「A month passed.」
The wintry landscape gradually receded. As the heavy snow melted away, the temperature began to rise. All was stable within the borders of Qin. Outside its borders, however, the chaos in Yingchuan County had not subsided, a fact noticed by spies from the Zhao state.
In the Longtai Palace of Zhao, Great King Zhao Yan proclaimed, full of vigor, "The time has come! The opportunity to expand our territory has arrived! Convey my edict! Grant the Tiger Talisman and order General Pang Xuan to attack Yan at once!"
At his command, a temple official, holding a box containing the Tiger Talisman, walked down into the hall.
An elderly general then stepped forward and respectfully received the artifact. "I, Zhao Cong, accept this seal on behalf of Senior General Pang Xuan."
