Han Ji

Late February of the second year of Guanghe.

As Chi Yun stopped, his hooves churning the dust of the last stretch of the official road, Liu Bei looked up and saw the walls of Luoyang.

high.

The dark gray city wall rises abruptly from the ground, casting large shadows in the afternoon sunlight. Its crenellations stretch to the horizon, like an iron gate spanning the sky and the earth. Compared to it, the city wall of Zhuoxian County looks like a child's toy made of mud.

Long queues of carriages and pedestrians formed at the city gate. The guards, dressed in bright leather armor, spoke in rough, hoarse voices when checking documents, carrying the impatient, condescending air characteristic of Luoyang.

Zhang Wu drove the cart, standing in the queue with his neck stiff and his eyes constantly glancing at the city wall and the armored soldiers. He made muffled gurgling sounds in his throat, as if he were both alert and excited.

"Join the army," he said in a low voice, "this city... it's fucking huge."

Liu Bei didn't reply. He held the documents from the Imperial Secretariat and the official token from the prefecture in his hand, the edges of the papers slightly softened by sweat.

The wind blew from the north, carrying dust and the faint sounds of people and horses in the distance. It hit my face with an unfamiliar smell, a mixture of ethics and dust.

The line moved forward slowly.

When it was their turn, the soldier took the document, glanced sideways at Liu Bei, and then at Chi Yun behind the carriage and Zhang Wu, who had a sword at his waist and a fierce look on his face.

"From Zhuojun?" the soldier drawled. "A scholar who passed the imperial examinations?"

"Yes," Liu Bei replied.

The soldier glanced at him a couple more times, probably really weighing the young man's worth, and finally cupped his hands in greeting, indicating that he was allowed to pass.

The wheels turned again, rolling over the smooth bluestone slabs beneath the city gate, producing a dull echo. The light dimmed for a moment, then brightened again.

Luoyang unfolded before my eyes.

The road was several times wider than that of Zhuoxian, wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side. Neat houses lined both sides, wine flags fluttering in the breeze. Pedestrians thronged shoulder to shoulder, their attire varied: scholars in flowing robes, merchants in short jackets, and foreign travelers with shaved heads and foreign clothing. The sounds of hawking, haggling, carriages, and children crying mingled together, buzzing into the ears and making one feel slightly dizzy.

The air was filled with the scents of perfume, alcohol, and the stench of livestock, as well as a certain indescribable, luxurious, and restless atmosphere.

Zhang Wu's eyes widened, his grip on the reins tightened, and he turned his neck from side to side, finding everything fascinating. Chi Yun seemed disturbed by the commotion as well, snorting uneasily.

Liu Bei sat firmly on his horse, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his peripheral vision sweeping over the street scene. This place seemed the same as Luoyang from his school days a few years ago, yet it also seemed completely different. The same bustling prosperity, but it lacked the tranquil scholarly atmosphere of Mount Goushi, and instead felt more oppressive and urgent.

Following the directions given in Lu Zhi's letter, he steered his horse south. They passed through several bustling main streets. The crowds gradually thinned, and the houses became lower and simpler. Finally, they stopped in front of a small courtyard at the end of a quiet alley.

The black lacquered wooden door was somewhat mottled, and the door knocker was a simple brass ring. In the courtyard stood an old locust tree, its bare branches stretching towards the sky.

Liu Bei dismounted and knocked on the door knocker.

A moment later, the door creaked open a crack, revealing a deeply wrinkled old face with cloudy and wary eyes.

"Liu Bei of Zhuojun has come on the orders of Lu Zhi." Liu Bei handed over his visiting card and a personal letter from Lu Zhi.

The old servant took it, examined it carefully, and only then did the wariness on his face disappear. He opened the gate, bowed, and said, "Please come in, young master. The master has already instructed that the courtyard has been tidied up."

The courtyard was small, with three main rooms and a wing room on the east and west sides. The floor was paved with bricks and stones, and some miscellaneous items were piled up in the corners, but it was kept clean. The main rooms were simply furnished with a table, a couch, and two mats. On the wall hung an old calligraphy scroll, Lu Zhi's handwriting, which read the character "quiet".

"The master said that since you are new here, young master, please stay here for the time being." The old servant led them around and said, "The east wing can accommodate servants, and the west wing is for storing miscellaneous items. Bedding and food are all provided."

Liu Bei nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

After the old servant withdrew, Zhang Wu drove the carriage into the courtyard and unloaded the luggage. He stood in the middle of the courtyard, looked around, and scratched his head: "Commander, isn't this place... a bit too small?"

"This is enough." Liu Bei walked into the main room, his fingers brushing against the cold table. "Residences in Luoyang are expensive. It's already a great favor that you've arranged accommodations, Master."

He carefully wrapped the bamboo slips and a few pieces of clothing in oilcloth and put them into the inner room. Then he led Chiyun to the locust tree in the courtyard, tied it up, and patted the horse's neck. Chiyun rubbed against his hand, seemingly calming down.

By the time everything was settled, the sun was already setting.

Liu Bei changed into a clean set of dark robes and said to Zhang Wu, "I'm going out for a bit. Keep an eye on the courtyard."

"I know." Zhang Wu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the quiet alleyway.

Liu Bei went out alone, following his memory, and headed north of the city. He walked slowly, his eyes scanning the streets, pedestrians, and shops.

He saw a beggar huddled in a corner, sewage spilled at the end of the alley, and passersby scrambling to avoid a finely dressed young man riding past on horseback.

After walking for more than half an hour, it grew dark. He stopped in front of a rather spacious mansion, though its gate was not particularly ostentatious. The plaque above the gate read "Lu Mansion".

This is not the hermitage on Mount Goushi, but his residence in Luoyang. It is simpler than I imagined.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door. The servant who opened the door asked what he wanted and went in to announce his arrival. After a short while, a middle-aged scholar came out to greet him. He was an old subordinate of Lu Zhi, and Liu Bei recognized him.

"Mr. Liu, Lord Lu is in his study." The scholar led him inside. "Please follow me."

After passing through two corridors, they arrived at the outside of a quiet study in the backyard. The scholar gestured for him to wait while he went in to report. A moment later, Lu Zhi's voice came from inside: "Let him in."

Liu Bei pushed open the door and entered.

Two lamps were lit in the study. Lu Zhi sat behind his desk, wearing a worn outer robe, looking down at a scroll of bamboo slips. Hearing footsteps, he looked up.

Eyes facing each other.

Lu Zhi's face remained expressionless; he simply nodded and pointed to the seat opposite him: "Sit."

Liu Bei sat down as instructed, his back straight.

"Is the accommodation arranged?" Lu Zhi put down the bamboo scroll.

"Very good, thank you for your help, teacher."

"Hmm." Lu Zhi looked him over a few times. "You look much better than when you arrived in Zhuojun. Was the journey smooth?"

"smoothly."

After a brief exchange of questions, the study fell silent for a moment. Only the occasional crackling of the lamp wick could be heard.

"The second round of examinations at the Duke's residence is in three days," Lu Zhi said, his voice steady. "You know the rules, so I won't go into detail. The exam questions will be nothing more than current affairs, classical texts, and practical matters. Everything you've experienced in Lujiang is the best answer."

He paused, looking at Liu Bei: "But you must be careful with your words. Say what you should say, and don't say a single word more than necessary. Luoyang is not Lujiang; a single wrong word here could cause unnecessary trouble."

"The student understands."