They left Luoyang and headed west.
The Official Road gradually narrowed, and the willows on either side grew sparser.
Wei Nisheng rode in silence.
Cui Fu urged his horse up from the rear and rode alongside Wei Nisheng.
He opened his mouth several times before finally giving in and asking quietly, "My lord, there's something I don't understand."
"Speak."
"Associate Prefect Wang led your horse and urged you to stay for wine. He was so welcoming.
Why didn't you stay a day or two and let the horses rest?
We've been battered by wind and dust all this way, and the Northwest is getting closer and closer...
Later on, even if we want to rest, I fear we won't find anywhere so comfortable."
Wei Nisheng instead looked ahead along the Official Road and said slowly, "Cui Fu, let me ask you something."
"How many people came to welcome me at Luoyang's gates today?"
Cui Fu answered, "Only Associate Prefect Wang."
"Yes," Wei Nisheng said. "Only one."
"My lord, is there something wrong with that?" Cui Fu asked. "We were passing through, not inspecting the prefecture."
"Sometimes the local officials don't come out..."
"Passing through?" Wei Nisheng smiled. "Do you think I'm an ordinary traveler passing through?"
"I bear the Commander’s Axe. By imperial decree, I serve as Imperial Envoy, with supreme command over the Three Garrisons and authority over the Northwest's civil and military officials!"
Under the Statute, when I pass through Luoyang, the Prefect of Henan Prefecture, the County Magistrate of Luoyang County,
and the Commander of the Henan Garrison-all who are required to attend must attend. That is both ceremonial protocol and law."
"But who came yesterday?"
Cui Fu scratched his head. "Only... only Associate Prefect Wang."
"And why did Wang Kuan come?" Wei Nisheng asked. "He passed