On this day, Du Youqian finally arrived in Quhuai County, located in the western part of the Wu Kingdom, bordering the Han Kingdom.
He summoned the Jinyiwei squad leader who had attended to his daily needs like a servant throughout the journey. "From here on, I'll be going on my own," he said. "You are not to follow me."
The Jinyiwei squad leader looked troubled. "This... this subordinate wouldn't dare to make such a decision on my own."
Du Youqian said, "You can go ask for permission. But let me tell you, it doesn't matter how many of you try to follow me. You won't be able to keep up."
The Jinyiwei squad leader recalled certain rumors and seemed to have an epiphany.
Still, he followed protocol, returning to write a letter and dispatch it via carrier pigeon to request instructions from Lord Thousand Households.
By evening, he received a reply: "No need to follow. Let him be."
'It's not like we could keep up anyway,' the squad leader thought.
