Ayt Mada, who’d always believed in one clan controlling the global jade supply, had found a way to bring much of the black market jade trade under her purview, creating what amounted to a black market shadow of the KJA, with only one clan—the Mountain—in the cartel.
In the Twice Lucky, with Fuyin’s body on the table, Hilo had demanded to know, How the fuck is the Mountain outspending us and stealing our businesses with tribute rates that we know are unsustainable? Now Shae knew the answer. The key to Ayt Mada’s war chest was here in Lukang.
Her heart began to pound. She forced composure back into her body, not wanting the men to Perceive how important it was that she win them over. Ayt no doubt considered some disorder and crime in Lukang a small price to pay for ensuring that the barukan gangs remained her cooperative partners in controlling the illegal jade triangle that now existed between Kekon, the Uwiwa Islands, and Ygutan. If No Peak could ally with Six Hands Unity to seize incoming jade at the ports, she could deprive the Mountain of its stockpile and drive a wedge between Ayt and Iyilo. She said, calmly, “Jio-jen, I knew the Mountain was allied with the barukan, but I didn’t realize until now that it was to such an extent as to cause harm to your city.”
Jio blew out a troubled breath. “The Mountain is never going to care about the city of Lukang the way Six Hands Unity does. I want our local Lantern Men to be able to expand their businesses overseas. That’s where the growth opportunities are now. And we need to attract foreign investment and international tourism to our city. My own son wants to go to graduate school in Espenia.” The Pillar eyed Shae with a question in his eyes. “It’s my understanding that the No Peak clan has advantages over the Mountain in those areas.”
Shae gave a single nod, keeping her excitement in check. “You’ve understood correctly, Jio-jen. We have more assets and allies in Espenia than any other clan. If Six Hands Unity were to swear allegiance and tribute, No Peak would gladly offer our friendship and support to you in every way we can.” Too late, she wished she hadn’t been too proud to insist that Hilo come on the trip with her, to lend his natural persuasiveness. “As Weather Man of the clan, I speak on behalf of my brother the Pillar, who’s known for keeping his promises.”
A keyed-up sense of momentum was rising in the room. Jio knew full well that he was on the verge of taking an irrevocable step. By changing allegiances, he would make an enemy of Ayt Mada, something no sane person would want, in the hopes of bettering the prospects for his clan and his city. “The friendship of the No Peak clan is worth a great deal,” he acknowledged. “We’re a small clan in comparison, and don’t have a great many Fists and Fingers, but the ones we do have are as green as they come. We have a strong regional presence and healthy businesses across several industries. Tyne-jen can provide every detail you need.”
The Weather Man of Six Hands Unity acted promptly on this cue and opened a briefcase. He extracted a thick, unmarked manila envelope and placed it on the table in front of Shae. Inside would be details of the clan’s operations: recent financial statements of its wholly owned and tributary businesses, a roster of the clan’s leadership, an accounting of how many Green Bones it commanded and what their ranks were, and any other noteworthy assets the clan possessed, such as alliances with other minor clans or valuable political connections.
Of course, Woon and Luto had already dug up as much information as they could about Six Hands Unity from No Peak’s own sources, so there would likely not be anything in Tyne’s report to surprise her, but the disclosure step was a sign of intention and trust. She expected Jio and Tyne would not be one hundred percent honest—tributary entities might downplay their income in hopes of lower tribute rates, or conversely, pad their claims of wealth or warriors to make themselves more attractive to allies. She would have Luto corroborate the facts and examine the statements for any discrepancies, but the important thing was that the Pillar of Six Hands Unity had come prepared to switch his clan, and thus Lukang, to No Peak rule.
Shae accepted the envelope and placed it inside her bag. “I have no doubt of your word. You’re taking a risk for your clan and city. Let me assure you that No Peak is loyal to its friends, and we’re not without our own power in Lukang.” She held a hand out to Luto, who immediately placed an unmarked envelope of their own into her outstretched palm. She set the envelope in front of Jio and Tyne. It contained a draft agreement of patronage, including how many warriors Juen Nu, the Horn of No Peak, had agreed to redeploy to Lukang to defend Six Hands Unity from potential retaliation by the Mountain （no tributary would switch allegiance unless it could count on protection） as well as an approximate tribute range, to be finalized pending closer inspection of the smaller clan’s books.