Han Ji

As soon as the carriages and horses entered Lujiang territory, the weather changed.

The dry, crisp air from the north vanished as soon as it crossed the Huai River. The air became heavy and damp, clinging to our faces, impossible to shake off. The trees along the roadside grew wildly, their vines intertwined tightly, a dark, almost blackish green. The sun shone brightly, and heat rose from the soil and puddles, enveloping us and making it difficult to breathe.

Liu Bei rode on the back of Chi Yun, sweat streaming down his forehead and soaking his thick collar. Chi Yun snorted uneasily, its hooves pounding the muddy road with a dull thud.

The curtain of Lu Zhi's carriage was lifted, revealing the profile of the teacher sitting upright inside. Lu Zhi's face was expressionless, his gaze sweeping across both sides of the road.

The further one travels towards Shuxian, the county seat, the more dilapidated the scenery becomes.

Much of the land was abandoned, overgrown with waist-high weeds. Occasionally, a few farmers could be seen, shirtless and emaciated, listlessly pulling weeds in the fields, their eyes numb. Upon seeing the procession of carriages and soldiers, they would flee in terror, like startled rabbits.

Abandoned shacks are often seen along the roadside, with collapsed earthen walls revealing dark holes inside.

"This place..." A man from the north, the leader of the guards following Liu Bei, wiped his sweat and muttered under his breath, "It's eerie. It's even more desolate than our border region."

No one answered. Only the creaking of wheels rolling over potholes could be heard.

As they approached Shuxian County, they encountered a troop of county soldiers. There were about twenty or thirty of them, leaning haphazardly against the shade of a tree by the roadside, their armor disheveled, their spears almost touching the ground. The junior officer in charge, upon seeing Lu Zhi's entourage, hurriedly scrambled to his feet, saluted in his disheveled attire, and wore a fawning yet fearful smile on his face.

Lu Zhi didn't get out of the carriage, but asked through the curtain, "Is there anything unusual ahead?"

The junior officer bowed and scraped, "Reporting to...Reporting to Your Excellency, no, no! Everything is perfectly peaceful!"

Lu Zhi remained silent, and the carriage continued on its way.

Looking at the loosely organized troop of county soldiers, Liu Bei's heart sank. These soldiers, let alone suppressing barbarians, would be barely fit to guard a house.

The city wall of Shuxian finally came into view. The plaster was peeling badly, with several gaps that were haphazardly plugged with branches and mud. A few old soldiers guarded the city gate, dozing off while holding their halberds. They were only awakened by the sound of horses' hooves and looked blankly at the dusty army.

There were no officials to greet them, only a few clerks who looked like lowly clerks huddled in the city gate. When the carriage arrived, they rushed out in a panic and knelt down in a flurry.

"Welcome...Welcome, Your Excellency!"

Lu Zhi then alighted from the carriage. Dressed in formal official robes, he remained impeccably dressed despite the fatigue of his journey. His gaze swept over the several clerks, and his voice, though not loud, carried a chilling edge: "Where are the Prefectural Assistant and the Commandant?"

The leading clerk lowered his head even further, his voice trembling: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Prefect Wang is unwell and is recuperating at his residence. Commandant Li... Commandant Li led his men on patrol outside the city the day before yesterday and has not yet returned."

Lu Zhi's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "Lead the way to the prefectural government."

"Yes! Yes!"

The prefectural government office was equally dilapidated. Most of the paint on the lintel had peeled off, and moss grew in the cracks of the stone steps. The office was deserted, with only a few old officials dozing in the corridor, who were startled awake by footsteps and jumped up in fright.

Lu Zhi walked straight into the main hall. The hall was empty, with a thin layer of dust on the tables.

He stood in the hall and looked around. The accompanying guards quickly dispersed, taking control of the key areas. The clerks who had led the way knelt below, trembling.

"Beat the drum," Lu Zhi ordered.

The guards found drumsticks and struck the dusty drum in front of the hall heavily.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

The dull drumbeats echoed through the empty prefectural government building, startling the birds roosting under the eaves.

The drumbeats continued for a while before people began to arrive in small numbers from various places.

Some were disheveled, some were fastening their belts as they walked, and others looked sleepy, clearly having just gotten out of bed. Each of them wore a look of surprise and uncertainty, secretly observing the new prefect who stood expressionless in the hall.

Lu Zhi remained silent, watching as more and more people gathered below, making a racket like a swarm of headless flies.

It took a full incense stick's time for the people to finally arrive. They stood in two lines, completely silent.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a green official robe, with a pale face, slowly walked into the hall, supported by a minor official. He walked down to the foot of the hall, gave Lu Zhi a weak bow, and said in a feeble voice, "This humble official... Prefect Wang Hong, has been unwell and has arrived late. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."

Lu Zhi's gaze lingered on his face for a moment. "Prefect Wang's illness has come at a very opportune time."

A hint of unease flashed across Wang Hong's face, and he coughed twice: "You jest, Your Excellency... My illness is truly incurable..."

"Where is Commandant Li?" Lu Zhi interrupted him.

"Commander Li has not returned from his patrol; presumably... he must have been delayed on the way."

Lu Zhi stopped asking questions and walked to the main seat to sit down. The table had already been quickly wiped clean by his personal guards.

"I have been ordered to pacify Lujiang and quell the barbarian rebellion." He began, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "From today onward, all affairs of the prefecture must be reported to me for decision. Past mistakes may be forgiven if one can atone for them with meritorious service. But those who again outwardly comply but inwardly disobey, or neglect their duties," he paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall like cold lightning, "...will be dealt with according to military law."

The last four words crashed to the ground, carrying the smell of rust.

The people below the hall fell silent, trembling with fear.

"Now," Lu Zhi leaned forward slightly, "who can tell me, what is the current situation in Lujiang County? How much grain is left in the granaries? How many weapons are left in the armory? How many soldiers are ready for battle?"

A deathly silence fell over the room. The officials looked at each other, none daring to speak first.

Wang Hong lowered his head, his eyes flickering.

Liu Bei stood to Lu Zhi's side and slightly behind, taking in the expressions of everyone present. This pool of water was more murky than he had imagined.

Finally, an old clerk in charge of documents was brought forward, and he began to report with trepidation. His voice was weak, and the numbers were unclear.

The granaries... hold approximately... about three thousand shi of grain; the county troop roster lists two thousand, but the actual number... needs to be verified. The military equipment... is mostly rusted and damaged...

Lu Zhi listened, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, without saying a word.

The old clerk sweated more and more as he spoke, and his legs trembled.

After he finished speaking, Lu Zhi finally spoke, his voice still steady: "So, in other words, the granaries are empty, the troops are insufficient, and the weapons are worn out. The barbarians frequently raid our borders and plunder our people. And you all just sit here in Shuxian County, sleeping soundly?"

"Your Excellency is wise!" Wang Hong couldn't help but speak up. "It's not that we officials haven't done our best, but... it's just that the barbarians are cunning and swift as the wind! The county troops are weak, and our funds and provisions are scarce. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice!"

"Oh?" Lu Zhi looked at him. "In your opinion, Magistrate Wang, what should be done?"

Wang Hong swallowed hard. "We must...we must urgently request aid from the prefectural government and even the imperial court, asking for funds, provisions, and additional troops! Otherwise...otherwise, Shuxian County will be in grave danger!"

"What happens before reinforcements arrive?" Lu Zhi asked, "Are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"

Wang Hong was speechless.

Lu Zhi stood up: "Starting tomorrow, all officials of the prefecture shall report for duty on time. Prefect Wang, since you are unwell, please rest and recuperate at home. The daily affairs of the prefecture will be temporarily handled by Registrar Liu."

The old registrar was so startled that he almost collapsed to the ground.

Wang Hong's face instantly turned ugly.

"Liu Bei." Lu Zhi turned his head.

"The student is here." Liu Bei stepped forward.

"You will stay by my side, assist with clerical work, and become familiar with county affairs."

"Yes."

Lu Zhi stopped looking at the crowd below and turned to walk towards the back hall. "Disperse."

The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurriedly retreated, many of them with their backs soaked with sweat.

Wang Hong lagged behind, staring intently in the direction where Lu Zhi and Liu Bei had disappeared, his eyes filled with malice.