Qin Ziwen waited for a good while longer, but no new customers arrived.
He picked up the book satchel from the floor. It was woven from bamboo. While the weave wasn't particularly fine and the edges were a little rough, it was very sturdy.
Inside were several sutras bound in hemp paper, a small pouch holding a writing brush, and another small animal-hide pouch containing an ink stick and an inkstone.
Besides that, there was a change of clothes. At the bottom of the satchel were a few pieces of silver, some loose copper coins, and a new pair of hemp shoes.
'Without his clothes or his money, where could that scholar have gone after running off?'
He thought for a moment, then picked up the book satchel and put it on the living room floor.
In the morning, after breakfast, the sound of Li Tieshan's hammering rang out from the Blacksmith Shop again.
"Just a moment, sir. I only need to give it a final polish, and then it will be finished."
