Year 14 of Xinghe, Autumn.
The 400,000-strong army of the Imperial Court stepped into Huyang in separate legions. Among them, the Puzhou Defense Envoy, Ma Zhen, who was the Commander of one of the three Imperial Armies, led the main force. The other troops were all led by elite generals transferred by the Imperial Court. They were either Guardian Envoys or generals. All of them held important positions and cooperated with Ma Zhen.
As soon as they entered Huyang, the various troops of the Imperial Court occupied the state and county and guarded the key passes. They formed a triangular formation and pulled the battle line, forming a broad blockade. They confronted the various passes of the Dragon King Stronghold, but did not attack immediately.