted customers could request them, with a specialist delivering the goods here for inspection.
Steward Li wanted to fetch them personally, but Li Gui pulled him aside to sit and chat, so the shopkeeper went instead.
Shortly, the shopkeeper returned, laying out the goods in a row before Li Gui for inspection.
Before seeing the items, Li Gui marveled at the Li family’s influence—such weapons and equipment were truly impressive.
But upon closer examination, his impression changed completely.
He scrutinized the iron spearheads and paper armor, finding the quality dubious—barely serviceable at best.
These were clearly not official military-grade items but counterfeit products from small private workshops.
Still, since this was illicit trade and a monopoly, there was no room for complaint.
Fortunately, the equipment was not for his own use but to arm his subordinates—so it would have to do.
Noticing Li Gui engrossed in inspecting the weapons, Steward Li quietly rose and signaled the shopkeeper to follow him to the back courtyard.