On the twenty-sixth of the third month, a light rain was falling outside when Zhang Xing got up. It was no hindrance; instead, it eased some of the dry late-spring heat of the past few days.
Only later that morning, after the surrendered men had entered the city and stabilized order, Wang Xiongdan's and Yuan Baocun's two battalions had moved in to take control of the defenses, and Luo Shu's head had been hung over the city gate, did Chief Zhang make a show of circling back to the opposite bank of the Sanggan River.
Then Qin Bao led the White-Stepping Cavalry ahead to clear the way, while the three battalions of Wang Shuyong, Xu Shiren, and Jia Yue formed orderly ranks behind him. The entire army wore neatly arrayed armor and matching surcoats, the officers bearing Whalebone Plaques, the soldiers wearing Six Harmonies Boots, and the horses fitted with face armor. Cavalry and infantry, bows and crossbows, Straight Sabers and long spears—all formed their respective ranks.
Chief Zhang himself, dressed in red military robes, rode his yellow-brown horse beneath the red Exorcise-Character Banner. Surrounded by the military clerks and staff officers led by Ma Wei, and guarded by Niu He, he crossed Youzhou Bridge and entered his loyal city of Youzhou in full dignity.
The scene carried considerable significance.
For by this point, considering the defeat of the allied forces of the Two Gaos and Wang in the three northwestern commanderies, it could fairly be said that Hebei was now united.
Moreover, the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had by now done more than secure the geographical advantages of the Entire Hebei. Its political structure had been tested, its economy and people's livelihoods had remained functioning, its military and personnel development had taken on a rudimentary system, and even its