Sword Lake City was situated between Qinghe and Langya, roughly at the position of modern-day Dongping Lake. The location of the capital was similar to the modern-day capital, while Yanmen Pass was in Shanxi.0

Although both Yanmen Pass and the capital were in the north, in reality, they formed a triangle with Sword Lake City. One would not pass by the capital at all when heading the Yanmen Pass from Sword Lake City, so Vermillion Bird had somewhat tricked Zhao Changhe into taking a detour.0

The journey was quite long, especially with Zhao Changhe’s habit of taking circuitous routes. As they traveled north for many days, they gradually felt the arrival of autumn, with the sight of wheat ears and golden trees by the roadside.0

It was just like the desolation that he had witnessed journeying south; the northern plains were not much better.0

Apart from strongholds like Qinghe, Gusu, and Langya, most areas of the divine land were in poor condition. Despite it being the autumn harvest season, it appeared as if there had been a poor harvest everywhere. With both the north and south engaged in war, and the urgency of tax collection and conscription by the government, the situation was dire. Along the way, Zhao Changhe witnessed numerous incidents resembling scenes from “The Pressgang at Stone Moat Village” and “Lament of the Newlywed.”[1]0

Banditry and pillaging were rampant, with many places experiencing...0