It was nearing dusk. The setting sun was as red as blood.

In the capital of Bianning Commandery, smoke was rising from every household, and the occasional sound of roosters crowing and dogs barking could be heard. Were it not for the thick green mist visible just outside the walls, the place would have seemed like a utopia.

At the city gates, a long line of people were waiting to enter. Soldiers searched through their belongings, occasionally tucking any decent-looking items into their own pockets.

A lazy-looking general was sitting on the ramparts and looking lazily down at the queue of people below. He didn’t look very old. The city gate commandant was standing beside him, bowing and scraping obsequiously.

The young general yawned and said, “There are a lot of people here, but no money to be made! Those guys here are all dressed in rags—how much could we get even if we stripped them all?”

The commandant groaned. “I know right? Lately, it’s been nothing but people like this. We only come across a few merchant caravans now and then, and they all have connections. They just hand over a couple of coins as a formality—it’s practically like giving alms to beggars!”

After venting his grievances, the commandant immediately put on a smile and said, “It’s only after following you that I got to live the high life, General Yue!”

Yue Qilin yawned again and said, “It’s almost mealtime. Eating is important. Tell your men to stop searching, let them all in, and shut the gates immediately! Then, we’ll go to your place for dinner. I’m craving your wife’s cooking.”

The commandant’s face lit up with a broad grin. “My wife may not be much to look at, but her cooking is truly second to none! Tonight,...