At the end of September, early winter.

When the first snowflake fell from the sky and melted on the cobblestone streets of the Imperial Capital, people began to don their winter clothes.

On this very day, a shocking piece of news spread through the Imperial Capital: a national war was imminent! Yet, no one knew who the opponent would be.

People saw vassal kings from various regions holding tiger tallies, leading their armies to gather outside the city. Civil and military officials streamed into the palace from all directions.