In Tian Sheng's army camp on the northern border, happy soldiers packed and prepared to depart. The war would cease for the moment; Da Yue was too weak for a threatening offensive and the coming winter would bog down all movement, so Tian Sheng's main forces would retreat south to De Zhou and Yu Zhou.
Passing soldiers curiously eyed the lonely, utterly silent tent of the Military Inspector.
Even though there would be no conflict for the foreseeable future, His Highness had begged leave to stay on the northern border in case Da Yue attempted subterfuge, and His Majesty had agreed.
And so instead of returning to colorful Dijing, Prince Chu would remain in the frigid north; no one understood what His Highness was thinking.
No oil lamp lit the tent, and the curtain windows and door were closed on all sides. The sunlight piercing the cloth only lit the tent into a grey and indistinct dusk.
