The defenders abandon the city, leaving three thousand refugees behind to die. The only person left in the granary is Shen Li, an unremarkable grain clerk.
Enemy cavalry is closing in. The walls are crumbling, and there are no soldiers, armor, or reinforcements. Everyone is fleeing, but Shen Li locks the granary, rallies the refugees, kills the enemy and takes their horses. He trades grain for lives, and lives for weapons.
From Wuling Post to Kuhe Fort, he turns a band of refugees into an army willing to fight. He seizes grain and armor, takes in surrendered soldiers, opens salt wells, and restores the trade routes. In the northern frontier, abandoned by both the imperial court and foreign enemies, he carves out a place where people can survive.
The Han family calls him a rebel. The steppe tribes demand he hand over the city. Imperial envoys order him to surrender his grain and troops.
Shen Li simply plants his blade atop the city wall:
“We held onto this grain. We fought for this city. If you want it, come and take it.”
This novel is uncomfortable to listen to, it just feels like nonsense.