In the deliberation hall of the Banan Prefecture City yamen, Main Bookkeeper Zhou was reading aloud the official decree just issued by Governor Mu:
"Governor Mu's decree:"
"Whereas Xia Huai'an, Prefectural Garrison Commander of Banan, since taking charge of defense affairs, has simultaneously employed pacification and suppression, repeatedly achieving exceptional merits. Previously, when the Bandit Horde of Black Cloud Fortress and other outlaws entrenched in Banan plundered prefectures and counties and poisoned the common people, this official personally led his forces to brave arrows and stones, charging through the thick of battle, and within a month swept away the bandits' lair, capturing and beheading 138 bandit leaders including Liu Heiqi, while pacifying over 400 coerced followers. Such loyal and diligent actions in service of the state, protecting the territory and securing the people, deeply accord with the imperial court's utmost intent to pacify and stabilize the localities."
Chapter 133