"Steamed cakes, hot steamed cakes."
"Braised offal, braised offal..."
"Selling wonton here."
Among the crowd of vendors, a bamboo skewer full of sugar-coated haws swayed through the street and was stopped by a man and a woman. The man, dressed in a Daoist robe, handed over two copper coins without saying a word, took a skewer of sugar-coated haws, and the vendor wasted no time, carrying his bamboo sticks onward.
The girl shyly but joyfully tasted the sugar-coated haws.
This was merely a small street scene in Nankuo County.
The real commotion was at the other end, outside the county government.
Drumbeats resounded; the grievance drum was beaten until it dented and bounced back. An elderly, well-dressed man in his fifties knocked his head to the ground as soon as the County Magistrate appeared.
"This humble citizen, Shou Ao Jia, has had his youngest daughter go missing for two days. I earnestly request the County Magistrate to help in finding her!"
