East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“Very well,” Taishi Ci said without reservation. “Where is the letter…?”
“I do not even have to convince you; truly a worthy man,” the
Administrator sighed as he took the letter from his waist sash and handed it to
Taishi Ci. “Please, do all that you can; remember, Mister Taishi, that the man
I work against is-”
“A corrupt wretch,” Taishi Ci said as he got to his feet. “I will honour
your fair treatment of me and deliver this letter, whatever it takes.”
The Administrator bowed low and said, “Heavens be with you.”
The journey to the capital would be arduous. The Donglai Administrator
had provided a fast horse for Taishi Ci to use to begin his journey, but that
would not be enough; eventually that horse would tire, and he would need to
secure another means of fast transportation if he was to beat his rival from
the Provincial Office. He paid a visit to his home before he departed, in order
to say goodbye to his family.
“What are you doing back here???” Taishi Ci’s mother asked worriedly.
“Never fear, Mother, I have not been dismissed,” Taishi Ci replied. “I…
… …Mother, I have to go on a long journey, to the capital, and-”
“To the capital…?” Ci’s mother
said curiously and with a hint of excitement.
“I haven’t time to be stood here,” Taishi Ci continued urgently.
“Mother, I might not come back to you, so listen; if you need anything, just go
straight to the Administrator’s office, and tell them who you are: that you are
my mother. That will ensure that you are alright.”
Ci’s mother nodded nervously and said, “Hurry, then, my son. Gods be
with you.”
Taishi Ci fled his family house at great speed and began a journey to the
southwest.
When Taishi’s horse did eventually tire, he was east of the capital, and he knew that his rival had a significant head start. The most likely land route that a messenger might take were to go west to Ji’nan and then south into Yan Province by following the Ji River, but any that chose to brave a boat journey could sail down the Ji River from Ji’nan and go straight toward the capital once it met with the Yellow River. After securing a new horse from a travelling trader on the road to the capital, Taishi Ci began a journey west toward the Ji River in the hope of securing a boat. He had already been travelling for several days and nights without proper sleep or nourishment, but he knew that he could not fail.
When Taishi Ci eventually reached Ji’nan, he was already onto his third
horse and in desperate need of rest. He found the nearest horse trader and
prepared to barter for the animal that he had been using.
“It fast?” the trader asked.
“So-so,” Taishi replied.
“It healthy…?”
“It has brought me here from Mount Tai without rest,” Taishi Ci replied.
“Not bad!” the trader chuckled. “Alright; how much did you say you
wanted fer it, friend…?”
“Enough to get a boat, some rice to fill my stomach, and coin for five
journeys,” Taishi Ci said impatiently. “I don’t care, forgive my abruptness, so
long as I can continue my journey, sir.”
“…I’ll give you a fair price,” the trader replied cautiously. “You in a
rush…?”