The survey tent had one table and not enough room for the people gathered around it. Luo spread the official map across the boards, weighting the corners with a cup, a brass ruler, and Bai’s cloth-wrapped tube.
“The central archive was removed because it was structurally unstable,” Luo said. “That is what the order states.”
Gu bent over the copy. “There is no such warning on the old plan.”
“The sealed order came with the revised survey.”
“Who issued it?” Yan asked.
Luo pressed his mouth into a line. “I cannot name the official. I was told not to open the order.”
“Why were you told not to open it?”
“I don’t know.”
