My dao to eternity

The name reached Li Fan the way most things reached him in Quiet River Town — sideways, through the mouths of people who didn't know they were telling him anything important.

He was in Widow Bai's stall buying dried plums when he heard it. Two porters stood near the grain scales, voices lowered but not lowered enough, one of them rubbing at a bruise along his jaw.

"Third time this month," the man said. "Blood River wants two strings of coppers now. Used to be one."

"Tell the magistrate."

"Tell him what. That men with knives walked into my shop and I gave them what they asked for because I didn't want my skull opened. He'll write it down and nothing happens. Nothing ever happens."

Li Fan paid for the plums and left without turning his head.