The Taiping Army returned victorious. A thoroughly exhilarating victory had greatly heartened the Canal Commanders and the entire army.
Luo Xiao knew the King-Protecting Army could not sit idly by and would certainly make a move, so he sent men to investigate its movements.
Marquis Ying, Luo Zichuan, led his army northeast of Xingyang, preparing to coordinate a crossing attack with Luo Kong, the Marquis of Unshuang.
Jing County.
South of Xingyang, Yuan Shao mounted the platform as leader of the Southern Route East of the Passes alliance to swear an oath before the campaign. He had gathered the Eight Great Feudal Lords, along with a dozen or so others like Liu Bei, who possessed considerable strength but lacked the standing to rank among the Feudal Lords. Judging by strength alone, this route had twenty Feudal Lords.
"I, Yuan Shao, am but the eldest legitimate son of a ducal house, a man of little consequence. Yet you gentlemen have overlooked my lowliness and entrusted me with the great responsibility of leading this alliance."
On the high platform, Yuan Shao declared in a strong, ringing voice, "Now, in the name of our righteous cause, I call upon the heroes and warriors of every quarter and proclaim to all righteous men under heaven:
"Since Emperor Guangwu, the Founding Ancestor, received Heaven's mandate anew, the fortunes of Han have never declined so far as they have today.
"The threat to His Majesty's life has never been greater than it is today.
"The chaos and slaughter suffered within the seas have never been greater than they are today.
"Yin-Yang has been reversed, order has ceased to exist, and the suffering of living beings throughout the Nine Provinces has never been greater than it is today.
"Among you gentlemen are men from the wilds of