Baiqiao Town was nestled beside a gentle river, its streets lined with a mix of bluestone houses and thatched mud homes. The bluestone slabs that paved the roads had been worn smooth by years of foot traffic and the steady passage of horses and carts.
With a population of several thousand, Baiqiao Town was considered one of the largest settlements in the area, a central hub for trade and commerce within a radius of dozens of miles. It earned its name from the grand white marble bridge that spanned the river, the only way in or out of the town.
When Chen Mo and Ma Cai arrived at the town, the sun had just risen, casting a soft golden light over the bustling streets. The town was alive with the sounds of people chatting and the clatter of carts and hooves. It was the fifteenth day of the month—the day of Baiqiao Town's "Big Market." Vendors from dozens of villages, along with itinerant merchants, had come to sell their wares, and the streets were packed with people.
"Today's the big market, so the place is extra busy," Ma Cai said with a wide grin, taking in the scene around him.
"I can see that," Chen Mo said, his eyes scanning the crowd. The marketplace was a good mix of regulars and newcomers, with many faces he didn't recognize.
After a few moments, Ma Cai turned to him with an idea. "Brother Mo, let's find a bathhouse. I haven't had a proper wash in over a month. I think it's time."
Chen Mo nodded in agreement. It had been far too long since he'd had a chance to clean up. "Good idea," he said, following Ma Cai through the busy streets.
Ma Cai led the way to a small but well-kept bathhouse. The sign outside was simple, but the smell of warm steam escaping from inside was inviting. Upon entering, the bathhouse owner greeted them with a friendly puff from his pipe.
"Ten cents for a large pool," he said, scratching his chin. "Or fifty cents for a private cubicle."
The large pool was the communal option, where everyone bathed together, a common sight in the town. The cubicles, separated by wooden screens, provided more privacy and individual bathtubs, but they were far more expensive. Given the cost of charcoal in the winter, a bath was considered a luxury.
"We'll take two cubicles," Ma Cai said, pulling a silver coin from his pocket. He handed it over with a smile.
The bathhouse owner seemed pleasantly surprised. These two men, dressed in simple, rough linen, hadn't looked like they had much silver on them. But once the coin exchanged hands, the owner's attitude shifted immediately. He became overly enthusiastic, eager to please.
"Please, come in, gentlemen!" he said with a welcoming gesture.
As they stepped forward, Ma Cai whispered to Chen Mo, "I'll treat you this time."
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, understanding that Ma Cai had something on his mind. "What's up? Tell me."
Ma Cai rubbed his hands together, his smile a bit awkward. "Could you lend me two taels of silver? My family lives near here, and I was thinking of going home after we're done here."
Chen Mo smiled, already seeing what was coming. "Sure, I can do that. But I don't have change on me right now. I'll break it later and give it to you."
Ma Cai seemed relieved at the answer, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. "Thanks, Brother Mo. I'll pay you back within two months, I swear."
Chen Mo chuckled and patted him on the back. "No rush. I know you'll pay me back."
The bathhouse owner handed them two wooden tokens, which they could present to the bathhouse attendants to have hot water brought to their cubicles.
Inside the bathhouse, steam rose from the many small fires that heated the water. The warmth felt like a balm to Chen Mo's tired body. He took his time, thoroughly washing off the grime of the past month. He used the scissors and razor provided by the bathhouse to trim his hair and shave his face.
In this part of Daqian, it wasn't customary for men to grow beards unless they were older, typically past thirty. Chen Mo, being in his prime, was still expected to maintain a clean-shaven face. As for his hair, he kept it long. In the cold winters, long hair served as a useful insulator against the chill, and it also made wearing a helmet more comfortable. With his new position as General Sun's personal soldier, he would soon be required to wear armor, and he wanted to be prepared.
After finishing his bath and grooming, Chen Mo changed into the clean clothes he had brought. While still made of coarse linen, they were much cleaner and more presentable than what he had worn before.
"Let's go buy some clothes," he said, coming out of his cubicle and finding Ma Cai resting nearby. "I'll buy a few sets for us, and then I'll exchange the money I have left."
Ma Cai's eyes lit up at the mention of new clothes. Baiqiao Town had a few small clothing shops, and one of them was especially familiar to Ma Cai. The two of them made their way to the shop, where the owner greeted them with a smile.
"Silk is the most expensive," Ma Cai explained, "but cotton's not bad. Linen's usually cheaper, though."
Chen Mo bought two sets of cotton tunics, two thick linen coats, two pairs of sturdy shoes, and four pairs of cotton socks. The shopkeeper, a weathered but kind woman, even threw in two square cloth headscarves made from leftover fabric as a bonus.
The total cost came to two taels and seven cents of silver, and Chen Mo didn't hesitate to pay the fair price. As the saying went, "A good reputation is worth more than gold," and the shopkeeper had built her business over several generations. If she were to cheat him, her business would be ruined.
After changing into the new clothes, Chen Mo packed up his old ones and discarded his worn-out shoes. The old clothes weren't worth much, but they were still functional enough for a second use. The shoes, however, were beyond saving.
With his new clothes and a few remaining coins, Chen Mo handed two taels of silver to Ma Cai.
"Here you go. I'll leave you to your family business. I'll be fine on my own," Chen Mo said.
Ma Cai looked relieved and grateful. "Thanks, Brother Mo. I won't be back to the barracks until late tonight, so you should go ahead."
"Just make sure you're back by dawn tomorrow," Chen Mo said. The two men nodded to each other, and then they parted ways.
With his remaining silver, Chen Mo went to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a hearty meal. Afterward, he visited the market, buying a few kilograms of sugar, snacks, and high-quality tobacco leaves, all of which he planned to bring back as gifts for He Maguan, the old man who had done so much for him. He Maguan had given him a lot, including the quilt he slept under, and even turned a blind eye when Chen Mo had "borrowed" some horse feed. Chen Mo didn't consider this a debt that could be repaid with just money, but he wanted to show his appreciation.
After buying the gifts, Chen Mo headed back to the military camp. The trip had left him with only four taels and five cents of silver. He split it up—half in a purse and the other half wrapped in a headscarf. He kept the latter closer to his body as a precaution.
On the way back, he paid two cents to take a donkey cart for part of the journey, leaving only a couple of miles to walk on foot. When he returned to the military camp, Ding Bao was busy with his duties, overseeing two new soldiers as they shoveled manure. Since Chen Mo and Ma Cai had left, he had been the only experienced groom.
Ignoring the noise from the stable, Chen Mo dropped off his package of clothes and headed straight for He Maguan's quarters to deliver the gifts he had bought. He hadn't forgotten the old man's kindness, and he planned to repay it in full before he left.
End