Bai waited beside the hospital loading court while Porter Huo checked the next wagon. A string of colored tags marked each crate by origin and destination. The tag on one box carried an Ashfall furnace stamp.
“Where does this container go after the industrial ward?” Bai asked.
Huo looked at the tag. “Used containers return to the sorting depot near the south canal.”
“Does the batch code travel with it?”
“It stays on the tag until the depot sorts it. The code covers the medicine lot and delivery schedule.”
Bai wrote down the depot name, then stopped. “If you’re busy, I can pay for the route information.”
“No need. I’m not selling the tag.” Huo pointed at a handcart approaching the gate. “I am trying to get the linen through.”
Courier Lin pushed the cart toward them. The front wheel struck a broken curb and stopped. The linen crate rocked. Bai caught its corner before it tipped.
