The day before the Autumn Equinox, the millet ripened in abundance.
Heyin Commandery, Fugu City.
The commandery office was bustling with people coming and going, everyone in a hurry. One official was even carrying a stack of bamboo slips taller than half a person, shouting as he went.
"Make way, make way—someone give me a hand..." The junior clerk felt the slips at the top of the stack start to slide and hurriedly called for help. A passing colleague reached out to steady them, averting disaster. He let out a long breath. If this pile fell, who knew how long it would take to clean up? He was just about to look up and thank him when he recognized the man and hurriedly clasped his hands in salute. "Greetings, Inspector Gu."
Gu Chi had just returned from a trip, dust clinging to his clothes.
He glanced at the enormous pile of bamboo slips.
"Why is the office still so busy?"
Hadn't things been fairly quiet before he left?
The junior clerk wiped his sweat. Though he looked tired, he was even more excited. "The village officials reported that the millet ripened half a month earlier than usual. Every county and village in the commandery is busy now..." This was the first autumn harvest since Lord Shen took charge of Heyin!
Everyone had planned according to their experience with previous harvests, expecting the real rush to begin in over half a month. Who could have known the millet would ripen early this year? Every household was desperately short of hands. The commandery office, which had finally enjoyed a little peace, was now busier than ever.
Gu Chi: "..."
He seemed to have guessed why the Bluebird had urgently summoned him.
So that was it. They'd dragged him back to help with