"Hyah! Hyah!"
Twenty-one sturdy military horses came galloping toward them, dust billowing behind them, their momentum sweeping forward like a rainbow. There were only twenty-one riders, yet they bore down like an entire army.
Some travelers outside Luling County's town walls began scrambling out of the way while the riders were still far off. Even some of the bailiffs standing guard at the gate were frightened into retreating to either side.
"Whoa!"
The riders reined in their horses, and by the time they approached the gate, all twenty-one mounts had slowed.
The townsfolk near the gate watched the mounted soldiers with awe. Twenty-one horses walked toward the entrance, each animal's heavy panting clearly audible.
Duan Silie frowned at the Luling County bailiffs huddled to one side. Was this the best the local office could manage? These bailiffs had no spirit in them at all.
"Is your Magistrate Chu at the office?"
The lead bailiff hurried forward to answer.
"Yes, sir. His Honor should be at the office attending to official business."
"Good!"
Duan Silie nodded, then looked back at his personal guards.
"Everyone, dismount."
The guards climbed down from their horses and loosened their limbs, then followed their general into town, leading their mounts. Only after the cavalrymen had gone did the people near the gate begin chattering.
Inside the Luling County Office, Chu Hang paused with his brush in hand and looked at the subordinate who had come to report, somewhat surprised.
"General Duan of the Mighty Martial Camp is here? How many men did he bring?"
The bailiff promptly answered.
"Your Honor, only twenty."
"Come, take me to him!"
Chu Hang set his brush on its stand and rose. His letter should not have reached the Governor-General's Office yet-or at most, it had only just arrived. General Duan