Chapter 184: The Prosperous Anding City and the Headless Corpse

The sun had just climbed to the summit of Liupan Mountain, and outside Jingzhou's Anding City the heat was already boiling up to the heavens.

The wheel tracks on the official road were covered by newly laid crushed stone, and three parallel columns of convoy rolled over, startling sparrows in the wild rose thicket by the roadside.

The Persian caravan's two‑humped camels wore silver bells, carrying indigo dye and glassware, while the swaying sheepskin water bags between the humps refracted the sunlight.

Local merchants' wooden‑wheel carts were loaded with freshly harvested millet; golden ears of grain rattled on the cart pole, mixing with the fine dust raised by the convoy into a drifting golden mist.

In the distance, a party of more than twenty people slowly approached.

"This Anding City of Jingzhou is indeed far more magnificent than some places around Chang'an…," Kuo Luo said, riding atop his horse, gazing at the city becoming clearer in his sight.

What came into view was a scene of thriving prosperity.

"That's only natural!"

Liu Yuanjing laughed aloud, "The Jing River runs through all of Jingzhou, the soil is fertile, and the fields yield extremely high harvests…."

"It is also a transit hub for Western Regions trade, and commerce is extremely prosperous!"

The "Western Regions trade" Liu Yuanjing mentioned is, in later terminology, the famed Silk Road!

Jingzhou is a key node on the Silk Road, linking the Central Plains with the Western Regions, and the northern Grassland with the Guanzhong region.

Within its borders, the Jing River and its tributaries have formed a river‑valley corridor, an important transportation artery.

Through this hub, goods and culture from the Central Plains can spread westward, while merchandise and culture from the Western Regions can move eastward; it is hard for Jingzhou not to be wealthy.

Moreover, because the Jing River flows through it, agriculture is especially important.

"Jingzhou has high mountains, deep valleys, and passes, all natural defensive barriers…."

Chen Yan examined the Anding City glittering in the morning light; his gaze was deep, and he thought to himself, "If it ever slips from our control, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

Unlike their focus, the first thing that sprang to Chen Yan's mind was military strategy.

One must know that Jingzhou is bounded by Xiao Pass to the north, Long Mountain to the south, Ziwu Ridge to the east, and leans on Liupan Mountain to the west, making it a crucial buffer against northern nomadic peoples such as the Turks and Rouran moving south.

It is also Great Zhou's forward position for expanding influence outward and controlling the north‑west situation.

So if the opposite were true…

This is another important reason the Grand Tomb Steward Faction sent Chen Yan here.

Jingzhou must stay in the hands of our own people!

"Lord, look at the city gate!"

"Jingzhou's civil and military officials have come out to greet us…"

He Ba Le raised his hand, pointed toward the gate, and said.

The horn atop the gate tower wailed, and thirty brightly armored cavalry were arrayed on both sides of the official road, their red tassels on the Chang Qiang fluttering in the morning wind.

Soon, a group of officials came forward; the two leading officials faced Chen Yan and respectfully said:

"I, Xiao Lin, the Chief Historian of Jingzhou, have met Lord Chen Yan!"

"I, Zuo Ting, the Sima of Jingzhou, have met Lord Chen Yan!"

The Court's decree dispatching militia to suppress bandits had already reached Jingzhou.

Great Zhou Poet Immortal has long been famous throughout the provinces; obtaining a portrait of the Poet Immortal is not difficult at all…

Therefore, the two men, already familiar with the portrait, instantly recognized the bandit‑suppression officer Chen.

"Gentlemen, this display is a bit too grand!"

Chen Yan dismounted, bowed to Xiao Lin and Zuo Ting, and teased.

Liu Yuanjing, Wang Xiong, Dou Luling and others followed suit, also dismounting.

"Lord Chen Yan and all the gentlemen and generals have come to suppress bandits in our Jingzhou; we cannot delay any longer!" Xiao Lin beamed with a smile and said.

Zuo Ting immediately took over, appraising Chen Yan from head to toe, a flattering smile curling at his mouth, and raised his hand, proclaiming, "I have long heard that our Great Zhou Poet Immortal is an Outstanding Talent, exceptionally perceptive, graceful, and handsome…"

"Seeing you today truly proves you are extraordinary!"

That awe‑inspiring appearance was perfectly measured.

After all, flattery never fails…

Anyone with a source can tell that the person before us is a red‑hot figure in the Grand Tomb Steward's circle!

Climbing onto him, soaring to greatness later is no dream…

"Hahaha!"

The familiar commercial bragging segment… Chen Yan laughed heartily, modestly saying, "Sima Zuo, you've overpraised me!"

"I, Chen, can't bear such praise…"

He said, patting his hand.

He wore a look of great satisfaction, with a hint of aloofness.

"These gentlemen also have extraordinary looks and impressive bearing…"

"I wonder if Lord Chen Yan could recommend them a bit?"

Xiao Lin, having already taken note, asked appropriately about the people on Chen Yan's left and right—Yuwen Ze, Wang Xiong, Liu Yuanjing, and others.

Though they are young, their gestures exude noble aura, and they can even stand beside the Great Zhou Poet Immortal…

It's obvious they must be scions of eminent families!

Making many connections will never hurt one's official career later.

"This is a member of the He Dong Liu Clan, Liu Yuanjing!"

"This is the son of General Dou Lu Chang, Dou Luling!"

"This is the son of General Wang Zheng, Wang Xiong!"

Chen Yan's mouth twitched slightly upward as he raised his hand and introduced each in turn.

Only one person was omitted.

The unintroduced one was probably the Jin Prince… Xiao Lin glanced sideways at the deliberately skipped Yuwen Ze, muttered to himself, and laughed, "I have met all of you!"

No wonder his bearing is unlike that of ordinary people; it turns out he is from a noble family!

I've heard of you for a long time!

He said so, clasped his fists in salute, and lowered his posture to the extreme.

Yuwen Ze pursed his lips with a smile, showing no trace of concealed irritation; he knows that his own A Xiong acts this way to protect himself...

Chief Clerk Xiao, you are being overly polite!

It's merely because of family protection...

It's not worth mentioning!

Liu Yuanjing and the others waved their hands and responded with smiles.

"Chief Clerk Xiao, where is the present Inspector?" Chen Yan, seeing this, asked with a half‑smile, getting straight to the point.

Xiao Lin, hearing this, raised his hand and slapped his head, saying, "Look at my brain, only thinking of meeting you distinguished gentlemen in excitement..."

"I forgot to report to the gentlemen..."

"The present Inspector's official duties are busy; he cannot spare a moment to come and receive you, please forgive him!"

His words were full of apology.

Around them, Zu Ting and other Jingzhou officials repeatedly echoed, confirming the truth of the statement.

"Official duties are busy?"

"This Jingzhou Inspector is truly arrogant!"

He Ruodun's face darkened, showing slight displeasure, and he thought inwardly.

"No problem!"

"Official duties take precedence, understandable..."

Chen Yan showed no emotional change, gave a calm smile, tapped his hand, and said with understanding.

Yet inadvertently, a hint of intriguing expression flickered deep in his eyes...

Xiao Lin's excuse sounded like mere rhetoric.

Is it that he simply doesn't want to meet, or that he dares not?

A few top officials of Jingzhou have already arrived, yet they are being evasive; the trickery must be considerable...

"The guesthouse has prepared a banquet to welcome and refresh you distinguished gentlemen!"

"Please proceed further!"

Xiao Lin, highly adept at reading tones, let out a laugh and without hesitation shifted the subject.

"No rush!"

Chen Yan slightly raised an eyebrow, placed his hand on Xiao Lin's shoulder, and smiled, "We are already in Jingzhou; how could we not first see the Inspector?"

"Visit the present Inspector first, then drinking and dining is not too late..."

Chen Yan is a contrarian at heart and enjoys taking the opposite stance.

Ming Shao thought of hiding, yet he stubbornly refused to follow his wish!

Let's take a good look to see what kind of deity the Jingzhou Inspector truly is...

"Indeed... Lord Chen Yan is right!"

"I, the subordinate, have not considered it thoroughly..."

Xiao Lin hesitated slightly, then immediately agreed.

Immediately, the party, guided by Xiao and Zu, marched grandly toward the government office.

In Dong Shi, the clanging of drums rose and fell, the camel caravan's bronze bells and horse hooves striking the frost‑covered Shiban road, carrying spices from the Western Regions, silk from Jiangnan, and wine from Liangzhou, weaving a flowing tapestry through the streets.

On the eaves of the bell tower at the city center, wind chimes tinkled in harmony with voices.

The three‑story watchtower stood majestically, and below it, a long line of peddlers bearing loads had already formed.

A Turkic man selling flatbread shouted in halting Mandarin, the steam rising from his basket carrying the scent of cumin.

A woman selling rouge placed shell‑black pigment and lip rouge into a willow‑woven basket; the crimson and shell‑green glowed softly in the morning sun, drawing the officials' ladies' maids to stop and ask the price.

Chen Yan took in the prosperity of Anding City, furrowed his brow, and thought, "In Anding City, people come and go, commerce thrives, life is peaceful—nothing like the scene of forced levies, land grabs, and exploitation of the populace!"

Something's off; out of every hundred, ten thousand parts are amiss...

This is almost the exact opposite of what Grand Administrator said.

Which link in the chain is actually problematic?

The prefectural office.

"The Inspector is inside the room reviewing documents..."

"Please, distinguished gentlemen!"

Xiao Lin led Chen Yan and the others, smoothly arriving outside the room, and made a welcoming gesture.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Zu Ting hurried forward, lightly knocking on the tightly closed door, "Present Inspector, Lord Chen Yan is here to visit!"

But there was no echo inside the room.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Zu Ting knocked again, adding a few more pounds of force.

The interior still gave no response for a long time.

Just as he was about to knock again, Chen Yan said, "Zhu Yi, kick the door open!"

"Yes."

Bang!

Zhu Yi responded without pause, delivering a powerful kick that ripped the tightly shut door open.

Xiao Lin was the first to step into the house, his eyes scanning everywhere for Ming Shaoxia's figure, when he suddenly let out a startled exclamation: "Prefect Ming… ah!"

Only a headless corpse was seen, grimacing as it lay in a pool of blood......