Xie Minghe and Xiong Bonan's nighttime visit was merely an interlude. Opening their hearts to each other was certainly a good thing, but even without that, the work could not be held up.
After several more days of waiting, affairs in the rear had all been dealt with at an accelerated pace. Wang Shuyong on the northern front had opened a route to Cheng Zhili, the covert agents intended for Dengzhou had been dispatched, and Xiong Bonan had brought back his recommendations for dealing with the various rebel armies. The Exorcising the Dragon Army had no further reason to linger here.
At the end of June, Zhang Xing reached Liangfu. He did not visit the middle-aged man and woman, merely having Wang Xiongdan make a detour through Lin Family Hollow on his return from business elsewhere. He trusted that this young man, unquestionably a talent spotted by Du Pozhen's discerning eye, had his own way of handling matters and his own judgment.
By early July, as the various forces gradually reassembled at the front, Zhang Xing formally issued orders requiring the City Defense Army troops, yamen runners, and patrolmen stationed in the counties of Eastern Commandery and Jiyin Commandery to divide into two and transfer eastward to corresponding areas in Dongping, Lu, and Jibei Commanderies. They were to maintain local order and ensure the smooth progress of the autumn harvest, soon to begin across broad stretches of land.
The field troops they relieved would advance east in sequence to reinforce the front.
At the same time, Zhang Xing publicly appointed acting Helmsmen to serve concurrently as county magistrates, and deputy Helmsmen to handle the duties of County Captains. More than half of these appointments remained promotions and rewards from within the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, but quite a few went