Jinghe Year Fifteen, the twenty-third day of the second month, Dragon Hour.
North of Suzhou, upon the Grand Canal.
The morning mist had just dispersed. The river stretched like white silk, its waters calm beneath a still wind.
Distant mountains held the dark hue of painted brows; nearby waters shimmered with gold.
Suddenly, oars clattered, their shadows crossing in a flurry.
Government ships came from the north, bow following stern.
Masts and sails joined the clouds; banners blotted out the sky.
Armored soldiers crowded the bows, all clad in black-lacquered iron lamellar armor, wearing eight-segment iron helmets, with straight sabers hanging at their waists.
A great standard snapped in the wind at the lead ship's bow, bearing the words "Hangzhou Guard" in vermilion!
Their military might pressed straight toward Suzhou like a blade!
People along the bank stopped in their tracks, craning their necks to watch.
One curious onlooker counted under his breath, but lost track after a dozen ships and could only click his tongue.
"There must be twenty or thirty of them."
"Heh, my wife's younger brother works at the government office," another man chimed in.
"I heard the Hangzhou Guard was transferred here to help the Imperial Envoy investigate the temples."
"Investigate the temples? Which temples?"
"You haven't heard?
Those little temples and convents in Suzhou should have been investigated long ago.
Old Wang next door to me had a daughter abducted by the Sage-Protecting Convent west of the city..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down. Don't invite trouble."
For a time, the riverbank buzzed like a swarm of bees, whispers rising everywhere.
Zhou Hu mingled with the crowd, having come expressly to inspect the troops.
But when he focused on the armor aboard the ships, his pupils abruptly contracted, and a low curse escaped him.