On the third day of May, as the weather grew increasingly hot, Zuo Du finished the daily training with his men and was too lazy to return to the barracks to rest. Instead, he led them to the riverbank, washed his face and neck, and was about to take them into the woods to find a cool place to lie down.
Just as he squatted by the river, a soldier came running from afar, pointing ahead: "Assistant General, there's a merchant caravan coming over!"
Zuo Du splashed water on his face, unconcerned: "Let them come. The magistrate and the General have strictly ordered us not to disturb passing merchants."
"No, they look terrible, as if they just experienced a fierce battle. There are even a few corpses on their carts."
Upon hearing this, Zuo Du's spirits lifted. He immediately stood up: "They must have encountered bandits. Let's go ask!"
If they weren't far away, they would go and take out the bandits.
