"Guard Suotu, wait!"
The unexpected voice made Suotu lower the foot he had raised to mount his horse, then turn around.
A man was hurrying toward him.
"Who are you?"
Suotu glanced at the newcomer and found him utterly unfamiliar.
"In answer to your question, Guard Suotu,"
The man glanced to either side, then said to Guard Suotu, "Guard Suotu, might we speak aside?"
Suotu studied the man before him. He had a broad brow, a composed manner, and clear eyes. Suotu handed his reins to a guard and followed the man a few steps toward a corner.
"Speak here. My men are all around us."
Suotu stopped before the corner and spoke.
"Lord Suotu, please forgive this humble one's presumptuous interruption. I am a lowly adviser serving Lord Yang, the Yan Prefecture Military Commissioner. My surname is Jiang, and my given name is Zhizhou."
Jiang Zhizhou bowed to Suotu and introduced himself.
"You serve Yang Chengming?"
Suotu looked at Jiang Zhizhou in puzzlement. "What brings you to me?"
Jiang Zhizhou paused. "Lord Suotu, if I may be so bold, what do you think of my lord?"
Suotu said, "Lord Yang is exceptionally capable, upright, and devoted to the people. He is a good official to those under his governance."
Jiang Zhizhou agreed. "Indeed, this humble one thinks so too."
"Yet ever since such a fine official arrived in the Capital City, people with ulterior motives have repeatedly slandered him. You have seen it yourself, my lord. A man of such graceful bearing and handsome looks, yet the wounds on his body are beyond counting."
"Insolence!"
Suotu suddenly cut Jiang Zhizhou off with a fierce rebuke. "Lord Yang was punished by His Majesty's decree. Are you accusing His Majesty of wrongdoing?"
Jiang Zhizhou lowered his eyes. "Please quell your anger,