In the wards and markets of Chang'an, the Chamber of Commerce's pricing oversight team was out on patrol again. Huwa rode in his ox-cart made of green wood, which was loaded with "abacus eyes" that automatically scanned price tags. The loudspeaker played a looped recording: "Prices marked up over 20%? Garlic fines are coming your way!" But this time, the merchants' "countermeasures" left him staring in disbelief.
First trick: Schrödinger's Price Tag
In front of silk merchant Manager Liu's stall, the price tag featured a moving Taiji Flag. "This is 'dynamic pricing'!" Manager Liu shook his abacus. "The brighter the sun, the cheaper the fabric; the rounder the moon, the higher the price!" Huwa pulled out an "abacus eye" and scanned it. Sure enough, it fell within the normal fluctuation range. But just as he was about to leave, Su Wanyue suddenly lifted the fabric curtain—the back room concealed a giant sundial and a model of the moon, all of them mechanical devices used to manipulate prices!
"This is cheating!" Huwa brandished a garlic-peel ticket. Manager Liu made a bitter face. "Isn't this just me learning the 'yin-yang changes' of Taiji?" In the end, as punishment, he was ordered to embroider one hundred glowing characters for "integrity" on the alliance flag, using embroidery thread mixed with garlic peels.
Second trick: The Thousand-Layer Routine of Buy-One-Get-One
Manager Wang's rouge shop hung a banner proclaiming "Buy One, Get Three Free." Huwa cautiously approached. …
Chapter 563