At the end of the second month, Hebei could hardly be called a land of growing grass and flying orioles, but willows competed to put out branches, and peach and apricot blossoms filled the courtyards. More importantly, the freshly cultivated fields gave off the scent of new-turned earth, mingling with the New Sprouts just poking through to make the land of Hebei a delight to behold.
At this time, alongside the migratory birds returning north, the Exorcising the Dragon Gang began massing its forces around Yecheng.
There was no concealing the commotion.
This was a quasi-total mobilization. Every part of the Exorcising the Dragon Gang's territory sprang into action. It was not merely troops: vast quantities of supplies were also shipped from Henan along the newly thawed Great River, whose ports worked day and night without a moment's pause. Meanwhile, the defensive forces already at the front and local authorities across Hebei began constructing Simple-Temporary Military Camps and supply stations, while inspecting and maintaining the roads.
As for Palace City northwest of Yecheng, it was not simply overcrowded. A more accurate description was that people were constantly coming and going:
Many members and heads of the departments directly subordinate to the Grand Traveling Office were absent, having gone off to various places. Some went to the northern front, some to inspect transport routes, some to Henan to escort grain, fodder, weapons, and equipment, and some to military camps to inspect the troops' condition... but they rarely stayed away long before returning for meetings, submitting or conveying documents, filling in forms, and then heading somewhere else.
In addition, large numbers of junior and middle-ranking officers, local officials, and retired veterans were summoned here. Along with the clerks, army staff officers, and reserve generals already in Yecheng, they received additional ranks across