When Zhen Sheng first arrived in Liaodong, snow had only just fallen there. By the time the grain was delivered, it was the bitter cold of the deepest winter. Now that Zhen Sheng had come again, though the northern wind remained piercing and Liaodong was still frozen over, spring's footsteps had already arrived. The icebound river shimmered silver beneath the sun, and thawing water burbled along.
The General still wore his long hair casually gathered up, though today he had switched to a white jade hairpin. Clad in a tiger-fur coat and deerhide winter boots, he stood with his hands behind his back west of the Daliao River. The wind tousled his hair and made his tiger-fur coat flap loudly. With both hands tucked into his broad sleeves, the General watched the mingling ice and water in the river, taking in the grandeur of late winter in the north.
In truth, the northern lands at this time could hardly be called a grand sight. Even with the vitality the General had brought from another era, this place could still only be described as "desolate" and "primitive." Yet the wilderness of nature remained beautiful nonetheless.
Looking at the city across the river, the General said, "Pass the order. The Mighty Guard is to assemble at once, cross the river, and attack Fang County."
As soon as he finished speaking, the personal guards behind him mounted their horses and galloped off to deliver the order to the Mighty Guard's camp.
"Liao Hua."
"This general is here." From behind him came Liao Hua's reply, his appearance having grown far rougher.
The Liao Hua of old had never been particularly handsome, of course, but he had at least been presentable. Now, after leading troops behind enemy lines through an entire winter, after four thousand