The Burden of Duty 

The days were a blur of relentless duty and disciplined routines for Corporal Zhang Wei. Mornings began early with the raising of the colours and the drill of the troops under his guidance. His position bore the weight of the empire's expectations, requiring meticulous oversight and unwavering discipline from dawn till dusk. Yet, amid the daily flurry of activities within the palace walls, the voices of the disgruntled villagers lingered as a persistent echo in Zhang Wei's mind.

As Zhang Wei patrolled the palace grounds, he sought out every possible moment to grasp the attention of General Li Feng. However, the General was often occupied, and the Corporal's duties called for unswerving attention, leaving no space for a personal audience. Reports to compile, troop instructions to deliver, and administrative responsibilities filled his days, leaving little room for personal quests.

The burden of command responsibilities was an unexpected challenge. The clamour of orders, the meticulous planning, and the weight of leading a group of soldiers dampened his spirit. He was caught between the responsibilities he owed to the empire and the duty he felt toward the villagers' grievances. This internal conflict brewed a silent storm in his heart, a tempest he was determined to resolve.

During spare moments in between patrolling and fulfilling administrative duties, he sought to engage in conversations with his fellow soldiers. However, their discussions gravitated towards troop assignments, military strategy, and the routine aspects of the Imperial Guard's operations. The undercurrent of dissent and concern among the common folk was rarely the subject of conversation within the ranks.

He yearned to delve deeper into the concerns and experiences of the people outside the palace walls, but the opportunity to discuss this vital issue seemed elusive. His fellow soldiers were engrossed in their duties, not grasping the depth of the challenge that weighed on his shoulders.

The position of Corporal brought an aura of authority but, concomitantly, an avalanche of responsibilities. Each day, Zhang Wei hoped to create a space to discuss these grievances with General Li Feng, to unearth the truth behind the discontent and find a resolution. But as days turned to weeks, the weight of his duties threatened to confine this noble quest within the walls of impossibility.

The relentless grind of his new position wore on him like a millstone, chipping away at his resolve. The voices of discontent continued to haunt him, echoing in his ears during those rare moments of reprieve when he wasn't immersed in his duties. The villagers' plight, their grievances against the empire, and the deeds of certain wayward soldiers in the palace loomed over his conscience.

Zhang Wei often found himself wrestling with a disquiet that had taken root within him. The empathy he felt for the suffering villagers clashed with his unwavering loyalty to the empire. This internal struggle consumed him, made him restless, and set his thoughts spinning like a whirlwind.

During his sleepless nights, his mind wandered to the faces of those he had encountered in his journey through the empire. The expressions of pain, anger, and despair etched on the villagers' faces tugged at his soul. He tossed and turned in his bed, tormented by the paradox he faced - the duty to his empire and the duty to the people he had sworn to protect.

At times, he considered seeking the counsel of those officers he had come to respect and rely upon, like Captain Xue. The Captain had been a mentor, guiding him through the intricate web of palace politics, and had a keen sense of honour. Zhang Wei knew that the Captain would listen and offer advice, but he couldn't bring himself to burden his friend with his turmoil, at least not yet. Captain Xue had his responsibilities, and Zhang Wei didn't wish to detract from them.

He continued to observe the General's demeanour, his steadfastness, and the deep-rooted honour he exhibited in his role as a leader. General Li Feng was the highest-ranking officer Zhang Wei had regular contact with, and the one whose wisdom he sought most. The General had shown Zhang Wei kindness and had instilled in him the values of duty, loyalty, and honour.

As the days rolled on, Zhang Wei's resolve remained unbroken, but his patience began to waver. He had never imagined the weight of leadership would be so heavy, the complexities so intricate. And the burden of understanding the people's suffering, of reconciling their pain with his duty to the empire, gnawed at him like an insatiable hunger.

The time had come for him to find a way, a path that would lead him to General Li Feng, where he could share the cries of the people who longed for justice and relief. But as he prepared to embark on this quest, he knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, fraught with challenges and unknown dangers. He steeled himself for what lay ahead, drawing strength from the loyalty that had always guided him.

One fateful day, Zhang Wei received a unique assignment. The order from his superiors was a welcomed diversion from his usual tasks within the palace walls. He was tasked with patrolling the streets surrounding the palace, a change that piqued his curiosity.

As he donned his armour and made his way through the palace gates into the bustling city that bordered the palace grounds, Zhang Wei couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The towering buildings of the city loomed above, their walls adorned with colourful banners and symbols of the empire. It was a stark contrast to the austere, regimented life he had known within the palace.

The city was a vibrant tapestry of life, its streets filled with merchants hawking their wares, children playing games in corners, and residents going about their daily routines. For Zhang Wei, who had spent most of his days in the disciplined confines of the Imperial Guard barracks, this was a different world.

He walked through the city, the weight of his armour and the symbol of the Imperial Guard marking him as an authoritative presence. People on the streets noticed him, their gazes a mix of curiosity and respect. It was a rare sight to see an Imperial Guard on such patrol, and the citizens regarded him with a sense of reverence.

Despite his official presence, Zhang Wei couldn't help but overhear the murmurs of the city's residents. Their conversations, though muted, reached his ears and drew his attention. The words were like a chorus of concerns, a symphony of grievances, and they resonated with him.

The bustling streets surrounding the palace were a stark contrast to the quietude within its walls. As Zhang Wei strolled through the winding alleys and avenues, he was enveloped by a sea of people. The city was a living, breathing entity, its heartbeat echoing through the chatter and movement of its inhabitants.

The patrol was an eye-opener, an opportunity to witness firsthand the everyday lives of the city's residents. Their voices, previously distant whispers, were now a living reality. Zhang Wei's footsteps took him down narrow alleyways and bustling marketplaces, each encounter adding to his understanding of the city's pulse.

He overheard snippets of conversations, hidden beneath the city's vibrant façade. The words reached his ears like fragments of a larger story, and they tugged at his attention. People spoke in hushed tones, their voices laden with concern and frustration.

"It's the same story every time," a merchant grumbled, his wares displayed on a cart. "More taxes, less profit. When will it end?"

"I heard the emperor promised improvements," replied another, a young woman with a basket of fresh produce. "But it's been nothing but hardship."

"Don't mention improvements," a third person chimed in, casting furtive glances around to ensure their words weren't overheard. "They've turned a deaf ear to our pleas."

As Zhang Wei continued his patrol, the discontent was palpable. The common people, who were meant to be the foundation of the empire, were feeling the weight of their existence. Taxes had risen, while their livelihoods had grown more challenging.

Zhang Wei, under the guise of his Imperial Guard uniform, listened intently, growing ever more convinced that the discontent he had seen in the villages was not isolated. The problems, it seemed, extended even to the capital city. The promises of a better life, prosperity, and security were viewed as hollow, and the growing divide between the palace and its people became more evident with each word he overheard.

And just as he had noticed during his expeditions, some of the reports indicated maltreatment by guards from other factions within the palace. It was a wound that continued to fester, slowly poisoning the relationship between the citizens and those who were meant to protect them.

The tension in the city was thick, like a storm brewing on the horizon. For Zhang Wei, this patrol was a revelation, a confirmation that the issues he had encountered in the villages were not isolated incidents, but part of a larger problem that seemed to have infiltrated every corner of the empire, even its heart, the capital city itself. As a member of the Imperial Guard, sworn to uphold the empire's values, this troubled him deeply. He knew that he couldn't stand idly by, not now. The city's discontent became his burden to bear, and he would have to find a way to address it, to bridge the divide between the palace and its people.