Dong Xi knew of Hanshou County—but not because it was famous for any special product.
Ever since Emperor Wu of Han instituted the system of Inspectors to oversee the commanderies and counties, the Inspectors of Jingzhou had, more often than not, chosen Hanshou as their seat of governance.
It wasn't because there was any great wealth to be squeezed from the place.
From a hydrological standpoint, Hanshou connected to the Yuan River, which flowed into Yunmeng Marsh and then linked up with the Yangtze, opening access to northern Jingzhou.
Geographically, it sat squarely between the mountainous regions of southern Jingzhou and the plains of the north.
Control Hanshou, and you controlled the Yuan River.
Control the Yuan River, and you held southern Jingzhou by the ear.
If southern Jingzhou was stable, then Jingzhou as a whole was stable.
That was why, from the Former Han onward, the Inspectors of Jingzhou had always favored this place.
Later, however, as local powerholders grew stronger and stronger, Emperor Ling changed the role of the Inspector—originally limited to supervision and investigation—into that of a Governor with authority over finance, recruitment, and military training.
The intent had been to suppress unrest quickly.
Instead, it only accelerated the rise of regional strongmen, who became the warlords tearing the realm apart.
And so, from the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling onward, Jingzhou's Inspectors and Governors gradually lost interest in Hanshou, turning instead to the wealthier Xiangyang.
Dong Xi, of course, hadn't thought that far ahead.
But he did understand how vital Hanshou was to controlling southern Jingzhou.
That was why he had rushed upriver along the Yuan, hoping to seize Hanshou alone and claim first merit in the campaign for Jingzhou's south.
Now, looking back, he realized he'd only been half right.
The good news:
He really was the first Jiangdong general to enter Hanshou.
The bad news:
He'd been carried in on someone else's shoulder.
From time to time, boys and girls with bound hair ran past him, laughing and pointing.
Judging by their complexion and their stiff, awkward accents, Dong Xi could tell at a glance—
They were all tribespeople.
And yet, despite being tribespeople, they made a point of wearing Han-style clothing and observing Han etiquette, greeting Sha Moke properly as they passed.
Sha Moke returned each greeting in turn, awkwardly cupping his fists.
Each time he shifted his shoulder, however, Dong Xi felt a sharp pain in his waist.
He had likely been squeezed again.
Wisely, Dong Xi said nothing.
He remained silent, observing the sights of Hanshou.
The streets ran straight and wide.
The buildings were orderly and well laid out.
The tribespeople moved about with restraint and courtesy.
Merchant houses, schools, and medical clinics were all present.
There weren't many shops, but their goods were complete, and the cries of vendors rose and fell without pause.
The schools weren't large, but they were clean and tidy, with the sound of reading drifting out.
The clinics weren't tall, but they were peaceful despite the bustle, and those seeking treatment left with smiles on their faces.
Though one could still see the distinction between Han and tribespeople in the details, this Hanshou County showed Han and tribal folk living together in harmony, with no sense of separation.
The more Dong Xi looked, the more confused he became.
At last, unable to hold back his curiosity, he spoke:
"This place… why is it like this?"
He spoke vaguely, but Sha Moke knew exactly what he meant.
A trace of nostalgia appeared on Sha Moke's face.
"Ten years ago," he said slowly, "southern Jingzhou was no different from anywhere else."
"Liu Jingsheng was lord of Jingzhou. We Wuxi and Wuling tribes roamed the mountains—outside the registers, beyond royal authority, paying no taxes."
At the very center of Hanshou stood a county office modeled after those in Han lands. The craftsmanship was crude, but the shape was recognizable.
Sha Moke casually dropped Dong Xi to the ground.
Dong Xi clutched his backside, baring his teeth in pain.
Sha Moke sat down on a chair by the entrance.
The sun had begun to slope westward, its light falling across him as he drew in a deep, contented breath.
Dong Xi, sensibly, did not attempt to take a chair.
He sat on the threshold instead, lowering his gaze.
"And then?" he asked.
Sha Moke nodded.
"Then Liu Jingsheng died. After that came that northern Prime Minister Cao marching south, the Battle of Red Cliffs—you know the rest."
Dong Xi nodded.
In Jiangdong, who didn't praise Red Cliffs?
"After Red Cliffs, a General Zhang came here—strong as me—and told us to submit. Since no one said we had to pay taxes, we submitted."
Dong Xi understood.
That would have been Zhang Fei.
"And then," Sha Moke continued, his expression changing, "Mr. Ma arrived."
"He said many things. I don't remember most of them."
"But I remember this—Han and tribespeople are one family."
"He said our young man should be taught, our elders cared for. That full granaries could withstand bad years. That food and clothing would end the need to abandon infants. That skills could give people a way to live. That guarding this land was the foundation of our lives."
Pretty words, Dong Xi sneered inwardly.
But having been beaten twice already, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
Besides—
Looking at Hanshou now, it seemed this Mr. Ma had actually done what he promised.
"We've seen Inspectors try to win us over before," Sha Moke continued calmly. "But they were all like you—proud, looking down on tribespeople."
He glanced at Dong Xi.
Dong Xi's expression stiffened, and he turned his eyes away.
"Mr. Ma lived and ate with us for over two years. He treated us as brothers, never putting on airs."
"He repaired waterways. Taught our children. Saved our wives from illness."
"He taught medicine, farming, and water control. Over the past two years, no one in Wuling hasn't benefited from his kindness."
As he spoke, Sha Moke's voice grew quieter.
He had seen every hardship and danger Mr. Ma endured for the sake of Wuling.
Over those two years, Sha Moke's feelings had shifted—from hostility, to respect, and finally to trust.
Now, seeing Wuling flourish like this, he was willing to entrust his life in return.
Hanshou was only one corner of Wuling.
In the western mountains—Lingyang, Chong County, Youyang, Yuanling—every place had been transformed by Mr. Ma's hand.
Now, Sha Moke had gathered twenty thousand Wuling men here, willing to die for Lord Xuande.
And yet, he had never even met him.
In the end, it was because Mr. Ma's kindness ran too deep.
And because of what Mr. Ma had taught them:
Wuling was the home the Wuling people had built with their own hands—and it had to be protected.
There were too many twists and turns in this story to explain in just a few sentences.
And Sha Moke remembered all too well how Jiangdong treated the Shanyue.
In the past two years, Shanyue from Jiangdong had crossed the mountains into southern Jingzhou seeking a living.
The stories they brought with them filled Sha Moke with rage.
And so Dong Xi watched as the tribal king's attitude turned cold.
Sha Moke waved his hand, calling over two massive tribesmen.
"This man," he said plainly, "was captured by me personally. My land needs turning—fetch iron chains and send him to work."
Dong Xi's vision went black.
It's over. I've become a slave.
"General Sha truly means to humiliate me?" Dong Xi struggled one last time. "Do you not fear my lord's thunderous wrath?"
Sha Moke only laughed.
"Turn the soil properly. If it's too tiring, then in a few days, when I break the bandit army at Gong'an County, I'll bring their leader back to keep you company."
Watching Dong Xi dragged away in fury and despair, Sha Moke's expression turned solemn.
If they were to aid their lord and prevent southern Jingzhou from falling into chaos, these twenty thousand Wuling troops would have to act with great care.
—
Meanwhile, in Xinchang County of Kuaiji Commandery—
Ma Liang stood bare-chested in a blacksmith's workshop, observing the flow of molten iron.
Hearing the Shanyue chieftain muttering behind him, Ma Liang turned back helplessly, his graying brows strikingly clear.
"How could I force you to attack Jiangdong and throw your lives away?" he said calmly.
"I came here precisely so the Shanyue people would not die in vain."