It was deep in the night, and heavy snow was falling.
The soldiers still waiting in line before the city gate saw a general ride out from the city, holding a banner high in his hand.
"The Great General has given his order: any soldiers who have yet to enter the city must wait outside. Seal off this gate!"
At these words, the soldiers waiting at the back of the line flew into a rage, their complaints rising all around.
They had traveled a long way from Southern Chu Province and were already exhausted in body and mind. Now they had to endure such bitter cold, and they could no longer contain the resentment in their hearts.
"Why should we be left outside?"
"If we have to stay outside, then we all stay outside! The Great General clearly doesn't treat us like people!"
"How can it be this cold? I don't care, I'm going in. I'm not going to freeze to death out here!"
"Brothers, we're all veterans of more than ten years. How can we let ourselves freeze to death outside the city like cowards?"
The soldiers outside the city were seething with anger. The more they talked, the more agitated they became, until they began surging toward the gate.
The generals tried to steady the troops, but only made matters worse.
In an instant, chaos engulfed the city gate.
Amid the wind and snow.
Qin Ye led his elite troops toward the Prefect's residence, but before they reached it, he reined in his horse and stopped.
A long street stretched ahead. At its far end stood a hulking figure with his head bowed. His hair hung loose, and chains wrapped around his hands and feet, scraping against the ground with a sound that made one's scalp crawl.