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On November 11th, a fleet of fast horses galloped out of the Zhenshuo General's Mansion in Xuanfu Town and out of the city, carrying orders from the general to all directions.

On the same day, the Zhenshuo General's Office issued a war mobilization order, announcing that in order to ensure the smooth progress of this battle to defend the emperor and drive out the Tartars, the entire territory of Xuanfu Town was placed into a state of war.

First, it was announced that all military and political affairs within Xuanfu Town would be under the overall command of the General's Mansion, and all military and civilian personnel must obey the orders of the General's Mansion; those who disobeyed would be punished for treason.

Then come the specific procedures and requirements...

All the garrison soldiers in the castles returned to their posts and began combat patrols; the soldiers in the military garrisons assembled and stood by, ready to be used at any time; all passes were placed under martial law, and no one was allowed to pass without the general's token; all the gates and roads leading into and out of Xuanzhen were closed, and no one was allowed to enter or leave without the general's token.

Meanwhile, all workshops stepped up production of military equipment and supplies, and suspended all civilian production activities; the military academy suspended classes, and students formed a student army to prepare for war and be ready for deployment; the engineering school suspended classes, and students immediately went to the workshops for practical training to strengthen the production of military supplies; the Xuanda Commercial Company entered a semi-closed state, strengthened material reserves, and made all preparations for the transfer of military supplies, ready to be deployed at any time.

All officers and soldiers in Xuanfu Town were to have all leave cancelled and were required to return to their camps within three days to assemble and await orders. They were to receive and inspect their armor, weapons, cannons, and warhorses, and make all necessary preparations for the expedition.

The Zhenshuo General's Mansion designated salt, sugar, iron, grain, beans, cloth, high-proof liquor, as well as saltpeter, sulfur, and other materials as strategic military supplies, and temporarily prohibited their sale within Xuanfu Town.

As for essential commodities such as salt, sugar, grain, and cloth, a quota system was implemented in Xuanfu Town until the end of the war to support the emperor.

The Earl of Yongning did not forget to report the war mobilization in Xuanfu Town to Jiang Yuxu, the governor-general of Xuanda stationed in Yanggao, and also informed Wang Pu, the general of Datong, and Li Fuming, the general of Shanxi, hoping that they could also implement it according to his model.

Although Wang Pu and Li Fuming's control over the local areas was nowhere near as good as his own, Zhang Cheng did not want them to have such tight control over the local military and political affairs. He simply wanted them to issue a military order in the name of the General's Office.

In this way, when needed, this military order can be used to investigate and punish those who secretly collude with slaves.

But there is one thing that is very strange!
After Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, announced the mobilization of the entire Xuanfu region in the name of the Zhenshuo General's Office, he reported to Jiang Yuxu, the Governor-General of Xuanda, and informed the two generals, Wang Pu and Li Fuming. However, he forgot to inform Zhu Zhifeng of Xuanfu, as well as Cai Maode, the Governor of Shanxi, and Wei Jingyuan, the Governor of Datong.

Logically, Xuanfu Town belonged to the system of actual local garrison, meaning the entire town was a military garrison. Only Yanqing and Bao'an Prefectures were not under the system of actual local garrison, so the governor of Xuanfu basically only managed these two prefectures.

Although military, political, and civil affairs in other places were also under the jurisdiction of the governor, by the time of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen's reign, especially after the rise of Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng, the governor of Xuanfu was no longer a significant figure.

But the governors of Datong, and especially the governors of Shanxi, were different. In Datong and Shanxi Province, it was still those two governors who had the final say.

Therefore, it is indeed unreasonable that Zhang Cheng not informed the two governors of the war mobilization order, but only the two generals!
…………

After the General Zhenshuo's War Mobilization Order was issued...

Not only did the soldiers and civilians in the various fortified villages begin to stockpile daily necessities, but even large and small businesses in various places began to stockpile various supplies, and an extremely tense atmosphere instantly enveloped the entire Xuanfu Town.

The strict checks at the city gates and the patrolling soldiers that could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys greatly increased the tense atmosphere.

With the closure of the passes leading to the outside world from Xuanfu Town, all news was cut off. The outside world was unaware of the situation inside Xuanfu Town, and the soldiers and civilians inside Xuanfu Town were also unable to know what was happening outside. Everything could only be done in accordance with the orders of the General's Mansion.

The busiest places were the various camps, where soldiers were busily making preparations. Outside the camps, a market suddenly appeared, selling all sorts of goods. These markets offered everything from food and daily necessities, but the most popular items were all kinds of amulets!
…………

On the 12th, before noon.

Xiong Tingrui, the military commander of the Xuanfu Town South Mountain Road, led two thousand soldiers of the Qibing Battalion from the Liugou Camp and headed towards Juyong Pass.

On the same day, in the afternoon.

Lin Dengyou, the deputy commander of Xuanfu Town, also led his 3,000 auxiliary troops from Yongning City and marched towards Juyong Pass.

Together, these two groups numbered five thousand soldiers, forming the first batch of troops from Xuanfu Town to defend the capital. The Earl of Yongning would also personally lead the Xuanfu Town army to defend the capital and protect the emperor.

From that day onward, Xuanfu Town was completely closed off, and strict checks were conducted on all entry and exit points for pedestrians and merchants. Anyone without official documents from the General's Mansion was not allowed to pass.

The busiest personnel were the pitifully few cavalrymen in the various fortresses...

There are cavalrymen in various castles in Xuanfu Town. They range from ten to a hundred men. They are usually stationed in the castles for drills and training, and are responsible for reconnaissance, scouting, and communication within the area. In times of war, they may be conscripted to various battalions for centralized use.

Although such things don't happen often, this time it really did happen.

Starting at noon on the 12th, squads of garrison cavalry had already set off from their respective fortresses, heading towards Dushikou Fortress, Shangzhuang Fortress, and Lixintun Fortress to await orders.

…………

The entire town of Xuanfu was mobilized.

Workshops across the region were operating at full capacity, working overtime to produce goods. The industrial school was also closed, and the students began to enter workshops in the North and East routes, throwing themselves into the intense production.

The cadets from the military academy also entered Xuanfu Town. They will cooperate with Yang Liying's women's army to take full control of all defenses in the town and ensure its safety during the war.

The soldiers of the various military garrisons and centurions, except for those who remained to maintain order, were sent to nearby castles to temporarily serve as garrison troops and assist in the defense of the various castles.

Even these fortified cities have their own stories to tell...

The location is not very important; fortresses that are not strategic passes can be left with only the necessary troops. They need to send troops to fortresses in key locations to strengthen the defense of the passes.

Meanwhile, the elite troops stationed in various fortresses converged on Dushikou Fort, Shangzhuang Fort, and Lixintun Fort, where they would join the main infantry and cavalry forces in the attack. (End of Chapter)