Using a tomb as a black market really took a special kind of genius, but the ancient Chinese weren't stupid either. Big figures always sought out good feng shui for their burial grounds, and their chosen sites were even better than most modern developments. By the fourth year of the apocalypse, this place had already avoided earthquakes and floods thanks to its high ground. Even the muddy water from the heavy rains barely managed to seep in. It really was a treasure of a location.
When the rich, smoky scent of grilled meat drifted over, warm light and flickering fire showed up around a corner along with the low hum of chatter. Jing Shu knew they had arrived. Her field of vision opened up as they turned the bend. A few people were crouched near the entrance, fanning their makeshift grills with pieces of cardboard while roasting skewers made from compressed mixed meat.
Just from the smell alone, the quality wasn't bad. After four years of the apocalypse, it was rare to catch the scent of real chili powder. The capital really was full of hidden treasures. The discovery made her look forward to tonight's black market even more.
"Qiangzi, you are here. Want some? Thirty virtual coins a skewer. At least help me hit the minimum sale," a middle-aged man called out. Uncle Lu jumped up from his stool, grabbed three skewers of multicolored meat blocks, and held them out.
Fan Jianqiang wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Come on, Uncle Lu, who knows where you guys get that mixed meat you compress. It tastes good, sure, but last time I bit into a finger segment. I almost threw up."
"A mistake; that was a mistake," Uncle Lu said with an awkward smile. "Something slipped in; you know we don't eat that stuff. I swear it's clean, approved meat. Hey, you brought guests. Here, try some. It smells great, right?" He pushed the skewer even closer toward them. It was his usual tactic.
Most people who came to the black market weren't starving, but being able to eat meat regularly, especially something as fragrant as this, wasn't common.
Fan Jianqiang swallowed hard. It did smell amazing, but the memory of that finger sent a shiver down his back. Still, he felt he had to give the man some face. Maybe he would hit the minimum sale just to help him out. He glanced at Jing Shu and Song Bin. "Want me to treat you two?"
Jing Shu's palate had been spoiled long ago by the fresh supplies in her space, and Song Bin looked traumatized from hearing about the finger. They both shook their heads. "We already ate, but thank you."
"Fine then, let's go. It's starting," Fan Jianqiang said. He shrugged; he had saved himself some money.
But Jing Shu stopped and asked Uncle Lu, "No cumin? A little cumin would make it smell even better."
The vendor gave a bitter laugh. "Seasonings are way too hard to find. The meat isn't the costly part. It's the salt and chili powder for marinating. Don't even mention anything more complicated."
Jing Shu nodded thoughtfully. It's looked like the spices she had brought today were going to be worth a lot. The black market crowd wasn't short on basic food or daily necessities, judging by their clothes and healthy body shapes. None of them possessed the skinny, starving faces seen on the streets. They looked like normal people from before the apocalypse.
They followed Fan Jianqiang all the way into the tomb's central chamber. Large torches burned along the walls, their orange flames casting long shadows against the stone. Fenced-off areas formed several distinct sections. The middle platform was stacked with items of all kinds, and more things were being pushed in on carts. It was a dazzling sight. After Fan Jianqiang greeted ten or so people he clearly knew, he swaggered over to the area reserved for Silver members.
This black market had five separate entrances. It must be how they managed the class differences. Silver members like him had to hunch down and enter from the back, while people kept coming through the main hall's wide, red-carpeted front gate.
"Gold members and above can use the main entrance," Fan Jianqiang explained, watching the big shots with envy. "They get round tables, snacks, tea, and even a resting area. We will just stand here."
"Are there limits on what you can trade? Like, Silver members can't deal in high-value stuff?" Jing Shu asked.
Jun Bao had said it's safe to trade here and they would be protected. She wasn't from the capital anyway. She would be heading back to Wu City soon. She wasn't scared; she was just worried she might find something she liked and then be unable to make a deal. That would suck.
Fan Jianqiang snorted. "High-value goods? As long as they like what you are offering, nothing is off limits. Of course, the pricier the trade, the higher the taxes. And that tax isn't something you can pay with a few skewers of meat." He sounded proud of his knowledge.
One couldn't really blame him. Jun Bao didn't explain much, just casually told him to bring someone here to look around. Since it's "looking around," he assumed they were just here to broaden their horizons. He had heard one of them was from the countryside of Wu City. He wondered if she was one of Jun Bao's old flings. He turned and squinted at Jing Shu again, but his face-blindness made her features blur into generic shapes. All men looked the same to him, and all women did as well.
Long ago, he and Jun Bao had been teased as the disabled duo.
He decided to forget it. Jun Bao had sent them, so he would show some face. He told Jing Shu, "Silver members have a minimum spending of two hundred virtual coins or equivalent items. If you see something you want, tell me. I will cover it."
He acted like some big spender. Jing Shu watched him lift his chin proudly, his posture practically saying that tonight the whole place was his treat. He really had that vibe.
"What is with people in the capital? Do they all act like this?" Jing Shu murmured.
Song Bin whispered back, "They love face. They are big show-offs."
Jing Shu held back a laugh and nodded politely. "Then thank you."
At last, the event began. Gold members settled into their seats. Diamond members sat behind their decorative screens, hidden from view.
"Hello everyone, I'm Gong Huwei, president of the Yage Trading Guild. Ladies, call me Lao Gong. Gentlemen, call me President Gong." The middle-aged, bald man grinned, his voice warm and booming through a loudspeaker.
"I hate it when he does that."
"I think you love it."
Lao Gong held his loudspeaker and showed everyone the items displayed on the shelves so they could get a sense of today's offerings. Jing Shu had expected an auction or price calls to start next, but instead Gong Huwei invited the Diamond members behind the screens to go first. "We can't let our distinguished guests wait too long. Let's begin by hearing what the Diamond members are looking for."
She had thought they would start from the Bronze level. She wondered if the climax was always supposed to be last. This black market was throwing the big stuff in right away. Well, it made sense. They couldn't leave the big shots waiting.