A retired queen of the underworld returns to the scene × a stone-faced commandant awkwardly flaunts his feathers as he struggles to find a mate (Both are strong, but in their own ways)
In the third year of Yuanding under the Han, Zhang Qian, Marquis of Bowang, died of illness in Chang'an. The emperor, stricken with grief, ordered the whole nation to mourn.
A wedding procession arrived in Longxi Commandery. Only Jin Manyu, proprietress of the One Tiger Might Inn and a famously one-way-only iron Pixiu, dared take on the job.
That night, as was her custom, Jin Manyu slipped into the bride's room to ransack it for valuables, only to lock eyes with Zhang Bizhi, who was tied up from head to toe with oilcloth stuffed in his mouth.
Jin Manyu gaped. Wasn't there supposed to be a bride? How had he turned into a young gentleman?
Zhang Bizhi's eyes lit up. "Save me... save me!"
Jin Manyu furrowed her brow. What was he mumbling about? Never mind, finding the money came first!
Jin Manyu made off with a handsome haul, leaving behind a despairing lamb awaiting slaughter, bleating, "Money! I still have money!!!"
Clutching a confidential letter, Zhang Bizhi was deeply troubled. The letter said the woman betrothed to him was shy by nature and not good with words.
He glanced over. Jin Manyu was happily playing finger-guessing games and drinking with someone.
The letter also said she was dignified, virtuous, gentle, and refined.
He glanced over again. Jin Manyu was cursing at the top of her lungs, casually slapping the table into powder.
Zhang Bizhi shut his eyes in despair. It was over, all over. His life was ruined!
Later, the two traveled west from Longxi, overcoming countless hardships before reaching Dunhuang. But Jin Manyu could only watch helplessly as Zhang Bizhi died before her eyes.
Jin Manyu grabbed him by the collar and snarled, "You dare die on me? Believe me, I'll remarry this instant!"
Zhang Bizhi summoned all his strength to ask, "If I die... will you be sad? Will you be as sad as when he died...?"
A road-trip novel about customs reform, beginning in Longxi. Customs wars are raging today, but how did our ancestors enforce tariff barriers on the Silk Road many years ago? Stay tuned!
Theme: Though low in rank, I dare not forget my country
