Wang Ji rode a fine steed slowly along the main road to Luoyang, surrounded by dozens of horsemen.
Behind him was a carriage, with a ceremonial escort before and behind it. At a glance, one could tell that a high-ranking figure of Great Wei was traveling.
When the party reached another city, they prepared to stop there to rest and regroup.
The local officials naturally hurried out to welcome them.
Faced with Wang Ji, the Inspector of Jingzhou, the county officials were already trembling with apprehension. When the man in the carriage stepped down, they grew even more afraid.
The man who emerged from the carriage was Wang Chang, the Grand General Who Conquers the South.
Wang Chang was now over sixty, but he held a lofty position and immense authority. Among the Four Conquering and Four Stabilizing Generals, that word "Grand" meant that even when the Four Conquering Generals sat together, he could rank among the foremost and sit at the very front during military conferences.
Wang Chang alighted and surveyed his surroundings, then said to Wang Ji, "Have the officials go back. We are only resting here and will leave tomorrow. There is no need for them to attend us."
Wang Ji accepted the order and told the officials that they need not pay their respects and should return for now.
The local officials bowed deeply several times before leaving.
Wang Chang followed Wang Ji toward the residence the local officials had arranged. As they walked, Wang Chang suddenly said, "His Majesty's policies are having an effect."
Wang Ji nodded. "The changes have become increasingly apparent along the way."
"When we first left Jingzhou, we could still see plenty of people taking powders, galloping about on horseback, or wanting to lay on lavish feasts, and there were times