Jinzhou, on the borderlands, often conjures images of desolate lands and barren mountain ranges.
Once a merchant was tasked with a journey to Jinzhou. "I'm not well," he promptly refused. "I would die halfway if I were to go there." His colleague smiled and responded, "You'll know what it's like once you see it for yourself."
Reluctantly, the duo set out for Jinzhou. They traversed countless barren wastelands and perilous jungles until they finally reached a picturesque place embraced by lush mountains and clear water.
Standing at the end of the forest path were towering city gates. Soldiers on guard gave them a friendly welcome, granting them entry after a quick check of their papers.
A lively tapestry of life unfurled before them as they ventured into Jinzhou. Contrary to expectations, the city was a bustling hub of activity and lacked any trace of desolation or bleakness. Amidst well-designed buildings and serene ponds teeming with colorful carp, they discovered a captivating scenery that rivaled even the lush landscapes of inland regions. Lost in the lively atmosphere, they sampled Kungfu Tea at Liuxian Teahouse, savored the speciality dish at Panhua's Restaurant, and immersed themselves in the shows at Jinzhou Theater. With each experience, their weariness faded away, replaced by the invigorating energy of Jinzhou and the warm hospitality of its people.
"It's incredible! Who would've thought a borderland city could be so lively and prosperous? Feels like I'm in a wonderland! But I guess it took a lot of hard work to build such beautiful structures in a place like this, right?"
"Yeah, our magistrate always says that hard work pays off in the end. No matter where you are, if you're willing to put in the effort, you can create the life you want. So, neither barren mountains nor Tacet Discords can stop us from building the foundation for a happy life! So we built the houses, enjoying the good times before any trouble comes our way."
"Unbelievable! Who would have thought a borderland city could thrive like this? It feels like a utopia. It must have taken a lot of hard work to create such beautiful structures in here."
"Our magistrate always preached the value of hard work. No matter your circumstances, with determination and effort, you can achieve your dreams. So despite the barren mountains and Tacet Discords, we built our homes and savored the good times before hardship struck."
"It's amazing how you all pulled it off. It couldn't have been easy, but each of you made it happen. Truly impressive."
"Well, it's not as tough as it seems with our great magistrate leading the way. We just follow her lead, and she takes care of everything here."
"Yeah, she seems really wise and capable. I bet she has years of experience too?"
"Nope, she's still young, only in her teens!"
"Teens?!"
As Jinhsi became the Jinzhou magistrate, she was young and inexperienced. The people of Jinzhou placed their trust in her decisions, but she knew it was not her alone, but also her role as the Sentinel's Resonator, that earned their faith.
aking on this great responsibility, Jinhsi felt determined to guide Jinzhou towards a better future, despite her initial challenges. She also understood that trust had to be earned through hard work and dedication.
Despite the skepticism she encountered, Jinhsi was more troubled by the weariness etched on the faces of the people—a weariness born of life's hardships and a lack of hope.
She realized that beyond addressing tangible issues like material shortages and external threats, her true challenge was to restore the hope and confidence of the people of Jinzhou, who had been worn down by life.