Fear gripped the people of Baihe Village. Three grown men had vanished within the forest’s depths, swallowed by the oppressive shadows. No one dared venture from their homes, especially after dusk, for the monstrous lizards held dominion over the night.

  Hope rested on Kang Seng Kok, the regional Magistrate, to swiftly quell the terror. Yet, a bitter irony clung to the situation: he cowardly refused to return despite his own son, Kang Lok Kiam, having also disappeared within the very forest that now haunted their dreams.

  News arrived, carried on the wind of despair, that Kang Seng Kok himself had not returned from the city of Chuzhou. Instead, his wife and remaining children, still young and vulnerable, sought refuge within its walls. A man who spoke with authority and arrogance towards the common folk had found his courage shattered when faced with the threat of the monstrous reptiles.

  Han Sen returned to the shop that served as home to the merchant Hok Si Beng. Uncle Beng and Auntie Sian, Tek Liong's parents, were visibly worried, their voices laced with concern as he stepped across the threshold.

  "Han Sen! Where have you been? It is treacherous out there! Three men lost their lives today!"

  "Han Sen, are you unharmed? Did you dare to enter the forest?"

  He bowed slightly in response, a gesture of humility and respect.

  “Han Sen offers his apologies. There was no intention to cause worry to Uncle and Auntie. By the grace of the Heavens, I return unharmed and well," he spoke with genuine sincerity. The depth of their concern touched him, a warmth blooming in his chest.

  "Well then, thank the Heavens," Auntie Sian replied, glancing at her husband, who still seemed inclined to scold the young man. A subtle look from his wife reminded Si Beng that, after all, Han Sen was not his own child; such harsh reprimands were unwarranted. Han Sen’s respectful demeanor impressed them both.

  "You can apprentice yourself to Tek Liong, learn the ways of trade," Uncle Beng said, his tone softening. "And Auntie Sian will instruct you in the art of numbers."

  For a week, they remained confined within the walls of the shop, a refuge from the terror lurking outside. Han Sen and Tek Liong found themselves under the tutelage of Auntie Sian, who proved to be remarkably skilled in mathematics. It was revealed that she was the youngest daughter of a renowned scholar from Luoyang. Youngest daughters, often overlooked, possess a sharp intellect, a keen understanding of the world, and a quiet strength. When Hok Si Beng, laden with a generous dowry, had sought her hand, her family had willingly relinquished her to him, sending her far away to Baihe Village. Since then, Li Sian had diligently assisted her husband, cultivating an honest and prosperous trade.

  Drawing upon a lifetime of knowledge and experience, Li Sian was a master of commerce and now imparted that wisdom to her son and his new companion. Han Sen, who had previously devoted himself to the study of philosophy, martial arts, and the ways of the farmer, found himself captivated by the intricacies of trade and the power of calculation.

  "Han Sen, do not be deceived. Numbers are not merely for commerce," Bibi Sian explained, her voice gentle but firm. "A physician must calculate dosages when compounding remedies. A cook must calculate portions when preparing meals. A tailor must calculate the amount of fabric required for a garment.

  Without calculation, one cannot comprehend the essence of small and large. Only through numbers can agreements be reached, values exchanged fairly and equitably, to the benefit of all.

  Conversely, unscrupulous individuals exploit the ignorance of the populace, inflating values and enriching themselves at the expense of others, simply because those others lack the ability to calculate," she concluded, her gaze unwavering.

  “Auntie Sian, wouldn't those who study martial arts be more dangerous than those who study trades?” Han Sen asked, his mind subtly measuring his strength – the Five Winds movement and the burgeoning power of the Five Thunders Palm – against the lives of merchants and officials.

  “Indeed,” Auntie Sian replied, her voice tinged with a somber understanding. “A martial artist who turns to wickedness can be far more perilous, for they are capable of swiftly ending a life like ours. Yet, remember, taking a life is not a simple act. There are consequences, long and intricate, for even in this kingdom, laws exist to deter arbitrary killings. And some righteous swordsmen will rise to punish those who shed blood without cause.”

  “But the evils of corruption are often more insidious,” she continued, a sadness creeping into her tone. “Corrupt officials, abusing their positions. Wicked merchants, caring nothing for the suffering they inflict while lining their own pockets, leaving others destitute.”

  “Death is not the worst fate in a man’s life,” Auntie Sian finished, her gaze distant.

  Han Sen fell silent, his mind adrift in the memories his mother had shared of her mother’s side of the family. His grandmother, Lie Kim, had been married to Siu Hong, the son of a wealthy merchant. He’d partnered with a viper, betraying Siu Hong and driving him to ruin. They were banished from the capital, scraping together what little remained of their wealth to purchase barren land at the edge of the Baihe Plain, the very land where his mother, Siu Chen, grew and eventually married Han Lie.

  “A treacherous business partner doesn't necessarily wield a blade, but what is ruin if not a slow death?” Han Sen mused, a bitter understanding dawning within him. “Man cannot turn back time, cannot reclaim lost fortunes or missed opportunities. Once bankrupt, recovery is often beyond reach.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  No wonder the Prophet Confucius held merchants in such low regard. For through trade, one could extinguish another’s livelihood without a single blow. One could shatter a man’s well-being without the slightest exertion of inner strength. Yet, trade itself produced nothing.

  When a man lost his capital, he was forced to toil at other pursuits, laboring to earn a living. After Siu Hong’s passing, Lie Kim raised Siu Chen as a farmer. His father, Han Lie, joined her in the fields, coaxing sustenance from the earth. They knew nothing of the intricacies of commerce, even though his grandfather, Siu Hong, had been a merchant of considerable renown.

  A spark ignited within Han Sen’s eyes. If his grandfather had been a great merchant, shouldn’t he, too, be capable of such success?

  “Surely, there's still merit in being a merchant?” he asked, a hesitant hope coloring his voice.

  “You wish to be a merchant, Han Sen? It’s not a noble calling. Many scorn the profession. There are other paths you should consider," Auntie Sian cautioned, her expression etched with concern.

  “But why? People still need goods, don’t they? Everything a merchant brings provides some benefits,” Han Sen persisted, struggling to understand.

  “Because men harbor darkness in their hearts, Han Sen,” Auntie Sian replied, a weary sadness in her voice. “It is difficult to maintain a clean heart within the world of trade. To be a righteous seller is to constantly encounter buyers who demean quality, who haggle mercilessly, who show no regard for the seller’s losses.”

  “And so, many merchants become men who forsake honesty, enriching themselves by praising flawed wares, inflating the price of worthless trinkets, refusing to concede even the smallest point in negotiation.”

  “People often forget that trade requires two sides: seller and buyer. Merchants exist as sellers, and, alas, they can be malicious sellers. But buyers, too, are part of the equation, and buyers can be just as treacherous.”

  Auntie Sian offered a wry smile. "It’s not only the seller who can be wicked. Both merchant and buyer are men, capable of both wicked intention and action.”

  “Then, Auntie Sian, does wickedness not exist everywhere?” Han Sen mused, his voice calm amidst the hum of the trading post. “Those who study martial arts can become bandits. Those who study governance can become corrupt officials. Even those who study commerce can become greedy and deceitful merchants.”

  It was a simple observation, a profound truth veiled in the everyday.

  Beside him, young Hok Tek Liong sat silent, his gaze fixed on some distant point, oblivious to the weight of the words. The allure of accounting held little sway over the boy’s heart. It was clear that Han Sen’s passion for the intricate dance of numbers far surpassed Liong’s own inclinations.

  Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the air. “Good news, Sword Master Ouw has arrived at our village!” Uncle Beng called out from beyond the shop’s entrance.

  “Indeed? A blessing!” Auntie Sian exclaimed. Together with the rest of the household and a throng of villagers from Baihe Li, they hurried outside. There, seated upon a magnificent steed, was a man adorned in the rich attire of a swordsman. He radiated an aura of power, his blade gleaming within a scabbard of shimmering gold and precious jewels.

  “I am Ouw Yang Kow, Sword Master of renown! I have come to Baihe Li to vanquish the wicked beast, to slay the monstrous lizard that preys upon our people! I implore the blessings of Baihe Li’s inhabitants!” he declared, clasping his hands in a gesture of reverence towards the village administration building.

  With a swift urging of his mount, he spurred his horse forward, disappearing into the shadowed depths of the forest.

  “Alas, can he truly prevail against such a monstrous foe?” Auntie Sian whispered, her voice laced with worry.

  “Rest easy, Auntie,” Han Sen replied, his tone reassuring. “Any wild beast that crosses his path will surely meet its end.” What further trials could this renowned Sword Master possibly face? Han Sen knew the truth: he had vanquished them all last week.

  A few hours later, Ouw Yang Kow returned to Baihe Li, his clothes now dusty and stained with earth. “People of Baihe Li! Fear no more! The wild beasts have been vanquished! Baihe Li is once again safe and at peace!” he proclaimed, his voice echoing across the village.

  Han Sen’s brow furrowed in silent contemplation. There were no more giant lizards to be found, for he had dispatched them long before the villagers knew of their riddance. That man did nothing! Yet, why did the Sword Master act with such theatrical flourish? Did he not feel a pang of shame in proclaiming such a falsehood?

  The villagers thronged the streets, showering Ouw Yang Kow with accolades.

  “Long live Sword Master Ouw!”

  “By the hand of Ouw, our village is freed from calamity!”

  “Heaven blesses Ouw with countless blessings!”

  Amongst the jubilant crowd, the wealthiest merchant in Baihe Li, Kwok An Tang, appeared the most ecstatic. With the cowardly Kang Seng Kok official exposed, Kwok An Tang reigned supreme, his coffers overflowing.

  “I, Ouw Yang Kow, have come to purge the savage beasts and restore peace to Baihe Li!” the Sword Master declared from atop his steed.

  “Thank you, thank you, Master Ouw,” Kwok An Tang responded, his voice brimming with gratitude. “Come, rest a while at my home. Servants, prepare a feast for the Sword Master!”

  The villagers lingered outside Kwok An Tang’s residence while the host entertained the Sword Master on his veranda. Laughter and conversation flowed freely, accompanied by a lavish spread of food. Those less fortunate, the hungry and the impoverished, could only gaze upon the spectacle from beyond the garden fence.

  Uncle Beng, Auntie Sian, Hok Tek Liong, and Han Sen stood amongst the onlookers across the road, observing the Sword Master reveling in the lavish praise of the wealthy merchant.

  “It is good that peace has returned. Now we can finally send goods to Chuzhou,” Uncle Beng remarked, turning to head home. But before he could take another step, a government official emerged from the office and addressed the assembled crowd.

  “People of Baihe Li! Every household must contribute 100 copper coins as a reward for Sword Master Ouw, who has delivered us from calamity!” he announced loudly. Officials began to circulate through the homes and shops, collecting the stipulated sum. Uncle Beng readily relinquished 100 copper coins from his own pouch.

  Considering that a day’s labor in Baihe Li earned only 10 copper coins, 100 coins represented the wages of ten days' work. With roughly forty households and shops in Baihe Li, the officials swiftly amassed 4000 copper coins – roughly equivalent to two tael of silver.

  Han Sen, drawing upon his newfound understanding of numbers, mentally calculated the Sword Master’s potential earnings. A remarkable sum for a charlatan!

  Soon, the officials arrived at Kwok An Tang’s residence to deliver the collected funds.

  “People of Baihe Li! With the utmost sincerity and gratitude, we present this precious gift of one tael of silver to Sword Master Ouw!” Kwok An Tang proclaimed from his veranda, as the villagers erupted in applause and shouts of praise.

  Han Sen observed as the official handed over a single tael of silver to the Sword Master, not the copper coins equal to 2 tael of silver that had seemingly vanished into the governmental coffers.

  It seemed even matters of public gratitude were ripe for corruption.

  Meanwhile, each household had been stripped of a precious 100 copper coins.

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