Outside and inside the imperial capital city gate, two long lines had formed before dawn.
Walking down from the city wall, the gate captain ordered, "Open the city gate!"
The soldiers stationed by the gate responded at once, "Yes, Captain!"
As the soldiers removed the huge wooden plank blocking the gate and pushed the heavy gate open, the common people waiting outside noticed something approaching in the distance.
A thin old man squinted and asked doubtfully, "Look, what is that?"
Following his line of sight, his grandson, who was standing beside the old man, narrowed his eyes, trying to see clearly with his limited vision.
A few moments later, the young man's eyes widened when he saw the flag carried by the man riding a strong black horse.
Pointing at the rider, he shouted in awe, "It's the eight-hundred-li fast horse messenger!"
The second his words fell, the crowd turned around.
