The temperature by the sea is at least four or five degrees lower than inland, so the soldiers have to wear coats, but these coats greatly affect their marching speed.
But that's not the biggest trouble. The big trouble lies in the complex terrain of the coastal mudflats, ditches, and marshes—high in hidden dangers. Also, with the temperature rising, the mudflats have thawed, and the land is now crumbly. Step on it, and you'll sink into a pit, with mud splashing everywhere.
Ling Chengyan followed the team for the entire morning, and they camped next to a ditch to rest at noon. Some people used their hands to fish, while others found small holes beside the ditch and, using military shovels to dig, they surprisingly discovered small crabs, locally known as dorros.
Another group discovered clams. The clams dug from the mud were covered in sludge, but after washing them, they revealed beautifully patterned shells that felt smooth and somewhat glazed.
