Chapter 105: A Letter from Afar Arrives

After Li Shun resolved to lie low and bide his time, the annexation of the Imperial Mausoleum proceeded without further incident.

A boundless gale swept across the land, scattering the decayed deathly aura that had accumulated over thousands of years.

An immense tide of vitality poured into the region like a surging flood, causing every corner of the Imperial Mausoleum Commandery to seem reborn.

In Dongshan Town, the tomb guardians who had been trapped for millennia wept tears of joy.

They had finally returned to the Great Qian they had long been separated from.

"From this day forth, Great Qian shall no longer recognize the name Imperial Mausoleum Commandery."

"This land shall henceforth be known as Guling."[1]

Standing atop the high platform, Sun Chengyou spoke in a calm, authoritative tone, settling the matter once and for all.

Officials great and small below the stage echoed his declaration in unison. Their cheers shook the heavens, creating a lively atmosphere.

For the ordinary citizens of Dongshan Town, however, the return of the Imperial Mausoleum seemed to bring little change.

Aside from the steadily increasing number of migrants arriving from outside, life continued much as before.

By the afternoon of the twenty-second day of the second month, people from all walks of life had begun converging from every direction.

As the Pacification Commissioner of Dongshan Town, Fang Xun was responsible not only for arranging accommodations and processing official documents, but also for planning the construction of the thirteen counties under his jurisdiction.

He was overwhelmed with work.

"Why are there so many migrants coming from Langya Commandery?"

Fang Xun frowned slightly as he reviewed the mountain of documents piled before him.

Beside him, Zheng Zhi hurried forward and explained in a low voice.

"My lord is unaware, but this official has heard that Langya Commandery recently suffered a disastrous ground collapse. Casualties were immense, and refugees now roam the land. Since Guling Commandery has just been established, the court has taken the opportunity to relocate those disaster victims here for resettlement..."

Fang Xun's expression shifted.

"Langya Commandery? Tell me everything."

Zheng Zhi immediately reported all the information he had gathered.

Thanks to Fang Xun's protection, Zheng Zhi, who had previously served as Dongshan Town's deputy magistrate, had not only escaped punishment for dereliction of duty but had even been promoted to Chief Clerk of the Town Administration Office.

After hearing how many of his former colleagues from neighboring towns had been arrested and imprisoned, he became even more grateful to Fang Xun and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work.

"A ground collapse disaster... black mist covering the skies?"

Fang Xun murmured to himself.

He could not help recalling the earthquake that had struck the false Langya Commandery under Dongshan Town's jurisdiction.

"'It severed the connection between the Imperial Mausoleum and Great Qian'... so that was what it meant."

Only now did realization dawn upon him.

"So the real Langya Commandery within Great Qian suffered the exact same disaster."

"Perhaps it was precisely because of the hidden connection between the Imperial Mausoleum and the Xuanhuang world that the catastrophe in Langya Commandery was mirrored within the false commandery inside the Imperial Mausoleum."

"The only question is whether that connection still exists now that the Imperial Mausoleum has returned."

After pondering for a moment, Fang Xun set aside his thoughts and instructed solemnly,

"The migrants are a mixed lot. Verify every identity and register them all carefully."

"Do not allow criminals to take advantage of the chaos and slip inside with ill intentions."

Zheng Zhi accepted the order with a serious expression.

That day, Fang Xun did not sleep.

He worked through the entire night handling the countless affairs related to the migration effort.

The following day, the twenty-third day of the second month of the New Calendar.

As Fang Xun sat at his desk reviewing documents, Zheng Zhi hurried in.

"My lord, a situation has arisen in town."

Seeing the anxiety on his subordinate's face, Fang Xun knew something unusual had occurred.

He immediately followed Zheng Zhi to the scene.

Dozens of constables stood with drawn blades and crossbows, surrounding a single man.

The man wore coarse hemp clothing, his skin dark from years of labor under the sun. He looked like an ordinary farmer.

Yet despite being encircled, there was not the slightest trace of fear on his face.

Instead, he carried an air of detached indifference.

On the way there, Zheng Zhi had already explained the situation.

The man had entered Dongshan Town alongside the refugees from Langya but refused to cooperate with the registration process.

He had even injured one of the officials responsible for recording names.

"This official asks you. Why do you refuse to comply with government regulations?"

Fang Xun waved the constables aside and stepped forward to question him.

The farmer smiled faintly and replied with a question of his own.

"Whether they are people of Langya Commandery or people of the Imperial Mausoleum, they are all subjects of Great Qian."

"These people have already suffered natural disasters and been forced from their homes."

"Yet after arriving here, they are still harassed by government officials, who demand bribes before allowing them to register."

"Tell me this. They no longer even have homes. Where are they supposed to find money?"

Though the farmer smiled, his eyes were ice-cold.

Fang Xun's expression changed dramatically.

He turned toward Zheng Zhi.

"Is this true?"

"W-Well..."

Zheng Zhi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and stammered for a long while without managing a coherent answer.

Fang Xun's face darkened.

"Investigate this immediately!"

"The rebirth of the Imperial Mausoleum is a matter personally decreed by His Majesty. Countless eyes throughout the court are watching."

"And yet someone dares line their own pockets at a time like this. This is lawless beyond measure!"

"This subordinate... will investigate at once!"

Trembling, Zheng Zhi backed away.

Fang Xun suppressed his anger, straightened his robes, and stepped before the farmer.

Then, to everyone's surprise, he bowed deeply.

"Many thanks, Senior, for your guidance. Otherwise, Fang Xun might have committed a grave mistake."

The farmer seemed somewhat surprised.

"You have good judgment."

At that moment, Sun Chengyou's hearty laughter rang out from the distance.

"Brother Duan, why didn't you notify me before coming?"

The farmer let out a cold snort.

"If I'd informed you in advance, how could I have witnessed such an entertaining scene?"

Fang Xun thought to himself, 'As expected.'

His eyesight was naturally sharp.

Having frequently interacted with hidden experts like Wei Wuqi and Elder Mu, he had sensed at first glance that this farmer possessed an extraordinary aura.

He was no ordinary peasant.

While Fang Xun's thoughts raced, Sun Chengyou had already arrived before them.

He sighed.

"My governance has been lacking. Brother Duan, you've witnessed an embarrassing sight."

"This street isn't the place for conversation. Please."

The farmer nodded slightly and followed Sun Chengyou toward the newly constructed Pacification Office outside the town.

Fang Xun moved to follow but caught the meaningful glance Sun Chengyou shot his way.

He immediately understood and stopped in his tracks.

Instead, he personally oversaw the investigation into the bribery case.

At first, he had assumed it was merely a few low-ranking officials whose greed had gotten the better of them.

But after conducting a thorough interrogation, he was enraged.

"They were acting under someone's instructions?"

Unable to meet Fang Xun's furious gaze, Zheng Zhi lowered his head and spoke quietly.

"They claimed someone persuaded them, causing greed to arise in their hearts."

"As for the instigator, he disappeared long ago."

"They cannot even recall what he looked like."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xun unexpectedly calmed down.

He was all too familiar with such sinister methods.

Sun Chengyou had previously warned him to beware of Yin Fengshuo's retaliation.

He simply had not expected the attack to come so quickly.

Before the man had even officially assumed office, his hidden pieces had already been set in motion.

"Extorting money from migrants is such a commonplace matter."

"If Senior Duan hadn't intervened, I might never have noticed."

"Yin Fengshuo..."

Fang Xun narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

While dark clouds gathered over Fang Xun's impending confrontation with his superior, Li Shun received a letter.

When Li Qing handed him the envelope, Li Shun was momentarily bewildered.

He had no attachments beyond the Imperial Mausoleum.

Who would write to him?

And this was only the second day after the Imperial Mausoleum's return.

Li Shun casually opened the letter.

The moment his eyes fell upon the first line, his heart skipped a beat.

'Cripple, save me!'

...

[TL Note [1]: After careful consideration, I have chosen to translate 故陵郡 as Guling Commandery rather than the more literal Ancient Mausoleum Commandery. This localization better aligns with the naming conventions of other regions.]