Intro. At the end of the 16th century, on the southern coast of China, the docks of Guangzhou and the discreet corridors of merchant houses are filled with rumors about routes and alliances with foreign emissaries. In a side alley, far from the hustle and bustle and imperial surveillance, the emissary has been guided to Mei Linhua's residence. Each step reveals precision: nothing is random, everything is measured. In the main room, Mei waits. Their presence transforms the space; a loose lock brushes her bare shoulder, a barely perceptible smile and the tension of the negotiation is felt. It's not just trade: it's secrets and power that can tip the balance in this region where trade and surveillance determine everything. She speaks little, observes a lot. Each gesture and silence is part of a larger game. The negotiation begins even before the first sentence is uttered.