Chapter 258: Ministry of Revenue
The Ministry of Revenue was not far off from the primary entrance of the Baishi Mall. Like the entrance, it was a pagoda, except it was shorter and wider. Rather than red with gold, it was white with black accents. The pagoda rose several stories high, its tiered roof of sweeping eaves that curved upwards towards the sky. Flanking the entrance were two stone lion statues.
Kazi and David were intercepted by two guards in yellow fancy gis. No doubt now, this property belonged to the the Imperial Sect.
"State your purpose."
David showed a white parchment with black text: a Geas of Service, stamped forty days ago.
Kazi beamed at them, confident and not one bit nervous. He was supposed to be here, so why be nervous? "We await Prince Yuzin."
The two guards nodded and gave way to them. "Enter. Prince Yuzin will be waiting at the top floor."
So they walked and walked and walked. Apparently, there were only stairs in this building, forcing them to witness the chaos of every floor. Lots of desks, lots of people, and lots of Dove Pigeons swooping in and out. Surprisingly, the place was quiet. Dasha surmised this place functioned as a support center for owners and workers of the Baishi Mall, which housed over two thousand stores, on top of everything else.
The staircase went in a spiral at the edges of the interior. There was some resistance as they made their way up to the office of Prince Yuzi, some questions on who they were and why they were here.
"An appointment with Prince Yuzin," Kazi would say, flashing the letter, and everytime they would let him through. Not every floor was guarded but it appeared the vital ones were.
Five minutes of walking up stairs later and they arrived at the seventh and final floor. Lavish furnishings and decorations befitting the stature of a Prince of the Second Rank came into sight. The bookshelves were filled with accounting records. Every room had been but this was different.
The prince stood on top of a desk of carved lacquer. His posture was impeccable, his back straight and his legs crossed in a traditional lotus position. He was as still as the four stacks of paper surrounding him. His face was framed by a neatly trimmed moustache.