Was There Really an Iron Wall?

Su Ziji was no green Presented Scholar. On his journey to the southwest, he had even matched wits with a eunuch, an imperial envoy, and a commander-in-chief. Each stood at the pinnacle of a different court faction, and each had taught him a lesson, preparing him early to work alongside other officials.

It took him only a moment to notice that, courteous as Qi Hongxin appeared, a trace of disdain lingered in his eyes. The man clearly looked down on him.

Perhaps because we've met twice, he thinks I was afraid of the locust plague and the deficit, and kept putting off reporting for duty.

At that thought, Su Ziji said directly, "Lord Qi, besides reading the decree and reporting to the prefectural office, I came to discuss another important matter with you."

"Does Lord Su mean the locusts?" Qi Hongxin took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and asked calmly.

Plainly, he did not believe Su Ziji had anything important to tell him.

Su Ziji did not mind. He simply took a rolled sheet of paper from his sleeve.

That finally drew a little interest from Qi Hongxin. He watched Su Ziji unroll a sheet of yellow paper and hold it out. "Lord Qi, please take a look."

What was this?

Qi Hongxin took it, curious at first. The next instant, his head snapped up. Like a cat spotting a mouse, he fixed Su Ziji with a sharp gaze. "Lord Su, what is this?"

In those days, a mining map like this was confidential. If the man before him had not been a newly appointed Presented Scholar and acting prefectural deputy, Qi Hongxin would have ordered him seized on the spot.

"Lord Qi, you must have recognized it. This is a map of the mines in Shunan