Chapter One:
The sunlight filtered through the iron bars, washing away some of the musty smell that lingered in the cell overnight. The damp air added more moisture to the moss-covered walls, and though the light was not abundant, the moss thrived well on the walls.
The morning in the cell was always filled with various sounds. The prisoners who had slept all day impatiently banged on the iron bars. The guards, accustomed to this situation, scolded a few of the most unruly inmates and tapped the iron bars with their batons. The guards who had been on night duty awaited their replacements, chatting among themselves.
The inmates with menial tasks were called out one by one. The guards shackled them lightly and set them to work. These inmates had committed relatively minor crimes, were timid, and easy to command. Many of these menial laborers were still underage, the youngest group in the prison, and if they were any younger, they wouldn't be locked up there.
In the most remote and darkest cell in the prison, Baz was the only prisoner still asleep. He had no interest in the prison food, which was like dog food; today was supposed to be his release day. Baz, with fiery red hair, was the only underage offender in the prison who didn't have to do menial labor.
The guard struck Baz's cell bars, making a deafening noise. "Kid, get up, pack your things, you can leave now," the guard said. With that, the guard opened the cell door with the keychain from his waist.
"Kid, see you around," a scruffy prisoner said. "Next time I come in, don't take my bunk," Baz replied. "Hey, don't forget, bring me a blanket next time you come in," another old prisoner shouted. "Sure, but you have to pay me for the blanket first." "Stingy."
Watching Baz chatting with the inmates, the guard became impatient. He prodded Baz's shoulder with a rod made of iron and wood, saying, "Hurry up, stop chattering. You'll be back in a few months anyway, save it for next time." Baz left the blanket and mattress for the other prisoners and walked out of the cell.
As he walked, the inmates in the adjacent cells greeted Baz one after another. "See you next time." "How long until you come back?" "Send a message home for me..." "Go and come back quickly."
Hearing the clamor of these prisoners, the guard was fed up; he detested these long-term inmates, these utterly rotten scum. Thinking this, he pushed Baz with the iron-headed wooden stick in his hand, saying, "Hurry, go."
In the warden's office, the warden glanced at Baz, a guy who treated the prison like a hotel, coming and going frequently. There was nothing to say to him, and the warden quickly signed Baz's release certificate. "You can go, but I know you'll be back soon, won't you?" the warden said casually. "Yeah, yeah, I hope the guys here will be a bit better next time I come in," Baz replied with a grin.
Hearing this, the warden was not pleased. He turned to the guard and ordered, "Take him out." Upon hearing the warden's command, the guard immediately kicked Baz out of the prison gate. The heavy iron door closed with a clang behind Baz.
Baz shrugged, dusted himself off, and walked straight to the city center. He was familiar with every street in the city, but he wasn't in a hurry to return home. Baz strolled around the streets and then turned into a clothing store at the south end of the street.
There was no one else in the clothing store, so Baz rang the bell on the counter. With a crisp ring, the small door in front of the counter opened, and the shopkeeper emerged from behind the low door. Seeing Baz, he exclaimed happily, "Ah, you're out! Today is your release day, I almost forgot."
"Give me a new set of clothes, tell the old man I'm out, I'll go for a walk on the street first," Baz said. "Oh, it's a bit unfortunate, I don't have your size on hand, there's one that's a bit oversized, you can wear it for now," the shopkeeper said as he disappeared behind the low door and soon returned with a set of clothes that were seventy percent new.
"Not bad, not bad, it'll do," Baz nodded. Taking the clothes, Baz walked into the fitting room and soon emerged neatly dressed. In his new outfit, Baz looked very spirited.
Walking through the streets and alleys, Baz looked at the pedestrians around him. Having spent three months in prison, people had already shed their thick winter clothes for light spring attire. "Baz, is that you?" a voice came from behind.
Baz turned around and saw Jayne, one of Beta's fast hands from the south street. "You've been away for three months on this trip, right?" Jayne said with a grin. "Yeah, I'm almost lost my way back," Baz said, unsure of the current situation.
"Oh, there's a new shop opened in the south of the city, they say the stuff is good, all silk, leather," Jayne said. "Thanks, I'll check it out." "Wish you have a good time."
Having received the news, Baz immediately headed towards the south of the city. He was as familiar with this city as most shops were clear about who he was. Baz also knew what each shop sold, what the shopkeeper looked like, and whether the assistants were vigilant or not, and what kind of customers frequented each shop.
Therefore, without Jayne's guidance, Baz quickly found out where the new shop was. The shopkeeper at the new store indeed didn't recognize him, but there were two assistants who were locals. Baz knew he had to act fast, taking advantage of the two assistants not noticing him, he quickly found his target.
This shop specializes in selling high-end goods such as perfumes and jewelry, just as Jayne described. The clientele consists of wealthy individuals dressed in silk or luxurious fur. Their carriages are parked in front of the shop, accompanied by servants, making it difficult to act.
However, this did not deter Baz. Seizing the opportunity presented by the lack of attention, he stealthily entered the shop, quickly surveying the surroundings. Upon exiting, he had already pocketed two money bags.
Satisfied with his successful haul, Baz discreetly put the two money bags in his pocket and left quickly. Making sure no one was watching, he returned to his hideout.
As he walked down the alley leading to his hideout, someone noticed him.
"Baz, is that you?"
"Welcome back."
"Jayne said you were back, I couldn't believe it..."
"How was your luck today? Jayne said you went to the south city."
Hearing this, Baz confidently patted his pockets, the sound of coins jingling more convincing than any words.
"First day of luck, opening the door to good fortune."
"Baz, you've got skills."
...
Amidst the bustling chatter, Baz was escorted back to his hideout. The three-story building was located in a deep alley, not much different from other three-story buildings in the city, simple and rough, as long as it could accommodate people.
Because the alley was too deep and sunlight was scarce, the small rooms inside were messy and didn't look much better than prison cells. But for Baz, this was his true home.
"Is that Baz?" a voice asked, and a short old man came down from upstairs. He was slightly bald, with sparse hair on the sides hanging on his cheeks, and his beard was similarly sparse and messy. He wore old black clothes, the hem of which had been polished.
"Welcome back," the old man said.
"You're not dead yet," Baz joked.
"If I were dead, who would welcome you back?" the old man joked.
"If you were dead, we'd have a welcome party every day," Baz teased.
"Alright, enough joking, how was your haul today? Hand it over!" the old man reached out his hand.
Baz grabbed a handful of coins and put them in the old man's hand.
"That's not enough, we haven't bought wine for tonight yet," the old man shook his head.
"You old vampire," Baz joked, emptied all the money from his pockets, turned them inside out.
"Go take a bath first, Old Leather has brought clothes that fit you, a bit old but the style is good," the old man said.
Baz obediently followed the old man's instructions. A hot bath was the only pleasure he couldn't enjoy in prison. For three months, Baz had hardly been able to bathe in water warmer than cold. So, as soon as he returned to his hideout, Baz's first thought was to take a bath.
This indulgence made Baz completely forget about time. When someone came to call him, the sky was already dark. Baz changed into new clothes, and the old man was right, the clothes were a bit old but the style was indeed good. However, this outfit was only suitable for today's occasion. If he wore it out on the street, it would attract too much attention.
Dressed neatly, Baz walked into the hall, everything was ready. There was a large barrel on the table, emitting the aroma of wine.
Not having drunk for three months, this was the second enjoyment on Baz's list. As for the food, although not a luxurious feast, it was quite sumptuous.
Roast meat, roast chicken, big fish, and a pot of stewed lamb. For Baz, who had been eating prison food for three months, this was a huge temptation. However, Baz didn't rush to eat. He tasted all the dishes first, poured himself a full glass of beer, and sat at the door watching his little brothers return home one by one.
The hideout quickly became lively. The night at the hideout was Baz's favorite time. Despite being young, Baz was the leader of the "Golden Fingers" at the hideout.
The old man Palm was the head here, specifically in charge of this group of "Golden Fingers."
Baz wasn't sure how many new little brothers had joined in the past three months. Now, there were at least thirty or forty people at the hideout, and it seemed like it was time to split some of them into a new hideout, just like two years ago, to make a living in another city.
Watching the eager little brothers return home one by one, Baz silently contemplated. Just now, the old man told him not to drink too much, he had something to discuss with him later.
Was it about leading a group of brothers to establish their own territory?
Baz wondered. He had known the old man since he was six years old, following him to steal things on the street, from being a lookout to a bridge, and finally becoming a Golden Finger. Looking back on the twelve years, the hideout had split and integrated four times.
The previous leaders had split out, some were quite successful, established themselves outside, while others failed.
If he were to split out, what would his fate be?
Baz pondered silently. If he really split out, who would be willing to follow him? Where would be a suitable place to establish a new territory?
The South Port had the best dock, but security was extremely tight, and the second leader who split out failed there. Baz still remembered the tragic scene he saw when he quietly brought the body back.
West Sion had the richest people, but it was the territory of the Count, tightly controlled, and had to guard against war.
Pidton and Bart were too poor to support people.
As Baz pondered, he furrowed his brow and realized that now was not a good time to split out.
He could only take it step by step.
Just as Baz was lost in thought, a little brother carrying a basin of roast meat approached him and said, "Boss, if you don't come over now, all the good stuff will be gone."
Baz smiled and indeed, at this moment, he could enjoy each day as it came and deal with the future when there was no way out. This was the lifestyle of a Golden Finger, and at worst, he could always eat and sleep in jail, not necessarily starving to death.
With his mind at ease, Baz joined the line to grab food. After all, today was a day to celebrate his return, and he was the star of the feast.
If the star of the feast didn't get to eat good food and went hungry, it would be unacceptable.
Baz still remembered the old man's instructions. Although the beer was enjoyable, he always kept moderation in mind. However, for forty to fifty people, a barrel of beer might not be enough, so even if Baz wanted to get drunk, there wouldn't be enough beer for him.
Fortunately, the amount of food was enough to fill everyone's stomachs.
The hideout was as lively as usual, with every day feeling like a festival, because everyone understood the importance of enjoying today as much as possible, leaving tomorrow for tomorrow.
For everyone who successfully made it through the day, the very fact itself was worth celebrating.
Usually, there weren't so many delicious dishes, and now with beer to liven things up, everyone was having a great time.
After eating and drinking their fill, Baz didn't forget the old man's instructions. He walked up to the third floor and pushed open the old man's door.
The old man's bedroom was the neatest in the hideout, with several paintings hanging on the wall.
Baz knew that behind those paintings was where the old man hid things.
Against the west wall were rows of bookshelves, and Baz could never understand why the old man had so many books.
Baz was clear about the old man's background.
The old man didn't have much education, at most recognizing a few characters and being able to read official notices fluently. He wasn't like Audrey, who knew so much, and these books were just for show.
Baz saw that there was no one in the bedroom and casually took a book from the shelf.
Reading was not Baz's preferred pastime; he would rather sleep with his head covered than read. However, he was quite interested in the old man's showy books.
Baz looked at the cover of the book.
"The Relationship Between Divinity and Rationality."
Baz had no idea what divinity was, let alone rationality.
He opened the book and started reading, but after only a few lines, he felt dizzy.
Baz quickly put the book back on the shelf, thinking to himself that this kind of thing was definitely beyond the old man's understanding, and this book was probably like a foreign language to him.
As he was contemplating, the door opened, and the old man walked in from outside.
"What do you need from me?" Baz asked directly.
"Oh, it's just a small matter." The old man turned around and closed the door, cautiously peeking out the window.
After making sure there was no one on the stairs and all his men were gathered around the dining table eating heartily, the old man casually closed the window and drew the curtains.
Seeing the old man's actions, Baz understood that it was definitely not as small a matter as the old man had said.
Sure enough, even though the old man saw no one around, he was still uneasy. He leaned in close to Baz and whispered, "The boss wants us to find a new face, someone with a prettier face, sharper wit, but a bit more timid and easy to control."
"A girl?" Baz asked.
"No, a boy, two years younger than you, looks cleaner," the old man said.
"Is this another request from Audrey?" Baz immediately understood what was going on.
This kind of thing had happened twice before, Audrey was about to make a big deal using a new face.
"Why doesn't Audrey find someone herself?" Baz asked.
"This matter can't be known to too many people. Audrey can't show herself, she's the brains, and we have to rely on you and me to do the work. There are only a few people who know about this, besides the boss, Audrey, it's just you and me. You keep a tight lip, the boss trusts you a lot, so he's entrusted you with finding someone," the old man said.
"Give me a range, don't bring someone that the target recognizes, that would be interesting." Baz said. In fact, this kind of concern was indeed necessary. A few years ago, there had been such a mistake, a stand-in was recognized by the target's servants, and those two unlucky guys were still locked up in jail.
"Look around here, don't ask about the rest, find someone with a clean background, no baggage," the old man instructed.
"How much time do I have?" Baz asked.
The old man thought for a while and said, "Three days."
Relieved, Baz didn't ask anything else and left the old man's room.
Baz's bedroom was located in the corridor between the third and second floors, and besides the old man's room, his bedroom was the highest, where the head of the Golden Fingers usually stayed.
Baz returned to his bedroom after three months of absence.
Opening the door, the room was relatively clean, indicating that the old man had ordered someone to clean it up.
Baz's room was no different from where the other Golden Fingers lived downstairs, except for an extra table and less dampness, not much different from the prison cells he had gotten used to.
Baz casually took off his coat and placed it on the table before lying down on the bed.
Perhaps due to the beer he had drunk or the excitement of the day, Baz surprisingly felt no sleepiness at all. He lay on the bed, pondering the matter the old man had just discussed with him.
Baz knew that the boss must be planning a major operation, and operations personally executed by Audrey always brought substantial rewards.
Perhaps this would provide enough funds to sustain the current hideout, and the idea of splitting out could be put on hold.
In fact, Baz could roughly guess the nature of the operation Audrey was planning based on the type of person the old man asked him to find.
Baz had witnessed such operations several times in his Golden Fingers career.
Audrey would likely have the new face impersonate the son of a recently deceased wealthy person to inherit a large fortune.
Thinking about how the new person would enjoy so many things that Baz might never experience in his lifetime during the time of impersonation, Baz couldn't help but feel envious. He could only derive pleasure from imagining it.
However, if Baz were asked to play such a role, he would definitely not agree.
Baz had heard of such operations before. Although the new faces enjoyed luxuries during their time as heirs, once everything was over, they became useless and extremely dangerous.
Although the boss didn't particularly like killing to cover up loose ends, it was a method that was frequently used.
Even if the new faces managed to escape this fate, the boss would still send them far away.
Compliant new faces could receive a small sum to make a living, while those who were uncontrollable were either silenced or sold to foreign black market traders as slaves.
It was said that the new faces trained by Audrey were highly sought after by foreign black market traders.
Lost in his thoughts, Baz fell asleep.
When he woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
Baz put on his coat and headed downstairs. The leftover food from the welcoming party the night before had been gathered and cooked into a pot of stew.
This kind of dish was already a rare delicacy for the Golden Fingers.
However, Baz wasn't in the mood for it today.
He ate hastily and left the hideout.
For finding new recruits, Baz was quite skilled, and many of his Golden Fingers were found in the slums by him.
However, according to the old man's requirements, it would be difficult to find such recruits in the slums.
The impoverished life had instilled a sense of fear of life in the children from the slums, just like himself, they were full of distrust.
Audrey needed a clean recruit, someone a bit prettier.
Finding such a person wouldn't be difficult for Baz.
There were many child laborers in the city, most of them were children from families who had come from outside to make a living, and the luckier ones could find a job to feed themselves.
Most of these people could be found in the South City.
That was because the South Port was the most prosperous town nearby and also the largest port in the south.
There were many shops and restaurants there.
Those who looked good and were clever could easily find a job as a waiter in a restaurant or a position in front of a counter in a shop.
Working in a restaurant was the minimum to fill one's stomach, and if one did well, they could sometimes receive tips.
Working in a shop was even luckier.
The position of a skilled shop assistant was only a short distance away from being the shopkeeper.
So these people were considered the lucky ones among the impoverished children, they had beautiful dreams and longings for life, and among them, Audrey should be able to find the new recruit she wanted.
Thinking about this, Baz decided to head to the South City.
Although the South City was near Lai, it was still seventy kilometers away. For ordinary people, traveling from the South City to Lai was considered a long journey, so preparing luggage and bringing enough money was necessary.
However, for a top Golden Finger like Baz, this was completely unnecessary.
Baz walked out of the city gate and strolled along the road to the South City, waiting for the stagecoach to South City.
The South City was a large port, and there were countless stagecoaches heading there every day.
As long as one acted swiftly, climbed onto the luggage rack behind the stagecoach unnoticed, the piled luggage would block the coachman's view, and they wouldn't be discovered.
This way, one could easily hitch a ride to the South City.
The route from Lai to the South City was indeed a busy one.
Before long, Baz heard the rhythmic sound of wheels rolling on the road and the steady sound of horse hooves from far behind him.
Baz quickly dodged behind a large tree by the roadside.
The stagecoach drivers didn't like minors wandering alone on the road because every stagecoach driver knew that these kids were most likely trying to hitch a ride.
For them, these drivers would definitely be extra vigilant.
Baz knew the trick, he hid behind the large tree and waited for the stagecoach to pass.
As the stagecoach brushed past the large tree, Baz quickly jumped onto the stagecoach.
Baz enjoyed the ride comfortably.
The trees flying past on both sides, the strong wind in his face, and the occasional bump due to the uneven road.
To be honest, if it weren't for fear of the coachman noticing, Baz really wanted to shout out loud.
Baz had once thought about getting his own stagecoach.
If he took the golden route from Setherburg to South City, after deducting expenses, he could probably earn four to five silver coins a day, which would amount to about one thousand eight hundred silver coins a year, equivalent to one hundred and eighty gold coins. In this way, he could earn back the money for the carriage in five or six years.
If maintained well, a carriage could be used for about ten years.
Just thinking about earning nearly two hundred gold coins a year made Baz extremely excited.
However, Baz knew that this was just wishful thinking on his part. A carriage would cost seven to eight hundred gold coins, which he couldn't afford.
Baz had never considered stealing from his own hunting targets.
That would be quite foolish, as Baz knew the old man was well aware of every theft that occurred on the streets, even knowing exactly how much the victims had lost.
Taking one or two gold coins might be acceptable, but anything more was out of the question.
Baz had witnessed several times how the old man dealt with Golden Fingers who broke the rules, with the minimum punishment being finger severing.
As for those who dared to resist or escape, the riverbed east of Lai was their final resting place.
No one could deceive the old man, and no one could escape the manhunt orders issued by the boss.
There was a figure under the boss that terrified everyone.
Just the thought of Herbert made even bold and reckless individuals like Baz shudder uncontrollably.
Herbert could be said to be the strongest assassin in the entire Kingdom of Florance, and no one could escape his pursuit.
This was the reason the boss had been able to sit securely in his position for thirty years, and also why the United Union in South City and the Lord of Setherburg, despite knowing that the headquarters of the thieves' guild that covered most of the southern region was in Lai, a town not the largest but not the smallest in the southern region, had never launched a large-scale eradication operation.
They didn't want to lose their lives inexplicably in their sleep.
Moreover, no foreign thieves' guild had ever been able to establish itself in the south, and this was also thanks to Herbert.
Therefore, any deception towards the boss and the old man seemed utterly foolish.
Perhaps the only way to raise such a sum of money without breaking the rules would be to go independent after splitting out.
But after splitting out, there would be many other challenges waiting for him, and the situation might become even more difficult than it was now.
Throughout the journey to South City, Baz was lost in his thoughts.
However, he didn't forget his mission.
As the stagecoach was about to enter South City, Baz quietly jumped off the carriage, using the next kilometer of road to stretch his stiff limbs.
Baz walked along the stagecoach road towards South City.
South City was ten times larger than Lai.
At the same time, South City was a relatively new city with a short history.
Like all new cities, South City was full of vitality but also inevitably a bit chaotic.
Looking down from the hill, South City curved along the coastline in a crescent shape. The roads branching off were not as neat as Lai's, let alone compared to the renowned orderliness of Setherburg.
Along the curved coastline were a dozen large and small docks, with numerous ships docked waiting to load and unload goods.
Countless workers were busy on the docks.
Near the docks were spacious warehouses.
Workers pushed carts in and out, and the goods about to be loaded onto ships were scattered on the docks.
Ores and timber bound for West Bay, fabrics and grains bound for Ithray, all piled up on the crowded docks.
Unloaded from those ships were the famous steeds of West Bay, barrels of fine wine, and the dazzling exquisite silks, blankets, and various glassware from Ithray.
According to the old man, apart from the glassware, those silks and blankets were brought from even more distant places.
The merchants of the Kingdom of Ithray who dealt in these goods were the wealthiest people he had ever heard of.
Baz looked enviously at those magnificent and luxurious items, at the silk and blankets wrapped in thick linen and bundled, at the glassware carefully handled by workers in sturdy wooden crates. Baz was extremely envious.
Each of those items was worth two to three times more than the carriage he had dreamed of.
However, despite his strong desire, Baz knew these were things he couldn't touch.
Even the boss, with his vast connections, had never considered these items. Even if one successfully stole them, there would be no way to sell them.
No merchant would be willing to purchase such expensive goods of unknown origin, as they didn't dare offend the United Union in South City, which specialized in these goods. It would be a losing proposition.
Stealing these valuable commodities would also greatly anger the United Union in South City, the one thing they couldn't tolerate. The boss didn't want to sour relations with South City to that extent.
Baz once thought about getting his own stagecoach in the future.
If he traveled the golden route from Setherburg to Southport, after deducting expenses each day, he could probably earn around four to five silver coins. That would amount to about one thousand eight hundred silver coins a year, equivalent to one hundred and eighty gold coins. In this way, after five or six years, he could earn back the money for the carriage.
If well maintained, a stagecoach could be used for about ten years.
Just the thought of earning nearly two hundred gold coins a year made Baz extremely excited.
However, Baz knew that this was just wishful thinking on his part. A stagecoach would cost seven to eight hundred gold coins, which he couldn't afford.
Baz had never considered stealing from his fellow thieves. That would be quite foolish, as Baz knew the old man was well aware of every theft that occurred on the streets, even down to how much the victim had lost.
Taking one or two gold coins from there might be possible, but anything more was out of the question.
Baz had witnessed several times how the old man dealt with those who didn't play by the rules, and at the very least, cutting off a finger was the minimum punishment.
As for those who dared to resist or flee, the riverbed of the eastern Lai River was their final resting place.
No one could deceive the old man, and no one could escape the manhunt he ordered.
Under the old man's command was a figure that terrified everyone.
Just the thought of Herbert made even Baz, a bold and reckless fellow, shudder uncontrollably.
Herbert could be said to be the strongest assassin in the entire Kingdom of Florance, and no one could escape his pursuit.
This was the reason the old man had been able to sit in his position for thirty years, and also why the United Union in Southport and the Lord of Setherburg, despite knowing that the headquarters of the Thieves' Guild, which covered most of the southern region, was in Lai, a town not the largest but not the smallest in the south, had never launched a large-scale crackdown.
They didn't want to lose their lives in their sleep for no reason.
Moreover, no foreign Thieves' Guild had ever been able to establish itself in the south, thanks to Herbert.
Therefore, any attempt to deceive the old man and the old man would be considered foolish.
Perhaps the only way to raise such a sum of money without breaking the rules would be to go independent after the split.
But after the split, there would be many other challenges waiting for him, and the situation might be even more difficult than it was now.
On the way to Southport, Baz was lost in his thoughts.
However, he didn't forget his mission.
As the stagecoach was about to enter Southport, Baz quietly jumped off the carriage, using the next kilometer of road to stretch his stiff limbs.
Baz walked along the stage road towards Southport.
Southport was a city ten times larger than Lai.
At the same time, Southport was a relatively new city with a short history.
Like all new cities, Southport was full of vitality but also inevitably a bit chaotic.
Looking down from the hill, Southport formed a crescent-shaped curve along the coastline. The roads branching off were not as neat as Lai, let alone compared to the strictness of Setherburg.
On that curved coastline were a dozen or so docks of various sizes, with numerous ships moored at the docks waiting to load and unload goods.
Countless workers were busy on the docks.
Near the docks, there were spacious warehouses everywhere.
Workers pushed carts in and out, and the goods about to be loaded onto the ships were scattered on the docks.
The ore and timber bound for Westbay, the cloth and grain bound for Ithray, were all piled up on the crowded docks.
And what was unloaded from those ships were the famous steeds of Westbay, barrels of fine wine, and the dazzling silk, blankets, and various glassware brought from Ithray.
According to the old man, except for the glassware, the silk and blankets were brought from even more distant places.
The merchants of the Kingdom of Ithray who dealt in these goods were the richest people he had ever heard of.
Baz looked enviously at those gorgeous and extravagant items, at the silk and blankets wrapped in thick linen and bundled, at the glassware carefully moved by workers in sturdy wooden crates. Baz was extremely envious.
Each of those items was worth two to three times what he had dreamed of for that carriage.
However, despite his longing, Baz knew these were things he couldn't touch.
Not even the old man, with all his power, had ever considered these items. Even if these expensive goods were successfully stolen, there would be no way to fence them.
No merchant would be willing to purchase such expensive goods of unknown origin, as they dared not offend the United Union in Southport, which specialized in these goods. It would be a losing proposition.
And stealing these valuable commodities would also greatly anger the United Union in Southport, the only thing they couldn't tolerate. The old man didn't want to sour relations with Southport to that extent.
For the Thieves' Guild, the prosperity of Southport was the guarantee that they could live better.
Baz warned himself to be cautious.
Entering Southport, unlike Lai, this was an open city with no towering city walls or wide city gates.
The outskirts of Southport were the poorest areas.
Simple shacks were where the dockworkers lived, just slightly better than prisons and slums.
Southport lacked planned drainage facilities, so muddy streets and smelly puddles of dirty water were common sights.
Passing through the outskirts of Southport to the bustling main street.
This was a completely different world, with all kinds of shops lining the street, and various luxurious signs everywhere.
Even in Lai, the most upscale shops at most hung a delicate tapestry at the entrance, which was already quite prestigious.
But in Southport, tapestries and silk curtains were everywhere. Most signs were hollowed-out gilded bronze plaques or elegant lacquered signboards.
Even in a few of the most luxurious shops, there were two large vases one person high at the entrance, artworks from distant lands brought from Ithray.
As for the shops decorated with peacock feathers and pheasant feathers that Baz had never seen before, they were considered quite shabby in this place.
Walking on this dazzling and bustling street, Baz felt like he had become a wealthy person.
He watched the passersby.
Southport was a prosperous city, and most people on the streets were dressed very elegantly. Baz's outfit didn't stand out much in this place.
The bustling street was filled with people, and luxurious silk and precious animal furs were nothing special here.
The most eye-catching group were the foreigners dressed in exotic attire.
Southport's docks and bustling commercial streets were free of stagnant water, but Southport didn't welcome carriages, as carriages would bring stagnant water from elsewhere.
In the most bustling areas of Southport, public carriages slowly moved along with long open carriages.
They were free.
Baz was quite amazed by this novelty the first time he came to Southport.
But now Baz wasn't as naive as before, he hopped onto a slowly moving public carriage.
As the carriage moved slowly, Baz comfortably admired the scenery on both sides.
On both sides of the bustling streets of Southport, besides the shops selling frighteningly expensive goods, there were also many elegantly decorated and luxurious restaurants.
Baz got off the carriage at the most bustling commercial center of Southport and started wandering around.
In Southport, if customers didn't speak first, the shop assistants wouldn't actively greet them. It was quite common in Southport to visit shops without buying anything, and it was called "strolling the streets."
Baz temporarily joined the crowd strolling the streets, and at each shop, he would go in and browse around.
Most of the shops in Southport were quite luxurious in decoration, and the hired shop assistants were also quite outstanding. In Baz's eyes, every person seemed suitable for playing a new role.
To establish oneself in the most bustling shops in Southport, being clever and knowing how to cater to customers was the minimum requirement, and a neat appearance was also essential.
However, Baz didn't know what their personalities were like. Were they easy to control, did they have the courage to play a new role, and not dare to betray?
At the same time, those who had been in such a place for a long time were also not suitable. Although the old man said it shouldn't be wrong to look for someone nearby, if someone who had been to Southport came, the likelihood of a mistake was quite high.
Just as Baz looked around and still hadn't found anything particularly satisfying.
Suddenly, he heard someone behind him scolding, "You're slacking off again. I've told you several times, and you don't listen. Be careful, or I'll kick you out."
Baz turned around and saw a slightly hunched middle-aged man sternly reprimanding a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy behind him.
The fearful look in the boy's eyes caught Baz's attention.
The boy's fair face showed a look of panic and fear, his body shrinking back as if trying to hide in the darkness behind him. His hands were tightly clasped in front of his chest, twisting anxiously, eyes downcast, avoiding the middle-aged man's gaze.
"What's going on?" A bald, fat man emerged from behind the counter. The fat man was dressed very neatly, not luxurious but not cheap either.
"I asked him to move those porcelain items into the display window. They just arrived this month, and this kid has been dragging his feet for a long time." The middle-aged man said respectfully.
"There's no need to shout like that. What if you startle the customers?" The fat man said.
"Yes, yes, but this kid is lazy all day long. I think we should find someone else." The middle-aged man said.
"Let's see. Besides occasionally daydreaming, this kid is quite diligent." The fat man casually replied to the middle-aged man, then turned to the boy with a stern face and said, "Working here is your good fortune. The old man took pity on you and took you in. Be careful in your work and repay the old man. You need to find a way to get rid of the habit of daydreaming when working. If something really goes wrong, I'll have to kick you out. Remember, if you leave here, you won't have anywhere else to go, understand? Get to work."
After saying these words, the fat man turned back to the middle-aged man and said, "No matter what happens in the future, no shouting or yelling, understand? Courtesy is the key to wealth. You've been here for more than ten years, and you still don't understand this principle."
With that, the fat man went back behind the counter to attend to his own affairs.
"Get back to work!" The middle-aged man shouted at the boy.
Baz observed the situation from beginning to end and thought that the boy was quite a suitable candidate.
However, he didn't rush to make a decision, turned around and walked out of the shop, remembering the sign of this shop, and then went back to stroll the streets.
After all, he had three days, and Baz wasn't in a hurry to get things done.
Southport was a rare visit for Baz, so he decided to take a break and left the commercial street to wander around a couple of side streets.
The small streets were filled with stagnant water, so there weren't many pedestrians, nor were there any wealthy people, but after searching for a while, there would always be some gains.
When Baz emerged from the small streets, his pockets were already full of coins.
Satisfied with his earnings, Baz had no intention of continuing, but he also wasn't worried about being caught.
If someone lost a money pouch in those waterlogged streets, most people would first search there, which would take a lot of time.
And Baz was certain that there wouldn't be any plainclothes officers in such places.
Now all he had to do was change his clothes, which was quite easy.
Baz randomly picked a set of clothes on the street and no longer needed to worry about those two money pouches. He strolled around the streets until most shops closed for the night.
Taking advantage of the closing time, Baz returned to the shop he had noted down.
Sure enough, he saw the boy laboriously tidying up the shop sign and decorations in front of the shop, then closing the heavy iron gate.
Quietly following the boy, Baz arrived at the outskirts where commoners lived.
It was a damp and muddy alley, filled with a sour vinegar smell. Baz figured this place must be where leather was processed in Southport.
Not wanting to expose his target too early, the muddy road allowed Baz to keep a safe distance.
He closely followed the footprints on the ground until he reached a small courtyard.
In the courtyard were three simple houses, with a wisp of smoke rising from the house on the west, and voices could be heard inside.
Baz leaned in to listen.
Indeed, it was the boy speaking excitedly, "Aunt Jenny, do you know? Today, we received a lot of porcelain items in the shop. Those porcelain items are so exquisite, as white as milk, as bright and clean as the moon. The bottom of the porcelain is painted with beautiful patterns, the fish look alive, and there are strange and beautiful aquatic plants that I've never seen before, often appearing in artworks from the East. But we don't have them here. Round, wide leaves, long straight stems, bright and large flowers, so beautiful."
"You were scolded by the second shopkeeper again today, right?" an elderly woman's voice said.
"How did you guess?" the boy asked.
"As soon as you see these things, you get distracted. Besides, that hunchback is just waiting to kick you out. He wants to place his nephew there. I've told you so many times, those things are not what you should be paying attention to. Those porcelain items must be very expensive, and you'll never be able to afford one in your lifetime. Even for your boss, who is considered a wealthy person, those porcelain items are just for display. Even if it's your boss, he can't bear to use them himself. Those things are specifically for noble families to collect. You, on the other hand, should work hard, establish yourself first, so that the hunchback can't get rid of you, then endure for seven or eight years, study a bit in your spare time, learn how to calculate, and rise to a position in procurement or accounting. By then, the stinky hunchback won't be able to do anything to you."
"I know, Aunt Jenny, but why don't you let me go with Uncle to sail? I really want to be a sailor, to Westbay, to Ithray, and even further to the East."
"Forget it, you're young and don't know how tough it is. I'm worried sick following your uncle. As long as he comes back safely, I'm happier than anything. Sailing is quite dangerous. You can hear about ships sinking at the docks every day. Besides shipwrecks, go to the docks and see, which sailor who has worked for more than ten years still has a good physique? Sailors are prone to illness, and once they get sick, there's no way to treat them. Your uncle is full of injuries and illnesses. He's just waiting to be transferred to the warehouse at the docks to handle the goods in a few years, and have a peaceful meal."
"Aunt Jenny, I still want to go out to sea to see."
"Then you can talk to your boss. After you endure for seven or eight years, maybe your boss will let you accompany him in his overseas business. That's much better than being a sailor. It's for your own good. Your parents have passed away, and your uncle and I don't have children. We've watched you grow up and treated you as our own child. Your uncle and I don't want you to follow his path. Your uncle knows the sailor profession very well. It's a tough, dangerous, and dead-end job."
"I know you're looking out for me, I know..."
Eavesdropping by the wall, Baz roughly understood the boy's background from this conversation.
For a newcomer, such a background was quite suitable—no parents, only two relatives who weren't really family, one of whom was away at sea all year round.
Baz made up his mind and contentedly returned to the street.
Southport was a gathering place for merchants from all over, so inns were a highly developed business here.
You could find all kinds of inns here, and even for someone like Baz, who could sleep comfortably even in a prison cell, the simplest inn room wouldn't bother him.
Before it got completely dark, Baz found a cheap inn on the outskirts of Southport that had single rooms. It was a place that served small merchants and shop owners.
Surprisingly, this simple inn even had hot water for baths.
Baz never missed out on such luxuries.
As he relaxed in the large tub, Baz pondered over everything he had seen and heard that day. The boy was a good choice, and now it was time to plan his next move.
But for Baz, a rare visit to Southport required some good fun, especially when his pockets were full of coins. How to make the most of the next day to enjoy himself became the top consideration on Baz's mind.
Southport was a place where it was quite easy to spend money, but also a place where you could have a great time without spending a penny.
Feeling refreshed after coming out of the tub, Baz felt light all over. He spent a silver coin at the counter to buy a large glass of beer before returning to his room to rest.
The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Baz forced himself to get out of bed.
Baz wasn't a morning person, and not a single gold finger liked to wake up early.
Morning was definitely not the best time for a fruitful harvest.
However, in Southport, Baz didn't want to waste a single hour.
His enjoyable vacation had begun. Baz stretched comfortably and put on his coat before walking out of the inn's door.