Pang Ban followed the eunuch, walking swiftly through the palace gate. He recognized that the guide ahead was the Emperor's personal eunuch, so he asked, "Eunuch, do you know what this is about?" The eunuch dared not refuse Pang Ban's question, but also dared not divulge matters close to the Emperor, so he could only reply, "A matter of utmost urgency."
Utmost urgency?
Pang Ban turned the thought in his mind and roughly understood. Nowadays, within and outside the Dynasty, what's considered of 'utmost urgency' must be from the south.
That matter had already reached Pang Ban this morning—an urgent report sent from the south, by the newly appointed Southern Border Army's Inspector, Shen Hao, stating that a major change was likely imminent outside the border, listing several signs. Now, it seemed that report had, unfortunately, come true.
When Pang Ban met the Emperor, the Emperor waved his hand to halt his formal greetings and tossed over a Copper Rod.
"Look at it first."
