The attack on the delegation shook Jingzhou.
Before this, no one had imagined that the Southern Man would dare attack an imperially appointed delegation; still less had anyone imagined that the young genius who had dominated Jingzhou's limelight, dazzling as a star, would be swept by such an incident into a catastrophe where his life hung in the balance.
The students grew anxious, and the great families began exerting their influence. Messages reached the officers commanding the search and rescue through every possible channel, while layer upon layer of pressure bore down on the offices concerned. Even the most indolent officials had to summon every ounce of attention to handle the urgings and inquiries pouring in from all sides.
Zhang Jue, Governor of Yongning, was so busy that he had scarcely slept properly for several nights. Letters arrived in waves, visitors in successive batches; as for reports, public submissions, petitions, and appeals, they streamed into the Inspector's residence like running water. Those waiting at the Han Border crowded it like a marketplace. Tents lined both sides of the official road, stretching into what looked like an unbroken army encampment! Public and private courier horses carried people seeking news back and forth day and night. The Celestial Masters of the Dharma Grounds personally held jade tablets and erected altars to offer prayers; incense offerings, purification rites, and religious assemblies continued daily at every temple.
Naturally, Wang Yang alone was not the reason for such a commotion. As a special envoy bearing the imperial tally, Wang Yi proclaimed edicts and offered reassurance on behalf of the Son of Heaven; he was an important figure to begin with. Moreover, no imperial envoy had been killed since the dynasty's founding. Thus, whether Wang Yi lived or died concerned not merely a single family or