South of the Wuyi Mountains and north of Dongzhi lay what would later become Jianyang District, Nanping City.
During the Eastern Han, however, the lands north of here were the principal stronghold of Fujian's Shanyue people.
Situated on the southern side of the Wuyi mountain range, this place connected two basins through mountain valleys.
Its pleasant climate was enough to sustain the hundred thousand or so people entrenched here.
The Shanyue settled here had originally been divided into five tribes, with little contact between them in ordinary times.
Yet now, their various tribal chiefs had gathered together to discuss a response.
What they discussed was naturally how to resist Qin Tian's forces.
In truth, when Qin Tian arrived in Dongzhi, these Shanyue people had not noticed at all.
After all, in their eyes, Qin Tian was far away in Wu Commandery. How could he possibly come to these deep mountains and ancient forests to campaign against them?
Yet they had never expected Qin Tian to make a "special" journey by ship to attack them.
It left them feeling both flattered and terrified. Seeing Nanyue trampled flat by Qin Tian, they hurriedly gathered together.
At this time, Hong Ming and Hong Jin of the Hong clan, the largest tribe in the Wuyi Mountains, sat in the seats of honor.
Below them sat Shanyue chieftains such as Yuan Yu, Wu Mian, and Hua Dang.
As they sat together, Hong Ming looked at the crowd from his seat and said:
"Everyone, Qin Tian has already led his troops into the mountains. Surely you have all heard this man's name."
"Since he took control of Jiangdong, clan after clan has been slaughtered."
"Now he has led troops north. How do you think we should resist him?"
At his question, everyone lowered their heads in