Volume 6, Chapter 9: Signal Fires Blazing Everywhere

In the autumn of the seventh year of Great Yongs Longsheng era, in the twenty-first year of the sixty-year cycle, the Yong Emperor denounced Southern Chu for going too long without paying tribute. He decreed that the King of Southern Chu present himself for an audience. When the King of Southern Chu heard, he became frightened out of his wits. He abdicated, citing illness, after many days not holding court. When the Yong Emperor heard, he was furious. He vowed to his troops to march south. The armies departed on three routes simultaneously, and war resumed.

Zizhi Tongjian

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Yong Records Volume Three

In the eleventh year of Tongtai, the Yong military marched south, without Suiyun.

Southern Chu Dynastic Records

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Biography of Jiang Suiyun

In the seventh year of Great Yongs Longsheng era, the eleventh year of Southern Chus Tongtai era, on the second day of the tenth month, on the central drill grounds of the Jiangxia Barracks in Southern Chu, soldiers were practicing mounted archery. Applause thundered from time to time.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Three arrows hit the bullseye in a row. Cheers rang out again on the drill grounds. The one loosing the arrows wasnt tall and wore silver armor. He sat on a buckskin horse, a rare and fine steed. Galloping and shooting, every arrow hit the bullseye. Archery this skilled was worthy of the applause of the soldiers, especially as the rider was their beloved lords eldest son.

After every arrow in the quiver had been shot, the rider finally stopped. Twenty-four arrows riddled the bullseye with not a single gap between them. He removed his helmet and revealed a face that was still young. He wiped some beads of sweat from his head and urged the horse to the edge of the drill grounds. Jumping off the warhorse, he lovingly rubbed it for a moment. Then he said with a smile to the soldiers who had come up and surrounded him, All right, shooting off a quiver of arrows relaxed me a lot. The generals havent begun to discuss military matters in the tent?

A few soldiers laughed and said, Young General, your archery just gets more splendid. The Grand General returned during the wee hours, so no discussion will be held to