At the end of November in Changan City, snow suddenly began to fall, flake by flake, onto rooftops, along the long streets, on people's hair and shoulders.
"It's snowing!" The soldier guarding the city gate raised his head and reached out to catch a snowflake.
This was the first snow of the year, and very soon, the snowflakes began to fall densely, covering everything in sight.
There was the sound of urgent hoofbeats coming from outside the city, and the soldier glanced over to see two fine horses galloping one after the other into the city. Before he could react, both horses and riders had disappeared from view.
"Hey, those rascals haven't even presented their travel documents..."
The soldier had just started to speak when another fine horse approached, the rider at the front raising a token high and shouting, "County Magistrate Ruifu is approaching, please give way."
