The atmosphere in the Cao Transport Office was akin to the Central Army Camp on the battlefield. Mr. Zhao moved a bamboo chair to sit outside the study with its double doors wide open.
He closed his eyes for a moment under the eaves sheltering him from wind and rain.
"Sir, a secret message from the Shadow Guard!"
The young assistant, Qian Kerou, briskly came running from the front yard, her boots splattering the wet floor and soaking her trouser legs.
Mr. Zhao opened his eyes, raised his hand to take the secret message, and drew out a thin piece of letter paper from it. After scanning it, his mouth curled into a smile, and he looked pleased:
"The Emperor's Dragon Ship has crossed the Huai River. In a few days, it will arrive at Jianning Prefecture."
Qian Kerou was delighted: "The Emperor is coming?"
Then, her expression turned bitter: "But the situation on our side now..."
