[center][b]Dominion of Meung [/b][/center]

[b]The retreat from Hatze had been a bloody disaster.[/b]

In the space of four hours, half of Huang Jian's platoon was dead, wounded, or missing. The fighting force of the 'Liaohuan Expedition' had been reduced to a ragtag group of mixed units that had been hastily re-organized into new combat formations.  The private paused, alongside the rest of his ad-hoc squad outside a nearby farmhouse. The local peasents had long since fled or been conscripted into the Xiang Army. 

A careful inspection of his rifle revealed that Jian was down to thirty rounds of ammunition, half a canteen, and he now had a rapidly expanding hole in his boot left his foot exposed. He had carefully wrapped it in rags to avoid the punishment from the march. Sergeant Wen Xi now Lieutenant Wen Xi carefully moved from man to man, speaking soft words of encouragement or issuing a harsh rebuke when he found something to his dislike.

Further down the road, came the one source of source for the lost expedition. They were disheveled peasents, often carrying guns older then he was. They lacked uniforms or anything even resembling that of a modern soldier. Yet what the volunteers lacked, they more than made up for in enthusiasm. Groups of volunteers, sometimes accompanied by women made their way up and down the company line carrying water and water. 

General Xiao Cai had sent several of his staff officers in an attempt to organize the Volunteers into something resembling a fighting force. When his chance came, Jian gratefully refilled his canteen. Soon, whistles were sounding and Jian was back on his aching feet. Can Tho lay up ahead and Xiao Cai saw it as his last great chance to recapture it. 
With a core of professional soldiers and thousands of youthful volunteers, the 'Xiang Liberation Army' as it would be christened by its commander would begin its advance. 
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[b]Grand Prince Yuzhen Moves Imperial Court: [/b]
The Imperial Court has been moved from Yujiin to Xiuying for the duration of the Southern Campaign. Prince Yuzhen has determined that the threat from Xiang must be ended at once and the people of Xiang liberated from the cruel grip of warlords.  In an address to a delegation from the House of Lords, Yuzhen praised '' the justice of our cause and the spirit of the Xiang people, many of whom have taken up arms with us to overthrow their oppressors. '' Prince Yuzhen visited troops on the border, along with Major General Liaohuan. It is expected that the Dominion will dramatically increase its military presence in Xiang. 

[b]First Army Advances:[/b]
The Grand Prince in conjunction with his military advisors had determined that the Southern Expedition requires more men and materials. The First Army will advance across the border to support the brave forces of Xiao Cai who are currently engaging Xiang forces near the city of Can Tho. Major General Liaohuan will command the advance. 

[b]Reforms to the Six Codes (Anti-Corruption Policy): [/b]
The Six Codes, the Constitution, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Criminal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Administrative Laws have governed the Dominion since the Reforms of 1842. Grand Prince Yuzhen with support the Prime Minister has pushed for reforms to both Civil Procedure and the Criminal Code to crack down on corruption. The reforms are expected to tackle the Imperial Bureacraucy, specifically the sale of positions and reported kickbacks to government ministers. The Government has appointed the respected Magistrate Lian Bao to head a Commission of Experts to recommend reforms in a report to the government.