Morning in Jinling.
The watchtower drums on the city wall began to beat the night watch drum, and the grain barges from Hu-Guang took advantage of the morning tide to enter the inner river.
The fishing boats on the river drew in their nets; fishermen with bamboo baskets on their backs went into the city, rolling up their trouser legs as they hawked fresh crucian carp along the streets, their voices flying over white walls, gray tiles, and narrow alleys.
At this time, more than ten carriages entered the city through Jubao Gate, their wheels grinding along the stone-paved main street as they arrived at the gate of the government office.
The coachmen lifted the carriage curtains with strips of Xiangfei Bamboo, set down the footstools, and helped a gray-haired old man shakily alight, escorting him into the government office.
The yamen runners at the government office cupped their hands politely and said, "The Fang Family's old master has arrived."
