"Alright," Ma Su said cheerfully, pointing at the river.
"Everyone—jump in."
Silence hit like a dropped bowl.
The craftsmen—thin, poorly dressed, faces chapped by wind and hunger—looked at one another. No one moved.
Finally, someone scraped together the courage to speak.
"Young lord… it's freezing. Could we at least know why?"
Before Ma Su could answer, a sharp, confident voice cut in.
"Didn't you hear him?"
"Jump. In. Now."
The tone brooked no argument.
Ma Su whipped his head around—and immediately squinted.
The newcomer was dressed in brocade and jade, belt heavy with ornaments that chimed softly as he walked. Gold thread glinted on his cap. If not for those narrow, calculating eyes, he could've passed for a storybook jade-faced noble.
Beside him stood a man dressed like a military officer, far plainer, standing half a step behind with instinctive deference.
Intimidated by sheer presence, the craftsmen finally moved. One man jumped in—then another—then several more, splashing into the icy water.
That was when Ma Su panicked.
"Wait—no, no! Strip first!"
"Wash yourselves clean and come up quickly!"
"Don't jump in with your clothes on!"
He spun and barked orders at his personal attendants from Yicheng.
"Gather firewood! Big fires—now!"
Only after the chaos settled did Ma Su turn back, eyes narrowed.
"And you two are…?"
The richly dressed man laughed and clasped Ma Su's hand with enthusiasm.
"Mi Fang, courtesy name Zifang. My elder brother is Mi Zizhong."
He gestured to the man beside him.
"This is Fu Shiren, courtesy name Junyi. Currently serving as Magistrate of Bandit Affairs here in Gong'an."
Mi Fang smiled warmly.
"We heard of your reputation, Attendant Ma. When we learned your brother returned to Yicheng but you stayed behind, we thought—why not spend the holiday together?"
They studied Ma Su carefully.
From Mi Fang's perspective, Ma Su's rapid promotion straight to an aide of the Military Advisor wasn't humiliation—it was favor. Mi Fang knew both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang well enough to trust their judgment. That was exactly why he'd dragged Fu Shiren along—to make an impression.
Unfortunately for them, the impression didn't land.
"I'm on duty," Ma Su replied flatly.
"No time for leisure. Gentlemen, please enjoy yourselves elsewhere."
He offered a stiff, polite smile—and turned away.
Two men favored by circumstance, not substance.
That was Ma Su's private verdict.
"Bring more firewood—no, I'll go with you!"
Soon several bonfires crackled along the riverbank. The craftsmen huddled close, steam rising from their skin as Ma Su stood among them and raised his voice.
"Listen up! Governor Liu is opening new workshops here in Gong'an!"
"Food provided. Lodging provided. Wages paid!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"And Governor Liu personally invited Physician Zhang Zhongjing!"
"The Doctor ordered that everyone entering the city wash thoroughly—mountain miasma, long journeys, sickness on the road. We're not taking chances!"
A craftsman scratched his head sheepishly.
"Young lord, if you'd said that earlier, we'd've washed ourselves before coming… We thought you were making sport of us."
Ma Su snorted and said nothing.
Once everyone was clean and dry, he herded them through the west gate of Gong'an, pointing things out as they walked.
"That over there—that's the new blacksmith shop. Smiths, head over and ask for Master Sun. He'll test your skill. If you pass, you stay."
He added sternly,
"Master Sun has a sharp temper, but he's a good man. If he scolds you, there's a reason. Don't talk back."
Farther along, east of the county office, foundations had already been laid. Several craftsmen surrounded a scholar deep in discussion.
"That's Attendant Sun," Ma Su said.
"He's far more capable than I am. All carpenters report to him. If you work wood, go directly to him."
Then, with emphasis:
"He's easy to speak with—but don't mistake that for weakness. He's served Governor Liu for ten years."
They continued south, out of the city. Soon the Hudu River came into view. A cleared field lay beside it, rows of wooden stakes driven into the bank.
"What's this for?" someone asked.
Ma Su stared at the river, momentarily lost.
"The Military Advisor says this is… 'technology.'"
He shrugged helplessly.
"When it's finished, it'll be something special. That field will be a paper workshop. We're making Zuo Bo paper."
The remaining craftsmen exchanged confused looks.
A dark-skinned man ventured carefully,
"Attendant Ma… what exactly is Zuo Bo paper?"
Ma Su decided that explanation could wait.
After settling the papermakers back in the west district, Ma Su passed behind the county office and noticed a stall with a long line.
"What's going on here?" he asked a chubby man grinning from ear to ear.
"Physician Zhang's handing out Tusu wine! Says it strengthens the body and wards off plague. Better hurry—there's not much left!"
Ma Su fell silent.
He'd already had some at the morning banquet.
Personally, he thought drinking medicine straight would've been simpler.
Nearby, a crowd gathered at the notice board. Someone read aloud:
"Governor Liu and Marquis Sun repelled Cao's forces this year, but many lives were lost. Refugees crossing from Jianghuai suffered illness and death. Thus, on the Lantern Festival, the county will fund a Grand Nuo Rite!"
"To expel pestilence, drive away evil, comfort the dead, and pray for peace!"
"Governor Liu is benevolent!" the crowd cheered.
Afterward, some wept quietly, memories of lost kin surfacing. Others comforted them in low voices.
Ma Su sighed, recalling Liu Bei's words from earlier that day.
"Together, we shall accomplish a great undertaking."
But could that undertaking truly bring peace to the realm?
Later that night.
In his study, Liu Bei trimmed the wick and continued writing by the dim flame.
At the top of the letter were three bold characters:
"To Mengqi, personally."
It was the third letter he'd written to Ma Chao recently.
Given the distance from Jingzhou to Liangzhou, Liu Bei avoided sensitive matters—family news, the state of affairs, praise for Ma Chao's valor.
After hearing the account of Hanzhong, Liu Bei had asked Jian Yong for intelligence from Liangzhou.
He was too late.
Ma Teng had already been summoned to court, made Minister of the Guards. Ma Xiu and Ma Tie received their own posts, the entire household brought to the capital.
Submission.
With Liangzhou secured, Cao Cao no longer had worries to the rear—and could march south with confidence.
And yet—
Zhou Gongjin.
Liu Bei couldn't help but envy Sun Quan for having such a man.
Then he sighed softly.
"New Year has passed," he murmured.
"The Jiangdong Zhou Yu… his days are numbered."
That realization hardened his resolve.
He must go to Jiangdong.
Not for Sun Quan's sister.
But because Nan Commandery was non-negotiable.
The great game had already begun.