Time passed quickly.
The temperature across the Zhongzhou Continent rose steadily, and before long, summer arrived. The Qi Army in Pingzhou Road and the Rebel Suppression Army assembled by the Court had just fought two battles when new rebel forces rose up in Beiyuan Road and Jianglin Road. They sought to follow the example of Pingzhou Road and Shangning Road, hoping to seize the imperial throne for themselves.
Fortunately, the Court had issued a Rebellion Suppression Order in advance. This turned most of these rebel armies into a stepping stone for the local gentry, giving the regional aristocratic families legal authority to recruit their own troops and a pretext for forging weapons and armor.
The Northwest Region, in contrast, had suddenly fallen quiet. Anqing, compelled by an order from the Court, had dispatched a small force that engaged in a few minor skirmishes with the Government Soldiers from West Stone Road and the Datong Army. Beyond that, there was no other activity.
