The residence of the Chief Clerk of Jingzhou.
Liu Yin sat in the center, with sixteen black-robed Legal Clerks seated on either side, every face solemn.
The Legal Clerks rose in turn to report.
"Brocade Workshop, completed."
"City gates, completed."
"First Suspect's Residence, completed."
"Second Suspect's Residence, completed."
"Case evidence and files, ready."
"Verification and seals, ready."
"Administrative Clerk's warrants, signed."
"Summons documents, verified."
"Sealing and guarding documents, verified."
"Commandery Troops Military Affairs Office dispatch, verified."
"Custody documents, verified."
"Interrogation documents, awaiting verification."
Liu Yin pressed a hand downward, and the twelve men who had just risen sat down together in solemn silence.
"This case is of grave importance. There is no room for error. From this moment onward, no one may leave either the Chief Clerk's residence or the commandery offices. All those without assignments will spend tonight within these two compounds. Those dispatched on official business must leave in groups of at least three and supervise one another. All orders, documents, dispatches, warrants, and other official papers are to be sealed away and issued only before the arrests. Tomorrow's operation concerns the dignity of the law and the stability of Jingzhou alike. Anyone whose negligence or carelessness causes a leak and compromises the operation will face the full severity of the law!"
All the Legal Clerks rose, bowed, and cupped their hands. "We shall obey your orders, sir!"
Green bamboo mats and rhinoceros-hide blinds, with blocks of ice set out to dispel the summer heat.
Wang Yang sat inside the room. On the table before him were three plates of delicate pastries and the "four iced delicacies": melon, honey peaches, fresh lotus seeds, and Chinese Bayberries. The melon and peaches had been peeled and cut into small pieces, then chilled on trays filled with little chunks of