Tongbao Gambling House was Qinghe County’s largest den of gambling.
Two tall lantern pillars flanked its entrance, bearing a couplet: Win passes fast, loss passes fast.
Shen Xian stood before the entrance and commented.
“Where is the horizontal scroll?”
Wangcai scratched his head.
“There isn’t one.”
“I get it.
It just says ‘pass fast’.”
Two bouncers sized up the three newcomers.
“New faces?
Deposit required to enter.”
“We are not gambling.
We seek someone.” Shen Xian shook the wooden token.
“We look for one of your regulars… a man missing part of one finger.”
The bouncers exchanged glances and went inside to report.
Soon a gaunt man in his thirties emerged, eyes darting shrewdly, his right hand tucked up inside his sleeve.
“You three are looking for me?” He wore a hollow smile.
Shen Xian cut straight to business.
“Half a month ago, at Ruifeng Pawnshop.
A Red Spirit Ginseng.”
The man’s smile froze.
His hand stirred within his sleeve.
“Calm down.” Shen Xian snapped his folding fan shut.
“I am no government officer.
I am the one whose ginseng was stolen.
I am not here to arrest you.
I come to make a deal.”
“I know nothing of what you speak.” He remained defiant.
“Very well, let me tell you facts you cannot deny.” Shen Xian counted points on his fingers.
“One: a whole Red Spirit Ginseng inside that sandalwood box one‑and‑a‑half‑feet across.
The ginseng sold for far more, but you took low price because the goods were hot, and you needed quick cash.
Three: you carry this Tongbao token when you come here.
The bouncers know you by nickname…”
He paused.
“What was it again?”
The man answered reflexively.
“Broken‑Finger Liu —‑‑” He froze.
“You tricked me!”
“Credit where it is due.” Shen Xian cupped his hands.
“If I had not tricked you, you would not remember your own nickname.”
Broken‑Finger Liu’s face alternated shades of green and white.
He pulled his right hand out of his sleeve, showing clearly the missing half‑pinky.
“Boy, what exactly do you want?”
“Two things.” Shen Xian held up two fingers.
“First: who gave you that ginseng?
Second: you pawned it —‑‑ where is the money?”
“I know nothing of any ginseng, I swear —‑‑”
“Broken‑Finger Liu.” Shen Xian interrupted, still smiling yet his eyes turned cold.
“The birthday gift stolen from our manor is meant for Magistrate Wang’s birthday tomorrow.
The magistrate cares deeply about his reputation.
Someone will pay for this crime.
Ask yourself: who will get away cleaner —‑‑ the person who gave you the ginseng, or you, the errand‑boy who pawned it?”
Broken‑Finger Liu’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Tell me now, and I hunt the mastermind.
You walk free.” Shen Xian leaned back in his chair.
“If you stay silent, officers will drag you out of Tongbao Gambling House.
Tell me, how many gamblers in this hall will stand up and plead mercy for you?”
Dice rattled loudly all across the noisy gambling hall.
“Young sir… your tongue must have dined with county magistrates.”
“Something close.” Shen Xian said modestly.
“I practiced negotiating over dinner tables.”
“That ginseng.” Broken‑Finger Liu lowered his voice.
“Half a month ago a man sought me out.
He wore silk robes.
Paid me fifty taels.
His only instruction: take the ginseng to Ruifeng Pawnshop as a dead‑pawn, and hold onto the pawn‑ticket.
I thought easy money, so I agreed…”
“What did this silk‑robed man look like?”
“Forty‑odd years old, square‑jawed, spoke in an arrogant official‑like tone.” Broken‑Finger Liu strained his memory.
“When he handed over silver I glimpsed a corner of a wooden token tucked inside his sleeve.
Not Tongbao Gambling House’s token.
It bore a single carved character.”
“What character?”
“I cannot read well… looked like ‘Shen’.”
Shen Xian’s smile stayed unchanged, but the mental ledger in his mind snapped shut.
A Shen Manor wooden token.
Square‑jawed, forty‑something, pompous bearing, hiding the household‑issued token in his sleeve —‑‑
“Brother Liu, we have never met today.” Shen Xian stood and straightened his robes.
“If officials question you later, say you found that ginseng beside a river.
Found, understand?”
“Yes yes, I understand!”
“Smart man.” Shen Xian took a few steps then glanced back.
“By the way, do not gamble away all those thirty taels.”
“Why not?”
“Because you have already used up all your good luck for this month.”