The end of September arrived in the blink of an eye. Zhao Junyao had spent only three or four days at the hunting grounds. After ensuring Xia Ruqing was safely escorted back to the palace, he left the civil and military officials in the Capital City. He then headed north with his confidants and the Hidden Guard.
The harassment by the Grassland Tribes at the beginning of the year had caused much harm to the people beyond the borders. It was necessary to provide some consolation. Moreover, it was also an opportunity to establish authority. Winter was fast approaching. For those Grassland Tribes who depended on the heavens for their sustenance, a single snow disaster could leave them hungry for half a year. In desperation, they would resort to anything, and the Great Chu Dynasty became their most coveted target for plunder.
