ShaoShu considered trying to find LoBak's apothecary shop to see Hok and Ying, but through the ringing in his ears, he heard Tonglong's men shouting to him from the riverfront. He looked over and saw them gesturing excitedly. They wanted to leave.
One of Tonglong's soldiers raised a musket in his direction. It was a threat. Hok and Ying would have to wait. He hurried into the boat and nestled himself beneath an old tarpaulin, and the men shoved off.
CHAPTER 15
ShaoShu yawned as he stood in front of Tonglong and Lei many hours later. He was covered from head to toe with smoke and gunpowder stains, but he had completed his mission successfully. After some rest, he hoped to come up with a plan to reunite with Hok and Ying, and hopefully to rescue LoBak. For now, he held out the four inventory scrolls that had nearly cost him his life.
“Well done!” Tonglong said, taking the scrolls. He unrolled the first one, and a confused look crossed his face. He unrolled the second and the third, and finally the fourth.
In a fury, Tonglong hurled the first three scrolls across the room, holding up the fourth for ShaoShu to see.
“Did you even bother to look at these?” Tonglong asked.
“Yes, sir,” ShaoShu replied. “I looked at one.”
“Which one?”
ShaoShu leaned forward and inspected the scroll in Tonglong's hand. “That one.”
“Are you certain?”
“I think so, sir.”
Tonglong's cold eyes burned with rage. “What does it say?”
“It's full of numbers and characters. Words, sir.”
“What words?”
ShaoShu shrugged, tears filling his eyes. “I don't know! I'm sorry, sir! I can't read.”
Tonglong threw the scroll against the wall. “That one is a list of women's undergarments! Why didn't you tell me you couldn't read?”
ShaoShu saw Lei laughing silently next to Tong long and lowered his head. “I'm an orphan, sir. I never went to school.”
“Get out of my sight!” Tonglong roared. “You are to remain in your quarters indefinitely.”
ShaoShu looked up. Indefinitely? He would never be able to get back to Hok and Ying if he was stuck in his quarters.
“But, sir,” ShaoShu said, his mind racing, “I can still be of use. I saw a lot of things, and I have a great memory. If you come with me to the shed where Lei keeps the guns and cannons, I think I can tell you how many of each I saw.”
Tonglong glowered at him. “Are you certain?”
“I'd bet my life on it, sir.”
“I'll take that bet,” Tonglong said, standing. “You will not fail me again.”
An hour later, ShaoShu stood between Lei and Tong long, pointing to items and providing quantities faster than Lei could write them down. Lei filled a full inventory scroll before ShaoShu said, “I think that's it, sir.”
Lei put his writing brush down and grinned. “Not bad, for a kid.”
Tonglong nodded. “Not bad at all, assuming he is correct. Let's see what else he remembers.”
“Sir?” ShaoShu said.
“Tell us about the warehouse and the weapons wing,” Tonglong said. “You never explained how you managed to sneak in there.”
ShaoShu thought for a moment. He didn't want Tonglong or Lei to know that he already knew LoBak. “I followed LoBak, the apothecary owner, inside.”
“The apothecary owner?” Tonglong asked.
“LoBak administers treatments to HaiZhe every night,” Lei said. “I suggested ShaoShu use that to his advantage.” He turned to ShaoShu. “What about the secret door to HaiZhe's private quarters and the guard stations along the way?”
“The guards were easy to sneak past,” ShaoShu said. “Inside, they were always in pairs, and they spent most of their time talking instead of watching the hallways. I saw LoBak push a special jellyfish on a big mural to open the secret door, and I waited a little while before copying him. I got lucky that no one was in the office when I snuck in. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for telling me about the trap—”
“That is excellent,” Lei interrupted. “You are most welcome.”
Tonglong nodded, seemingly satisfied. “I've been told that you exited the facility by blasting a hole in the warehouse exterior.”
“Yes, sir,” ShaoShu said. “There was only one exit out of HaiZhe's weapons wing, and it was back through the office that was blocked by guards. I had to make my own little door.” He smiled.
Lei chuckled. “You certainly are something else, ShaoShu.”
Tonglong rubbed his chin. “Are you saying that the weapons wing is enclosed by an exterior wall, and you blasted through it without blowing up the entire warehouse?”