Meanwhile, within the Xiao Mansion.
In the main hall of the otherwise dim Qingjing Residence, an oil lamp quietly flickered to life.
The candlelight wavered.
Elder Master Xiao, draped in a thick, padded robe, leaned back in a Grandmaster's Chair. He rubbed the bridge of his nose while listening to Xiao Jing's report from the shadows.
"...The barbarian slaves have not yet been found."
Seeing that the Elder Master remained silent, Xiao Jing continued, "The major grain merchants in the East Market have suffered heavy losses. It's said their warehouses contained a hundred thousand bushels of grain."
The Elder Master lowered his hand, his cloudy, bloodshot eyes turning to him. "A hundred thousand bushels?"
Xiao Jing nodded from the shadows. "At least that much, if not more."
"However, your subordinate has ascertained that those merchants have other storehouses, which should still contain a considerable amount of grain."
