Runan Commandery, Shen County.
Fierce winds swept through heavy snow, almost burying the world.
The entire county town had long since been wrapped in silver, with no pedestrians to be seen inside or outside its walls.
This county town was an important gateway from Yu Province to Yangzhou, with roads reaching in every direction. Merchants ordinarily came and went without end, but now, under the ravages of wind and snow, the roads lay empty, without even a footprint, so pure and flawless.
Five li south of the county town stood an unnamed pavilion, a crude little place where postal runners usually stopped to rest.
At present, nearly a hundred fully armed guards stood outside the pavilion, stationed at different positions, holding strong crossbows and wrapped in thick winter clothing as they warily watched their surroundings.
Zhuge Dan sat inside the pavilion, with wine warming on the stove before him.
Beside him, a servant held a portable brazier, from which wisps of smoke slowly rose.
Many different kinds of wine cups were arranged before Zhuge Dan. He poured some warm wine, took a light sip, then began to chant, "Thick, thick lies the dew; without the sun, it will not dry. Long, long we drink through the night; none shall return before he is drunk..."
Just as Zhuge Dan was fully displaying the bearing of a distinguished scholar, an officer suddenly rushed in.
"General... they're here!"
"What are you panicking for? You've followed me for so long. How are you still so easily rattled?"
After reprimanding him, Zhuge Dan took another light sip of wine and asked, "How many have come?"
"Two."
"Hmm?"
Zhuge Dan finally lost his composure. He looked suspiciously at the officer beside him. "Two people?"
"Indeed. We all saw them clearly. Two riders are approaching."
"And farther