I woke on the third day after the Frost Wolf negotiation to find my chambers unusually crowded.
Father stood by the window, his expression grim. Liefeng leaned against the wall, hand resting on his sword hilt in a way that suggested he expected to need it soon. Wenxuan sat at my desk reviewing papers with tight, controlled movements that indicated stress. Even Mother was present, which meant the situation was serious.
Liu Ruyan noticed my stirring and immediately moved to help me sit up. "How do you feel?"
"Like I've been unconscious for three days. What happened?"
"The Blood Serpent Gang sent a message," Father said without preamble. "Delivered this morning by one of their enforcers. Bai Wuchang demands immediate meeting to 'discuss our changing circumstances.'"
My enhanced analysis activated automatically, running through implications. The Frost Wolf partnership would have reached the Blood Serpent Gang quickly—information traveled fast in the Northern Wasteland. And to someone like Bai Wuchang, our new alliance would look like a threat to his control.
"He sees us aligning with a more powerful protector," I said, my voice still rough from disuse. "Thinks we're trying to escape his tributary arrangement."
"That's our assessment as well," Wenxuan confirmed. "The message was polite on the surface but the subtext was clear—comply immediately or face consequences."
"When does he want this meeting?"
"Today. At noon. Here in our compound." Father's jaw tightened. "He's coming with ten men, supposedly as escort but actually as intimidation. He wants us to feel vulnerable in our own home."
I glanced at the window, noting the sun's position. "What time is it now?"
"Two hours past dawn. You have four hours to recover enough to attend."
"Attend?" Mother protested. "He collapsed from exhaustion three days ago. He should be resting, not facing gang leaders."
"I agree with Mother," Liu Ruyan said firmly. "少主—Hanxing—is in no condition for another high-stakes negotiation."
"Unfortunately, I don't have a choice." I pushed myself more upright despite my body's protests. "Bai Wuchang will interpret my absence as weakness or fear. And he specifically requested my presence in the message."
Liefeng straightened from the wall. "That's concerning. Why would he specifically want the invalid strategic advisor present unless he plans something?"
"Because he recognizes I'm the one making decisions, regardless of my physical condition. He wants to assess whether I can be intimidated or controlled." I looked at Father. "What are you planning to tell him?"
"The truth—that we've formed a mutually beneficial trade partnership with the Frost Wolf Sect that doesn't affect our arrangement with him. We still pay our tribute as agreed. Nothing has changed from his perspective."
"Except everything has changed from his perspective. We've demonstrated we can negotiate with major powers. We're no longer isolated and vulnerable. That changes the power dynamic entirely."
"So what do you suggest?"
I closed my eyes, running scenarios through my enhanced analysis. Bai Wuchang was intelligent, calculating, and threatened by our improving position. He needed to reassert control or appear weak to his own organization.
"He'll demand something," I said. "Either increased tribute, exclusive arrangements that conflict with Frost Wolf partnership, or some other concession that demonstrates we're still under his control. We need to give him something that preserves his pride without actually compromising our position."
"Like what?" Wenxuan asked.
"Information. We offer him preferential intelligence about regional market conditions, weapon demand trends, merchant activities. Frame it as reciprocal benefit—we're stronger with Frost Wolf protection, which means more profitable, which means we can provide him better intelligence about regional economics. He gets valuable information without looking like we're defying him."
Father considered this. "That's subtle manipulation. Will he accept it?"
"Depends on how desperate he is to maintain control versus how pragmatic he's willing to be. But it gives him an off-ramp that preserves face while acknowledging our changed circumstances."
"And if he refuses the off-ramp?" Liefeng asked. "If he demands direct concessions or tries to force us into impossible positions?"
"Then we find out whether the Frost Wolf protection guarantee actually means anything."
The room fell silent at that. We were gambling that Shen Bingxue would honor her agreement despite it being only days old and largely untested.
"I'll send word to the Frost Wolf Sect," Father decided. "Inform them of the meeting and that we may need to invoke the protection clause. They should at least be aware of the situation."
"Send it via Merchant Zhao," I suggested. "Formal but not panicked. We're informing our partner of a potential complication, not begging for rescue."
After Father left to arrange the message, Mother approached my bedside. "You're taking too many risks. First the Frost Wolves, now this. Your body can't sustain this pace."
"My body doesn't have a choice. The threats don't wait for convenient recovery times."
"Then let others handle it. Your father, your siblings—they're all capable."
"They are. But Bai Wuchang specifically requested me because he knows I'm the strategic mind. My absence would be interpreted as retreat, which would embolden him to push harder."
She looked like she wanted to argue further but instead just took my hand. "Then at least eat properly before the meeting. And let Liu Ruyan help you dress in formal robes—if you must face a predator, do it looking like clan leadership rather than an invalid."
After everyone left except Liu Ruyan, I attempted to stand and immediately discovered my legs had different ideas about supporting weight.
"Three days of unconsciousness has consequences," Liu Ruyan observed, catching me before I fell. "This one insists you eat, bathe, and allow proper preparation time. No rushing into meetings without basic self-care."
She was right, though I resented the time it took. The bath was awkward—I required assistance for everything, which Liu Ruyan provided with professional efficiency that somehow maintained both my dignity and my awareness of how dependent I'd become on her care.
"You've seen me at my absolute weakest," I said as she helped me into formal robes. "Most people would find that undignified."
"This one finds it human. Everyone requires help sometimes. You simply require it more obviously than most." She adjusted the collar with careful precision. "And Hanxing—you may be physically weak, but this one has never seen you actually helpless. Weakness and helplessness are not the same thing."
The distinction mattered more than she probably realized. Weakness was a physical state. Helplessness was a mental one. I could work with weakness.
By the time Bai Wuchang arrived at precisely noon, I was seated in the main hall looking—if not healthy—at least formally composed. Father sat at the head of the table, Mother beside him. Liefeng stood behind them, hand on sword hilt. Huiyue and Wenxuan flanked the table's sides. Liu Ruyan positioned herself near my chair, close enough to assist but not obtrusively so.
We'd arranged the hall deliberately—showing unity, preparation, and respect without submission.
Bai Wuchang entered with his ten men, his thin scholar's face arranged in a pleasant smile that didn't reach his cold eyes. He'd dressed in formal gang colors—dark red leather that had probably cost more than our entire household budget.
"Clan Lord Tie," he said with precise courtesy. "Thank you for receiving me on such short notice. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
"Not at all, Gang Leader Bai. Please, sit. We've prepared tea."
The formality was a dance—both sides maintaining civilized veneer while maneuvering for position. Bai Wuchang took the offered seat, his men arranging themselves behind him in mirror to our own formation.
"I understand congratulations are in order," Bai Wuchang said as tea was poured. "A partnership with the Frost Wolf Sect. Quite an accomplishment for a clan that was nearly bankrupt mere months ago."
"We've been fortunate in our improvements," Father replied carefully.
"Fortunate. Yes." Bai Wuchang's gaze shifted to me. "And I hear Young Master Hanxing was instrumental in negotiating that partnership. The invalid strategic advisor proving surprisingly effective."
"I assisted where possible," I said. "My sister handled most of the practical arrangements."
"Modest. How refreshing." He sipped his tea, eyes never leaving mine. "But let's dispense with pleasantries. We both know why I'm here. Your new partnership with the Frost Wolves changes our arrangement."
"How so?" Father asked. "We still pay tribute as agreed. The Frost Wolf partnership is purely commercial—weapon sales in exchange for protection guarantee. It doesn't affect our relationship with the Blood Serpent Gang."
"Doesn't it?" Bai Wuchang set down his cup. "We've provided protection for five years. Suddenly you're paying someone else for the same service. That suggests you no longer value what we provide."
"We value both relationships," I interjected carefully. "The Frost Wolves offer regional-scale protection against major powers. Your organization provides local security and conflict mediation. They're complementary rather than conflicting."
"An interesting interpretation. But here's another perspective—you've demonstrated you can negotiate with major powers, produce superior weapons, and operate profitably. You're no longer the struggling clan that needed our protection. You've outgrown us."
There it was—the core of his concern. We'd become successful enough that our tribute payments looked less like protection fees and more like extortion.
"We haven't outgrown the need for good relationships with local powers," I said. "Success creates new vulnerabilities. The more profitable we become, the more attention we attract. Having multiple layers of protection and partnership serves our interests."
"Then let's discuss what serves my interests." Bai Wuchang leaned forward slightly. "I want the same deal you gave the Frost Wolves. Twenty weapons monthly at market rates, but we get priority over any other buyers. And I want exclusive rights to distribute your weapons in the eastern territories."
My enhanced analysis processed instantly. What he was demanding would give him control over our production and distribution—effectively making us dependent on the Blood Serpent Gang regardless of other partnerships. It was a power play disguised as business negotiation.
"That's not possible," Father said flatly. "Our capacity is limited. The Frost Wolf contract consumes half our production. The remaining half is committed to other buyers."
"Then expand production. Build another forge. You've done it once, do it again."
"Forge construction takes months and significant capital investment—"
"Which you now have, thanks to your improved profitability." Bai Wuchang's smile sharpened. "Unless you're saying you can't afford to maintain good relationships with all your protective partners?"
He was forcing the issue, demanding we choose between partnerships or accept impossible obligations. The threat was clear—comply or he'd find ways to make our lives difficult.
I activated my analysis, burning another daily search:
'Query: Gang psychology, face-saving negotiations with organized crime, strategies for managing multiple competing protectors.'
The information crystallized into a strategy. Bai Wuchang needed to maintain face with his organization—showing he wasn't being displaced by the Frost Wolves. But he was also pragmatic enough to accept alternatives if presented properly.
"Gang Leader Bai," I said, drawing his attention. "You're absolutely right that our relationship needs adjustment given changed circumstances. But demanding production capacity we don't have creates problems for everyone. May I propose an alternative?"
"I'm listening."
"You mentioned exclusive distribution rights in eastern territories. What if we offered you something more valuable—exclusive intelligence rights instead? We're now connected to multiple merchant networks, the Frost Wolf information system, and our own commercial relationships. We see market trends, supply chain shifts, and economic opportunities before most. That intelligence has significant value for someone in your position."
His expression shifted to genuine interest. "Intelligence rights?"
"We provide you weekly reports on regional economic activities, merchant movements, weapon demands, and market opportunities. Information that helps you position your organization advantageously. Plus, we give you first notice of any unusual security concerns we observe—potential threats, rival gang activities, anything that affects the region's stability."
"In exchange for?"
"Current tribute arrangement continues unchanged. You maintain face as our long-standing protective partner. We maintain operational flexibility for production and distribution. Everyone benefits without impossible obligations."
Bai Wuchang was quiet, considering. I could see the calculation in his eyes—weighing the value of intelligence versus direct control, considering how this would look to his organization, assessing whether accepting meant losing or simply adapting.
"Weekly intelligence reports," he said finally. "Detailed, actionable, and delivered by you personally. I want to know you're actually committed to this arrangement rather than having servants bring me useless summaries."
"Agreed. I'll deliver reports personally as health permits, with Sister Huiyue as alternate if I'm incapacitated."
"And the tribute increases by five taels per season. Not as protection payment—as intelligence service fee. Makes it clear we're partners providing mutual value rather than us just taking your money."
"Three taels increase," I countered. "Intelligence work has costs in time and resources. Five taels would make it unprofitable."
"Four taels. Final offer."
I glanced at Father, who gave a subtle nod. Four taels additional per season was manageable given our improved profitability, and framing it as payment for intelligence services rather than increased protection tribute was clever face-saving.
"Agreed. Four taels additional per season, structured as intelligence service fee. First report delivered next week."
Bai Wuchang stood, his men following suit. He extended his hand across the table. "You continue to surprise me, Young Master Hanxing. Most people in your position would have simply agreed to impossible demands and then failed to deliver. You negotiated terms that actually work."
I took his hand—his grip was firm but not crushing, calculating rather than aggressive. "I prefer arrangements where all parties actually benefit. Easier to maintain long-term."
"Pragmatic wisdom from someone so young and sickly." He released my hand and turned to Father. "Clan Lord Tie, I'll have my scribe prepare formal documentation of our new arrangement. And I'll be watching your clan's continued success with great interest."
After they left, the tension in the hall released like a drawn bowstring suddenly cut. Father sagged slightly in his chair, Mother's shoulders dropped, and even Liefeng's hand left his sword hilt.
"That was too close," Father said. "If he'd pushed harder, we might have had to choose between him and the Frost Wolves."
"He's too intelligent to force that choice," I said. "He recognized that trying to displace an established Frost Wolf partnership would create conflict he couldn't win. Better to adapt and maintain influence through different means."
"Four taels additional per season is significant," Wenxuan observed. "But manageable. And if the intelligence reports actually provide value to him, he'll protect the arrangement rather than looking for excuses to escalate again."
"Assuming we can actually provide valuable intelligence," Huiyue said. "We're committing to weekly reports of information we may not have."
"We'll have it. Between your merchant networks, Uncle Qingsong's farmer contacts, and various servants who hear gossip, we see more than we realize. I just need to systematize the collection and analysis."
Liu Ruyan, who'd been silent throughout the negotiation, spoke quietly. "This one will help coordinate information gathering from household servants. They hear everything but rarely think it's important."
"Perfect. Between us, we can provide Bai Wuchang enough useful intelligence to justify the arrangement." I tried to stand and my legs immediately protested. "Now I need to lie down before I collapse again."
"This one agrees," Liu Ruyan said, immediately supporting my weight. "Two negotiations in three days is excessive even by your standards of poor self-care."
As she helped me back to my chambers, I reflected on the past week. Two major powers negotiated with successfully. Partnerships established that should—in theory—protect us from immediate threats. Our survival probability continuing to climb.
But underneath the success, I felt the weight of accumulated obligations. Twenty blades monthly to Frost Wolves. Weekly intelligence reports to Blood Serpent Gang. Normal production for regular customers. All while trying to expand capacity, improve the mine, and maintain the family's actual welfare.
We'd bought survival. But the price was constant performance under increasingly complex constraints.
"You're thinking too hard again," Liu Ruyan observed as she helped me to bed. "This one can tell by the expression."
"Just calculating obligations and capacity. Making sure we haven't committed to more than we can deliver."
"You always deliver. Sometimes at great cost to yourself, but you always deliver." She adjusted the blankets around me. "This one worries more about the cost than the delivery."
"The cost is manageable."
"Is it? You collapsed for three days after the Frost Wolf negotiation. You can barely stand after today's meeting. How many more times can you push yourself before the cost becomes permanent damage?"
It was a fair question I didn't have a good answer for. The Memory Treasure Vault was still integrating—currently at 92 percent—and each percentage seemed to come with physical price. My body was improving slowly, but not fast enough to match the demands being placed on it.
"I'll rest when I can," I said, which wasn't really an answer.
"That is what this one feared you would say." She settled into her chair with a resigned sigh. "Then this one will continue ensuring 'when you can' happens more often than 'when you must.'"
"You're very stubborn about my health."
"Someone must be, since you certainly are not."
As consciousness faded toward much-needed sleep, my last coherent thought was that I'd somehow accumulated a collection of people who cared enough to be stubborn about keeping me alive.
That was either heartwarming or terrifying, depending on perspective.
Probably both.
---
'MEMORY TREASURE VAULT'
'DAILY SEARCHES REMAINING: 1/3'
'INTEGRATION STATUS: 92% COMPLETE'
'BLOOD SERPENT NEGOTIATION: SUCCESSFUL'
'TERMS: 4 TAELS ADDITIONAL, WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE REPORTS'
'TOTAL MONTHLY OBLIGATIONS: 20 BLADES (FROST WOLVES), INTELLIGENCE REPORTS (BLOOD SERPENTS), REGULAR SALES (OTHER BUYERS)'
'CLAN SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 86%'
'WARNING: OBLIGATION COMPLEXITY APPROACHING SUSTAINABLE LIMITS'
'USER PHYSICAL CONDITION: SEVERELY DEPLETED AGAIN'
'RECOMMENDATION: EXTENDED REST PERIOD REQUIRED'
'NEXT INTEGRATION MILESTONE: 95% (ESTIMATED: 2-3 WEEKS)'
---