Just as Chief Zhang was burning his head and scorching his brow over complicated internal factional struggles, meager autumn tax revenues, organizational structures that were neither fish nor fowl, the corruption and degeneration of his cadres, and a mountain of routine work, someone arrived in Jiangling as agreed, right at the busiest point of the autumn tax collection.
"General Zhang, it has been nearly a year since we parted. Have you been well?" North of Jiangling City, outside the clamorous great blacksmith shop, Xie Minghe spotted the newcomer and cupped his hands in greeting from a distance.
"You put me to shame! How could I trouble Chief Xie to come meet me?" Lord Zhang Shen had traveled south alone, with only a squad of Exorcising the Dragon Gang patrol cavalry escorting him here after he entered their territory. He was greedily taking in the enormous military camps beside the road, the bustling thoroughfare, and the scale of the blacksmith shop when he suddenly heard someone address him. Seeing Xie Minghe, he hurriedly slipped out of the saddle and dismounted, cupping his hands in return. "And how could I dare call myself a general before Chief Xie?"
"Once a prisoner below the steps, now an honored guest at the table. Since you are here, make yourself at home." Xie Minghe thought the man must be recalling his previous captivity. It had been Xie himself, along with Wang Zhen and Chen Bin, who had somehow captured him back then, so he offered this with a smile. "Now that you are here, General Zhang, simply settle down in the city. Your accommodations have already been arranged. Shall we go there first, or meet Chief Zhang? Or would you prefer to look around Jiangling City first?"
Lord Zhang Shen hardly dared choose and merely