"Knock, knock, knock!" "Knock, knock, knock!"
A series of urgent knocks echoed through the tranquil Imperial City just before the impending dawn.
The people inside were awakened by the fierce knocking. A woman pushed the man sleeping soundly beside her, "Go see who it is?"
The man was woken up and, very reluctantly, got up and put on his clothes. He picked up a newly lit oil lamp and prepared to open the courtyard gate.
"Who is it?" he yawned, feeling quite annoyed.
Someone coming to knock at this hour? Isn't it almost dawn? Can't it wait until it's light out?
He pulled open the door bolt and as soon as he opened the door, he was immediately taken aback. He couldn't believe his eyes and rubbed them before taking a closer look, and then his legs began to tremble.
"Officer, officer! This... this..." The man stammered, feeling his knees go weak. If he hadn't been holding onto the door frame, he would have almost knelt to the ground.
