But plans could never keep pace with change. Zuo Xingjian had never expected Jiang Zhengyang to suffer such a swift and utter defeat. Those hundred thousand shi of imperial grain had sunk into the lake along with the ships without so much as a sound, and Jiang Zhengyang and his ten thousand soldiers had vanished with them. Remembering the five hundred thousand jin of grain Jiang Zhengyang had promised him, Zuo Xingjian felt a sharp pang of loss. He had good reason to abandon Jiang Zhengyang in Cloud Marsh. The grain you promised me is gone, so why should I save you? Besides, as long as you're alive, you're a threat to me. If the Imperial Court gets its hands on you, won't you implicate me too? Only when you're dead can I pin all the blame on you and have a chance of escaping punishment.
Zuo Xingjian sat in his residence's courtyard, basking in the sun and brooding over his troubles. Under the present circumstances, even basking in the sun was a luxury.
His adviser approached him. Seeing Zuo Xingjian's eyes closed, he could not tell whether he was asleep or awake and dared not disturb him.
Zuo Xingjian had already noticed his arrival, however. He opened one eye and grunted through his nose. "What is it?"
The adviser smiled. "My lord, a Mr. Zhu from Eastern Liang Commandery wishes to see you."
"I won't see him!" Zuo Xingjian replied languidly. His mind was so full of worries that he had no appetite for anything.
"Mr. Zhu says he has come expressly to deliver a letter from the city lord."
Zuo Xingjian frowned. Isn't Hu Xiaotian the city lord of Eastern Liang Commandery? Hu Xiaotian sent me a letter? He abruptly sat up and blinked. "Quick! Show him in!"