In Clear Spring Valley of Jiahai Commandery, the Han Army was on a chopping spree. They hadn't killed this many people in the entire war, yet this time they had carved their way through them to their heart's content.
At the same time, the situation in the Eight Commanderies of Hanyang was the exact opposite. The people there were all joyfully preparing for the festival. After all, spring was almost here. Once spring arrived, the busy farming season would begin, leaving no time for celebrations. That was why the Han Tribe's New Year had been set in winter. It simply wasn't called "celebrating the New Year," but rather New Year's Day.
New Year's Day was set for the first day of the fourteenth month every year—the beginning of the final month of winter. Once this festival had passed, the weather would basically start warming up. The snow and ice would melt within a month, and the temperature would rise to the point where crops might begin to sprout.
After New Year's Day, the people would also feed their Draft Oxen concentrated fodder, repair their farming tools, sharpen their plowshares, and select their grain seeds. On top of that, they would bring out the Cured Meat they had pickled and start stuffing themselves like mad.
They ate delicious food to symbolize eating well and building up the strength to work, so they could stay healthy in the coming year and bring in a good harvest, among other things.
With ten days remaining before New Year's Day, the people were busy preparing things for the festival. Some went into the cities to buy new Window Paper and take it home to replace their old paper. Those with better means simply bought glass instead. Newlywed young couples in particular were more eager to