The cold and brutal weather kept getting worse in Tong'an and provided difficulties to the soldiers, they couldn't train nor march. The roads were covered in deep ice and not even horses could pass through, what was once a brave and strong army slowly declined and lost its grasp without Qianlong noticing it.
He was busy with Fei who he just wedded and crowned her Queen of Tong'an thinking his wife Nien Zhen died on the pyre. But Fei on the other hand had her own plans, she took out lands from far up the country which she was sure even the new ruler wouldn't be interested in them, she also dived into Qianlong's pockets and stole his gold and coins without him noticing.
A month later General Chun arrived with the men Yishen sent him with and they successfully at night burned their provisions. They didn't leave anything, not even a single piece of grain. Then they travelled back to Leilani to prepare for the war.
