As the gates on all sides of the city walls dropped, Taiyuan Prefecture officially became an isolated city.
The streets were under a complete curfew, and any idle persons were prohibited from moving about at night. Soldiers and Government Officials, wearing masks and armbands and carrying lanterns, patrolled the entire city in small teams.
Entertainment venues such as pleasure boats and restaurants were all closed. The once bustling commercial streets, bright day and night, were now so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The oppressive and solemn atmosphere affected the residential areas as well; every household unconsciously lowered their voices as if reverting to a time before the invention of talisman lamps.
Yet, in the luxurious manor to the north of the city, the lights shone brightly all night long, and the sounds of music and revelry carried on without pause.
