Just as Chief Zhang was being burned about the head and battered about the brow by tangled internal factional struggles, meager autumn tax receipts, an organizational system that was neither one thing nor another, corrupt and degenerate cadres, and a mass of complicated daily work, someone arrived in Jiangling as agreed, right at the busiest point of the autumn tax collection.
"General Zhang, it's been nearly a year since we parted. Have you been well?" North of Jiangling City, outside the clamorous great blacksmith shop, Xie Minghe saw the newcomer and cupped his hands in greeting from afar.
"You put me to shame. How could I trouble Chief Xie to come meet me?" Lord Zhang Shen had traveled south alone, escorted here by only a squad of the Exorcising the Dragon Gang's patrol cavalry after entering their territory. He had been drinking in the vast military camps beside the road, the bustling thoroughfare, and the scale of the blacksmith shop when he suddenly heard the greeting. Seeing Xie Minghe, he hurriedly swung out of his saddle, dismounted, and returned the salute. "And how could I dare call myself a general before Chief Xie?"
"Once a prisoner beneath the steps, now an honored guest at the table. Since you've come, make yourself at home." Xie Minghe thought the man was recalling his previous captivity-it had been Xie himself, Wang Zhen, and Chen Bin who had somehow muddled their way into capturing him-and spoke with a smile. "Now that you're here, General Zhang, simply settle down comfortably in the city. Your quarters are ready. Shall we go there first, see Chief Zhang first, or perhaps take a look around Jiangling City?"
Lord Zhang Shen hardly dared choose, offering only modest words in reply.
Xie Minghe, naturally, was not one to stand on