I thought exposing Inspector Luo was the limit—yet it was only the beginning.
Three days later, the Chief of the Bureau of Strategy himself sought me out, handing me a yellow-sealed decree:
"By the City Lord’s order, you are dispatched to Danxi Prefecture to investigate the missing disaster relief grain."
I froze. Danxi, southwest of Moonlit City, was a vital waterway region—yet plagued by years of famine. Recent rumors spoke of emptied granaries and soldiers driving peasants to rebellion.
This was no mere audit. It was a political trial by fire.
"Why me?" I asked.
The Chief’s gaze was fathomless. "Because you belong to no faction."
A deceptively simple answer that laid bare the Bureau’s cruel truth: everyone leaned on power, while I remained an unclaimed stranger.
On the day of departure, Zhu Yuanzhang pressed a notebook into my hands—filled with hard-won wisdom from his own travels. Watching his steady背影 (figure), I felt an odd, quiet reverence.
"Go. Remember where you come from—and where you intend to go."
Danxi was worse than I’d imagined. The streets were desolate; civilians flinched at the sight of officials. Vendors hid their faces, children’s wails sharp with hunger.
Then Li Jun appeared—smuggled in behind me.
"You followed?" I hissed.
"Told you I’d find a way." He flashed a merchant’s permit, grinning. "Danxi needs grain. I’m here to sell some."
His cover became my greatest asset.
Posing as traders, we uncovered the truth: granary ledgers were pristine, yet portions of "relief grain" vanished yearly—diverted to neighboring prefectures. Starving villagers received only moldy scraps and animal feed.
Then, in an eastern hamlet, I saw it—a child dead from hunger.
That night, in a crumbling temple, I cradled those small, blue-tinged hands until my vision blurred.
Li Jun draped his cloak over my shoulders. "You know a memorial won’t be enough this time."
"I know," I whispered. "I’ll force those in power to see this."
After a silence, he gripped my shoulder, smirking. "Then I’ll scout the path. You light the fire. Let’s burn this wretched place bright."
In that moment, I understood—I was no longer alone.
This wasn’t just an investigation. It was a war to reclaim humanity.
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