Hu Xiaotian had little liking for Li Mingcheng. In Eastern Liang Commandery, Li Mingcheng had originally been like a deaf man's ears-mere decoration. Now that Hu Xiaotian had arrived, the Imperial Court had made no other arrangements for Li Mingcheng, so he remained in Eastern Liang Commandery, though he no longer even qualified as decoration.
Li Mingcheng was actually an honest man, just weak and useless. After a month here, Hu Xiaotian had discovered that the fellow had no opinions of his own whatsoever. No wonder a group of merchants in Eastern Liang Commandery had held him hostage to their demands.
Hu Xiaotian said, "There's no need to panic. What could be so serious?"
Li Mingcheng said, "A merchant caravan was robbed west of the city. It was probably those refugees. Twelve people from the caravan were killed."
Hu Xiaotian froze at the news. "Where was the caravan from?"
"Great Yong... G-Great Yong..." Li Mingcheng had begun to stammer.
Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize the gravity of the matter. A Great Yong caravan had been robbed and its people killed while passing through his territory. If handled poorly, this could very well become the spark that ignited a war. In its current state, Eastern Liang Commandery could barely defend itself. Its newly formed army had no fighting strength at all, and worse still, right was not on his side in this affair.
Hu Xiaotian asked, "Were there any survivors?"
Li Mingcheng nodded. "Y-yes... one wounded man. The others... have already fled. Apparently, they went to get help." He lamented bitterly, "Lord Hu, we're in terrible trouble. Once Great Yong gets word, they'll surely bring a great army to our borders and demand justice. What are we to do?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "First, send the wounded man for treatment and