In this chapter, Kongkong, a survivor of the attack on the city of Cai'an, is questioned by his companions about his identity. He tells them that he is from the province of Sogdian, and that he and his companions have been living in the ink village of the Tang dynasty for a year. He complains that he has not been able to eat or sleep well because of the work he has to do. He says that he wants to eat mutton and rice cake soup, but that he does not have the master's permission to do so. He asks them to stand up for him when he is out and about, and they promise to do just that. They also tell him about the famous fruit store in the city, and he says that it has been a year since he last bought it. He hopes to return to the city again