The journey was three hundred li long, a distance impossible for a horse-drawn carriage to cover in a single day.
After a full day on the road, the last crimson glow of the setting sun vanished behind the distant mountains.
The convoy stopped on an open, sheltered riverbank beside the main road, preparing to camp for the night.
The servants skillfully unloaded the carts, fed the horses, gathered firewood, and started cooking.
Soon, several bonfires were lit. The dancing flames pushed back the darkness and brought a welcome warmth.
Fang Han and his four companions gathered around one of the bonfires. A wild rabbit they had just hunted was spitted over the flames.
A servant with a knack for cooking was roasting it for them.
As the seasoned rabbit roasted, a fragrant aroma slowly began to fill the air.
Eventually, it became crisp and fragrant, its juices sizzling, stirring the appetites of the five who had eaten nothing but dry rations for lunch.
